Creating Community

Five Keys to Building a Small Group Culture

By: Andy Stanley, Bill Willits

Narrated by: Lloyd James

Length: 3 hrs

Publisher's Summary

Small Groups That Succeed

Small groups are the key to impacting lives in your church. But a healthy small-group environment - one that fosters meaningful, lasting connections - doesn't just happen. So pull up a chair. Let's talk about how to make it happen.

Bill Willits and best-selling author Andy Stanley share their successful approach, which has resulted in nearly 8,000 adults becoming involved in small groups at North Point Community Church in Atlanta . Simply put, the five principles clearly described here have passed the test. This is not just another book about community; this is a book about strategy - strategy that builds a small-group culture.

Creating Community shares clear and simple principles to help people connect into meaningful relationships. The kind God desires for each of us. The kind he uses to change our lives. Put this proven method to work in your ministry, and enjoy the tangible results - God's people doing life together.

"The small-group program at North Point Community Church is not an appendage; it is not a program we tacked on to an existing structure. It is part of our lifestyle. We think groups. We organize groups. We are driven by groups. Creating Community contains our blueprint for success. And I believe it has the potential power to revolutionize your own small-group ministry!" (Andy Stanley, Story Behind the Book)

Creating Community flows out of the North Point Community Church story. The message here is not just some new small-group program but reflects a passion lived out and implemented in their church from the very beginning. Even with phenomenal growth, the church has stayed true to its commitment to small groups and has fine-tuned its ministry process into one of the most unique and effective models in churches today.

©2015 eChristian (P)2015 eChristian

great book on the overall approach to small groups

This is a short, yet important book if you are looking to refresh the ways you are conducting small groups in your church. truthfully, the principles of this book apply to any initiative. rather than give the reader a step by step to setting up a small group ministry, they make sure you are focused on the right things and point you in the right direction. great read

A must read for anyone in a small group

A must read for anyone in a small group or starting a small group in a church.

guiding what happens natural lay

Andy dies an excellent just b if guiding how to use the small groups that are already naturally occurring in church to develop disciples.

Great Resource.

very well thought out and we'll written. There are some great practical steps that churches can adapt from the Northpoint small groups model.

Creating Community

Very valuable and actionable content. The narration was very engaging. Loved the included practicum questions

Great for "Non-Christians" too

Honestly, I was hesitant at first as I am not an active Christian, but was pleasantly surprised how the church and bible related references were very helpful, even if you were to build a business community. I found a deeper appreciation for how and why Christianity has become one of, if not the most successful comminties ever. Take it from them, they know what they are doing! (I mean that with utmost respect for all Christians) Humans really do need deeper connections with each other.

I found this book to be incredibly insightful to anyone wanting to build a community and deeper relationships with other people. The information is simple (as prescribed in the book itself) and there are numerous practical takeaways.

Churchy

I saw it was based on a church but did not realize how much it was going to revolve around the church. I was hoping to get a little more out of it.

Informative

I liked it. The author lays out a solid foundation without giving you step by step how to. He leaves room for you to make it your own.

Compacted, Simple & Transforming

This material is so well laid out and honest. Many of the things I've questioned and wrestled with were wonderfully turned back to God with simple questions. This book was like picking the brain of North Point community leaders with better questions than I'd have. Thanks for putting this resource out.

Great help for thinking small groups

I am a director of Youth Ministries at my church. We are working on moving toward small groups. This book wasn't too long, but had some good practical ways to have small groups. I especially liked the scripture references on why small groups are good.
Not sure I am into the closed group model, but that is okay. Good to hear the different ways of doing things.