I just finished reading a book called “Sticky Church” by Larry Osborne. Larry pastors North Coast Church in San Diego county. This book has really challenged my thinking concerning church growth, church programs and the “small group” ministry.

The major premise of the book centers on the need for evangelical churches like Lakeside to create and develop an environment where Christ honoring relationships can be established so that people will not come through “the front door” of a local church only to eventually “go out the back door.”

One of simplest and yet most profound ideas Sticky Church promotes is the “sermon based small group.” Each of the hundred’s of small groups at North Coast Church (80% of all adults at NCC belong to a group) meets weekly to study the passage of Scripture the Pastor preached on that previous Sunday and then they discuss what are the practical applications of the passage.

This simple practice/process resonates with me. How simple! How practical! How reinforcing! How biblical! Over the next few months I plan on “processing” what value this concept might have if implemented at Lakeside.