WANT TO BE A GROUP LEADER?

Everything we do at Grace Fellowship is focused on one main goal – helping people live Jesus-Centered lives. One of the ways we work to accomplish this is by moving people from rows (what you sit in during a weekend service) to circles (small groups).

We want to move people from simply participating in the larger church setting (weekend service) to becoming a small-group member (circle). This isn’t just our goal, this is God’s goal for us. God has designed us to be in relationship, and that happens better in circle environments.

I'VE GOT QUESTIONS...

Below, you’ll find answers to some common questions people ask about leading a group.

Groups are an integral part of what we do as a church. We believe that sustained life change occurs as we are growing in our relationship with Christ, and that this happens best when we are prioritizing intentional relationships with others who are seeking the same goal. Groups provide people with the opportunity to connect with others, grow in their relationship with Jesus, and experience community.

Group leaders have the privilege of creating environments in which seeds of faith are planted in the lives of those they lead, while trusting God with the growth.

The main qualifications for our leaders can be summed up in these five points:

  • Have a personal, growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
  • Recognize the Bible as the ultimate authority.
  • Have group leader experience, preferably at Grace Fellowship (Apprenticing is a great place to start!)
  • Review and agree with Grace Fellowship’s Statement of Basic Beliefs.
  • Be a Partner with Grace Fellowship.

Grace Fellowship requires group leaders to:

  • Complete a Group Leader Assessment
  • Meet one-to-one with a Discipleship Team Member or Campus Pastor (2-4 times a year / 1-2 times a semester)
  • Attend Group Leader Launch (twice a year)
  • Consistently communicate with the Discipleship Team or Campus Pastor

WE EMPHASIZE GROUP LIFE BECAUSE JESUS AND THE EARLY CHURCH DID.

The majority of Jesus’ ministry was spent in a small group setting. This is where he taught the 12 disciples and modeled how they should live and love. This environment helped the disciples discover who Jesus really was.

The early church gathered and celebrated weekly in large groups and then met in small groups throughout the week. This is where the early church loved, cared for, and helped one another. They were real people, meeting real needs, and joining together to fulfill a real mission.

Because people have different needs, schedules, and comfort levels, we offer two different types of groups at Grace Fellowship.

GRACE GROUPS

Grace Groups are small gatherings of imperfect people who desire to understand Jesus better and grow spiritually. They meet regularly (weekly/bi-weekly) in someone’s home to discuss the Bible and care for one another. Groups also discuss various topics respectfully, while challenging themselves to live more Jesus-Centered lives.

BIBLE STUDIES/TOPICAL GROUPS

These groups are gatherings of imperfect people who desire to gain understanding and clarity around the scriptures or specifc topics. These are short-term groups that meet at one of our campus locations for 6 to 8 weeks with new sessions beginning in January, April, June, and September.

During these groups, participants often begin sessions with a larger group teaching and then break into smaller circles for discussion and application. We cover books of the Bible or a Biblical topic with a life application focus.

We try very hard to make this process as easy and convenient as possible while still providing quality. We greatly value team and leader development, but also understand this is not the only thing you are involved in, and you most likely have a very full schedule. Our job is to walk alongside you, shepherding you through the process of learning how to shepherd others.

If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of, we’d love to talk about your role in bringing spiritual growth and community through relationship in small group. Your next step is to email us at groups@gracefellowship.cc and let us know that you would like to move forward. We will be in touch soo