HOST Orientation: (1/29@9:30am; 2/5@9:00am) to lead a Small Group through LifePoint Church you have to attend HOST Orientation. This is a one hour class that answers many of the questions a first time Host may have as well as give instructions for the next six weeks of leading a small group. We include information on expectations, 3 objectives, communication report, a commissioning from our Pastor and sample covenant. Orientation is offered prior to all church-wide campaigns and then monthly to people

Leadership Cafe: (2/22, 29; 3/7 6:30pm) periodically we offer an opportunity for leaders and coaches to attend an on-campus gathering where we share one key principle of small group. Many times this is via a video from Rightnowtraining.org or one of our own videos on Small Group experience. We leave a lot of time for Coaches to learn from their leaders and discuss issues. Optional.

Leader Tips: (2/13, 20, 27, 3/5 on Sacred Sex Series) These are video trainings which are emailed weekly during campaigns and quarterly throughout the year as reminders or ‘heads-up’ type issues that we are discovering. Many of these directly relate to the theme of worship, church calendar or common themes we see emerging via our communication reports on Church Teams.

Vmail stories: (4/16; 5/23; 6/18; 7/6 via email) Very few things are as powerful as a story. Especially a story that is from a fellow Small Group Leader or member. Quarterly we are emailing stories to all Small group members. These not only inspire but will also serve to communicate the message of small groups.

Volunteer Community: (1/29; 8/5; 12/8 4-6:30pm) A church-wide leadership event in which our Pastor casts vision, division directors share important information, and coaches discuss specific skills with leaders. This happens four times a year on a Sunday evening. Attend at least two per year.

Small Group Luncheon: (4/22; 10/21@ 12:00-1:15pm) The best thing we can do as Small Group Point People or Pastors is to help communicate the vision to small group members. A very productive way we have found to do this is offer a luncheon immediately after morning worship for all small groups three to four times per year. It is very convenient as well as FREE, and even includes child-care. We share vision, stories and giveaways to all who attend. It is a way church leaders can speak vision into every group leader and group member. Your group has to be represented at least one of these per year.

Coaches Coffee Time: (when you text/call/email your Coach for a meeting) This is a free cup of coffee on any Sunday morning you (Small Group Leader) want to have a conversation with your coach. You provide the questions and conversation, we provide the coffee via the World Cup Cafe. Some of the subjects that you can expect to surface are: spiritual guide, influence, our survey and Christ-Centered Journey, Service, apprenticing and empowering. These times are offered to Small Group Leaders and their apprentices.

Small Group Leadership School 2012 is a post from: GroupLeader.org Lifepoint Church Small Groups

HOST Orientation: (9/25; 11/13; 1/22 @ 9:30am) to lead a Small Group through LifePoint Church you have to attend HOST Orientation. This is a one hour class that answers many of the questions a first time Host may have as well as give instructions for the next six weeks of leading a small group. We include information on expectations, 3 objectives, communication report, a commissioning from our Pastor and sample covenant. Orientation is offered prior to all church-wide campaigns and then monthly to people

Leadership Cafe: (9/18; 11/20; 1/29 @ 9:30am) periodically we offer an opportunity for leaders and coaches to attend an on-campus gathering where we share one key principle of small group. Many times this is via a video from Rightnowtraining.org or one of our own videos on Small Group experience. We leave a lot of time for Coaches to learn from their leaders and discuss issues. Optional.

Leader Tips: (1/29 via rightnowtraining.org) These are video trainings which are emailed weekly during campaigns and quarterly throughout the year as reminders or ‘heads-up’ type issues that we are discovering. Many of these directly relate to the theme of worship, church calendar or common themes we see emerging via our communication reports on Church Teams.

Vmail stories: (11/22; 10/12; 11/23; 2/21 via email) Very few things are as powerful as a story. Especially a story that is from a fellow Small Group Leader or member. Quarterly we are emailing stories to all Small group members. These not only inspire but will also serve to communicate the message of small groups.

Leadership Community: (10/23; 12/4 5-6:30pm) A church-wide leadership event in which our Pastor casts vision, division directors share important information, and coaches discuss specific skills with leaders. This happens four times a year on a Sunday evening. Attend at least two per year.

Small Group Luncheon: (11/13 @ 12:15-1:15pm) The best thing we can do as Small Group Point People or Pastors is to help communicate the vision to small group members. A very productive way we have found to do this is offer a luncheon immediately after morning worship for all small groups three to four times per year. It is very convenient as well as FREE, and even includes child-care. We share vision, stories and giveaways to all who attend. It is a way church leaders can speak vision into every group leader and group member. Your group has to be represented at least one of these per year.

