Why do some churches’ small groups thrive and grow… while other churches’ groups struggle and stagnate?

Learn the Principles: The Book

Some churches’ small group ministries thrive and grow, while other churches—that try just as hard—have group ministries that struggle and stagnate. Why?

Dwight Marable and I set out to answer that question. We wanted to help churches across the country and around the world grow vibrant small groups that continually multiply leadership and reach an expanding number of people for Christ. Our quest turned into a massive research project that to-date has involved surveying over 4000 small group leaders in more than 200 churches.

Proven principles for small group growth

Some of pit discoveries were predictable, others were surprising. All of them were extremely simple and practical.

Small Groups, Big ImpactOur research has focused on two primary levels—the small group leader level and the church level. On the first level, we’ve been asking and discovering answers to the question: Why do some small groups grow while others—in the same church and similar settings—don’t? On the church level, we’ve been seeking the answer to the question: Why do some churches have vibrant growing group ministries, while other churches’ groups fall flat?

Our research has uncovered four key small group leadership principles and three pivotal church factors. Theses results are revealed in our book Small Groups, Big Impact available from ChurchSmart Resources.

You can read a sample portion of the book here.

Buy Now!

Free Small Group Resources

On this website I offer free downloadable resources to help group leaders, coaches, small group point people, and pastors cultivate growing groups. I hope they give you fresh vision, encouragement and tools to take your leadership to the next level.

Access our resources.

Take It to the Next Level: The Assessment

For churches wanting to improve the health and growth of their small group ministry, we highly recommend the Small Groups, Big Impact Ministry Assessment. Based on the extensive research of the SGBI project, it gives you a scientifically valid reading of your small group system on three levels.

Learn more about the assessment.