SGN Symposium 2009 Report and Follow Through

Entire Symposium on one CD (MP3)
We recorded all four of Scott's sessions. The four MP3 files and symposium handouts are on one CD.
Purchase the CD for $12.50 + tax (includes shipping).
Order your copy here: Symposium CD
FREE! Listen to session one: Session One (mp3)

Have you read Scott Boren's book? The Relational Way
Until July 31/09 we are offering the book at a 20% discount.

Read the introduction:
Intro to The Relational Way
(Adobe Reader document, 90KB)

Envisioning a New Story
by Scott Boren, author and pastor

Vacation time is almost here. What if you were to book a flight to a vacation destination. Then you travel to the airport terminal and walk around the concourse, visiting the variety of small shops and restaurants, but what if you don't actually board the plane! We wouldn't consider a visit to the terminal as having gone on any vacation, would we?

Yet, that is how Scott Boren described the expectations within many small groups in our churches. Is there an unspoken expectation that connecting with others in a small group is the end goal? At this years Symposium, Scott spoke passionately that small groups need to experience the presence of Jesus – "getting on the plane" – so that God's Kingdom can be lived among them and through them.

Over 40 churches from across Ontario and beyond interacted with Scott as he presented some paradigm changing approaches to how we see small groups. Using the concept of "four stories", he presented a framework of common group experiences that help churches and groups understand their current reality and what that may mean for their overall ministry strategy.

Comments from participants:

• "Learned a lot - very worthwhile!"
• "introduced to a new way of thinking - very eye opening - great!"
• "really appreciated moving away from structure to talk more about substance"
• "whole event was useful to me and it was particularly timely for my role in the church"
• "Scott was great! I enjoyed the sessions and look forward to the journey at our church!"
• "Great as always! Really liked hearing about the "4 stories". Amazing how the Symposium topic is right where our church is at."
• "Challenging and affirming"
• "thoroughly enjoyable and thought provoking"
• "really inspiring - great food for thought"
• "Scott helped us to think more missionally"
• "this has helped us reconsider our process and path"
• "really appreciated Scott's paradigm for small groups (4 stories) - thank you!"

Want to learn more?
Scott Boren has written an article that gives his view and some new perspectives on small group ministry. Scott Boren's View of Small Groups