Online CLP Guidelines

The Christian Life Program hopes to provide each participant with many opportunities to encounter God throughout the program. CFC desires that an encounter may lead the individual to a stronger relationship with the living Christ, bring the couple to a renewed commitment in their marriage relationship, and more importantly, usher them into a fuller experience of a life in the Holy Spirit.

For the first time in Couples for Christ, the conduct of the Christian Life Program online is now permitted. This entry point formation is allowed only during this unusual time caused by the worldwide pandemic of COVID-19. CFC would like to maximize the opportunity of reaching-out to people while on “new normal set-up” where people are restricted to leave home, or are limited to move around. Thus, the online platform becomes the “venue” where potential CFC members meet and experience God.

Please refer to the following guidelines for the evangelization efforts of CFC-GVA while the COVID-19 pandemic continues. The existing CLP Manual is still to be followed during the implementation of these online CLP. The same spirit and principles of conducting any CFC CLP event would apply.

1. Who can be invited to the online CLP?

A minimum of 3 couples and a maximum of 5 (total of 10 people) can be invited to the CLP as long as these people are:

(1) friends, or at least familiar with each other; and

(2) are living in the same vicinity or geographical location to eventually belong to a unit/chapter.

Familiarity will compensate in a way for the non-physical set-up which is the usual way we encounter and establish relationships; a crucial element in our CLP. Having a maximum of 5 couples as participants is a manageable number in terms of making the CLP more personal despite the online set-up.

Also, when participants come from the same vicinity, and physical gathering shall eventually be allowed, it’ll be easier to provide spiritual and pastoral support to them, and shall not be hampered by long distances and prolonged travel time.

2. Who can serve in the CLP?

At the very least, one household can serve in this online pocket CLP. They cover various service assignments like in a regular, physical CLP such as registration, music ministry, speakers, etc.

The team should undergo the required trainings for the Christian Life Program before conducting it.

The service team shall seek permission from his/her immediate territorial leaders before mounting the online CLP. For monitoring and records purposes, it should also be registered to their respective CFC centers.

3. Are we using the existing 12-week CLP or the new 8-session CLP?

We shall use the updated 8-session CLP material for this purpose. Thus, it is required that the new trainings shall be attended by the key leaders who will be responsible to cascade this in their areas.

4. How long should each session run? Can we do 2 sessions per week?

The whole session of the online CLP is recommended to run at least for 1 hour and 30 minutes (90 minutes) to a maximum of 2 hours.

It is highly recommended to give participants a 20-second break after every 20 minutes of screen time and allow them to look away from the computer.

Suggested flow is as follows:

• Gathering/ Registration/ Teaching of songs – 10 minutes

• Opening Prayer and welcome by Team Leader – 5 minutes

• Ice breaker – 10 minutes

• Talk Proper – 20 minutes

• Group Sharing – 30 minutes

• Recap and announcements – 5 minutes

• Closing prayer and song – 5 minutes

• Upon the discretion of the CLP team, speakers can be live or pre-recorded.

The CLP sessions can be conducted maximum two (2) sessions per week, i.e., two separate days. One can be scheduled mid-week and the other on the weekend. The gap between days provides time for participants to digest or absorb the Christian message we convey.

The same guide for absences applies for online CLP. Only a maximum of 3 absences is allowed. If participants are absent, make-up sessions should be conducted prior to the next CLP schedule. The team leader and the discussion group leader ensure that this is fulfilled.

It is suggested, therefore, that sessions be recorded for this purpose.

5. Can we combine talks for a single session?

Except for the Orientation and Session 1 conducted together, we hold one (1) talk per session for the rest of the CLP.

6. Are we required to hold group discussions?

Yes, we are required to do group discussions as this is an important and non-negotiable element in the Christian Life Program. This should be conducted right after the CLP talk.

Each group can use breakout rooms for their respective discussions through digital platforms such as Facebook Messenger Group Chat video call, Zoom app, Skype app, among others. It is ideal for couples to have their own digital device for this purpose.

Digital hand-outs should be provided during (via Zoom chat) or before (via email) the session as reference for discussion. Further recommended readings can be used by participants for daily reflection.

