Synopsis
Group Talk is a podcast centered around strategic ideas for leaders of small groups. Whether you are stuck in your ministry, or you are just looking for practical wisdom to help you in your ministry context, the Small Group Network (SGN) exists to keep you supported, inspired and informed so no small group point person stands alone. #SGNet
Episodes
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5 Tips to Set Your Small Groups Up Strong
06/08/2025 Duration: 28minFive Essential Tips for Setting Up Strong Small Groups This Fall with Steve GladenIn 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 Introduction01:14 Big Announcements from Steve Gladen02:51 Transitioning to Global Church Work08:11 Five Tips for Strong Small Groups This Fall09:23 Tip 1: Clarify the Wh
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A New Day At The Small Group Network (BONUS EPISODE)
01/08/2025 Duration: 08minThe Next Chapter for Small Group Network: A Vision of Connection and ImpactLearn more at https://smallgroupnetwork.comIn 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 Update00:32 The Power of Small Groups: A Personal Story01:34 The Birth and Growth of the Sma
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7 Ways Your Small Group Leaders Can Have The Best Summer Ever
02/07/2025 Duration: 26min7 Ways to Encourage and Empower Small Group Leaders This SummerIn 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 PrintCP Olympics 04:29 Tip 1: Send a Card for Coffee or Dinner07:02 Tip 2: Drop By with a Summer Kit11:20 Tip 3: Send a Heartfelt Text14:22 Tip 4: Host a Pool Party or Olympic Games17:22 Tip 5: Organize a Car Wash19:23 Tip 6: Mail a Summer T-Shirt22:42 Tip 7: Plan a Stadium or Museum Tour ★ Support this podcast
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The Best Part of Your Week: How to Make Groups Fun, Relational, and Life-Giving - Featuring Brad Shank
04/06/2025 Duration: 35minEnhancing Small Group Ministry: Insights from the Lobby GatheringIn 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
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3 mistakes to avoid with your Lead Pastor
07/05/2025 Duration: 23min3 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
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The 4 "K"s of Small Group Ministry Spring Cleaning
09/04/2025 Duration: 20minSign up for the Lobby Gathering: Small Group Conference May 13-15th in Southern California at https://smallgroupnetwork.com/conferences/Food and lodging are included! Spring Cleaning for Small Group Ministry: The 5 Ks with Steve GladenIn 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 Welcome00:25 Personal Updates and Moving Challenges01:46 S
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5 Emotional Refreshments for You & Your Groups (Replay)
05/03/2025 Duration: 34minSign up for the Lobby Gathering: Small Group Conference May 13-15th in Southern California at https://smallgroupnetwork.com/conferences/Food and lodging are included! Equipping Small Group Leaders: Insights from Saddleback ChurchIn 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 ess
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Special Episode from the Group Answers Podcast with Chris Surratt and Steve Gladen
05/02/2025 Duration: 46minThis 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. ★ Support this podcast ★
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4 Steps to a Strategic 2025
02/01/2025 Duration: 30minSteve Gladen, Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 25 plus years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead healthier, growing and more effective small groups and small group ministries. In this episode, Steve shares the four key steps that you will want to follow for a successful and strategic 2025 in regards to your small group ministry. You don't want to miss this episode!BOOK: Planning Small Groups with Purpose ★ Support this podcast ★
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TOP SMALL GROUP MAIL BAG QUESTIONS (Part 3)
04/12/2024 Duration: 23minSteve Gladen, Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 25 plus years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead healthier, growing and more effective small groups and small group ministries. In this episode, Steve and co-host Derek sit down to continue reading and answering the top small group mail bag questions sent in by small group point people and ministry leaders. You don't want to miss this episode!SHOWNOTESMail Bag Questions 13-1813 How do we get previously existing groups to become “official” Small Groups so we can include them on our website and app? They are nomads and we love to start walking beside them.14 What’s one thing you would do differently if you could go back to your first day over groups?15 How do we create a church culture of groups?16 Top tips for getting long-time groups to multiply17 What is the outcome or “win” of a group?18 Can Adult Sunday School work with small groups? ★ Support this podcast ★
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TOP SMALL GROUP MAIL BAG QUESTIONS (Part 2)
06/11/2024 Duration: 34minSteve Gladen, Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 25 plus years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead healthier, growing and more effective small groups and small group ministries. In this episode, Steve and co-host Derek sit down to continue reading and answering the top small group mail bag questions sent in by small group point people and ministry leaders. You don't want to miss this episode!SHOW NOTESMail Bag Questions 8-128 Who is doing ESL as a small group?9 I wish I had known the importance of having the right coaches in place...any tips?10 What is the biggest mistake you made?11 What’s the one thing you would tell yourself as someone new to ministry regarding groups?12 How to get/grow more leaders?Re-imagine Coaching Episode ★ Support this podcast ★
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Top Small Group Mail Bag Questions
02/10/2024 Duration: 44minSteve Gladen, Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 25 plus years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead healthier, growing and more effective small groups and small group ministries. In this episode, Steve and co-host Derek sit down to read and answer the top small group mail bag questions sent in by small group point people and ministry leaders. You don't want to miss this episode!Mail Bag Questions 1-71 What advice would you give to someone brand new to vocational ministry?2 What is key to moving from good and high participation to great and highly effective in your groups.3 How do you navigate creating a small group culture if senior leadership isn’t on board?4 How to encourage attendance after a busy work day?5 How do you best prioritize time and energy with ministry friends?6 Starting healthy! I am from a church plant and want to establish firm foundations as we look to continue the process of growing more into the likeness of Christ in community!
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04/09/2024 Duration: 30min
Steve Gladen, Global Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 20+ years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead healthier, growing and more effective small group ministries. In this episode, Steve & co-host Deek talk about 20 ways that you can honor and celebrate the leaders in your ministry this groups season.This is a rebroadcast episode ★ Support this podcast ★
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10 Ways Your Small Group can Evangelize!
07/08/2024 Duration: 39minWould you like to know about ten unique ways that your small group can evangelize together? Steve Gladen, Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 25 plus years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead healthier, growing and more effective small groups and small group ministries. In this episode, Steve and Dereksit down with special guest Kiersten Telzerow to discuss ten innovative ways that small groups can break out beyond the walls to share the good news with people in their community. Note: Kiersten is still finalizing her program and is not yet a doctor. 10 Ways Your Group Can Evangelize Kiersten - Groups Pastor @ NCC in DCDMIN: Wholistic Discipleship– passionate about ways that groups can engage in mission on a regular basis– being the hands and feet of ChristDo the leg work up front– don’t just sign your group up for something - because then everyone will feel like they have to do it and that’s not mission ;) Of first time Health Assessment takers 87%
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10 Ways to Worship in your Small Group
03/07/2024 Duration: 50minWould you like to know about ten unique ways that your small group can worship together? Steve Gladen, Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 25 plus years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead healthier, growing and more effective small groups and small group ministries. In this episode, Steve and Dereksit down with special guest Troy Kennedy to discuss ten innovative ways that small groups can worship together.10 Ways to Worship in Your Small Group Brief discussion on definition of worship. Three questions to prompt response: Who is he? Who am I in relationship to Him? What has he done? 10 Ways to Worship in a Small Group - For the leaders - Before and during the worship time, always pray for God's guidance and presence to be felt among the group. Ask for wisdom in leading the group in worship. Every group dynamic is different and needs to be treated sensitively. Sing along with a favorite worship song with the text. Afterwords, discuss which parts of
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10 Ways Your Small Group Can Serve
12/06/2024 Duration: 40minWould you like to know about ten unique ways that your small group can serve your church and community? Steve Gladen, Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 25 plus years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead healthier, growing and more effective small groups and small group ministries. In this episode, Steve and Derek sit down with special guest Jon Laster, small group pastor from Spring Hill, TN to discuss ten innovative ways that small groups can mobilize to serve people.10 Ways Your Group Can Serve Groups serving other areas of ministry in the local church is life giving, and fuel for what God wants to do in your local congregation! 1 - Talk to your Pastoral Staff and ask them what areas they feel needs the most attention in your local church. This can be basic cleaning, outreach, etc. I believe it’s the best place to start on where you can serve as a group. 2 - Serve those in your group. Whether someone needs their lawn cut during a busy season
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How to Start a Small Group Ministry
08/05/2024 Duration: 34minWould you like to know the basics of starting a small group ministry? Steve Gladen, Global Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 25 years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead healthier, growing and more effective small group ministries. In this episode, Steve shares his timeless and commonsense keys to launching & building healthier small groups. Download the fill ins:1. The Saddleback Small Group Difference2. How To Start A Small Group Ministry ★ Support this podcast ★
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The Saddleback Small Group Difference
03/04/2024 Duration: 49minDo you need more small group leaders? How would you like to see an exponential increase of volunteers stepping up to serve in your church? Steve Gladen, Global Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 25 years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead healthier, growing and more effective small group ministries. In this episode, Steve shares his timeless and commonsense keys to building healthier small groups. In this episode titled "The Saddleback Small Group Difference," Steve shares 7 transferable keys that Saddleback church has used to build one of the largest and healthiest small group ministries. You are not going to want to miss this episode!Download notes HERE ★ Support this podcast ★
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March 2024 The Lobby Panel
06/03/2024 Duration: 58minThis month's episode features a panel conversation between Steve Gladen, Dave Enns from North Coast, Rick Howerton from Lakepointe Church, and moderation by Carolyn Taketa. Join us as we listen in to their discussion on their decades of small group experience while at the Lobby Gathering small group conference and retreat in San Juan Capistrano. ★ Support this podcast ★
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Think critically: Accomplish More with Less
07/02/2024 Duration: 40minDo you need more small group leaders? How would you like to see an exponential increase of volunteers stepping up to serve in your church? Steve Gladen, Global Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 25 years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead healthier, growing and more effective small group ministries. In this episode, Steve shares his timeless and commonsense keys to building healthier small groups. In this episode titled "Think critically: accomplish more with less," Steve shares 8 ways to accomplish more with less in your small group ministry. You are not going to want to miss this episode! ★ Support this podcast ★

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