Coaches Coffee Time: (when you text/call/email your Coach for a meeting) This is a free cup of coffee on any Sunday morning you (Small Group Leader) want to have a conversation with your coach. You provide the questions and conversation, we provide the coffee via the World Cup Cafe.
These are all offered to Small Group Leaders and their apprentices. The Luncheon adds the opportunity for Small Group members to attend. The expectation currently is for a Small Group Leader to be seen
One or all of these may help you in your search to offer the right or the next Leadership Development opportunity. The key for us has been continued learning, continued tweaking and continuing to offer options with clear expectations.

If you have any other ideas or comments, please feel free to leave them below.

Small Group Leadership School is a post from: GroupLeader.org Lifepoint Church Small Groups

I must say that once I let go and let God, it has really all worked out.

My group is made up of all single females, ranging in ages from 22 to 62, new believers, long time followers, Catholics, various denominations, one that converted from Wicca, along with many other characteristics that should cause our group not to work but with His help it works.  We have probably had as many people leave as we have had to join us… I truly feel that each person that has entered our group needed something or brought something to our group that someone needed at that time.

One of my biggest fears ,in addition to all of those listed above, as if they weren’t enough, in starting a small group was praying out loud in front of a lot of people that I really didn’t know.  When our group formed, I realized this was actually the same fear of 99 percent of our group.  We would spend forty five minutes to an hour each week with heart felt prayer requests and then three to four minutes with a prayer by one person.

When I prayed for guidance in this area, God sent me a gentler message…at the next group meeting, I told everyone we were going to try something new and explained, if the prayer requests were important enough for us to ask, they should be easy enough for us to pray for them.  Along with asking everyone to do something, there was a need to give something back; everyone loves to see results so prayer stones and an empty heart shaped glass bowl was the answer.

We were all going to stand in a circle holding hands around my coffee table.   Each person praying their own request and if anyone does not want to pray they simply squeeze the hand of the next person and so on all round the circle until we close.  Going forward any Praise for an answered prayer would be celebrated before we pray and one beautiful prayer stone would be placed in the bowl.

That first night there was fear in the room you could see and feel it everywhere however we had about 8 of 12 people pray out loud.  Two people revealed they had never prayed out loud before in their lives and how happy they were that we had tried this new activity and that fear was behind them.  Once again, when we let go and let God, he takes care of all of our fears.

That was over a year ago and as you can see from the picture; our heart shaped glass bowl is running over with prayer stones.  Everyone in our groups now prays out loud each week (my dog Percy comes from wherever he is in the house when we stand to pray and joins us inside the circle until we finish praying) and it is such a natural thing to everyone.  We have answered prayers for children, jobs, family, co-workers and cancer but that is another story for another day.

Sherry May

A Small Group Story is a post from: GroupLeader.org Lifepoint Church Small Groups

Discover LifePoint.  This is a one-time, one-hour class that shares with participants the mission and motivation of LifePoint church, as well as discover their next step on their spiritual journey.  Encouragers meet with each individual to discuss their next step.  Next steps include connecting with a small group and/or service opportunity.

Small Group Interest Cards are available in Discover LifePoint (DLP), the Guest Services Booth and on-line.  This card can be completed quickly and shares info about the person seeking to get connected.  Our goal is to introduce this person to a GroupLife staff and a Small Group Leader within a few weeks.

Starting Point* Group.  Starting Point meets on-campus on Sunday mornings and is an exploration of God’s grand story and where you fit into the narrative through a conversational environment.  This is a 10 week experience at the end of which participants are aided in starting a small group.

Connections Bible Study is one of the easiest ways to meet others who are looking to connect to a small group.  This is an on-going, on-campus opportunity to study God’s Word with other singles and couples while seeking to form a small group.

On-Line: Small Group Interest forms are available at LifePointchurch.org.  This form is processed the same as a Small Group Interest card.  Inquirers will be invited to meet with someone from our GroupLife team and in time introduced to a small group leader.

GroupLink: This is a periodic event designed to help people take what can be a scary step into a group and make it more natural and relaxed. At GroupLink, there is the opportunity to choose from dozens of new and existing small groups.  We encourage people to have a conversation with two or three leaders and choose one with which to connect for a six-week study.

