You need to have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, be baptized by immersion at Saddleback Church or another church that we accept, completed Membership CLASS 101, and have signed our membership covenant that is available in your CLASS 101 book.
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We ask Small Group Hosts to participate in our Leadership Development Pathway which includes our basic three-hour Host Training 1. Beyond basic training we offer progressively more advanced Leader Workshops in Skills, Character, Health and PEACE. Additionally, twice a year in January and July we ask every small group Host to join us in an All-Church Host Gathering to be trained and motivated by nationally known speakers. Register online for the next scheduled Leader Training 1 by clicking Saddleback Church Events.
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This past week as I was wrestling with a message for the weekend I had to go back to five basic questions I try to answer every time I speak. If you are a speaker these are great questions to ask before you hop on the stage....
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Fitness Coach Tom Wilson demonstrates how using a foam roller can enhance your muscle tissue health and provide relaxation. Watch this 4-minute video and try these simple massage techniques to work out any soreness from exercise or sitting at your desk all day. More fitness videos with Tom Wilson
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In this 11-minute video, Dr. Mark Hyman explains the difference between good and bad carbohydrates, and how they impact your blood sugar and glycemic load. He also gives insight behind the specialized chemical so critical to good health called phytonutrients. This is a must-see video, and he's offered a correlating article for you. Click here for more from Dr. Hyman
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So this whole idea of connection can be slightly confusing but did you know that it is a BIG deal in the Bible? Back in the day, the people were the church not a building. And guess what!? Things haven’t changed! God still looks at us, his people, as the church.
In Acts (the story of how the church got started), Paul talks about how “all the believers were together and had everything in common… they broke bread in their homes and ate together.” (Acts 2:44, 46) – they were a FAMILY! In the verses before and after this, in Acts 2:42-47, Paul describe how the early church treated each other: they sold their stuff for each other, they prayed together, they ate together, and they met together every day!
I know life looks a little different now than it did back then but I wonder what we can do to make our church like family. If you’re feeling slightly disconnected please let our staff know and we would LOVE to do what we can to get you connected to our church body.
We’re here for you and we love you!
--Nikkie Schuster
*Nikkie is on the SSM staff and is in charge of CONNECT, so if you would like to figure out how you can get connected in a deeper way to SSM then email nikkie at: nikkies@saddleback.com
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Every Friday, we highlight five opportunities for you to get out of the house, have fun and connect with the Saddleback community. This week, we have a great community outreach option, two great workout opportunities, as well as golf and rollerskating. ...
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We want every small group leader to understand the distinctive principles of Saddleback small groups. Those distinctive principles are covered in Basic Leader Training 1. Also, we believe that leaders are learners and we strive to provide advanced Leader Training and growth opportunities for our leaders. After you complete Basic and Advanced Leader Training, Saddleback provides opportunities for seasoned leaders to sharpen their skills on a twice a year basis in All-Church Host Gatherings in January and July each year.
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All Saddleback Orange services will be at VILLA PARK HIGH SCHOOL this weekend. Don't worry, it's only 1/4 mile from our normal location and there will be lots of smiling greeters and traffic volunteers to help you if you need any assistance. We will also have all of our normal children's classes and student ministries...
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On Sunday, May 22, there is a reason for the extraordinary flurry of anticipation: Pastor Rick Warren will be visiting Saddleback Huntington Beach to encourage the new regional church with smiles, hugs and handshakes. THAT is exciting news!...
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The Ministry Skills Assessment is designed around the five purposes of the church and identifies 35 competencies for effective ministry. It’s free and We encourage you to take your whole team through it....
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There are pastors I talk to who say they’re planning to do something new in ministry. And I always want to ask, “When are you going to pull the trigger?” They've been taking aim for years; yet, they never get around to pulling the trigger. Don’t be like that....
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In Other Words... is a research service that provides Christian leaders with humor, interesting facts, memorable quotes, and fascinating true stories from current events and headline news... and each entry contains the documented source....