7. Do we still have one-on-ones with the participants?

Yes! The first one-on-one should happen after Talk 3 (Repentance and Faith), and the 2nd one after Talk 5 (The Christian Family).

It is strongly suggested that Discussion Group Leaders reach-out via video call instead of just a phone call to somehow aid personal touch in this engagement. They can also use Google Hangouts, FB Messenger, Facetime, WhatsApp and Viber for this activity.

8. How do we conduct the CLP Talk 9 Pray-over?

After actual talk is given by the speaker, instead of the usual individual pray-over session, the group shall have a discussion on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Below are the recommended guide questions for discussion:

a. Who is the Holy Spirit for you?

b. Which among the gifts do you want to receive? Why?

This will help in providing a better understanding and appreciation of the 9 charismatic gifts anchored on 1 Corinthians 12.

A simple general pray-over for the participants by the team leader shall be done before the end of the session.

Individual pray-over session will be set once it is allowed in the local area.

9. Can we still do teaching of songs and worship?

Yes. Music adds vibrancy in our evangelization efforts and is a vital element in our life and culture as Couples for Christ. Songs can be taught live, and can be re-learned while at home through a recorded version sent to the participants.

10. When will the participants become official members of CFC after the conduct of the CLP online?

Participants become official members of Couples for Christ when they have attended both the Pray-Over Session (Talk 6) and the Dedication Ceremony (Talk 8). The whole CLP is completed with a Lord’s Day Celebration held on a Saturday evening set by the Team Leader.

11. Are there required activities to be done after Talk 8 and the actual physical pray-over of participants?

In case there will be a prolonged gap between Talk 6 and the actual physical individual pray-over due to limited movement (lockdown, community quarantine and the like) the leaders can conduct group discussions using primarily the CLP Follow-up Topics to deepen understanding of the teachings in the Christian Life Program. Should there be a need for more topics the Household Topics Theme-Handbook for Members can be used.

12. In summary, what are the required activities to be conducted face to face?

There are 3 activities:

1. Individual Pray-Over

2. Dedication Ceremony, including:

   • General Pray-over of participants

   • Welcome to the CFC family

   • Singing “Welcome to the Family”

   • Sharing of participants’ experience

3. Lord’s Day Celebration

These can be done on one Saturday afternoon depending on the allowable number of people to congregate by the local authorities of an area. Social distancing must be observed and required personal gears are worn for protection.

13. Shall a household grouping be formed and household meetings be conducted?

After the CLP, the discussion group shall now be a household and shall meet regularly for their household meetings. The CLP follow-up topics and other relevant topics can be used for discussion.

14. Can we invite the adult CFC Family Ministries to conduct the online CLP?

Each CLP should be conducted exclusively for married couples. Kindly refer to the guidelines to be released by the CFC Family Ministries, particularly from SFC, HOLD and SOLD.

15. Are there other reminders that we need to take note of?

When the service team, most especially the CLP team leader, has undergone the CLP training, read, understood and took to heart the whole CLP manual, have prayed and fasted, and are guided by an elder in the chapter, we are assured that all shall be well.

16. Additional Considerations

Online Etiquette to be part of CLP Orientation

Participants will be encouraged to find a space in their home where they can be present and are able to give their 100% attention to the CLP by not engaging in any other activities (Example: cooking, driving, etc.).

Participants will be asked to turn on video cameras and mute their microphones unless it is their turn to speak.

All participants will be requested to close all other browsers and windows to minimize distractions.

Registration

Registration can be done online using google docs and to be managed by one of the service team members.

Data collected must be kept confidential.

Sacred Space - One of the screens from the service team must reflect a good sacred space which could be an altar with crucifix, and the like.

Suggested Online CLP Team:

• Zoom (Host): 1 Person

• Zoom (Co-Host): 1 Person

  • Share Screen: Videos / PowerPoint Slides

  • Audio Share: Canned Music, Music Ministry

• MC / Team Lead: 1 Person

• Music Min / Guitarist: 1 Person or 1 Family who lives in the same house

• Discussion Group Leaders: Depends on how many participants