Start Your Own: God has given us all relationships that can be avenues to a small group.  The opportunity to gather a few friends or neighbors and study God’s Word is natural.  LifePoint provides an orientation class, resources and coaching for people who want to start a small group.

Which one is most fitting for you?

How Many Ways? is a post from: GroupLeader.org Lifepoint Church Small Groups

Every spring you  probably see many people begin walking or riding their bike in your neighborhood.  As it gets warmer, it is easier to encounter people.  What is your first reaction when you pass someone on the street or they pass by your house when you are working in the yard?  For most people we give a polite wave or head nod and go back to what we were doing…. what if we took the time to actually stop and talk?  Sure it might be a little awkward, but what kind of a difference could it make.  We were never meant to do life alone and while the other person may be content to return your usual wave and nod, they would probably be just as happy to stop and talk, especially if you ask them something about themselves.  If you know more about them, the next time they are more likely to stop and talk again.  You begin to know your neighbors as more than faces.  You know their families and hav an opportunity to be a part of their lives.  You might even get a chance to invite them to your small group

This is one of the reasons we encourage the idea of “The Open Chair”.  This means that your group should open to the idea of inviting and investing in new people.  In Mark 12:28-34 Jesus commanded us to “love our neighbor as ourselves”.  As you and others in your group begin sharing with neighbors God may provide an opportunity to invite them in to your group.  Some groups will even leave an empty chair during meeting times as a visual reminder to continue to invest and invite others.  If your group is “full” and does not have room for others, is it time to considering reproducing another group?  Is it time for you or your apprentice to step out and start a group in order to have more room to impact others around you?  If so, please contact your coach, coordinator, or dirctor for next steps and we would love to help you!

Impacting Your Neighborhood — The Open Chair is a post from: GroupLeader.org Lifepoint Church Small Groups

The premise is simple, food, family, time and a table.  Every piece plays a key role.  Think about some of the best memories you have in life.  I would bet that a majority of them envovle food in some way.   Sunday dinner, Thanksgiving, family reunions, for most of us, these are some of our best memories.  We can remember stories that were shared (sometimes the same ones every year…), or maybe grandma’s bannana pudding.  Food has a way of relaxing people, helping them open up and let you know who they really are.

The family may change over time, it could be bilogical family, or faith family or neighbors you are just getting to know.  The key is to bring a group of people together.  Time is often the hardest element for people to commit to.  We have so many other priorities in our lives that become distractions.  The funny thing is, that after a few times committing to spend time at the table with a group a people, you often build a connection and that time together becomes a higher priority than all of the other distractions that seemed so important.  You begin to look forward to that time together and miss it when you don’t have it.  The final element is the table.  Don’t under estiamte it’s importance.  The table is the piece that brings it all together and makes it possible.  It allows everyone to be facing each other and focused inward on the group.  If the group is small enough it allows everyone to participate in one conversation and learn about each other at the same time.  It allows everyone to feel they can particpate and belong to the group.

How would your family be different if you took the time to spend time together around the dinner table a few times a week?  How much more would you learn about eacho other?  How might it change your family priorities?

In Matthew 9:9-13, the first thing Matther wants to do after he meets Jesus is throw a party and invite his friends.  He also invites Jesus so his friends can meet Him as well.  Is this something you could do in your neighborhood?  Who do you know that you could invite to spend time around your table?  In the ntext 30 days, plan to have a meal and invite those you are investing in to join you around the table!

Impacting Your Neighborhood — Week 2 is a post from: GroupLeader.org Lifepoint Church Small Groups

Where do you live?  Why did you choose to live there?  For the Schools?  Proximity to Work?  Have you ever thought about the fact that God has you where you live for a reason and a purpose?  Are you doing anything to impact your neighbors for His glory?  For the next few weeks we will have several posts that are designed to help you change your neighborhood and impact your neighbors for Him.

How much do you know about your neighbors?  We all get so busy with life that everything around us can be a blur, including the people we see every day.  Take a second and draw the streets and houses in your neighborhood (if you don’t have immediate neighbors draw the hallways or cubicles at work).  Now try to write the names of the families you know.  How many do you know?  What are their kids names?  What do they do for a living?  Do you need to work on getting to know your neighbors?  If so, here are some ideas:

1.  Be more intentional.  Spend more time in the front yard than on the back deck.  Take walks in the neighborhood and make a point to say hello to those you may see as you go.  Stop and take time to talk to them, ask questions, show you care.

2.  Pray for your neighbors.  Take some time each day to pray for at least one family for two minutes a day.  If you don’t know them by name, ask God to give an opportunity to meet them.

