Connect Leader Guide
Our Heart, Vision + Purpose for Connect Groups
A place where people gather, connect and build life-giving friendships whilst being refreshed, encouraged, loved and discipled.
What are Connect Groups?
We believe that Connect groups are an expression of the local church, where during the week we gather together in small groups to outwork this very scripture.
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. Acts 2:42 NLT
Roles & Descriptions
Group Leaders
Takes the lead in facilitating and creating a space for people to come together to build life-giving relationships and friendships with one another in a safe, warm and inviting environment.
A group leader;
- Is purposeful in creating conversations with all who attend the group
- Makes space for other members to talk
- Is welcoming, warm and friendly at all times.
- Finds common ground to connect with individuals ( faith, interest, sports )
- Asks questions to engage and create conversations
- How has your week been? What’s your plans for the rest of the week? What did you get out of Sunday’s message?
- Puts in effort to learn about the members of their group
Attributes of a group leader;
- Kind & caring
- Gentle & approachable
- Loves people
- Hospitable
- Brings people together
- Is on a journey of personal discipleship
- Able to make connection and find ways to connect with everyone
- Committed attender
- Points people to Jesus, not draws to themselves
What does a group leader do?
Before the event:
- Contacting the people within the group about the details of the connect.
- Time, date, location
- Sets the culture & atmosphere as people begin to arrive
During the event:
- Creating a warm & welcoming space for everyone
- Facilitates a space for people to build relationships and connect
- Connecting and caring with individuals at connect through conversations and topics of interest.
- Sets a culture of health in the way that communication and ensures appropriate conversations happen ( uplifting and course correcting )
- Refers any deep/personal conversations for people to seek a pastoral appointment
After the event:
- Submit attendance report
- Debrief with the assistant group leader(s) about the night (wins & opportunities)
- Clean up and pack up
- A Group Leader isn’t required to provide any formal care to the individuals outside of the connect group; however conversations and friendships that flow out of the connect are encouraged. (mutual refreshing)
Assistant Group Leaders
Assists and helps the Group Leader to create a space for people to come together to build life-giving relationships and friendships with one another in a safe, warm and inviting environment.
An assistant group leader;
- Aids in creating conversations with all who attend the group.
- Makes space for other members to talk.
- Welcoming, warm and friendly at all times.
- Engages in conversation to help with keeping conversations flowing and uplifting.
- Assists in hosting people.
- Asks questions to engage and create conversations
- How has your week been? What’s your plans for the rest of the week? What did you get out of Sunday’s message?
Attributes of an assistant group leader;
- Kind & caring
- Gentle & approachable
- Loves and connects with people
- On a discipleship journey
- Able to connect with people within group
- Committed attender
- Points people to Jesus, not draws them to themselves
What does an assistnat group leader do?
Before the event & throughout the week
- Through conversations, encourages people to attend connect
- eg. Asking, will I be seeing you at connect this week?
During the event
- Creates and engages in conversations with people.
- Assists the Group Leader during the night to help create a safe and inviting space for people to come into.
- Adds value and input into conversations
- Arrives early to help with set up and clean up after the event
- Builds relationships with members and helps people to connect
After the event
- Helps to pack and clean up after the event
- Debrief with the Group Leader about the night (wins & opportunities)