The One Thing

What if the most important decisions about your small groups are the ones you've never stopped to think about?
In this episode, Scott Sanders chats with Richard Sweatman, author and assistant pastor at Hunter Bible Church in Newcastle, to unpack the hidden decisions that shape every small groups ministry. Whether you've inherited responsibility for small groups or you're rethinking how they fit into the life of your church this episode is for you.
Key highlights:
Clarifying your small group purpose
Defining small group success
Choosing small group structures
Small group pathways
Curriculum and leadership
Practical questions you should ask before making changes

Toolbox: 
Being a Small Group Leader by Richard Sweatman
Writing a Small Group Study by Richard Sweatman
DISCOUNT CODE: THE1THING for 30% off at Matthias Media when you purchase 10 or more of either of Richard’s books
The One Thing Ep 418: Measuring small group health with Richard Sweatman
Growth Groups by Colin Marshall
Leading Small Groups That Thrive by Ryan T. Hartwig, Courtney W. Davis & Jason A. Sniff
Iron Sharpens Iron by Orlando Saer

Credits: 
This episode was brought to you by MTS
The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠
To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠
For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠resources@reachaustralia.com.au⁠⁠
Support Reach Australia's online library

If the preaching is faithful, why doesn't the conversation continue after the service?
Tony Payne joins Scott Sanders to explore why every Christian is called to speak God's Word to one another. Discover how simple, everyday conversations can become one of God's primary ways of growing disciples and building a healthy church.
Tony is an author, and the Director of the Centre for Christian Living and lectures in theology, philosophy and ethics at Moore College in Sydney.
Toolbox: 
Let the Word Dwell Richly by Tony Payne 
DISCOUNT CODE: tpra20
Six Steps to Loving Your Church by Tony Payne
Centre for Christian Living website
Credits: 
This episode was brought to you by MTS
The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠
To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠
For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠resources@reachaustralia.com.au⁠⁠
Support Reach Australia's online library

If your church is expecting 18-year-olds to connect the same way 32-year-olds do, you’ll lose them before they ever put down roots.
In this episode, Scott Sanders is joined by Ray Copland and Holly Stewart from EV Church to unpack why young adults need a different approach to church life. Along with practical ideas to keep these young adults connected. 
The importance of community for this age group
Why belonging often comes before commitment
How relational pathways can be more effective than formal programs
Practical ideas to help bridge the gap from youth group to adult church
Ray Copland is the Membership Pastor at EV Church, and Holly Stewart is a third year MTS apprentice at EV Night Church.  

Toolbox: 
Community and Integration Learning Lab Part 1 by Tim Clemens
Community and Integration Learning Lab Part 2 by Madeleine Galea
The One Thing Ep 177: Better Welcoming Part 1
The One Thing Ep 178: Better Welcoming Part 2
The One Thing Ep 47: Effective Integration 

Credits: 
This episode was brought to you by MTS
The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠
To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠
For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠resources@reachaustralia.com.au⁠⁠
Support Reach Australia's online library

If your church is waiting until every seat is full before adding another service, are you waiting too long?
In this episode, Derek Hanna talks with Ben Mansfield and Petrina Enchelmaier from Southside Presbyterian, Brisbane about why they started planning a second Sunday service four years before they needed one.
They share:
The convictions behind the decision
How they led their church through change
The mistakes they avoided
Opportunities created for mission and discipleship

Toolbox: 
Southside Presbyterian’s Service Multiplication Planning Booklet
Southside Presbyterian’s Role Description Templates
Working Genius

Credits: 
This episode was brought to you by MTS
The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠
To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠
For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠resources@reachaustralia.com.au⁠⁠
Support Reach Australia's online library

Someone becomes a Christian. What happens next?
Every church wants to help new Christians get established in the faith, but that's often easier said than done.
One person might be a 21-year-old university student. Another might be a 50-year-old dad. They won't have the same questions, they'll need different people around them, and they won't all fit into the same follow-up course or pathway.
In this episode, Scott Sanders talks with Adrian Haynes, Mission Pastor at EV Church, about what he's learned from following up new Christians.

Toolbox: 
Ep 284 Reignite Your Conversion Engine - The One Thing 
Conversion Engine - Reach Australia Podcast
Follow Up to the Conversion Engine - Reach Australia Podcast

Credits: 
The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠
To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠
For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠resources@reachaustralia.com.au⁠⁠
Support Reach Australia's online library