3.  Have a cookout.  Invite your neighbors.  Have them bring their own food and offer to cook it on the grill.  If you want to do something on a smaller scale, simply have a dessert party where each family brings their favorite dessert and you take turns sampling them.  Nothing offers a chance for conversation like food.

Take some time and read Matthew 9:35-38.  How would your attitude about your neighborhood change if you looked at those who live around you as Jesus looked at the crowds of people?  How would your neighborhood be a different place to live if you took the time to share Jesus with your neighbors?

Impacting Your Neighborhood is a post from: GroupLeader.org Lifepoint Church Small Groups

Keeping Your Momentum is a post from: GroupLeader.org Lifepoint Church Small Groups

Do you remember where you were?  How you felt?  What your initial response was?  You know…… when someone asked you to consider being their apprentice or asked you to lead small group?  If you are a small group leader chances are someone, a coach, a coordinator or simply someone who saw a potential in you for leadership, asked you to lead a small group.  For many of us, that question resulted in some common questions.  What does that mean?  What do I have to do?  How often do I have to do it?  Chances are, it also elicited some common doubts.   I cannot do that, I am not a good teacher.  I am not a leader.  No one would listen to me.  I don’t have time.  Regardless of the doubts and excuses, you chose to step up and take on the responsibility.  Thank You! 

For most small group leaders, the doubts and nerves disappear and they can get into a groove pretty quickly.  The routine of meeting weekly or bi-weekly becomes part of your family plan and the members of your small group become part of your family!  Some leaders think the responsibility stops there.  My group is healthy, we meet regularly, I know all the families and their kids.  We are doing great.  The best leaders understand that is just the beginning.  If we are to do our best to influence as many people as possible, we must also be able to identify and train up new leaders that can in turn do the same.  In other words, you must be willing and able to replace yourself!  So, do you have an apprentice?  If not, is there someone you could identify in the next two weeks that you could be training to do what you do?  IF we are going to offer as many people as possible the opportunity to get connected, this principle is vital to growth.  The next time you meet with your apprentice or potential apprentice, here are some key principles to discuss with them

1. Follow Me:  Be my apprentice – When Jesus called the apostles, he did not choose them because they were already equipped to do the job.  He called ordinary people and trained them to do extraordinary things.  He taught them to do what he did
2. We need a diversity of leaders:  All of us have gifts, talents and passions that were given to us by God.  He does not want us to all be alike, so don’t worry about the way someone else may lead and simply let God use the gifts he gave you to make a difference for Him
3. We should be Christ Centered, Not cause centered: Our goal is not to be singularly focused on helping one group or family.  Our goal is to make His name famous among all nations and to help others be more like Christ
4. We should train the called, not call the trained:  It is ok, if you don’t have all the answers, we all learn together.  We all get better through experience and education.
5. Leadership hurts:  It is very important to make this point early in the life of a potential leader!  There will be times when you have invested in others and it appears there has been no return for your investment.  You may feel cheated or betrayed but you have to stay the course and keep fighting
6. Die with your boots on:  For every low there can be an equally high moment.  When you realize that God has worked through you to make a difference in someone else’s life there can be no better feeling.  Ultimately, the highs and lows are all worth it.  We are all called to be in the fight, you may as well plan to be in the battle every day!

So, who do you know that can and should be a small group leader?  Are they your apprentice already?  What are you doing to invest in them to prepare them for how God can use them for His glory?  When will they be ready to lead their own group?  These are all questions that someone answered previously on your behalf so you could be the group leader you are today….. Who should you be asking/answering these questions for?

The Next Generation of Small Group Leaders is a post from: GroupLeader.org Lifepoint Church Small Groups

Did you know we have weekly bible studies for your small groups available on line?  One of the questions we hear a lot in GroupLife is what should my group study next?  IF this is an issue for your group, we have a simple answer!  When we started the year long focus of “One Story” (Reading and Preaching through the Bible in one year)  we also committed to providing weekly study guides that would coincide with the focus of the sermons and the daily Bible readings.  Each week, the GroupLife staff is writing a study guide that provides a list of questions for your group that should help build on what you heard during the service on Sunday morning.  If you are already using the guides, we would love some feedback about what you think of them, are they helpful?  If you have been unaware of them, they can be found at: http://www.lifepointchurch.org/sundays. 

You can also find the daily reading plan at: http://www.radicalcommitment.com/resources.php

Did you know? is a post from: GroupLeader.org Lifepoint Church Small Groups