Leadership Tips & Training "IN THE KNOW"

I spend most of my days here at the First Place office communicating with a wide assortment of folks about a variety of topics. I communicate most often over the telephone and through email. I answer a menagerie of questions and I am often calling on others seeking to find answers to my own questions. Communication is essential for a leader to be informed concerning the new materials, how to set up a group, and how to lead effectively from week to week. Communication is also essential for leaders if they want others to know their group exists or if they want to know about other groups that are active in their area.

To be "IN THE KNOW" Concerning First Place:

First Place E-Mail Newsletter
Every newsletter includes new recipes, helpful articles, inspiring testimonies, coming events and much more. To subscribe to the free e-mail newsletter, click here.

First Place Website
Stay informed about coming events through the website and through the newsletter. Leaders should look for First Place Workshops that may be coming to their area. These are informative, inspirational and encouraging to new and experienced leaders. Also, check out the First Place Community page to find out what others are saying about leading classes and creative ideas they may be sharing.

First Place Staff
Please call the First Place Office - (800) 727-5223 when you need information regarding:

• Starting and Facilitating a Group—Kay Smith - (800) 846-1179 or Nancy Taylor - (800) 727-5223, ext. 403
• Questions regarding the Live-It /New Materials—Kay Smith - (800) 846-1179
• Questions regarding Leadership Training/Workshops/New Materials—Nancy Taylor - (800) 727-5223, ext. 403
• Newsletter questions or location of a group—Lisa Lewis (800) 727-5223, ext. 407

First Place Networking Leaders
These are leaders who communicate with leaders in their area. The list of networking leaders is found here. Call them to find other groups in the area and for support regarding the leadership of your group.

To be KNOWN BY OTHERS or to locate other groups in your area:

Register Your Group Online
This is a "must" for every leader! Go to the "Register Your Group" page on our site. This will guide you through the procedure to register your group so that others will know you are active. Remember: You will need to update it each session with new orientation dates, new leaders, and the starting date of your current or next session.

Search for First Place Groups Online
Go to our Group Finder page. You may access the website to also find other groups in your area by simply typing in your zip code. You could also use this information to contact these other leaders and let them know you are there for support.

Register your group by Mail
If you do not have Internet access, you will find a group registration form in the new Leader Guide. Simply fill it out and mail it in to the First Place Office in Houston. Remember: You will also need to update this information each session, so that others can be informed about your First Place group.

Host a First Place Event
A great way to spread the news about First Place and to make others aware that you have an active First Place group is by hosting a First Place Rally or Workshop. Workshops will equip other churches in your area with the tools to begin a First Place group of their own. Rallies will ignite interest in your community for First Place and inspire those in your church to be a part of this life-changing ministry. Contact Nancy Taylor at (800) 727-5223, ext. 403 if you are interested in hosting an event.

Nancy Taylor
Leadership Training Director



Nancy Taylor is the First Place Leadership Training Director and joined the First Place staff in 1997. Nancy teaches leadership principles to First Place Leaders throughout the country and at Houston's First Baptist Church where she coordinates all the First Place groups. Nancy also speaks at First Place workshops, rallies, retreats, and conferences, where she delights her audiences with humor and encourages them with boldness. She writes a monthly article, which includes helpful tips for leaders, for the First Place E-newsletter, and was a contributing writer to the Today is the First Day devotional book. Nancy is the resident First Place Bible Concordance because of her love for Scripture memory.