In this week's podcast, our podcast team shares our Top 10 Lessons We Learned this semester. We believe in the value of reflecting on what we did right, what we need to work on, and what we should celebrate in our leadership journey. Join us as

25. Jared Johnson on the Importance of Leaders Winning at Home

Nov 10th, 2021 18m 41s

Serving in ministry can be so much fun and incredibly rewarding. It can also be really hard on your family. Ever heard the phrase, "Warning: Ministry may be dangerous to your family's health”? Unfortunately, many of us have found this statement

24. Robert Pedroza on the Importance of Being Teachable and How to Avoid the Comparison Trap

Nov 4th, 2021 19m 30s

Robert Pedroza, Connections Pastor at Rise City Church, joins our podcast to discuss why being teachable is so important to our development as leaders. Robert also gets real about the dangers of comparing ourselves to others and why we need to

23. JoAnn Johnson on Reigniting Your Passion for Personal Growth

Oct 27th, 2021 25m 11s

JoAnn Johnson, Executive Pastor at Newbreak Church, joins our podcast to talk about why it's essential for leaders to prioritize our own personal growth. Often times our own growth is pushed to the side because we get so worried about everyone

22. Sherwood Patterson on Spirit Empowered Leadership

Oct 20th, 2021 19m 22s

Sherwood Patterson, Founder and Lead Pastor of Quest Church San Diego, shares with us why it's vital to serve others from the overflow and empowerment of God's Spirit working in our lives. When we learn to marinate in God's presence, and allow

21. Matt DeMateo on Bold Steps of Faith and Hope that Spreads, Part 2

Oct 13th, 2021 14m 10s

We are joined again by Matt DeMateo, Pastor at New Life Community Church and Executive Director of New Life Centers Chicagoland, in Part 2 of our podcast on taking bold steps of faith. Matt gets real with us as he shares from his own experience

20. Matt DeMateo on Bold Steps of Faith and Hope that Spreads, Part 1

Oct 6th, 2021 14m 48s

Matt DeMateo, Pastor at New Life Community Church and Executive Director of New Life Centers Chicagoland, shares with us some practical lessons he's learned about taking bold steps of faith, why we talk ourselves out of it, and where to get sta

19. God, Family, & Everything Else (with Markus Witherspoon)

Sep 30th, 2021 17m 13s

In this episode, we are joined by Pastor Markus Witherspoon to discuss why setting boundaries are so important in the life of a leader. We also define what guides our boundaries and why setting boundaries is so hard. Check it out!For more inf

18. NAPA: How To Pick Your Service Project

Sep 22nd, 2021 12m 43s

When it comes to choosing the service project for your Life Group this semester, how do you know which one to do? Analysis paralysis can hit you and your group fast. Should we come up with our own thing? Should we partner with the church or ano

17. THE SERVE CHALLENGE!!!

Sep 15th, 2021 14m 6s

Introducing....THE SERVE CHALLENGE! What is that you ask? Join us this week as we discuss our strategy to get our groups serving! We'll talk about origin of the idea and the "why" behind the SERVE CHALLENGE. We'll also touch on how to start tal

16. Be a Starfish, not a Spider.

Sep 8th, 2021 15m 34s

Have you ever heard the phrase "Be a Starfish, not a Spider?" In this week's podcast we are joined by Pastor Carter Moss to explain the vital difference between the two and how it applies to serving with your Life Groups. We will also get into

15. Q &A: Answering Your Questions

Jun 17th, 2021 17m 44s

In this week's podcast, we go over a few of our listener's questions. We tackle questions on how to stay encouraged as a leader, what to do when someone in your Life Group is struggling, how to determine the right size of a Life Group, and some

14. Helpful Tips for Answering Tough Questions

Jun 9th, 2021 14m 14s

We've all been there. Someone in your Life Group asks you a really tough question. It could be a challenging theological question or a deeply felt personal question. The whole group turns and looks at you for a really insightful, wise, and help

13. Help Your Group Connect with God (with Anne Richardson) Part 2

Jun 2nd, 2021 14m 4s

We are back with our friend of the show Anne Richardson to discuss some ways to help your group connect with God on a deeper level. Join us as we talk about the role of discernment in this process and why one-on-one care outside of the group is

12. Connecting with God on a Deeper Level (with Anne Richardson) Part 1

May 27th, 2021 16m 30s

Going deeper with God is a lifelong journey of exploration, introspection, and unhooking from those things that draw us away from His love. In this episode, we are joined by Anne Richardson to discuss how to go deeper through reflection, solitu

11. How to make a Large Group Feel Small

May 13th, 2021 9m 29s

As your group grows and more people want to join, how do you make the large group feel small? In this episode, we talk about the unique needs and dynamics involved with leading a larger Life Group. We also discuss some practical tips for leadin

10. The Power of One: Small Group, Big Impact

May 5th, 2021 8m 55s

Whether you are just starting or are a seasoned veteran, we need to give our best to whoever joins our group. In this episode of Life Group Leaders' Lounge, we discuss the dynamics and benefits of leading a smaller Life Group.

9. Icebreakers: Everything You Need to Know (With Ryan Tafolla)

Apr 28th, 2021 12m 24s

In this episode of Life Group Leaders' Lounge, we are joined by special guest Ryan Tafolla to discuss the importance of icebreakers in a Life Group. We're going to talk about how icebreakers can help bring fun to a group and can also deepen rel

8. Starting Right: First Impressions, Introductions & Group Culture

Apr 22nd, 2021 13m 26s

Every new adventure begins with the first step. For us Life Group leaders, each semester provides us with a fresh start and a new page to turn. This is why starting the semester out right is vital. Join us as we discuss the value of first impre

7. Recruit Like a Champ: How to invite new members (With Markus Witherspoon and Ryan Tafolla)

Apr 14th, 2021 17m 54s

One often overlooked aspect of being a Life Group leader is learning how to recruit people into your group. In this episode, we are joined by special guests Markus Witherspoon and Ryan Tafolla to discuss some helpful and practical steps to recr

6. Choose Wisely: Picking the Right Curriculum (With Markus Witherspoon)

Apr 7th, 2021 16m 50s

Choosing the right curriculum to discuss with your Life Group can feel overwhelming. There are so many different topics and different types of content to choose from so where do you start? In this episode of Life Group Leaders' Lounge, we are j

5. Refilling the Leadership Cup (With Carter Moss)

Mar 31st, 2021 19m 3s

Feeling burned out? Need a break? Feel like your cup is empty? You are not alone! In this episode, we are joined by special guest Newbreak Pastor Carter Moss to discuss why rest is important as a leader, how to refill your leadership cup, and s

4. Serving the Suffering (With UCSD Hospital Chaplain Gordon DeBever)

Mar 24th, 2021 23m 1s

There will come a time in your leadership when someone in your group goes through a difficult time. Whether that person is grieving a loss or facing a significant trial, they may come to you for support and guidance. In this episode, we are joi

3. Facilitating Discussions: Getting the Most Out of Your Group Discussions

Mar 18th, 2021 12m 27s

Life Groups are not meant to be monologues. They are special places where people can ask questions, share their perspectives, and open up about what God is doing in their lives. This is why being able to facilitate discussions is so important a

2. Raising Up A Team: Bringing a Potluck of Gifts to the Table

Mar 10th, 2021 12m 29s

Developing leaders doesn't just happen by accident and it doesn't happen overnight. It takes time, intentionality, invitation, and an environment that natures the development of others. In this episode, we discuss the importance of leadership d