{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"SG² Steve Gladen on Small Groups","title":"10 Ideas For Engaging Upset Members","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2025,"description":"10 Practical Steps for Handling Upset Individuals in Small Group Ministry\nIn this episode of SG Squared, Pastor Steve Gladen, with over 25 years of small group ministry experience, and his co-host Derek discuss valuable advice on managing upset individuals within small group ministry. The conversation includes light-hearted pre-show banter about their college football teams, but focuses deeply on equipping listeners with 10 practical tips for dealing with conflict. Key points discussed include listening actively, validating feelings, offering practical support, and much more. The episode concludes with the importance of patience and understanding that not all conflict situations will be resolved immediately. Listen in to gain essential tools to foster peaceful and empathetic conversations within your ministry.\n10 Tips For Tough Conversations (and to download the full notes click HERE)Start the time in prayer.Make the meeting in a quiet public placeListen actively and empathetically: Allow the member to express their feelings without interruption or judgment. Show that you are truly hearing them by nodding, making eye contact, and offering verbal affirmations like \"I understand\" or \"That sounds really tough.\"Validate their feelings: Let them know that their feelings are understandable given the situation. You can say something like, \"It makes sense that you feel [upset emotion] about this\" or \"I can see why you'd be frustrated.\" Get to a place where you can express that \"feelings\" aren't \"facts\".Offer practical support (if appropriate): Ask if there's anything they are looking for to be done. This could help you know how extreme they are coming from or they just may want to be heard. You can help them brainstorm solutions, or simply pray with them.Suggest a distraction or activity: Sometimes a change of scenery or a fun activity can help shift their mood. This could be going for a walk, watching a movie, or doing something they enjoy. However, be sensitive to...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/uAtv0zHBzgbCLLeewi1iCzhs7OXKuDoPGaihQiM636g/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzI3MTA3LzE2NTE4/NTkyNDEtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}