Heather Goodman

My passion is to incarnate Christ’s love to the hurting through story, through art, and as the Church. I’m a writer (the only job where you can have imaginary friends and not be carted off in a white jacket) and speaker for retreats, luncheons, dinners, coffees—really any meal—and conferences to different ministries and small groups. I’m a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, member of the Association of Women’s Ministry Professionals and American Christian Fiction Writers, and Broadway aficionado. I enjoy drinking tea every afternoon, torturing myself with Pilates, and wiggling my toes in the sand with a good book in hand. Visit www.heatheragoodman.com to sign-up for your free subscription to Glimpses, a monthly ezine of people incarnating Christ in their stories, in their art, and as the Church. Receive a free copy of "Reel Studies: A Study Tool for Bible Stories" when you sign up.

Interview with Editor of SGX:

1.) When did you decide to serve in Small Group Ministry? 
In seminary, I was involved in a spiritual formation group. During the two-year commitment, we shared our backgrounds, our sin struggles, and our ministry dreams. In that group, I found a love strong enough to cover me in my ugliest moments and to strengthen me in my weakest areas—Christ’ love, in other words, in the arms of five women. That experience inspired me to help create that environment for others. 

2.) What encouragement would you offer to small group leaders out there?
It’s not about being perfect or knowing the answers. It’s not even about having the best or trendiest curriculum. It’s about loving with Christ’s love, forgiving with Christ’s forgiveness, and guiding with Christ’s wisdom.

3.) In what ways have you and your spouse grown spiritually since you have been involved in this ministry?
God has a habit of teaching you first what you intend to teach others, which is always a humbling experience. This has taught me to completely depend on Him. It’s not my work, but His. I get to be the faucet through which He spills His living water into a parched land. Leading together, my husband and I have learned to trust each other in knew ways. It’s exciting to see his strengths take over in areas where I’m weak or to be able to explain things in ways that he can’t. This has drawn us closer and allowed us to see new aspects of each other.

4.) Why does small group ministry play such a critical role in the church today?

In our fragmented and transitory society, small groups are one of the few ways to connect on a deeper level. When these small groups are found in the church, the connection is made not just with each other but with God, Who can take the human bond and infuse it with supernatural strength, love, and a limitless possibility for growth.