Small Groups with Purpose ─ How to Create Healthy Communities

"Over the past fifteen years, small groups have become a vital way to build community in large churches. Nowhere has this been more apparent than at Saddleback Church. Now Steve Gladen, pastor of small groups at Saddleback, shares the secrets of that ministry's incredible success in creating small groups with purpose.This practical book walks church leaders through the questions they need to answer to develop their own intentional small group strategy. Built around the most commonly asked questions, Small Groups with Purpose outlines the step-by-step process of creating a successful small group ministry. Because it is built upon principles and not methods, this plan can be implemented in any size church. Each chapter ends with a list of questions for readers to answer to help them assess their current situation and their desires for the future. Personal stories, Scripture, and examples ground the discussion and show the system in action.Pastors and small group leaders will find this book instrumental in making small groups work in their churches" -- Publisher description.

Steve Gladen has been pastor of small groups at Saddleback Church since 1998. He oversees more than 3,500 adult small groups at Saddleback and loves seeing a big church become small through true community developed in group life. He is the author of Small Groups with Purpose and the coauthor of 250 Big Ideas for Purpose Driven Small Groups, Building Healthy Small Groups in Your Church, and Don't Lead Alone.

Steve and Lisa have been married since 1989. They and their two children, Erika and Ethan, live in Orange County, California. Stay in touch with Steve through www.stevegladen.com.