Épisodes

  • 5 Tips to Set Your Small Groups Up Strong

    5 Tips to Set Your Small Groups Up Strong
    Aug 6 2025

    Five Essential Tips for Setting Up Strong Small Groups This Fall with Steve Gladen

    In this engaging episode of SG Squared, Derek hosts Steve Gladen, a seasoned small group ministry leader with over 25 years of experience, to share five essential tips for setting up strong small groups this fall. Steve makes two major announcements, discussing his departure from Saddleback Church and future plans to focus on the global church and develop the Small Group Network. The five tips covered include clarifying the 'why,' checking in with processes and people, listening well, saying thank you, and modeling openness. By implementing these strategies, leaders can bolster their small group ministries and impact discipleship effectively. Don't miss out on these practical insights to help you prepare for the upcoming fall season and beyond.

    00:00 Welcome and Introduction
    01:14 Big Announcements from Steve Gladen
    02:51 Transitioning to Global Church Work
    08:11 Five Tips for Strong Small Groups This Fall
    09:23 Tip 1: Clarify the Why
    12:08 Tip 2: Check In
    15:53 Tip 3: Listen Well
    19:37 Tip 4: Say Thank You
    23:02 Tip 5: Model Openness
    27:07 Final Thoughts and Farewell

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    29 min
  • A New Day At The Small Group Network (BONUS EPISODE)

    A New Day At The Small Group Network (BONUS EPISODE)
    Aug 1 2025

    The Next Chapter for Small Group Network: A Vision of Connection and Impact

    Learn more at https://smallgroupnetwork.com

    In this special edition of SG Squared, Steve Gladen passionately shares his personal journey and the transformative power of small groups, beginning with his family's conversion story. Following his departure from Saddleback Church, Steve announces his full-time commitment to the Small Group Network. He outlines three main focuses for the future: eradicating loneliness through better community connection, enhancing Bible engagement within small groups, and making significant impacts on various community units including families, local churches, and the global church. Steve calls for support through donations, becoming a 'Friend of the Small Group Network,' and helping churches access 'All Access' resources, underlining the initiative's potential to create profound change.

    00:00 Introduction and Personal Update
    00:32 The Power of Small Groups: A Personal Story
    01:34 The Birth and Growth of the Small Group Network
    02:11 A New Chapter: Full-Time Commitment to the Network
    02:39 Future Vision: Core Fundamentals and New Initiatives
    03:07 Eradicating Loneliness: A Key Focus
    04:07 Strategic Resourcing: Enhancing Bible Engagement
    05:29 Impacting Communities: Four Key Areas
    05:51 How You Can Support the Small Group Network
    08:22 Conclusion and Call to Action

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    9 min
  • 7 Ways Your Small Group Leaders Can Have The Best Summer Ever

    7 Ways Your Small Group Leaders Can Have The Best Summer Ever
    Jul 2 2025

    7 Ways to Encourage and Empower Small Group Leaders This Summer

    In this exciting episode of SG Squared, Steve Gladen, the global pastor of small groups at Saddleback Church, along with co-host Derek, discuss seven practical and creative ways to encourage and build into small group leaders during the summer. From handwritten cards and spontaneous drop-bys to fun ideas like hosting a pool party or tour of a local stadium, Steve offers actionable tips to help small group leaders feel appreciated and motivated. This episode aims to help small group point people make lasting memories and strengthen relationships with their leaders, ensuring vibrant and healthy small groups throughout the year.
    CP Olympics Print
    CP Olympics

    04:29 Tip 1: Send a Card for Coffee or Dinner
    07:02 Tip 2: Drop By with a Summer Kit
    11:20 Tip 3: Send a Heartfelt Text
    14:22 Tip 4: Host a Pool Party or Olympic Games
    17:22 Tip 5: Organize a Car Wash
    19:23 Tip 6: Mail a Summer T-Shirt
    22:42 Tip 7: Plan a Stadium or Museum Tour

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    27 min
  • The Best Part of Your Week: How to Make Groups Fun, Relational, and Life-Giving - Featuring Brad Shank

    The Best Part of Your Week: How to Make Groups Fun, Relational, and Life-Giving - Featuring Brad Shank
    Jun 4 2025

    Enhancing Small Group Ministry: Insights from the Lobby Gathering

    In this episode of SG Squared, Steve Gladden and James Browning discuss the annual Lobby Gathering event in Southern California, which brings together small group pastors from around the world. The conversation highlights the inception of the Lobby Gathering, emphasizing the importance of practical networking over traditional conference sessions. The episode features insights from Brad Shank of Christ's Church of the Valley (CCV), who outlines four key rhythms for creating vibrant small groups: eating together, doing life together, growing together, and serving together. Shank stresses the significance of these rhythms in fostering genuine relationships and spiritual growth, offering practical advice for making groups the best part of members' weeks by embodying the spirit of the early church. The episode encourages listeners to reevaluate their small group practices to foster environments filled with joy, generosity, connection, and mission.

