: : group resources
Obtain valuable information regarding our Community Groups by clicking the following links:
Roles and Responsibilities Defined
Our new small group structure is a simple one, designed to offer support and room to grow as our ministry flourishes. Each group leader has a Group Coach and a Community Coach to lend direction and support. Group Leaders are encouraged to identify Co-Leader to eventually foster new groups.
Community Coaches - The Ministry is led by a team of Community Coaches. These are men and women who are not only spiritually mature, but also have fully embraced the purposes and priorities of the small group ministry. These men and women are equippers who are gifted at developing leadership, while continually caring for those in their sphere of influence.
The Community Coach’s primary role is to shepherd and oversee 5 Group Coaches. A Community Coach also looks for creative ways to champion the vision and values of the Small Group ministry. The CC will also establish an accountability relationship with his or her Group Coaches. The role of the Community Coach is summed up in the following acrostic.
• Coach, train and develop 5 Group Coaches.
• Offer support to Group Coaches as needed.
• Assist in resolving challenges that a Group Coach may be facing.
• Communicate relevant leadership information to Group Coaches.
• Help to identify prospective Group Coaches and Leaders
• Encourage Group Coaches through prayer and weekly contact.
• Share and report victories and concerns to Ministry Leader.
Group Coaches - A Group Coach’s primary role is to shepherd 5 group leaders. Group Coaches are to stay in touch with their Group leaders to provide support, encouragement and prayer. Group Coaches provide a communication link from Group Leaders to Community Coaches. The role of the Group Coach is summed up in the following acrostic.
• Coach, train and develop 5 Group Leaders.
• Offer support to Group Leaders as needed.
• Assist in resolving challenges that a Group Leader may be facing.
• Communicate relevant leadership information to Group Leaders.
• Help identify prospective Group Leaders and support group
multiplication
• Encourage Group Leaders through prayer and weekly contact.
• Share and report victories and concerns to Community Coach.
Group Leaders - A group leader, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, takes responsibility for his or her group. The leader facilitates the meeting time and creates an environment for disciples to grow and develop. The Group Leader also promotes the vision and growth of the small group ministry by investing in a Co-leader. The Co-leader will be challenged and practically equipped by the leader to develop into a Group Leader. The Group Leader will constantly look for opportunities to grow new small groups with the assistance of the Co-leader. The role of the Group Leader is summed up in the following acrostic.
Love those in the group with the love of Christ. (2 Cor 5:14, Rom 12:9)
Encourage group members in their walk with Christ. (1 Thes 5:11)
Accentuate the group's focus and lead them to accomplish that purpose. (Rom 12:8)
Disciple those in the group, leading by your example. (2 Tim 2:2, Phil 3:17)
Engender a sense of family and accountability to each other. (Rom 12:5)
Relate to the group by being honest, authentic and impartial. (Mark 12:14)
Co-Leaders - A group’s Co-leader, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, takes responsibility for assisting his or her group leader. He or she will offer assistance in any way to the group leader. The Co-leader will be challenged and practically equipped by the leader to develop into a Group Leader.
Group Host - A group host is someone who has offered to arrange for the group meeting to be held at his or her house. Displaying the gift of hospitality, the host honors the Lord by creating a safe, friendly and welcoming environment for his or her guests. The Group Host works in partnership with the Leader and Co-leader to assure the success of the group.
Support Structure
Click here to download an illustration of our support structure. This structure will assist us in providing accountability and encouragement to those serving. It also offers a network through which we can improve our communication. This model (often referred to as a “5 x 5” model in small group ministry) establishes a reasonable “span of care” so that a leader or coach doesn’t find themselves over-extended in shepherding those for whom they are responsible.
New Leader Coaching Points From Pastor Greg
:: God is with you!
You’re not alone (John 14:16-17)
The Presence of the Holy Spirit. As the Spirit indwells believers, and believers gather together, expect the Spirit of Christ to be there among you as a welcomed guest. He will guide, teach, convict, exhort, enable and unify*. Your role is to be open and available to Him. He has promised to not leave you or forsake you!
The support of a Co-leader. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 tells us that two are better than one! As soon as you are able, preferably even before you launch your group, identify your co-leader. This is the person who will assist you in any aspect of leadership during the life of your group. They can offer support during meetings and in your absence they can easily take the lead.
The encouragement of your coaches. You will have the guidance and support of a Group Coach and Community Coach, and your consistent connection with your coaches will strengthen your leadership skills.
:: God is for you!
Just be yourself (Romans 12:3-5)
God has made you to be you – not anyone else! He wants you to be who you are. It’s alright to admit when you don't have an answer to a question. These experiences can be learning opportunities for the entire group. No one likes arrogance, and everyone appreciates humility. Remember, God is opposed to the proud - but gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5). Apologize when you make a mistake. Your transparency will set the tone for others to be real and authentic.
