Shows
The Real Life Groups Leadership PodcastSeason 2 Bonus Episode 3: Situational LeadershipIn this special bonus episode of the podcast, Chris Short - Executive Team Leader and Host engages in a candid conversation with North Campus staff members Cory Speer, Adult Discipleship Ministry Leader, and Shelly Reeves, Women’s Discipleship Leader.
Together, they dig into the dynamics of Situational Leadership within Small Groups, exploring real-life scenarios that often emerge unexpectedly, such as marriage or parenting struggles, blended family issues, adoption challenges, and addiction concerns.
These unanticipated “situational” occurrences demand real-time responses, and the way we lead through them can help create an environment where transparency and auth...2024-04-3020 minThe Real Life Groups Leadership PodcastSeason 2 Bonus Episode 2: Complimentary LeadershipIn this bonus episode of our podcast, Chris Short, Fred Bosse' and Sara Short discuss the Biblical model of Complementarianism that we follow at Real Life Ministries.
Believing that both men and women are equally valuable, this model highlights how God has given each of us different strengths and viewpoints. When men and women work together in ministry, it shows a more complete picture of who God is and helps groups function better. Imagine a group led by both a man and a woman, bringing their unique perspectives to the table before, during, and after the group t...2024-03-3122 minThe Real Life Groups Leadership PodcastSeason 2 Bonus Episode 1: Intentional LeadershipIn this bonus episode of the Real Life Groups Leadership Podcast, Chris Short, Executive Pastor at Real Life Ministries, chats with Jenna Fore, Women's Ministry Lead at our Hayden Campus and Christian Putman, Adult Discipleship Ministry Lead at our Cd'A Campus, about the session they did on Intentional Leadership at the annual Group Leaders Training.
In this conversation, they share some of their best tips and tools for leading a group with intentionality. Here are some of things they suggest a leader does in order to lead like Jesus and effectively navigate the challenges faced in a...2024-03-0118 minThe Real Life Groups Leadership PodcastSeason 2 Episode 10: 3 Tips for Branching a Small GroupWelcome to episode 10 of the Groups Leadership Podcast: 3 Tips for Branching a Small Group.
In this final episode of season 2, our Host Chris Short has a candid conversation with Evan Meske and Fred Bosse' as they discuss some effective strategies for branching a small group. They emphasize that you can either branch well, or branch quickly, but you can't do both.
Some of the topics they cover in this episode are:
What does it mean to branch a group?
Why is it important?
What is a good reason to branch a group?
What is a bad reason?
How do...2023-09-2923 minThe Real Life Groups Leadership PodcastSeason 2 Ep. 9: Worship As Discipleship Part 2
We're excited to present part two of our Worship as Discipleship Podcast. Our host, Chris Short, Executive Pastor at Real Life Ministries, is joined once again by Aaron Short, Worship Pastor at the Post Falls Campus and Jeremy Ellis, Worship Arts Development Pastor.
In this episode, they delve into the topic of worship environments and how they impact our spiritual growth. Today's discussion focuses on the contrasting experiences of large group and small group worship settings. They emphasize the importance of both types of environments for fostering spiritual growth in both individuals and small group members alike.2023-08-3119 minThe Real Life Groups Leadership PodcastSeason 2 Episode 8: Worship as DiscipleshipIn this episode of the podcast, our host Chris Short - Real Life Ministries Executive Pastor, speaks with our guests about the role worship plays in discipleship. Today's guests are:
Jeremy Ellis - Worship Arts Development Pastor at the Post Falls Campus
Aaron Short - Worship Leader at the Post Falls Campus
Some of the points covered in this conversation are:
What is worship? Why does it matter?
How to grow in spiritual maturity through worship
Discover how worship goes beyond music and impacts every aspect of your life
Learn p...2023-07-3018 minThe Real Life Groups Leadership PodcastSeason 2 Episode 7: Building Blocks of an Impactful DiscussionWelcome to Episode 7 of the Groups Leadership Podcast! Today Chris Short – the host of this podcast and Executive Team Leader at Real Life Ministries, is chatting with two of the leaders from our Real Life Hayden Campus:
Wayne Burnham: Associate Pastor/ Real Life Hayden
Jenna Fore: Women’s Discipleship Leader/ Real Life Hayden
The topic today is small group discussions, and how we as leaders can help make a group discussion truly impactful. Doing this requires certain building blocks that promote depth and meaningful exchange. This episode explores these building blocks and provides prac...2023-06-3023 minThe Real Life Groups Leadership PodcastSeason 2 Episode 6: The 5 Stages of Group DevelopmentIn today’s episode, our guests represent over 40 Life Groups at our Post Falls Campus – Sara Short and Jesse Hill join host Chris Short to talk about the different stages of a Group. In this conversation they bring up why these stages are needed in a group, how you can determine what stage your group is in, and how to navigate them through that stage. Here are some of highlights of their discussion.
