Ever feel overwhelmed by the task of leadership? Or perhaps unprepared or unequipped for what it takes to lead others? That’s a good thing! The reality is: the task of leading others toward transformation into the likeness of his Son is overwhelming and quite outside the scope of our own capabilities. Leadership is not merely … Continue reading Leadership is Stewardship, Pt. 1
Saying the Hard Word…Pt. 2
As a leader you will at some point encounter a situation in which you have to say the hard word. That’s part of the task of leadership and an inevitable reality in group life. Building on the principle of balancing truth and grace laid out in Pt. 1 of Saying the Hard Word let’s take … Continue reading Saying the Hard Word…Pt. 2
Saying the Hard Word…Pt. 1
One of the most remarkable descriptors of Jesus Christ is that He came “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). What is so remarkable about the very nature of Christ is that it is so unlike our human nature. Everyone, including us Christians, tend to lean in either the “grace” camp or the “truth” camp. … Continue reading Saying the Hard Word…Pt. 1
Leading your group through leadership transitions…
As a Community Group Leader, we exhort you all the time as the leaders on the “front lines” of disciple-making at PV. Your spiritual and relational investment in your group members naturally leads to your role in helping your group members process through any leadership transitions that might arise within the group or within the … Continue reading Leading your group through leadership transitions…
Transparent Leadership: The Power of Sharing Stories Pt. 2
Contributions from Barb Condra (CG Leader) Read Part 1 in this series HERE. The most common single type of writing in the Bible is narrative...story.* There’s obviously something profound about sharing story, if God chose to use this as one of the primary ways of revealing himself to us. If your group members have never … Continue reading Transparent Leadership: The Power of Sharing Stories Pt. 2
Transparent Leadership: The Power of Sharing Stories Pt. 1
Contributions from Barb Condra (CG Leader) Several years ago Pleasant Valley started encouraging people to share their life story to emphasize the application of a sermon. These stories always made a powerful impression on everyone present. At about the same time we had a new couple join our class and as I got to know … Continue reading Transparent Leadership: The Power of Sharing Stories Pt. 1
The Group Within the Group
Every Community Group, no matter what size, has a smaller group within the group. If it is one of our larger Community Groups that meets on-campus, there might be several smaller sub-groups within the larger group. And, even if it is a smaller group that meets in the home, there is a sub-grouping between the … Continue reading The Group Within the Group
Going on Retreat (Pt. 2)
A group retreat can be a unique, spiritual experience. The retreat setting usually means getting away from everyday routines, phones, TV, the demands of daily life and having the opportunity for focused, uninterrupted time for communion with God and fellowship with each other. Whether you’ve never been on a group retreat, or you’ve just never … Continue reading Going on Retreat (Pt. 2)
Going on Retreat (Pt. 1)
Contributions from Jim Power (PV CG Leader) Every group has been there…the proverbial “fork in the road”. Maybe the scenario is that the group has been very successful in the hands of God to change the lives of the group members, and as a leader you sense it is time to do something dramatic to … Continue reading Going on Retreat (Pt. 1)
Studying and Teaching the Scriptures Theologically (Pt. 1)
How someone views a piece of literature determines how they read it. If it is popular a magazine or newspaper, skimming is completely natural with only focus on those stories in which you are most interested. No one starts a novel in the middle, but instead reads it from the front to the back. A … Continue reading Studying and Teaching the Scriptures Theologically (Pt. 1)
PV GROUP LIFE 