Ben Reed

Small Group Trader Contributor
Community Groups Pastor, Clarksville, TN

I serve on staff at Grace Community Church in Clarksville, TN. My role is to shepherd and equip existing small group leaders, in addition to recruiting new ones. I’m excited to be a part of this great staff, and am excited to see what God is going to continue to do in Clarksville, and how He’s going to use Grace Community Church to impact this community with the Gospel.

My wife is my best friend, and my biggest supporter in ministry. I couldn’t do it without her right by my side. The Lord has truly blessed me with an amazing woman. We I moved to Clarksville while I was finishing up my seminary degree. The church was generous enough to allow me to serve on staff and, at the same time, commute back and forth to seminary to complete my degree.

We have lived in Clarksville now for a little over a year, and have one son. As of February, 2009, he’s 4 months old. Whether you read this bio in February 2009 or February 2029, this statement is true: we’re still trying to figure out what it means to be God-honoring parents. In addition to loving my job in ministry, I also love to play golf. My dad and I have the unique opportunity to play every Friday morning, and that’s one meeting that I look forward to every week!

Ben Reed Interview with Small Group Trader:

Small Group Trader: When did you decide to serve in small group ministry?

Ben Reed: I began serving as Community Groups pastor in December 2008. My formal, school training, was in Biblical counseling, and small groups definitely fit within my training. Discipleship happens best in the context of God-honoring relationships, which we try to foster in small groups.

Small Group Trader: What encouragement would you offer to small group leaders out there?

Ben Reed: Small groups are based on forming healthy, God-honoring relationships, but relationships are messy! Leading a small group is so difficult because we live in a sinful world, and when sinners come into close with sinners, difficulties often arise. However, God has designed us for these sanctifying relationships, so small groups are worth every bit of your effort.

Small Group Trader: In what ways have you and your spouse/family grown spiritually since you have been involved in this ministry?

Ben Reed: Our son just had surgery. He’s recovering well, but the whole process was one of the most difficult things that we had ever gone through. It’s unbelievably stressful when they wheel your child away from you, and all of the events leading up to that moment. We had to rely heavily on our small group for prayer and encouragement, and they came through in a huge way!

Small Group Trader: Why does small group ministry play such a critical role in the church today?

Ben Reed: Small groups are the place where the Gospel can be fleshed out on a personal level. Sermons are great, and we as the Church need to learn from Godly pastors preaching God’s Word, but sermons from a stage can only go so far. In the small group setting, questions are asked and specific situations are discussed, so that the Gospel is applied specifically to the life of the individual.

Website: www.benreed.net

Favorite Link 1: www.twitter.com/benreed

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