Episodes

  • Snapshot: Your Strengths & Struggles (Episode 111)
    Jun 4 2024

    In this episode, Jay and Chris react to Small Group Leader responses to our Spring Snapshot. It's an electronic form we use at Brook Hills to check vital signs for our groups and get feedback from our leaders. We specifically discuss the answers to two questions: 1) STRENGTHS: What are some positive things happening in your group? and 2) STRUGGLES: What challenges is your group experiencing? Listen in and hear some feedback and a few tips along the way.

    Referenced Documents:

    Spring 2024 Snapshot Online Form

    Small Group Values Document

    Great Conversations Document

    Leader Resources Page


    Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our episodes.

    We'd love to hear from you! Click here for our contact form.

    Jay Gordon is the Small Groups Minister at The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. Chris Amaro is an IT professional and serves as a Small Group Leader and Elder at Brook Hills.


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    33 mins
  • Parker Snider Interview (Episode 110)
    May 22 2024

    In this episode, Jay interviews Parker Snider, Brook Hills' new Young Adult Minister. Listen in to learn about Parker's background, hobbies, spiritual story, small group, and a little about young adult ministry. We'll also discuss spiritual growth catalysts and helping people grow during crisis.



    Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our episodes.

    We'd love to hear from you! Click here for our contact form.

    Jay Gordon is the Small Groups Minister at The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. Chris Amaro is an IT professional and serves as a Small Group Leader and Elder at Brook Hills.


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    31 mins
  • Attendance Issues: Tips and Thoughts Part 2 (Episode 109)
    May 1 2024

    Our recent snapshots (feedback from leaders) indicate many groups are struggling with attendance issues. In this episode, Jay and Chris continue to discuss having the right perspective on these issues. They also share some tips and thoughts on ways to strengthen consistency.

    Jay referenced the document Small Group Essentials, which mentions faithfulness to attend. One option is to review this document with your group at the start of every ministry year (August).


    Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our episodes.

    We'd love to hear from you! Click here for our contact form.

    Jay Gordon is the Small Groups Minister at The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. Chris Amaro is an IT professional and serves as a Small Group Leader and Elder at Brook Hills.


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    16 mins
  • Attendance Issues: Tips & Thoughts (Episode 108)
    Apr 25 2024

    Our recent snapshots (feedback from leaders) indicate many groups are struggling with attendance issues. In this episode, Jay and Chris discuss having the right perspective on these issues, and they also share some tips and thoughts on ways to strengthen consistency.

    Jay referenced the document Small Group Essentials, which mentions faithfulness to attend. One option is to review this document with your group at the start of every ministry year (August).


    Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our episodes.

    We'd love to hear from you! Click here for our contact form.

    Jay Gordon is the Small Groups Minister at The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. Chris Amaro is an IT professional and serves as a Small Group Leader and Elder at Brook Hills.


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    22 mins
  • Teaching from a Bible Reading Plan (Episode 107)
    Apr 4 2024

    In this episode, Jay and Chris talk with Harry Handlin, one of our Small Group Leaders. We discuss his group, which uses a Bible reading plan together, and Harry then draws his teaching time from the plan. God's word changes lives, so we're interested in teaching plans that encourage people to read the Bible regularly. We included some ideas for groups that may not fully engage in this type of plan.


    Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our episodes.

    We'd love to hear from you! Click here for our contact form.

    Jay Gordon is the Small Groups Minister at The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. Chris Amaro is an IT professional and serves as a Small Group Leader and Elder at Brook Hills.


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    27 mins
  • Eleven Deadly Sins to Avoid as Leaders (Episode 106)
    Mar 25 2024

    In this episode, Jay reviews a list of 11 things Small Group Leaders should avoid when leading their groups. The list begins with showing up late or unprepared, includes being too guarded, and closes with failing to apply the Scripture to life and to follow up with guests and prayer requests. Listen in to hear the whole list and choose a "sin" to avoid in leading your group.


    Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our episodes.

    We'd love to hear from you! Click here for our contact form.

    Jay Gordon is the Small Groups Minister at The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. Chris Amaro is an IT professional and serves as a Small Group Leader and Elder at Brook Hills.


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    18 mins
  • Taking Next Steps in Spiritual Growth (Episode 105)
    Mar 19 2024

    In this episode, Jay and Christ discuss challenging group members to identify and take some next steps toward growth in Christ. Next steps might be defined as small steps that lead to big change when taken consistently. Jay gets Chris' reaction to a list of ten areas where next steps may be needed. Listen in and get some ideas to help your group members grow spiritually.



    Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our episodes.

    We'd love to hear from you! Click here for our contact form.

    Jay Gordon is the Small Groups Minister at The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. Chris Amaro is an IT professional and serves as a Small Group Leader and Elder at Brook Hills.


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    37 mins
  • Equipping Your Group to Go Strong (Episode 104)
    Mar 4 2024

    In this episode, Jay and Chris review Equipping Your Group to Go Strong: Tips for Leaders, a document created with lots of practical ideas for your group. As we are in the final few months of 2Strong, look it over and choose some of the tips to use with your group.

    You can also reach the document at brookhills.org/leaderresources.


    Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our episodes.

    We'd love to hear from you! Click here for our contact form.

    Jay Gordon is the Small Groups Minister at The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. Chris Amaro is an IT professional and serves as a Small Group Leader and Elder at Brook Hills.


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    24 mins