God has gifted you (1 Peter 4:10 , Romans 12:6-8)
God has given you unique gifts to be used to build His body, and bless His family. Use the gifts and talents He has blessed you with; in other words, lead from your strengths and not your weaknesses. If you are not strong in a particular area, then partner with another believer who does have strength in that area.
God will empower you (Acts1:8)
God doesn’t call us to do something and not give us the power to do it! Pray and ask for His wisdom, strength, and blessing as you lead and shepherd your group. Ask Him to fill you with His Holy Spirit, so that those fruits of the Spirit may be manifested in your leadership.
:: God will equip you!
Know your material.
It’s important to overview and study the curriculum before your meeting. Your group will sense that you are prepared and that this material matters. You don’t want any “surprises” as you lead your group, so check it out thoroughly ahead of time.
Prepare the room.
Arrive early to your meeting, (if of course, you’re not meeting in your own home). Work with the host to create a warm and welcoming environment. Take into consideration things such as, lighting, noise, seating arrangements, pets, etc. If you are using any DVD/video equipment, test it out ahead of time and develop your plan “B” if something malfunctions! Once your group arrives and its time to start, have the group members circled where they can all see each other as they interact.
Pray for those attending.
God is at work in the lives of your group members. Be in prayer for them. Spend some time praying for them before your group. Let God love on them through you and the group. It may very well be that your group is the very first place where they have ever experienced acceptance and unconditional love.
*For more on this read, How To Lead a Small Group by Neal McBride
Hosting a Group? Keep these things in mind!
If you’ll be gathering a small group at your home, Here are some simple thoughts to make your experience as a host more rewarding and enjoyable:
Set the temperature
Not only with your thermostat; but also set the “Relational Temperature.” Create an “environment” that will be both welcoming and casual. Remember your objective is not to impress, but to make folks feel at home. As much as it is possible, remove any potential distractions from the room that would take away from the group discussion.
Pets
You just love your Rottweiler and Dobermans…but your guests may feel differently. Don’t take it personal if people don’t find your pets as friendly as you find them. Put your pals in a safe place for the brief time your guests are there. Any folks with allergies will love you for it!
Phone
If possible, allow the phone to be picked by the answering machine – or turn the ringer off. This will keep the group interaction from being interrupted and you won’t be bothered by those annoying telemarketers!
Parking
You may find it helpful to give your first time guest some parking directions. If you have preferences as to where folks park, tell’em - don’t tow’em!
Children
Each group will need to handle its own childcare needs. This may mean the group offers nothing for the little ones, and each member handles their own childcare. Or the group decides together to share the responsibility for the kids. Either hiring a babysitter and sharing the cost, or taking turns watching the kids in another area of the house. MAKE SURE if your group chooses to arrange for childcare at the meeting, that the host approves of that plan and there is an appropriate place there for the kids to play without distracting the Moms and Dads.
Food
The Host need not think that he or she should provide refreshments or meals for the group each week. A good idea would be to have the members of the group pick a week to bring snacks. Keep it simple so that the bringing of refreshments doesn’t become a contest to out-do each other. You may want to plan a covered dish meal as part of your fellowship time.
Sample Format for a Group Meeting
Here’s an example of how a leader may chose to plan out their group meeting. In planning out your meeting, remember to keep the main thing the main thing! Be wise with your time!
NOTE: Meeting begins at _______ and ends at ______.
• Informal fellowship before meeting
• Open in prayer
• Introductions (if necessary)
• Leader introduces topic
• Reading from related scripture
• Curriculum
• Discussion
• Leader summarizes / presents application
• Outreach challenge given to group
• Share prayer requests
• Close in prayer
• Open Fellowship Time (with refreshments!)
Calvary Community Group Leader Commitment
Biblical Authority
As a group leader I will recognize and uphold the Bible as my authority and source of truth; believing all scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. (2 Tim 3:16)
Lifestyle
My conduct and character in the community would reflect the love of Christ.
I will have only appropriate relationships with the opposite sex, having sexual purity and personal integrity.
I will refrain from any illegal use of drugs.
Church Life
As a leader I am committed to our Church and the fellowship of the believers there. I will uphold and stand by the practices and principles of our church.
I will honor and protect the unity of our church by guarding my speech and resolving conflict with a Biblical approach. I will handle conflict using Matthew 18:15-17 as the standard.
As a leader committed to a healthy church, I will submit to the authority of the church as established in Scripture, and model an attitude of submission for my small group. I am accountable to God, my church’s pastors and elders, my fellow believers in the body, and specifically, my own group.
(Click here to download a printable copy of this document to remind you of your commitment.)
