Every kid needs to be known by someone and to belong somewhere.
Most leaders agree. That's one reason for a shift in the way many churches are discipling their kids and teenagers. Think of it this way: connecting kids and teens to a consistent leader who believes in God and believes in them is something the church can do that nothing else in culture does.
Creating a Lead Small Culture: Make Your Church a Place Where Kids Belong, by Reggie Joiner, Kristen Ivy, and Elle Campbell, is for every leader of small group leaders. Strategy, best practices, training tips, and real-life stories from over 20 ministry leaders across the US and Canada--this book has what you need to create an effective small group culture in your church.
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My wife, Wendy, and I have seen the benefits of small groups up close. Our daughter, Jesse, and our son, Cole, have been greatly influenced through small group leaders who share our values and yet speak to our kids from a different perspective. This has been a huge blessing to us as parents. As a pastor, I highly recommend Creating a Lead Small Culture to anyone who works with kids and teenagers. This is a smart, sustainable strategy with enormous generational impact.
Jeff Henderson, lead pastor, Gwinnett Church
As a parent, leader, and researcher, my goal is that all kids will be surrounded by adults who lovingly help them be changed by Christ to change the world around them. This wise book gives your church the practical tools you need to make that goal a reality.
Kara Powell, PhD, executive director of Fuller Youth Institute (FYI)
I's one thing to see the potential in small groups; it's another to create a church culture in which small groups thrive. Creating a Lead Small Culture is a must read for every senior leader and leadership team. In a masterful and engaging way, Reggie, Kristen, and Elle explain the behaviors every team can incorporate into their culture to see kids, teens, and families flourish through the ministry of the local church.
Carey Nieuwhof, lead pastor, Connexus Community Church
Reggie Joiner is the founder and CEO of The reThink Group, Inc. (also known as Orange), a non-profit organization whose purpose is to influence those who influence the next generation. reThink provides resources and training for churches and organizations that create environments for parents, kids, and teenagers. Prior to reThink, Joiner co-founded North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Georgia, with Andy Stanley. He is the author of several books, including Think Orange; The Think Orange Handbook; Zombies, Football and the Gospel; Seven Practices of Effective Ministry; and Lead Small. Joiner and his wife, Debbie, are the parents of four children: Reggie Paul, Hannah, Sarah, and Rebekah. For more information about Reggie Joiner, visit ReggieJoiner.com or follow him on Twitter @ReggieJoiner.
Kristen Ivy is executive director of messaging at Orange. Before beginning her career at the company in 2006, she was a high school biology and English teacher, where she learned firsthand the joy and importance of influencing the next generation. She received her Master of Divinity in 2009. Ivy is co-author of Playing for Keeps. She and her husband, Matt, have two children, Sawyer and Hensley. For more information about Kristen Ivy, visit KristenIvy.com or follow her on Twitter @Kristen_Ivy.
Elle Campbell is the middle school small group coordinator at The Chapel at CrossPoint in Buffalo, New York. In addition, she also develops lead small and middle school ministry content for Orange. She and her husband, Kenny, are the creators and operators of their website, Stuff You Can Use, to provide resources for youth pastors. For more information about Elle Campbell, follow her on Twitter @Ellllllllllle (with eleven l's) or visit ElleCampbell.org
