Susan’s Reviews > The Big Book on Small Groups > Status Update

I read this book some time ago to get tips on starting a small group ministry. I hope that it's helpful for you.

Don wrote: "I read this book some time ago to get tips on starting a small group ministry. I hope that it's helpful for you."

I'm on a "visioning" committee for small groups and we're reading it. The language is a little "evangelical" for me, but I'm working with it. As our Associate Pastor said, "The Evangelicals are the ones who are growing their congregations; we have to see what they're doing." I led groups for 25 years, so the material isn't real new, but interesting.

I love being in a small group with you!
:)

Paula wrote: "I love being in a small group with you!
:)"

Thanks! Back at ya!

Namaste,

Susan

Susan wrote: "Don wrote: "I read this book some time ago to get tips on starting a small group ministry. I hope that it's helpful for you."

I'm on a "visioning" committee for small groups and we're reading it. ..."

Interesting. I suspect it's going to take a whole lot more than small group ministries to breathe life back into the old Mainline . I wonder how the Evangelical churches came to be the pattern for growth for many mainline churches. I guess I am thinking about why we assume numerical growth is an imperative, that is, for reasons other than the fact that my daughter needs new shoes and that I'd like a new car. I think Diana Butlet-Bass offers an important approach for all this. Phil Gulley's "If the Church Was Christian" is rather provocative, as well. Good reading...

Let me get more into Diana Butler-Bass' book, and be back to you. I read some of Phil Gulley's book, If the Church . . . . He came to talk with us at the Jesus Seminar, which was interesting. I agree with him, and wonder why sometimes, we read so much and don't just go immediately into meditation and "centering prayer" and on to "social justice". Sometimes, often, the words fail us.

By the way, the Jesus Seminar meets every other Wednesday at Castleton UMC. It's open to anyone, particularly "thoughtful" people. We just unpacked Phi Gulley's book, and we meet this Wednesday, and are searching for a new reading/discussion.

Susan wrote: "Let me get more into Diana Butler-Bass' book, and be back to you. I read some of Phil Gulley's book, If the Church . . . . He came to talk with us at the Jesus Seminar, which was interesting. I ..."

Susan wrote: "Let me get more into Diana Butler-Bass' book, and be back to you. I read some of Phil Gulley's book, If the Church . . . . He came to talk with us at the Jesus Seminar, which was interesting. I ..."

Thanks, Susan. I went through a period of time when I looked to the Evangelical churches as a good model for growth. However, I've kind of come around to fostering an engagement with spirituality via Spiritual Disciplines. "Being a Blessed Church" by N. Graham Standish was helpful.

I've attended the Jesus Seminar at Castleton a couple of times. As you know, several Disciples folk attend. However, scheduling time for it has been challenging. Perhaps, I'll re-look at my calendar.

Phil Gulley, who lives here in Danville, and I have talked about getting together for lunch. I keep thinking that if he gets to know me I might become an unflattering character in his next fictional novel! You know, the lovable yet incompetent pastor with a penchant for daydreaming about moving to California, or something like that!
Thanks. Good reading!