Community Group Leader

Vision

SHEPHERD THE FLOCK: The only way to effectively care for the body is to extend the leadership and shepherding to qualified leaders within the church. There is no way to have the kind of rich relationships we long for unless we continue to grow smaller through community groups. As such, some are called to lead community groups as undershepherds of our Church Leadership. In a very real way, Community Group leaders are an extension of the Pastoral and Elder leadership of One Hope Church.

Being a community group leader, then, is one of the most significant positions of servant leadership at One Hope. The primary role of the Community Group leader is to help facilitate the six commitments of Biblical Community:

    1. DEVOTE DAILY: Devote ourselves daily to a personal relationship with Jesus.
    2. PURSUE RELATIONALLY: Pursue deep relationships with one another, based on love and acceptance.
    3. TRANSFORM BIBLICALLY: Offer and receive counsel from the Bible in all areas of life.
    4. LIVE AUTHENTICALLY: Live authentically, sharing our lives.
    5. ADMONISH GRACEFULLY: Encourage and admonish one another gracefully and faithfully towards maturity.
    6. ENGAGE MISSIONALLY: Engage intentionally with our communities and the world to make disciples.

Thus the leader must first embody these commitments in themselves. At their core, the Community Group Leader is saying “I will take responsibility for these commitments and I will lead my group in them.”

Key Verses:

  • John 13:34-35 “ 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
  • Acts 20:28 “28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
  • Hebrews 10:24-25 “24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

QUALIFICATIONS

    1. The leader must be committed to leading themselves and the community group according to the Scriptural principles laid out in the Community Core Commitments above.
    2. Exhibit an excitement about and commitment to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) and the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:36-40)
    3. Have a growing and abiding walk with God (John 15:4-5)
    4. The leader must have no current unrepentant habitual struggles or moral issues (drugs, alcohol, sexual purity etc.) that would disqualify them from leading at the present time, or prevent them from serving with integrity as a role model of Christian maturity and conduct (1 Corinthians 11:1)
    5. Live a life of integrity that is above reproach (Ephesians 5:7-10, Proverbs 10:17)
    6. The leader must be a partner at One Hope Church. (Hebrews 13:17)!

COMMITMENT:

    1. Weekly: 3-5 Hours
    2. Length: 1 year (Aug-Aug)
    3. Reports to: Assigned CG Coach / Discipleship Pastor

RESPONSIBILITIES

I. LEAD AND FACILITATE YOUR COMMUNITY GROUP

    • Prepare for and lead weekly (or bi-weekly for marrieds) Community Group meetings
    • Facilitate group discussion of curriculum content, helping group members to grow in their knowledge of and love for God
    • Share your struggles openly with the group to encourage mutual trust and authenticity
    • Identify and intentionally develop 1-2 apprentice leaders during the first 12 months of your group!

II. BUILD INTENTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH GROUP MEMBERS

    • Proactively pursue your group members
    • Facilitate the growth of relationships among group members within your group!

III. PASTORAL CARE & SHEPHERDING

    • Help group members love and support one another with biblical counsel and care
    • Elevate major issues or group crisis to your Coach or Discipleship Pastor.

IV. PARTICIPATE IN ONGOING LEADER TRAINING & EQUIPPING

    • Attend all Community Group Leader trainings and meetings.
    • Faithfully attend the ongoing Coach/Leader huddle with your coach.