People Over Programs: One-to-One Leadership That Keeps Small Groups Relational

Pastor Steve Gladen and Derek Olson discuss how small group ministry can drift from being people-focused to program-focused, and argue the most important question is how to keep relationships central. Steve emphasizes the power of one-to-one connection and offers practical ways to reach people beyond email, including texting, calling (with a heads-up text), being present to connect in person at church, sending notes, and even doing brief “pop-bys” with a small gift to create face-to-face contact. Once connected, he shares the SPEAK acrostic for knowing someone personally:Story, Passions, Encouragement (including love languages and key dates), Abilities (including the Benjamin Franklin effect), and Knowledge. He also introduces the “four helpful lists” for improving ministry: what’s working, what’s wrong, what’s confusing, and what’s missing. They close by promoting the May Lobby Gathering event for small group leaders.

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00:00 Welcome to SG Squared
01:11 Episode Preview
02:05 People Over Programs
03:01 Power of One to One
05:17 How to Reach People
06:29 Lobby Lurker and Pop By
10:43 SPEAK Acrostic
12:47 Encouragement and Dates
14:57 Abilities and Franklin Effect
19:23 Four Helpful List
23:14 Final Challenge and Wrap
25:18 Lobby Gathering Invite
26:59 Subscribe and Resources

The Real Question Small Group Leaders Should Be Asking: What Kind of Disciple Are You Producing?

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In this episode of SG Squared, Pastor Steve Gladen and Derek discuss how small group point people can get distracted by urgent tasks and connection metrics while missing the most important question: what kind of disciple the church is trying to produce. Steve explains that every small group model includes a connection process, but the strategy must also include a clear discipleship and spiritual formation pathway that goes beyond slogans and cognitive learning to lived obedience. He argues that the small group point person must seek clarity on the church’s discipleship strategy—whether they own it or partner with others—so training, coaching, curriculum, and tools align with the intended outcomes. Listeners are invited to join Small Group Network All Access for resources and updates, including a coaching platform planned for October 2026.

00:00 Welcome to SG Squared
00:28 Weather and Relativity
02:47 The Real Question
04:29 Why Connection Matters
06:13 Seven Group Models
09:32 Discipleship Second Half
11:18 Who Owns Discipleship
14:06 Point Person Responsibility
19:25 Avoid Model Hopping
20:51 Wrap Up and Resources

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Thank you for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast on your favorite platform. For more resources and to join the small group community, visit smallgroupnetwork.com.

THE MENDOZA STORY
130 schools said no.
He led the losingest program in college football history to a national championship anyway.
Fernando Mendoza was a 2-star recruit from Miami.

He tried to walk on at his hometown school. They passed.
So did FIU.
So did FAU.
So did everyone else.

At 17, he was sitting in his bedroom, crying over a silent recruiting inbox—after driving to 18 camps with his dad and sending highlights to more than 100 programs.
Not one FBS offer.
His only option? Yale. No scholarship. No NFL path.

Everyone told him to be “realistic.”
“Know your place.”
“Be grateful.”
He didn’t listen.
Because Mendoza understood something most people miss:
The worst outcome isn’t failing.
It’s never getting the chance to try.

Two weeks before signing day in 2022, his phone rang.
Cal needed a body. One offer. Out of 134 schools.
He took it.
He arrived as the third-string quarterback.
Spent a year on the scout team.
Lost his first four starts.
Got sacked 41 times behind a broken offensive line.

Still got up. Every time.
Then Cal brought in a transfer instead of building around him.
So Mendoza left the only school that had ever said yes.
He transferred to Indiana—the losingest program in college football history.

People laughed.
“Career suicide.”
“Graveyard program.”
“Nobody wins there.”
One coach told him something different:
“I’m going to make you the best Fernando Mendoza possible.”
That was enough.
Mendoza wasn’t just playing for football.
His mother has battled multiple sclerosis for 18 years.

Before every snap, he thought of her.
“My mother is my why.”
Indiana went 16–0.
Beat six Top-10 teams.
Won their first Big Ten title since 1945.
Mendoza threw 41 touchdowns.
Won the Heisman—first in school history.
First Cuban-American to ever do it.

Then came the title game.
Miami. Near his hometown.
Fourth-and-4. Season on the line.
Quarterback draw.
The kid 134 schools rejected spun through defenders and dove into the end zone.

Game over.
Indiana—national champions.
The losingest program became the best team in America.
All because a 17-year-old refused to believe “no” was the end.

Rankings don’t decide your ceiling.
Gatekeepers don’t write your ending.
Being overlooked isn’t a verdict—it’s a starting point.

Sometimes all you need is one shot…
and the courage to bet on yourself when nobody else will.
Don’t quit.

00:00 Thank You for Listening!
18:31 Subscribe for More Content
18:35 Join the Small Group Network
18:43 See You Next Time!