Where did the idea of group stages come from?
What are the 5 stages and how can you tell what one your group is in?
Wha...2023-06-0129 minThe Real Life Groups Leadership PodcastSeason 2 Episode 5 - How to Respond to Crisis in your GroupChris Short is back with another episode of our Podcast. In this episode Chris is again talking with Santha Yinger and Mike Wraith, about recognizing and responding to crisis situations in the lives of your group members. Here are some of the topics they address in this episode:
How do we define Crisis?
A person is considered to be in crisis when they are no longer able to function at their normal level -It can look different for everyone. We are not necessarily all in crisis over the same things.
There ar...2023-05-0126 minThe Real Life Groups Leadership PodcastSeason 2 Episode 4 Part 1 - Promoting Mental Health in your GroupIn this episode Chris Short - Executive Pastor at Real Life Ministries is joined by Santha Yinger: Mental Health & Wellness Ministry Lead, and Mike Wraith: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (and Life Group leader!) and they are talking about the very important topic of promoting mental wellness in your Life Group.
Some of the things they cover are:
Why does our awareness of mental health matter when it comes to leading a life group?
Everyone has the need for Mental Wellness, and every one of us has a Mental Health that God has given...2023-03-3126 minThe Real Life Groups Leadership PodcastSeason 2 Episode 3 - Mentoring Men and WomenWelcome to Episode 3 of our 2nd Season of the Real Life Groups Leadership Podcast! In this episode Chris Short is joined by his wife Sara Short as co-host for our conversation about Mentoring. We have two seasoned Mentors in the room – Randy and Debbi McEnespy. Randy has been an elder at Real Life for many years, and Debbie is a former staff member at Real Life and is now a full-time volunteer here. Both have mentored many people, both individuals and couples, in their walk as disciples of Jesus, and we are excited to share their wisdom with you!...2023-03-0123 minThe Real Life Groups Leadership PodcastSeason 2 Episode 2: Lead Like A Shepherd
This month on the Real Life Groups Leadership Podcast, our host Chris Short sits down with Fred Bosse' (Groups Team Leader - Post Falls Campus) and Christian Putman (Groups Pastor - CDA Campus) to talk about how often, and why, the Bible refers to leaders as shepherds, and what does that mean to us today?
Some of the points they address include:
What does it mean to be a Shepherd?
The Bible talks about God being a shepherd, and Jesus says "I am the good shepherd."
The Bible als...2023-02-0130 minThe Real Life Groups Leadership PodcastSeason 2 Episode 1 - Using Curriculum and Resources in your GroupWelcome to Season 2 of the Real Life Groups Leadership Podcast! We are kicking off this season with an episode about curriculum and resources – what do we have available and how do you choose what is best for your group? Our host Chris Short – Executive Pastor at Real Life Ministries is joined this time by Sharyl Williams – Digital Resource Lead, and Derek and Heather Dalton – Groups Pastor and Women’s Discipleship Lead, all from the Post Falls Campus. We are planning to pack Season 2 of the podcast full of helpful and encouraging content – and this episode is a great start!
...2023-01-0128 minThe Real Life Groups Leadership PodcastS. 1 Ep 10: FAQ’sIn this, our tenth episode of the Groups Leadership Podcast, Chris Short: Real Life Executive Pastor is joined once again by Sara Short from our Women’s Discipleship Team with the Post Falls Campus - and Evan Meske one of our Groups Pastors, also with our Post Falls Campus.
This trio of friends (two are spouses but hopefully friends too!) take time out today to answer some of the most commonly asked questions that come up from our small group leaders. They hit some of the tough questions head on and bring a wealth of experience and wi...2022-10-1032 minThe Real Life Groups Leadership PodcastS. 1 Ep.9 :Five Keys to Starting WellToday's topic is 5 Keys to Starting Well.
With many years combined experience in leading and working with small groups, we have seen a few things that help groups succeed - in this podcast we are sharing 5 key things that we have found to be helpful in either starting or restarting a group well. Cory Speer (North Campus Groups Pastor) and Dre' Bloomer (Women's Discipleship Leader) talk with our host, Chris Short (Executive Pastor) about their first group experiences, and how important it is for groups to start well.