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We all guard against it. We hope it never happens. But sometime there is going to be a season when something earth-shattering happens in the life of a church body....
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Yes! If you live out of the area we would still love to support you as a Host. We presently have small groups in over 80 cities in Southern California. Since it is unlikely that we will be able to provide you with a list of potential group members, we would encourage you to pray about which neighbors, friends, coworkers and family members you could invite to join you for six weeks for your first study.
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Sure, all you have to do is say you are full or you can subgroup into smaller groups in several areas in the house. Subgrouping can actually be more fun for everyone, but it's really up to you.
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People connect in new small groups consisting of 6 to 16 people who provide love, support, friendship, connection and spiritual strength. The format is an informal and comfortable 1½-2 hour gathering at the home of a Host for six weeks. Participants are comprised of people from our church, as well as friends, neighbors, relatives and coworkers who are invited to join in the adventure. Most groups are guided through the study series using DVD programs and study guides.
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Small group membership is how Saddleback members and attendees connect and grow in community. In order to serve in ministry, each of us needs to be growing in our spiritual walk and serving out of the overflow of what God is doing in our lives. Small groups give us a forum where we can support each other in building the five biblical purposes into our lives. Ministry is important and it is where we can express our shape for ministry to the body of Christ. Life can be very full and many are needed to serve the church in significant ways. Yet we know the spiritual power that is needed for service to the church will be gained in people's lives as they study in small groups together the things that are most important to God. Sometimes it is just a matter of priorities. We need to be connected and growing before we can be effective in the ministry God has for us. It may require you to set priorities for investment of your time and focus.
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It's easy. Go to saddlebackfamily.com and click on Find A Small Group. Enter your ZIP code and the type of group you are looking for. When you find a group that looks promising, click on "Select." You will be given the opportunity to "Join This Group" or "Return to Search Results." If you click Join This Group, your information will be sent to the small group host, and you will be given the contact information of the host. You should contact the host to learn more about the group and arrange to visit a group meeting. Please feel free to try more than one group. With over 2,000 Saddleback Small Groups, there is one for you!
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a. Absolutely! Inform your friends, neighbors, family members, coworkers and casual acquaintances about your small group study. Most of Saddleback's study materials are appropriate for both believers and seekers. Pray for God's guidance as you can make an eternal difference in the lives of others.
b. While it is not our desire to attract people away from other Bible believing churches, Saddleback's desire is to both connect "unconnected" people at our church and take our next step to reach our "unchurched" community for Jesus Christ through our small groups.
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Do you go to SSM Orange and you want to deepen your relationship with God? Do you want to go a little deeper then just hearing the weekend message? Then THE OTHER 6 is for you! THE OTHER 6 is a six-day devotional based off of our SSM Orange weekend messages. You can use THE OTHER 6 to help you spend time with God the other six days of the week that you are not at church! Click here to download this week's THE OTHER 6. Just print it out, grab a Bible and you're ready to go!
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Your group must register by 1) going to saddlebackfamily.com and 2) click on "Share (Missions)" and 3) click on "Get Started" and 4) Click on either "Local" or "Global" and follow the prompts to register your group and begin the process. The website answers most questions you will have, but if you have technical questions/problems when trying to navigate the P.E.A.C.E. system, please call the P.E.A.C.E. Help Desk at 949-609-8400.
