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TechnoratiIn response to the continual growth of small groups in local churches across the nation, Christianity Today International has launched SmallGroups.com, a site dedicated to connecting small-group leaders with the resources they need to have an effective and healthy small group.
"SmallGroups.com is a revolutionary way for churches to train small-group leaders and help them be effective in their ministries,” said SmallGroups.com Managing Editor Sam O'Neal in an announcement. “Instead of spending lots of money on study guides and sending leaders to conferences for training, churches can now equip group leaders using one easy-to-use website."
According to a 2006 national study conducted by Christianity Today International and publishing giant Zondervan, 30 percent of active Christians attend a small group or home group, and 61 percent attend a weekly Bible study.
Knowing this, Christian Today launched the new site to equip small-group leaders with thousands of articles, ideas, and icebreakers for their meetings; over 50 downloadable training tools leaders can share and discuss or use for personal development; over 200 customizable and downloadable Bible Studies; and an expert panel of small-group leaders and authors that answer difficult questions pertaining to small-group ministry.
Also included in the website is a free social network that allows groups to post and respond to prayer requests, discuss Bible studies, connect with their church, and more.
“Collaboration is key to community-building and SmallGroups.com delivers ideas and material that I've used to encourage small group leadership around the country,” testified Reid Smith, regional director of the Purpose-Driven Small-Groups Network, in his endorsement for the new site.
Currently, 17 premier leaders in small-groups church ministry serve on the editorial advisory board of SmallGroups.com, including Tom Bandy, executive director of Net Results magazine; Mark Bonham, executive director of Open Hearts Ministry; and Dan Lentz, director of the Small-Group Network.
The site claims that over 50,000 small-group leaders and pastors trust it to provide high-quality, relevant, and multi-model resources that will make their groups more effective by supporting, training, equipping, and inspiring them.