Here are some of the things they d...2022-09-0719 minThe Real Life Groups Leadership PodcastS. 1 Ep. 8: Host Homes and ChildcareIn this episode our host Chris Short sits down with Sara Short (Women's Discipleship Leader) and Shannon Kay (Women's Team Leader) who are both on staff at the Real Life Post Falls Campus. They are covering the topic of Host Homes and Childcare, and the things that impact the environment of a small group.
Some of the the topics they cover include:
- What if there are pets in the Host Home?
- Should our group be child-friendly?
- How important is it that we end on time?
...2022-08-0316 minThe Real Life Groups Leadership PodcastS. 1 Ep 7: Stages And Seasons Of A Small GroupThe two newest members to the Post Falls Adult Ministries Team, Andy Ubert and Riley Shields, talk with Chris Short today about some of the different stages and season that come up in a small group. A leader should have a good awareness of how these things can affect the dynamics and plans of a group.
Here are some of the things they cover in this episode:
Clear Expectations
Knowing where your people are at
Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing
Correct pronunciation of Minnesota
Using the SCMD process
There are many unique stages of a small g...2022-07-0613 minThe Real Life Groups Leadership PodcastS. 1 Ep. 5: Asking Great QuestionsThis month Chris Short (Real Life Ministries Executive Team Leader) sits down with Heather Dalton (Real Life Women's Discipleship Leader, Post Falls Campus) and Evan Meske (Real Life Groups Pastor, Post Falls Campus) to talk about asking great questions - a very helpful topic for someone leading a small group discussion!
Heather and Evan are part of the Post Falls Campus team that puts together the group discussion questions that go along with the weekly sermon notes. They talk about the importance of questions in the realm of building relationships and going deeper with each other and with God.
"When pe...2022-06-0617 minThe Real Life Groups Leadership PodcastS. 1 Ep. 6: Discipleship Outside The CircleIn this episode Chris Short (Real Life Executive Pastor) sits down to have a conversation with Blake Whiteman (Real Life Cda Campus Pastor) and Travis Anderson (Real Life Small Group Leader) regarding what it looks like to take Discipleship outside the circle of a small group. Sometimes the time group members spend together outside of the weekly small group time can have even more impact than the time spent in the group.
Some of the things covered in this conversation:
Is there more to group than what happens in 90 minutes every week?
How can I continue g...2022-06-0124 minThe Real Life Groups Leadership PodcastS. 1 Ep.4: Landmines, Conflict and ResolutionThis month Chris Short is joined by Derrick Dalton - Real Life Post Falls Campus Groups Pastor, and Wayne Burnham - Real Life Hayden Campus Groups Pastor, and they discuss how, when and why we as leaders should be prepared to deal with any conflict that might arise in and around our small groups.
Some of the topics they cover are:
Conflict is not inevitable, but it is probable.
Conflict is normal when people are involved.
There is a constructive way to build and maintain relationship even in the midst of conflict.
Typical landmines in small g...2022-04-0617 minThe Real Life Groups Leadership PodcastS. 1 Ep. 3: Three Ways To Ruin A Small GroupIn this episode of the Real Life Groups Leadership Podcast, host Chris Short is joined by Real Life Ministries Post Falls Groups Team Leader Fred Bosse', and Shannon Kay - Real Life Ministries Post Falls Women's Team Leader. They are talking today about some of the things that can (unintentionally) ruin a small group. The three specific things they discuss are:
Focus only on Content
Focus only on Relationship
Fear and Avoid Conflict
Our focus is creating small groups where people grow in spiritual maturity in relationship. That means both relationship and Biblical content need to be...2022-03-0216 minThe Real Life Groups Leadership PodcastS. 1 Ep. 2: Strengthening the Marriages in your Small GroupIn this episode of the Real Life Group Leadership Podcast, host Chris Short welcomes Bill Krause - Real Life Family Pastor and Sara Short - Women's Leader at the Post Falls Campus. Their discussion is centered on how you, as a Small Group Leader, can help encourage and strengthen the marriages of those in your group. Both Bill and Sara bring a wealth of experience to the topic, and they each have a unique perspective that will give you different tools to put into play right away as you shepherd your group.
Some of the things they ad...2022-02-0229 minThe Real Life Groups Leadership PodcastS.1 Ep. 1: Over-Talkers and Under-TalkersEpisode Notes:
In this episode host Chris Short is joined by Cory Speer, and Evan Meske, who have a combined 30 years of small group leadership experience and have helped, coached and given direction to group leaders on this topic dozens of times.
In this episode they are addressing two common challenges that often arise for small group leaders - What do you do when you have a group member who tends to dominate the discussion time, or conversely, one who never contributes to the discussion?
At Real Life...2022-01-0523 min