Offer Interest- and Background-Based Small Groups

The Church on the Way in Van Nuys, Calif., tailors its opportunities for connection to ensure attendees return again and again. “To really get to know people, you need to find out the relational issues and what culture they grew up with, and then how you can serve them particularly,” says Lead Pastor of Pastoral Care Cecelia Freeman. The church offers groups for every ethnicity in the church, a homeless group, formational groups, topical or seasonal groups, home groups and recreational groups. Next on their to-do list is creating online groups to accommodate members’ busy lives.

James P. Long
James P. Longhttp://JamesPLong.com

James P. Long was formerly the editor of Outreach magazine and the author of a number of books, including Why Is God Silent When We Need Him the Most?

Unbroken Faithfulness

As we face challenge and opposition in our contexts, let’s be encouraged to keep going with consistency, moral courage and confidence in the Scriptures as God’s Word for all time—including our time.

Derwin Gray: 4 Ways to Refill

If we attempt to provide for others without first being nourished ourselves, we burn out. We wound ourselves and others.

4 Foundations for Successful Church Planting

Fueled by the passion of a calling, having committed themselves in prayer, and by playing a long game of patience and persistence, successful church planters establish effective churches by walking in a manner worthy of the purpose to which they’ve been called.