    To take advantage of the early bird discount, head to https://smallgroupnetwork.com/events

    00:00 Introduction to the Lobby Gathering
    00:33 The Origin of the Lobby Gathering
    00:59 Mistake #1: Wrong Assumptions
    02:56 Mistake #2: Impatience
    04:29 Mistake #3: Defensiveness
    06:35 Insights from the Lobby Gathering
    08:12 Best Part of Your Week: Building Life-Giving Groups
    15:56 Four Key Rhythms for Small Groups
    19:32 Practical Tips for Group Leaders
    31:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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    35 min
  • 3 mistakes to avoid with your Lead Pastor

    3 mistakes to avoid with your Lead Pastor
    May 7 2025
    3 mistakes to avoid with your Lead or Supervising PastorMistake #1: Wrong assumptionsIn the middle of a difficult moment with leadership relationships, it is very easy to assume the worst about them. A Christian counselor friend once said, “When we assume the motives of someone else we are wrong most of the time.” I have learned this is very true.We often forget is what it’s like to be in their shoes. Remember when others misjudged you? What did you want from them? What did you wish for? It might be a good exercise to make a list of what you remember as a starting point for making changes in your relationships.The danger of assigning motives, of assuming someone’s intent, is we never know all the facts. They maybe new to the church? To the role? To you? They come with their own often un-named values, beliefs, and assumptions about what we, their leadership, should or should not do. It’s very complicated.The temptation is always to side with your own beliefs, to assume you are correct, because we know them…or think we do. But God is clear when He says, “You shall not be partial in judgment … For the Lord your God is God of Gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty and the awesome God, who is not partial …” (Deuteronomy 1:17; 10:17). Meaningful relations can’t happen if we are assuming the worst or assigning blame without knowing all the data. And we will rarely have all the facts.Conclusion: Choose to believe the best. Ask God to give you His love and grace and to help you give grace, expecting nothing in return. You will never know the full impact of the Lead Pastor world! Help them see you as a “friend” not a “foe”.Mistake #2: ImpatienceWe’ve had a lifetime to get to know our ministry, but when it comes to being the Lead Pastor…not so much. It’s all too easy to impatiently expect these relationships to gel perfectly. Relationships take time … lots of time with many investments of grace, love, and patience. There are so many factors to consider—working styles, age gaps, passion gaps, interest gaps, etc.Often what helps me in impatience is to know, that through PRAYER, God can make things go far faster than I can. Simple, huh? Along with that, you need to be good for your church. You are part of the team to help, not just have your way. You need to show up, but not throw up!Basically, be what a friend taught me, “Be a good General, not a bad General”. A bad General takes their assignment and does whatever higher ups tell them. A good General will assess the situation, give their advise and then execute on whatever leadership decides. If you feel it is wrong, PRAY, God will course correct.Conclusion: We are only responsible to suggest and pray.. God is more than able to work His will in their lives without our help. Our job now is to be patient with the process and trust Him to do the work. SOMETIMES God is working in the background and doesn’t tell us! LOLMistake #3: DefensivenessWhen a Lead Pastor points out a flaw he or she sees in us, it hurts. Our natural inclination is to be defensive, to explain our position and how hard we tried to do our best rather than just apologize and say, “I’m so sorry that hurt you so much or wasn’t done the way you expected.” We forget so easily that we are all flawed, broken people and no pastor is perfect. So why are we surprised when stuff happens and people give us issues?This next statement isn’t natural but … instead of having defensiveness of those of we serve (our Lead Pastor), we should be grateful for the opportunity to mend and apologize for the mistakes we make! Even if it was 100% unintentional. Modeling an apologetic heart and seeking forgiveness will open the door for you to do the same with those that serve under you (staff or volunteer). A friend once said, “Seeing a flaw in ourselves is a joy because we now have the opportunity to be rid of it.” It takes maturity and humility to see our shortcomings this way, but it’s liberating.Only when we own our mistakes and admit where we failed leadership will we grow rich relationships with them and church leadership. The truth is always your friend.Only humility produces the beauty of meaningfully deep relationships. And continually acknowledging our own shortcomings and failures before God makes beautiful our lives in the greater body of Christ. It’s been quite a journey at Saddleback Church since March of 1998. I’ve known lots of misunderstandings and mistakes. Thankfully I’ve known forgiveness too. I love our church so much, including the staff and people LOL. Each difficulty brings uniqueness which challenges us to a greater faith, and that is always good.He’s got us, He’s got our ministry and He’s got our Lead Pastor too! ★ Support this podcast ★
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    24 min
  • The 4 "K"s of Small Group Ministry Spring Cleaning

    The 4 "K"s of Small Group Ministry Spring Cleaning
    Apr 9 2025

    Spring Cleaning for Small Group Ministry: The 5 Ks with Steve Gladen

    In this episode of FG Squared, Steve Gladen, the global pastor of small groups from Saddleback Church, shares insights from his 25+ years of experience to help listeners enhance their small group ministries. Joined by Derek, Steve discusses 'The 4 Ks of Small Group Ministry Spring Cleaning': Kinship with leaders, Keeping clean data, Knowing your playbook, Kindling leadership, and Kicking spiritual butt. They emphasize the importance of building deeper relationships with leaders, maintaining accurate data, ensuring everyone understands the group's playbook, fostering leadership pathways, and ultimately achieving ministry victories. Tune in for practical advice to rejuvenate your small group ministry.

    00:00 Introduction and Welcome
    00:25 Personal Updates and Moving Challenges
    01:46 Spring Cleaning in Small Group Ministry
    03:02 The Four Ks of Small Group Ministry
    03:20 Kinship with Leaders
    07:42 Keep Clean Data
    10:50 Know Your Playbook
    12:50 Kindle Leadership
    16:56 Final Thoughts and The Fifth K
    18:30 Conclusion and Farewell

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    19 min
  • 5 Emotional Refreshments for You & Your Groups (Replay)

    5 Emotional Refreshments for You & Your Groups (Replay)
    Mar 5 2025

    Equipping Small Group Leaders: Insights from Saddleback Church

    In this episode of SG Squared, Steve Gladen, the global pastor of small groups at Saddleback Church, shares his extensive experience to encourage and equip small group leaders. The episode includes the 'Saddleback Scoop,' highlighting the church's shift from fruitfulness to faithfulness, an approach to combat COVID-induced depletion by focusing on all four aspects of personal refreshment: physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual. The 'Network Nugget' segment introduces Saddleback’s first online training course, Align, and discusses its positive impact on participants. Additionally, the podcast touches on new course releases, upcoming events, and the importance of maintaining various forms of personal well-being. The show wraps up with a focus on five emotional refreshments essential for small group leaders and members: support, stability, self-expression, significance, and satisfaction.

    00:00 Welcome to F G Squared
    00:19 The Saddleback Scoop: Refreshment and Recalibration
    07:03 Network Nugget: Align Learning and Cohort Strategy
    13:42 Leadership Learning: The Replenishment Cycle
    21:45 Trending Topic: Five Emotional Refreshments
    32:08 Closing Remarks and Resources

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    33 min
  • Special Episode from the Group Answers Podcast with Chris Surratt and Steve Gladen

    Special Episode from the Group Answers Podcast with Chris Surratt and Steve Gladen
    Feb 5 2025

    This episode is a very special cross post from the Group Answers podcast. We are sharing in honor of the passing of Chris Surratt, a friend and brother in Christ who has impacted thousands of small group point people around the world.

    Thanks for taking the time to listen, and don't forget to check out Group Answers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

    Original Description:
    On this episode of Group Answers, Chris talks to Steve Gladen about why we should go after hard and soft data to know if our small groups are healthy and creating disciples. Steve Gladen has been the pastor of small groups at Saddleback Church since 1998 and serves as an elder of the church.
    The post Group Answers Episode 235: Steve Gladen on Knowing Hard and Soft Data in Your Small Group Ministry appeared first on Adult Ministry.
    CLICK HERE to read the report from Lifeway Research about the state of groups.

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    46 min