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 Too often, "energy" seems easily obtained from super-charged, sugary, caffeinated drinks. But those short-term blasts only lead to lulls hours later. Then another energy drink goes down the hatch, and the cycle perpetuates itself. This week, The Daniel Plan examines the roots of energy, which is a core principle of a healthy lifestyle. Alertness, energy and vitality are results of good nutrition and exercise which impact your metabolism. However, other factors could be impacting your energy too. So we've assembled a few basics about basic food groups, and suggestions to help create more energy and vitality in your life. For example, Dr. Oz shares a "7-Step Energy Surge Plan," in three video segments from The Dr. Oz Show. Functional medicine expert Dr. Mark Hyman shares from personal and professional experience the keys to keeping your body energized with a "Metabolism Make-Over" via both video and an article. Dr. Hyman also provides a simple tool to identify and deal with your energy "gains and drains." Brain expert Dr. Daniel Amen provides an in-depth look at ways to "Improving Focus & Energy," which comes from his best-selling book "Change Your Brain, Change Your Body." We've also added a report about the ultimate energy drink. Perhaps you feel lackluster because you're not tapping into God's power. Read Pastor Rick's e-book about how to have a daily quiet time for assistance. Also, Tom Wilson suggests to exercise for energy, which may seem ironic, but energy is created when you get your heart pumping. Maybe you need some motivation. We've written about the Smith family who are influencing thousands of people from their progress and secrets to success. Read how they are casting a web of influence. Webcast Ready
Don't miss the 30-minute recording of the Web cast from May 5! Special guest Steve Komanapalli (aka "Stevey-K") joins Dee Eastman, Dr. Amen and Dr. Hyman discussing the topic of creating energy from real-life experiences. Biggest Losers - Update
If you've lost more than 30 pounds and would like to be added to the list, or if you're already on the list but want to update the weight loss, email davidj@saddleback.com. Thanks to Marie Goodrow from Henry's in Lake Forest, try these new Summertime recipes including salads, side and main dishes and desserts! They're all Daniel Plan approved! Stay Connected
Plan now to enjoy the benefits of being in community with other like-minded people. - The Daniel Plan Night at The Refinery, Thursday, 5-8. Read this week's menu and join us!
- Register now for The Daniel Plan Fun Walk & Run on June 11! It's going to be lots of fun!
Also, we received an anonymous letter regarding last week's "Food Addiction" topic and wanted to share it with you here.
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Definitely not! The most important things that you need are a desire to serve the members of your group and to grow in your own personal relationship with Jesus Christ. When you take this step of faith, through prayer, God's Holy Spirit will give you what you need to be an effective Host. Saddleback has many video curriculums available that provide expert teaching to your small group. Your host responsibility is to facilitate the discussion around that teaching using provided resources.
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 With Summer arriving June 21, The Daniel Plan plans to boost your shape-up plan to help you enjoy the season while wearing shorts, t-shirts and swimsuits. For the next 30 days, we encourage you to take your health and fitness up a notch. Here's how: First, if you haven't already, register for The Daniel Plan Fun Walk & Run on June 11. It's a 5K (3.1 miles), 10K (6.2 miles) and Kids Run on and around the Lake Forest campus of Saddleback Church. Start training, track your times and see if you can finish with a "personal record" time! Next, try increasing your exercise intensity after reading Tom Wilson's article 30 Training Days to Summer article. Or dance the pounds away after watching this video segment from the popular The Dr. Oz Show. If you haven't started journaling your journey yet, try one of these online and mobile applications: loseit.com, fitday.com or iGoogle (fatsecret.com). With these tools, you have a much higher chance of success by tracking your food and exercise. And be sure to update your profile weight, waist size and blood pressure and set some short term goals! Need motivation? Read Casey Shannon's story. Amazing how she has beat the odds in her life and recently earned two trophies competing in her first bodybuilding competition. And you will not believe how young she is! To burn fat faster, you also need to understand the role calories and carbohydrates play. They both generate energy and impact your metabolism. Read Dr. Daniel Amen's article Calories Count. And then read Dr. Mark Hyman's article about calories and discover the truth for yourself. Dr. Hyman also provided us an article and video about the most important food in your diet: carbohydrates. We also added a report on the amazing avocado, guarding what goes under your arm, a simple technique to enhance your muscle tissue and a summertime recipe featuring Marinated Tofu and an Asian Vegetable Salad.
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