TechPastor.net

That is the subtitle for Dave Treat’s new website, Thinking Small. At one time Dave was leader for small group ministry at Granger Community Church, before joining the church staff at Willow Creek. Later he moved to the Willow Creek Association and joined the team there in the creation and organization of the Group Life Conference each year (That is where I got to know him a bit).

In a recent post on Thinking Small Dave reflects on another transition he is experiencing. Leaving to do something else,

Ministry is all about leaving.

If you’re in ministry you understand this immediately and accept it grudgingly. You’re a short-timer. The leaders you have so painstakingly developed may help another leader realize their goals. You will need to start over with a bunch of rookies and do it all over again. The structures you so carefully crafted may collapse; the framework you so artfully erected may be replaced. The trust you built and the relationships you nurtured will largely vaporize… and it all happened so fast.

In our group ministries we see this happen more frequently as we grow larger. Apprentices move on to lead their own groups. Leaders move on to become coaches, coaches may turn into directors and some even become pastors. Still others we build relationships with, God calls to other churches or even other countries to lead and start new ministries. We have to learn to celebrate these changes and view them as opportunites to grow ourselves and develop new leaders for God’s work.

Dave speaks on small groups and trains leaders internationally. If you are looking for a solid trainer or more info you can follow him by clicking here.