Groups
Group Leader Training
Group Leader Expectations
StoneWater Group Leader Expectations
As a group leader of StoneWater Church, you are held accountable to the following expectations by the pastors and groups leadership team:
Membership – We require all group leaders to be active and healthy members of StoneWater Church. This typically occurs by attending our membership event, confirming salvation and baptism, as well as requiring connection to a group.
Essential Beliefs – StoneWater Church has adopted 8 Essential Beliefs. These are the core, Biblical truths we hold as essential to be a member of SWC, and lead others. Although we welcome the opportunity to discuss these with you should you have questions, we do not bend in the interpretation of these scriptures.
7 Family Values – StoneWater Church has adopted 7 Family Values. These values help communicate how we are to interact with one another, as well as how we interact with the larger church family.
Sunday Service Attendance – We expect group leaders to attend a Sunday morning service at least 50% of the year. We know the connection to the larger family matters. We believe in the power of the corporate worship experience.
Attend Trainings – The Groups Leadership Team will hold periodic trainings that are mandatory for group leaders. These trainings are designed to encourage you as leaders, inform you of strategic directions of the church, and provide equipping for specific issues arising in our groups.
Attend Bi-Annual Review – Two times per year, a pastor will conduct a one on one meeting with you as the group leader to encourage you and provide any helpful coaching.
Co-Leader – We believe having a co-leader to assist in the responsibilities of group leadership is extremely important. We require all leaders to identify a co-leader who can help share in the leadership burden and provide additional support and relief to you as a leader. This also helps ensure adequate care is being provided to group members.
Communication – Communication between the pastors, Groups Leadership Team and the group leader is vitally important to help protect the leader, as well as the members of the group. We know no one is perfect, but we strive for every piece of correspondence to be read and responded to if necessary.
Group Starter Kit
Step 1: Fill out a Group Leader Sign Up Form: HERE
Step 2: Pray and Seek
Ask them to pray and seek the Lord’s help first and ask for: Courage to step out and lead, even when we feel inadequate; Confidence that the Lord will be with you every step of the way; Wisdom to lead and care for people well.
Step 3: Pastor Recommendation
Have them contact the Groups Team to set up a conversation with one of the Pastors.
Groups Team:
Granbury: Alicia Mills alicia.mills@stonewaterchurch.com
Glen Rose: Dena Ott dena.ott@stonewaterchurch.com
Godley: Micah Smith Micah.smith@stonewaterchurch.com
Tolar: Jake Valdez and Carly Valdez carly.valdez@stonewaterchurch.com
Cleburne: David Raybuck david.raybuck@stonewaterchurch.com
Snyder: Sarah Jamison sarah.jamison@stonewaterchurch.com
*At the meeting, they will share their plans and learn how they will be supported and cared for.
Step 4: Decide Group Details
When they will meet as a group.
We have found that the more consistent you can be, the better chances of success. However, schedules are difficult these days, especially for young families. Flexibility may be something you need to discuss based on who joins your group.
Where they will meet.
We have groups that meet in homes (sometimes alternating between different homes), at a StoneWater campus, in a park, at a restaurant, really anywhere that works for you and the group. You’ll need a place that provides some privacy in order to have quality conversations.
What they will discuss.
When first starting a group, we’ve found it best to have a curriculum or study that allows you to get to know one another. These studies are normally shorter in length and provide good opportunities for people to share their faith stories. We do ask that any group studies first be approved by our Groups Team.
Step 5: Have them invite people to join their group
We highly encourage all leaders to think of one individual or couple to invite into the group to help co-lead. There will be times that you may not be able to attend or just need a week off. A co-leader is a huge asset in helping share the load of leading a group. You’ll also want to begin inviting members into the group. Here are a few ways people make their way into a group:
Personal Invitation – A personal invite from you is the best way to add people into your group. This may be friends you’ve already connected with, acquaintances you’ve met at church, someone who was previously in a ministry you were a part of, etc. We know this can feel scary as it requires vulnerability to ask people to join you. Just remember, it’s worth it. People feel honored that you would even consider them, even if your group does not currently fit their availability or needs.
Connection Center – Each week, we have people walk into the Connection Center looking for ways to connect into a group. Feel free to stop in and see what connections take place.
Group Expo – We will host a Group Expo event multiple times throughout the year to highlight available groups for people to join. Leaders man tables/booths where they share information about their group and allow those looking for a group to look at all the available groups and talk with leaders.
StoneWater 101 – On the first Sunday of every month, we host a StoneWater 101 membership class. Here, we help potential members find a group to help them fulfill their membership expectations.
Online Requests – As our Groups Team receives Connection Cards or other correspondence, we do our best to quickly facilitate the connection with any leaders looking to add group members.
Step 6: New Group Set Up Form HERE (after group is approved) This is what we will post to our website about their group
Step 7: Group leader resources
Starter Resources (click the link)
101 Workbook – Great first study for groups to walk through.
Church-wide study – At times, the entire church will walk through a curriculum together.
Right Now Media – An online digital library of thousands of studies you have full access to.
Submit for study approval – If you’ve found a study you’d like to do, simply contact our Groups Team for approval.
Leader Expectations – Review the basic expectations of group leaders at SWC.
Kids Ministry Options – Figuring out what to do with all those kids is sometimes the most difficult part of group life. Check out this list of ideas to help you navigate meeting options.
Group Setting Guidelines for Website Posting
If a group is ‘listed,’ meaning it shows up for public view on the web, there are setting guidelines that are in place to ensure visibility and functionality.
Please read the guidelines HERE.
Group Scoreboard
Click HERE to view the Scoreboard
Group Google Folder
Click HERE to go to the google drive.
Group Starter Kit Quick Links:
Campus Group Directors:
Granbury: Alicia Mills alicia.mills@stonewaterchurch.com
Glen Rose: Dena Ott dena.ott@stonewaterchurch.com
Cleburne: David Raybuck david.raybuck@stonewaterchurch.com
Tolar: Jake Valdez and Carly Valdez carly.valdez@stonewaterchurch.com
Godley: Micah Smith Micah.smith@stonewaterchurch.com
Snyder: Sarah Jamison sarah.jamison@stonewaterchurch.com
Group Expo Best Practices:
Click HERE to view the Group Expo Best Practices document.
Ministry Director / Group Director Graph
A quick breakdown of the relationship between a Ministry Director and a Group Director as it relates to their leadership over a campus Serve Group:
A quick breakdown of the relationship between a Ministry Director and a Group Director as it relates to their leadership over a campus Serve Group: