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Planning Small Groups with Purpose: A Field-Tested Guide to Design and Grow Your Ministry
Small groups are a great way to promote the spiritual formation of church attendees. But leading them well can be hard work, especially if you don't have a plan.This practical resource helps pastors and small group point people develop and implement a 12- to 18-month strategic plan for their ministries in order to keep it healthy and growing. Developed at Saddleback Church, this completely customizable plan works for any church size and any denomination. Readers answer 22 questions that help them understand their vision, the purpose of their ministry, and how to connect members, grow numerically and spiritually, measure progress, develop leaders, create opportunities to serve, and much more. By the time they're done, readers will have developed their own personalized planner for the next year to 18 months so that they can feel prepared, confident, and purposeful about their small group ministry.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 3, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 2, 2018
Book should be renamed “Planning Small Groups with Purpose-Driven Methods”
In his new book, “Planning Small Groups with Purpose: A Field-Tested Guide to Design and Grow Your Ministry,” Steve Gladen presents a repackaged version of Rick Warren’s bestseller, “The Purpose-Driven Church,” in a scaled-down version for small groups.
Published by Baker Books, Gladen’s 240-page book reflects the grave influence Rick Warren’s purpose-driven, Emerging Church movement has had on nearly every denomination.
In fact, it has even started to infect many evangelical churches who once relied on the Spirit of God, and the teaching and preaching of the Word of God to draw people, instead of manufactured principles and programs that aren’t based on the Scriptures.
The only kind of growth a church should be focused on is the growth of the individual believer through the teaching and preaching of the Word of God. God never meant for churches (which are people, not buildings) to be run like businesses, employing humanistic models (i.e., Myer-Briggs, etc.). Small groups are to center around the Word of God; they are not to be social clubs.
The end result of purpose-driven methods is having people who just fill pews without ever truly transforming. It’s about helping people mature in the Lord; not using a five-point program to draw them. You can’t herd people together and expect them to follow a plan that’s not of God.
Moreover, you cannot predict where people are in their spiritual and personal lives. Purpose-Driven churches are trying to replace the Spirit of God with a formula that’s not of God – even though they say they aren’t. They are trying to manufacture results without relying on the Lord to lead and guide them.
Sadly, the main purpose of many of these churches seems to be expecting people to change as the result of a program by increasing in numbers, instead of the sanctifying work of the Lord. It’s better to remain small in numbers and be spiritually healthy than increase in size and have more people potentially creating more problems than purpose-driven methods would solve.
Overall, Gladen’s heart seems to be in the right place. But this clearly purpose-driven method of developing small groups is highly questionable. While Gladen did say he’s more concerned about spiritual health than numbers, his book actually gives the opposite impression.
I gave it a 2 out of 5 stars.
Full disclosure: In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, I received this book free through the Baker Books Bloggers Program. My opinions are my own and I wasn’t required to write a positive review.
In his new book, “Planning Small Groups with Purpose: A Field-Tested Guide to Design and Grow Your Ministry,” Steve Gladen presents a repackaged version of Rick Warren’s bestseller, “The Purpose-Driven Church,” in a scaled-down version for small groups.
Published by Baker Books, Gladen’s 240-page book reflects the grave influence Rick Warren’s purpose-driven, Emerging Church movement has had on nearly every denomination.
In fact, it has even started to infect many evangelical churches who once relied on the Spirit of God, and the teaching and preaching of the Word of God to draw people, instead of manufactured principles and programs that aren’t based on the Scriptures.
The only kind of growth a church should be focused on is the growth of the individual believer through the teaching and preaching of the Word of God. God never meant for churches (which are people, not buildings) to be run like businesses, employing humanistic models (i.e., Myer-Briggs, etc.). Small groups are to center around the Word of God; they are not to be social clubs.
The end result of purpose-driven methods is having people who just fill pews without ever truly transforming. It’s about helping people mature in the Lord; not using a five-point program to draw them. You can’t herd people together and expect them to follow a plan that’s not of God.
Moreover, you cannot predict where people are in their spiritual and personal lives. Purpose-Driven churches are trying to replace the Spirit of God with a formula that’s not of God – even though they say they aren’t. They are trying to manufacture results without relying on the Lord to lead and guide them.
Sadly, the main purpose of many of these churches seems to be expecting people to change as the result of a program by increasing in numbers, instead of the sanctifying work of the Lord. It’s better to remain small in numbers and be spiritually healthy than increase in size and have more people potentially creating more problems than purpose-driven methods would solve.
Overall, Gladen’s heart seems to be in the right place. But this clearly purpose-driven method of developing small groups is highly questionable. While Gladen did say he’s more concerned about spiritual health than numbers, his book actually gives the opposite impression.
I gave it a 2 out of 5 stars.
Full disclosure: In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, I received this book free through the Baker Books Bloggers Program. My opinions are my own and I wasn’t required to write a positive review.
August 16, 2018
Many people may miss that the aim of the book is not to create a cookie cutter model and make all groups like this. Its aimed mainly at churches where groups may be failing, or non existent currently. In my mind they are not trying to make all like Saddleback, they just sharing what has worked, and are letting people know what worked for them. Its more for me about viewing where your challenges are and then 'tweaking' what they present to fit your churches small groups.
Churches who want a new perspective or perhaps have no group structures or unhealthy groups can gain a lot from this book, which sums up years of failure and success, and presents whats worked best for us. I think its great that they share this with everyone.
Churches who want a new perspective or perhaps have no group structures or unhealthy groups can gain a lot from this book, which sums up years of failure and success, and presents whats worked best for us. I think its great that they share this with everyone.
September 12, 2018
There are some very good points that you can get out of this book. However, I was honestly looking for something that was a little less structured, or business model oriented, when it came to setting out to implement a small group ministry. Think of it more like an organic-type of environment vs. a structured model. That is what I was hoping for.
This book is written by Steve Gladen, who heads up the small group ministry at Saddleback Church (pastored by Rick Warren, Purpose Driven Life author). I’m sure with their size and resources, this model may work well for them, however for the majority of churches out there being a small church, I’m not so sure how well this business model approach would work.
Don’t get me wrong, you will be able to get some points out of this that are very worthwhile and helpful, but if you’re from a small church, parts may feel frustrating since you likely will not have the resources at your disposal to do some of these things like they were able to at Saddleback Church. It is very clear that the author feels that the way they did it at Saddleback Church will work for any church of any size or denomination, and he very often references back to the Purpose Driven books written by his pastor, Rick Warren.
If you are not a fan of Rick Warren, then you may not appreciate this book as much, however, if you are, then you likely will get a lot out of this book. I don’t personally subscribe to a highly business-modeled approach to church let alone small groups, but I can only speak for myself as I think something more organic is a better approach. Maybe the answer is somewhere in the middle though with some structure, yet still organic in nature.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for this review from Baker Books and all opinions are my own.
This book is written by Steve Gladen, who heads up the small group ministry at Saddleback Church (pastored by Rick Warren, Purpose Driven Life author). I’m sure with their size and resources, this model may work well for them, however for the majority of churches out there being a small church, I’m not so sure how well this business model approach would work.
Don’t get me wrong, you will be able to get some points out of this that are very worthwhile and helpful, but if you’re from a small church, parts may feel frustrating since you likely will not have the resources at your disposal to do some of these things like they were able to at Saddleback Church. It is very clear that the author feels that the way they did it at Saddleback Church will work for any church of any size or denomination, and he very often references back to the Purpose Driven books written by his pastor, Rick Warren.
If you are not a fan of Rick Warren, then you may not appreciate this book as much, however, if you are, then you likely will get a lot out of this book. I don’t personally subscribe to a highly business-modeled approach to church let alone small groups, but I can only speak for myself as I think something more organic is a better approach. Maybe the answer is somewhere in the middle though with some structure, yet still organic in nature.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for this review from Baker Books and all opinions are my own.
August 6, 2018
This book might as well have been titled "Saddleback Church's Small Groups Business Model." I was eagerly awaiting this book after I requested it for review but was disappointed when it arrived and realized that it was written by Saddleback's small group director.
This book or workbook is pretty much Saddleback's model for small groups and the techniques they've been using for years that seems to have infiltrated all the mainstream churches across the country. I have not read the Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren but the author seems to mention it quite a bit and has heavily influenced this book.
While I agree that small groups need to have some organization, I do not like how this book makes small groups into business models. Instead of relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, they implement man's wisdom and techniques to produce growth. And manmade growth is no growth at all; this is what leads to full but empty churches and false converts. In other words, if you want to gather a crowd and want numbers (not a church, with genuine believers) then this book is for you.
As another reviewer said, we are better off with a small church that truly is saved vs a building crowded with people.
While the author seems to care about the state of the spiritual lives of the people, his reliance on manmade techniques says otherwise. The "purpose" they refer to are in growing numbers, not discipleship which is what small groups are supposed to be about.
I give this workbook 1/5 stars.
I received a copy of this book from Baker in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
This book or workbook is pretty much Saddleback's model for small groups and the techniques they've been using for years that seems to have infiltrated all the mainstream churches across the country. I have not read the Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren but the author seems to mention it quite a bit and has heavily influenced this book.
While I agree that small groups need to have some organization, I do not like how this book makes small groups into business models. Instead of relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, they implement man's wisdom and techniques to produce growth. And manmade growth is no growth at all; this is what leads to full but empty churches and false converts. In other words, if you want to gather a crowd and want numbers (not a church, with genuine believers) then this book is for you.
As another reviewer said, we are better off with a small church that truly is saved vs a building crowded with people.
While the author seems to care about the state of the spiritual lives of the people, his reliance on manmade techniques says otherwise. The "purpose" they refer to are in growing numbers, not discipleship which is what small groups are supposed to be about.
I give this workbook 1/5 stars.
I received a copy of this book from Baker in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
August 6, 2018
Steve Gladen, Planning Small Groups With Purpose: A Field-Tested Guide to Design and Grow Your Ministry (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2018). $18.99.
Steve Gladen’s book falls in line with the Saddleback Church and Rick Warren’s Purpose-Driven model. I have many difficulties with the book regarding its approach to ministry and underlying philosophies. Most readers will not be like the author and praying for ten-thousand small groups in your local church. Gladen argues that we can and must be concerned for quality and quantity at the same time. All to frequently the desire for large numbers come through. I would recommend this book to those involved in small-group ministry as a resource. Elements of Planning Small Groups can be incorporated, such as the tools, questions, and desire for groups of Christians gathering to fellowship. Small groups should never be the tool to draw in new believers. Nevertheless, Christians are citizens of the kingdom of God and are united together by our adoption into God’s family. For many reasons the world should see us gathered together outside of Sunday mornings and in each other’s homes. If you don’t take anything else away from this book, please take the desire for imitating Acts 2:42-47.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. My comments are independent and my own.
Steve Gladen’s book falls in line with the Saddleback Church and Rick Warren’s Purpose-Driven model. I have many difficulties with the book regarding its approach to ministry and underlying philosophies. Most readers will not be like the author and praying for ten-thousand small groups in your local church. Gladen argues that we can and must be concerned for quality and quantity at the same time. All to frequently the desire for large numbers come through. I would recommend this book to those involved in small-group ministry as a resource. Elements of Planning Small Groups can be incorporated, such as the tools, questions, and desire for groups of Christians gathering to fellowship. Small groups should never be the tool to draw in new believers. Nevertheless, Christians are citizens of the kingdom of God and are united together by our adoption into God’s family. For many reasons the world should see us gathered together outside of Sunday mornings and in each other’s homes. If you don’t take anything else away from this book, please take the desire for imitating Acts 2:42-47.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. My comments are independent and my own.
August 31, 2018
I was excited about reading Planning Small Groups with Purpose by Steve Gladen, and the book did not disappoint. When planning a small group, two of the things that I would deem most important are whether the participants are learning something and enjoying the group experience as a whole. Fortunately, I found what I was looking for in this book, since Gladner talks about how to invest in God’s Kingdom through small groups while also discussing how to incorporate a group vision and keep the group balanced. I like how Gladen examines the tension between drawing more people into the group and keeping a sense of familiarity in the group. There are many good ways to lead a small group, and I believe that this book offers solid ideas to pave the way in small group planning.
I received this book for review.
I received this book for review.
July 28, 2018
This book was shape writing and compelling to read with also had influence to a small group and that can be help to articulate their vision, understand the purpose of your ministry, connect members, grow numerically and spiritually, measure progress, develop leaders, and create opportunity to serve be success in their community. I highly recommend to everyone must to read this book. “ I received complimentary a copy of this book from Baker Books Bloggers for this review”.
March 21, 2023
This resource was… okay. I’m trying not to rate this based off my role as a youth pastor not relating too well to the things he shared in this book. But I just felt that this was a good resource to get some things from pertaining to the setting of your life group, but didn’t hit on many of the things I hoped it would give insight to, like launching and developing life groups and leaders. It wasn’t terrible, but not a resource I’ll go back to again.
Rating: 4/10, two stars.
Rating: 4/10, two stars.
December 21, 2018
Terrific. December reading was perfect as we start a new year. Recommended for any small group ministry.
June 13, 2024
Changing jobs is never easy and I need to develop new competencies. Steve Gladen’s book helped me feel confident as I stepped into my new role as Connections Pastor here at Steamboat Rock Baptist Church. While I may still be waiting to implement every part of the plan this book helped me formulate, it was a game changer for me.
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July 24, 2018Planning Small Groups with Purpose is an insightful workbook that helps you build and grow your group based on scripture. A step by step guide with practical tips to help grow your ministry into a stronger God centered group.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews