Planning Small Groups with Purpose: A Field-Tested Guide to Design and Grow Your Ministry Paperback -

From the rear cover

Practical and proven small group strategies that work

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. Planning Small Groups with Purpose helps you develop and implement a twelve- to eighteen-month strategic plan for your ministry in order to keep it healthy and growing. You'll answer twenty questions that help you

- articulate your vision
- understand the purpose of your ministry
- connect members
- grow numerically and spiritually
- measure progress
- develop leaders
- create opportunities to serve
- and much more

By the time you're done, you will have developed your own personalized planner for the next year to eighteen months so that you can feel prepared, confident, and purposeful about your small group ministry.

Developed at Saddleback Church, this completely customizable plan works for any church size, any denomination, and any church culture.

"No single person or book has had more influence on my small group philosophy than Steve Gladen. This is a book that you and your team will return to over and over!"--Chris Surratt, small group and discipleship specialist, LifeWay Christian Resources; author of Small Groups for the Rest of Us

"If you've ever wanted to take a peek into how Saddleback plans for their successful small group ministry, this is your chance. Gladen sprinkles strategic questions throughout to help the small group point person think and plan for their own ministries based on their church culture. A really helpful resource!"--Amy Jackson, associate publisher of SmallGroups.com


Steve Gladen has been pastor of small groups at Saddleback Church since 1998 and serves as an elder of the church. He oversees the strategic launch and spiritual development of more than 7,000 adult small groups on multiple campuses. He is the author of Small Groups with Purpose and Leading Small Groups with Purpose. He has a driving passion to see each church attendee connected to a qualified shepherd and become an integral part of their church body, living purposefully for Christ. Learn more at www.stevegladen.com.