Navigating Small Group Dynamics: Attendance, Metrics, and Health

Attendance, Metrics, and Health: Measuring Discipleship in Small Group Ministry Pastor Steve Gladen and host Derek open the fall season of SG Squared by discussing how small group leaders should think about attendance, metrics, and health without letting numbers define their identity. Steve argues that numbers are not bad but are indicators connected to souls and stories, and that quality and quantity are not enemies. He cautions that attendance alone can be a false positive and emphasizes measuring discipleship through individual and group health assessments. Drawing from Saddleback’s approach, he describes an individual health assessment (35 questions) and a shorter group assessment (10 questions) built around worship, fellowship, discipleship, serving, and evangelism, with follow-through steps involving goals, partners, curriculum, and activities. He notes that early assessments showed over 85% self-identified weakness in evangelism and points listeners to his books and Small Group Network resources. 00:00 Welcome to SG Squared 00:26 Fall Football Banter 01:58 Culture Shock in Mississippi 03:30 Episode Setup Souls and Identity 07:52 Why Numbers Matter 10:29 Data as Ministry Indicator 11:59 Measuring Discipleship Success 15:43 Attendance Versus Health 17:53 Building Health Assessments 25:01 Books Membership and Wrap Up ★ Support this podcast ★