Small Group Network
Share
Grow your groups and your church! The Small Group Network is small groups point people, pastors, and leaders. Founded by Saddleback Groups Pastor Steve Gladen
Whether you call them community, life, cell, or small groups, we're here for you! Founded by Saddleback Groups Pastor Steve Gladen, the small group network is an international community that connects, equips & inspires Small Group Point People. Small Group Network is a way to connect group pastors, directors, leaders, and volunteers with ministry leaders and each other. Whether you call your groups community groups, life groups, cell groups, or something else, we have tools and resources for you!
1. The Facebook Group - (note this is different than that page) It is where anyone can ask a question, share an insight, or shout out for help and get replies right away. It is a great way to make friends and get feedback on whatever you're working on.
2. Smallgroupnetwork.com - This is where you can find articles, tips, how-tos, and more from a broad spectrum of small group people who share some amazing insight and advice.
3. Huddles - What's a huddle? It is a small group for small group people. Find other small group point people in your area and connect with them a few times a year in person or online.
4. Courses - Looking for some learning? Check out courses that will teach you how to start online groups, begin a groups ministry from scratch, or take your existing groups ministry to the next level.
5. Conferences (online and in person) - Throughout the year find a conference near year or online. Learn, grow, and develop your skills to make a large measurable impact on your church.
09/24/2026
Ready to bring fresh vision and energy to your small group ministry this fall?
Connect with Eddie Mosley in our upcoming SGN Coaching Cohort. He, along with our other coaches, will be a part of Weekly Coaching Cohort launching October 7th!
Eddie brings years of local church experience equipping group leaders, building discipleship pathways, and helping point-people lead with confidence. You can jump into weekly group coaching calls with Eddie and the team. Included on the Coaching Plan and All Access Plan!
Most churches are tracking the wrong number.
If attendance is the goal, you can look busy and still be unhealthy.
Comment if this hit you—or send it to the small group leader who needs the reminder.
Steve Gladen said it best: numbers are indicators, not the finish line.
Attendance can tell you who showed up.
Health tells you if discipleship is actually happening.
And the real question is simple: does your data help people grow?
That’s why I love the shift from “how many?” to “how healthy?”
Because every number is a soul.
And every soul has a story.
Maybe the better metric is not who came every week.
Maybe it’s who is becoming more like Jesus.
09/21/2026
Looking to grow your small group culture this fall and want to connect with a great guy who loves Jesus, Small Groups, and Fantasy Football?
Peter Englert will be one of our coaches in our SGN Coaching Cohort launching October 7th!
Peter serves as Adult Ministries Director at Browncroft Community Church, where he oversees 80+ groups and has guided hundreds of people through intentional group pathways. Join weekly group coaching calls or schedule 1-on-1 time to talk through your church's unique strategy. Included on the Coaching Plan and All Access Plan!
Attendance is an indicator—not the finish line.
If you lead small groups, read this twice.
Save this if you’re tired of letting weekly numbers tell the whole story.
Steve Gladen said it perfectly:
Numbers matter
But numbers don’t equal health
And health is what actually leads to discipleship
That hit me because it’s easy to celebrate a full room and miss what’s really happening in people’s lives.
The real question is not:
“Did they show up?”
It’s:
“Are they growing?”
That’s the difference between tracking activity and shepherding souls.
What do you think—are churches too obsessed with attendance?
Full conversation in the episode. 👆
09/17/2026
Introducing one of our amazing coaches, Bob Pittenger:
Leading small group ministry is incredibly rewarding, but let’s be honest,it can also feel a bit lonely when you’re trying to figure out the next step for your church on your own!
That’s why we’re so glad to have Bob Pittenger on our Small Group Network coaching team.
Bob serves as the Senior Director of Connections at BattleCreek Church, where over 4,800 adults are connected in groups. With over 30 years in ministry, he loves coming alongside leaders to encourage them, share what he’s learned, and walk through real-life ministry challenges together.
Whether you jump into our weekly group coaching calls to learn alongside a community of peers or set up 1-on-1 time with Bob to talk through your church's specific context, he's here to serve you. If you’ve been looking for a sounding board or just someone to walk alongside you in ministry this season, we’d love to connect you.
Our first coaching Cohort launches October 7th
09/15/2026
Here's someone we know and love!
We’re so excited about our upcoming SGN Coaching Cohort launching October 7th, hosted by Kelly Carraher (Adult Ministry Pastor at Fairhaven Church) and our team of experienced coaches!
Kelly brings a huge heart for equipping point people with practical resources, clear direction, and genuine encouragement. When you join the cohort, you’ll get:
✨ Weekly Coaching Calls: Interactive group sessions focused on practical, real-world strategy.
✨ 1-on-1 Availability: Dedicated time to sit down with a coach to work through your church's specific context. Whether you're already on our All Access Plan or looking to jump specifically into the Coaching Plan, this cohort is fully included for you! Don't do ministry on an island this fall. Come grow alongside a community of peers!
Data is your friend.
But data isn’t the destination—it’s a tool to help you care for people well.
For small group leaders, the question isn’t simply:
“How many people attended?”
It’s:
“What is the data showing us about discipleship, health, and growth?”
Attendance is an indicator.
Health is the goal.
When you use data wisely, it helps you see where people are thriving, where they need support, and what your groups may need next.
Don’t be afraid of the numbers.
Let them help you shepherd people better.
What does your data reveal about the health of your groups?
08/20/2026
Jesus grounded Himself in the Father's mission rather than public expectation.
"35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." Mark 1:35
As the launch of the ministry year draws near, take time today to spend time with your heavenly father. He sees whats ahead and is there to walk with you.
08/13/2026
Do you know any female church leaders running on empty?
So thankful for grateful for Carolyn Taketa for running this cohort starting Sept, 10th.
Info: https://smallgroupnetwork.com/event/surviving-to-thriving-women-leaders-cohort-with-carolyn-taketa/
New Cohort!
Surviving to Thriving: Women Leaders Cohort
Equipping women church leaders to navigate leadership challenges with clarity, courage, and self-compassion
You are not alone. Leading as a female church leader comes with unique challenges. Join a small group of ministry sisters to grow together through discussions, self-reflection exercises, and real-life scenarios. Topics include developing authentic leadership presence, owning your calling, overcoming barriers, stewarding influence, managing relationships up, down, and across the organization, communicating effectively, and cultivating a sustainable work-life rhythm.
Details
Format: 7 biweekly sessions (75 minutes each) plus one private 1-on-1 coaching session designing your personalized leadership plan
When: Every other Thursday at 10:00 AM PT
Dates: Sept 10 (kickoff), Sept 24, Oct 8, Oct 22, Nov 5, Nov 19, Dec 3
Size: Limited to 12 participants
Cost: $299 — or FREE for ALL ACCESS members
Register — $299
Check it out here: https://go.smallgroupnetwork.com/plans/1993988?bundle_token=95d9ad22ea67d9b7217d1707316e34e3&utm_source=manual
ALL ACCESS members join at no additional cost — learn more about ALL ACCESS. https://go.smallgroupnetwork.com/plans/1975017?bundle_token=417be3d3c33f0290d26957dd99411b8a&utm_source=manual
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
Category
Address
Dallas, TX