Creating a Lead Small Culture: Make Your Church a Place Where Kids Belong

by Reggie Joiner, Kristen Ivy, Elle Campbell

Every kid needs to be known by someone and to belong somewhere. Most leaders agree. That's one reason for a shift in the way many churches are discipling their kids and teenagers. Think of it this connecting kids and teens to a consistent leader who believes in God and believes in them is something the church can do that nothing else in culture does. Creating a Lead Small Make Your Church a Place Where Kids Belong, by Reggie Joiner, Kristen Ivy, and Elle Campbell, is for every leader of small group leaders. Strategy, best practices, training tips, and real-life stories from over 20 ministry leaders across the US and Canada--this book has what you need to create an effective small group culture in your church. __________ My wife, Wendy, and I have seen the benefits of small groups up close. Our daughter, Jesse, and our son, Cole, have been greatly influenced through small group leaders who share our values and yet speak to our kids from a different perspective. This has been a huge blessing to us as parents. As a pastor, I highly recommend Creating a Lead Small Culture to anyone who works with kids and teenagers. This is a smart, sustainable strategy with enormous generational impact.
Jeff Henderson, lead pastor, Gwinnett Church As a parent, leader, and researcher, my goal is that all kids will be surrounded by adults who lovingly help them be changed by Christ to change the world around them. This wise book gives your church the practical tools you need to make that goal a reality.
Kara Powell, PhD, executive director of Fuller Youth Institute (FYI) I's one thing to see the potential in small groups; it's another to create a church culture in which small groups thrive. Creating a Lead Small Culture is a must read for every senior leader and leadership team. In a masterful and engaging way, Reggie, Kristen, and Elle explain the behaviors every team can incorporate into their culture to see kids, teens, and families flourish through the ministry of the local church.
Carey Nieuwhof, lead pastor, Connexus Community Church

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Leadership

195 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Reggie Joiner is the founder and CEO of Orange, a non-profit organization whose purpose is to influence those who influence the next generation. Author of more than 30 books, including Think Orange, Seven Practices of Effective Ministry, and Lead Small. Reggie has changed the way churches and organizations create environments for and equip leaders, parents, and the next generation. Orange partners with over 8,000 churches internationally and is the architect of the Orange Conference and the Orange Tour, which provide national training opportunities for senior pastors, church leaders, and ministry volunteers.

Prior to Orange and along with Andy Stanley, Reggie co-founded North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Georgia. During his 11 years as the executive director of Family Ministry, Reggie developed the new concepts of ministry for preschoolers, children, students, and married adults. He has found a way to wear orange for 4,353 days and counting.

Reggie is a graduate of Georgia Southwestern College. He and his wife Debbie have four grown children and live near Atlanta.

Reviews

[Annie VandenBerg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was legit written for my job. Such great perspective on how to make a big church feel small, so that kids will feel/be known and become disciples of Jesus Christ!

[Travis Heystek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall this was a pretty good book. I’ve been reading it with a group through our denomination’s headquarters and we meet to talk about it once a week.

My biggest complaint with this book and the reason I give it 3 stars instead of 4 is because it definitely caters to the large church (500+), and the vast majority of people reading his book will be in churches of 200 or less. A lot of principles would remain the same but I think the starting point looks different and the book kind of leaves small church leaders floundering for that starting point.

[Amanda Pascoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Years ago, our church administrator asked me to virtually attend an Orange conference. Since then, I have become a fan of all things Orange. Based on quality research and experience, this model of ministry is exactly what kids if all ages need to own their faith. This book is an excellent commentary on how to build or reform your youth ministries in a way that will transform lives and build a community that supports and champions the next generation in your congregation.

Who, what, where, when, why and how are all addressed in this book, backed by personal accounts and an entertaining platform that will get you excited about ministry all over again. I highly recommend all the books from these authors if you are a ministry leader.

Additionally, I believe youth leaders in any capacity--education, community, scouts--would benefit from the insight included in this book. Working with youth is important, but connecting with youth is crucial is you want to be effective. This book is a step in the direction of impactful relationships wherever you serve.

[Gabi Bedlion · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Every kid needs to be known before they can feel welcome. Every kid needs to be known before they can feel forgiven. Every kid needs to be known before they can know they belong.”

I thoroughly enjoy way this book champions small groups & relationship-building between leaders and kids. Overall, it is well laid out, easy to understand, and contains helpful nuggets.


I gave 3 stars because I felt the book was at times a bit shallow and drawn out, and at times I was left wanting more. I think it can still be a useful tool for leaders and was made to be an accessible read to all.

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for all who work with kids.

[Josh Samarco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I've read on creating a small group culture for students.

[Katie Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read that's straight to the point about the importance of small groups. I appreciate the clear recommendations on how to move from a classroom setting to a lead small setting.

[Logan Webster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

[Julie Hawkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I reread this for my new job! This is a great playbook and staple book for leading any type of small group!

[Jason Deuman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful!

I wish I had this resource when I was in youth ministry. I knew that I was not going to be great at leading the big event youth ministry thing. But I love discipleship and group. Joiner et al communicate a wonderful vision of what discipline kids can truly look like. As a lead pastor this was helpful for me to understand for our kids and youth ministries as well as some great insight for discipline adults.

[Eric Trout · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking to implement a small group culture that works? You need to read this book. Reggie Joiner, the founder of ReThink Group & Orange, along with his team lays out a clear and simple strategy for training small group leaders to Lead Small.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of good information! A great place to start if you are beginning a move to small groups and a great place to check your progress if you've already begun the move.

[Sean Mcpeak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for me to understand why our church does kid min the way they do.

[John Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This goes on my "everyone in ministry must read this book" list. I wish I had this when I was first starting out in ministry. Practical, yet extremely deep.

[Moriah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful material.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great info for our Family Ministry.

[Jerry Bousard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Read on Small Groups Ministry!