Group Guidelines

Core Values

Spiritual Transformation

Jesus Christ as Head of His Church intends his followers to become like him. The Church exists not just to collect followers but to promote Christ’s work of Transformation. Support Groups then should be designed to serve his goal of changing lives to be Christ-like in attitude and behaviour.

As a result of the above we should see the following in our support groups.

Connecting: Life touching life is essential for Spiritual growth.

Loving: A small group of believers who love one another with God’s Agape will experience the life Christ promised at the deepest level possible.

Belonging: We seek to offer a place where every person can belong, be cared for and grow.

Spiritual Leaders

Humility: Is deeply valued in the church. This heart attitude helps to guard against the corrosive effects of domineering or self-serving leadership. Facilitators who follow Christ’s example serve their group and have their best interests at heart.

Accountability: Support Group Facilitators are a part of the overall leadership of the ministry and have a responsibility to receive training, fellowship and oversight by their co-ordinator and Pastor.

Commitment: Support Group Facilitators need to model commitment to Jesus Christ and his Church. Within the group, commitment grows toward each other.

Integrity: In both our actions and the way in which we handle the Bible we need to be pure in our behaviour and motives, therefore guarding our Spiritual lives and the Truth of God’s Word.

Kingdom Focused: The ultimate goal of a Facilitator is for Group members to become committed, effective servants in God’s Kingdom.

Growth: Generally, small groups should seek to grow and reproduce. Reproduction demonstrates a healthy desire for the extension of the Kingdom. It also ensures that groups don’t get so large that they cannot care sufficiently for each individual or have to shut the doors to others.

Training: We encourage leaders to identify and give potential leaders on-the-job experience so they can be ready to lead groups of their own. “Teach these great truths to trustworthy people who are able to pass them on to others.” (2 Tim 2:2)

Evangelism: A heart of the lost should be central to heart of each group. So through prayer, living your faith, inviting people into the group and planned social ideas, to bring husbands along, there is commitment to the great commission.

Spirit-filled environments

Prayer: Groups that seek the Holy Spirit’s presence and transforming power need to have prayer as a priority.

Praise: Observe, share, value and celebrate God’s activity. A climate of worship and joy should permeate gatherings.

Truth: God’s Word is living and active so leaders have a responsibility to be true to the scriptures and allow them to speak into the groups lives.

Healing: As people face issues our groups should stand with them and pray for the healing, strength and power of the Holy Spirit.

Creating a safe environment is essential as members must feel protected and encouraged at all times in all groups.

Affirmation: It is important to create an atmosphere where group members affirm and encourage one another, build each other up in Christ, and help each other grow.

Confidentiality: Honest, open relationships must be guarded with an agreement of trust—that what is said in the group will remain confidential, that opinions will be respected and differences will be allowed.

Appropriateness: The facilitator or co-ordinator must ensure that sharing is kept within the confines of what is appropriate to that group.

Sensitivity: A commitment to sensitivity to the needs, feelings, backgrounds, and current situations of other group members will help build intimacy in the group. A thoughtless joke or snigger in response to a statement can ruin people’s trust and willingness to share again on that level.

 

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