Oct 3 (edited) • Lessons Learned
Lessons from the Field: Power of Relationships
Back in 2001, we had a program that was thriving by the numbers. Over 100 people were showing up regularly. On paper, it looked like a success story.
But when I looked closer, something was off.
Some people came every week but never connected.
Others slipped away quietly, and no one noticed until they were gone.
And though the teaching was solid, the transformation wasn’t matching the attendance.
It hit me: people weren’t just showing up for information.
They were hungry for connection.
So we made a bold change. Instead of keeping everyone at one location, we opened a new location to make it possible to create small groups. Each group had a leader, space for conversation, and time to share life.
The result? Transformation skyrocketed. People who had been quiet in the big group suddenly opened up. Needs were noticed and met. Accountability grew naturally. People didn’t just attend — they belonged and the numbers exploded.
Looking back, here’s the lesson I learned:
- Programs don’t change people. Relationships do.
- A big stage can inspire, but it’s small circles that transform.
- Real discipleship doesn’t happen in rows — it happens in circles, living rooms, and conversations where people feel seen.
Leadership Takeaways:
- Growth isn’t about bigger rooms — it’s about deeper connections.
- People rarely remember the program, but they always remember who sat with them.
- If you want transformation, build spaces where people can’t hide and don’t want to.
Question Prompts for You:
1. Have you ever been part of a small group that truly changed you? What made it so powerful?
2. As a leader, what challenges do you face in moving people from “attenders” to “connected”?
3. If you could redesign one program in your organization for deeper relationships, what would you do differently?
Leave your lessons learned in the comments.
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Lessons from the Field: Power of Relationships
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