Care Group Leaders Starter Packet

Care Group Leaders Starter Packet

Dear Care Group Leader, Thank you for committing to DISCIPLESHIP, through RELATIONSHIPS and empowering new LEADERS. Your faithfulness and consistency in the lives of those in our community of Care Groups is essential to the growth and development of our church. It is your leadership under your section pastor that will make a significant difference in our church family and the Great Lakes Region. Congratulations! As you embark on this journey of a lifetime with others around you through our Care Group ministry. Enclosed with this packet is some important information that will assist you in the launch and growth of your Care Group. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our church office at 330-762- 7458 or email caregroups@ccakron.org. Blessings to you and your Care Group! Enjoying Him, Zach Prosser Lead Pastor

Care Group Reminders for You: If you have not already done so, please complete a Care Group Launch Form. These are available from the church office or online. There are three types of Care Groups: Home Groups, Play Groups (activity groups with devotion & follow up), & Teaching Groups (Sunday school, specialized classes, etc.) Remember to complete your attendance & follow up report after each meeting. Group leaders will receive an email from our Care Group tracking software called ChurchTeams. You can maintain your roster, contact information for members, attendance, and prayer requests through this online database. These reports will be automatically emailed to the Lead Pastor & your Section Pastor. Discussion Guides will be available online and at the Information Center for use in your Care Group during the designated Care Group semesters. Elective materials will be ordered and provided during designated semesters. Please only use the material you are provided. Have Fun! Be sure to play together and serve together as a Care Group. Do a quarterly potluck. Do a fun activity together. Serve at an outreach event at church together. Follow up & Invite New Guests. Always be on the lookout for newcomers to our church and your Care Group. Get the newcomers connected by inviting them to become regular participators in your Care Group. Encourage your group members to follow your example and welcome in newcomers to your group. Identify & Equip An Assistant Leader. It is the goal that every assistant leader launch a new Care Group next semester. As a Care Group Leader, you are responsible for teaching and training your assistant so that he/she can multiply your group for our next semester of Care Groups. For assistance or questions with any of these reminders, please contact your Section Pastor.

Care Group Purpose & Responsibilities Care Groups Do 4 Things: 1. Meet together once a week (no less than twice a month). 2. Serve together once a month (church ministry, food pantry, facility needs, Super Service Thursday, etc.). 3. Play together once a semester (relational & fun). 4. Engage in a Servant Evangelism project once a semester (church outreach event, etc.). Care Group Leaders Do 4 Things: 1. Pray for group members once a day. 2. Lead the group once a week. 3. Meet with Area Leader in a Care Group Huddle once a month. 4. Form new groups from your current group once a semester. Care Groups Area Leaders Do 4 Things: 1. Pray for Care Group Leaders once a day. 2. Communicate with Care Group Leaders once a week. 3. Meet with Care Group Leaders in a Care Group Huddle once a month. 4. Form groups to fill your team once a semester. Care Group Pastors Do 4 Things: 1. Pray for Area Leaders once a day. 2. Communicate with Area Leaders once a week. 3. Meet with Area Leaders once a month. 4. Form groups to fill your team once a semester.

Components of a Healthy Care Group: Pastoral Care Bible Discussion This is the most important part of the meeting. The participant s answers to their personal Bible study questions are discussed under the Care Group leader s direction. The discussion strengthens and clarifies what has been learned at home. Members can bring up problems they encountered or share new insights they have discovered in the Scriptures. Key Word: FACILITATE (Not Preach) 4 Types of Problem People: Complainer, Controller, Corrector, Conflicter *Using Questions Wrong Right Prayer Members are encouraged to pray for the other members daily. Prayer in the group can take on many different forms including individuals leading out in prayer. A prayer coordinator can be designated for the group. This person can maintain a perpetual list of prayer needs for the group and disburse to members weekly. Body- Life Ministry This involves deep personal sharing of needs and problems and victories. It also includes specific ministry to individuals in the group through prayer and the laying on of hands. At this time there should be opportunity given for the gifts and manifestations of the Holy Spirit to operate. Worship Times of singing and other forms of vocal praise to God are very beneficial for the group. Faith is built, burdens are lifted, God is glorified, and members are encouraged as the group obeys the direction of Ephesians 5:19-20. Designate a worship coordinator or leader. Fellowship Believers, if they are to love one another as Christ has loved them (john 13:34), must really get to know one another. Each cell meeting should include a time when Christians can talk together informally and share their lives with each other over a beverage and food. Designate a hospitality coordinator.

Care Group Leader Covenant Care Group Leader: Please complete & return to your Section Pastor Thank you for serving as a Care Group Leader at Celebration Church. As a Care Group Leader you will be viewed by those in your group as a leader in the church. As a result, we ask that you enter into covenant with the other Care Group Leaders by making the following commitments: 1) I will embody and reflect the values and principles of Celebration Church and will follow the leadership of the Pastoral Team. 2) I will faithfully attend Celebration Church and: Intentionally identify and greet those in my Care Group. Participate in the church through my financial giving. Lead my group in serving together once a month. Be involved in the events and ministries of Celebration Church. 3) I will make my Care Group a priority by: Faithfully attending my Care Group. Preparing beforehand for my group each week. Inviting/welcoming others to join my group. Ensure my leaders have prepared for group each week. Participate in required leadership training provided to me. Notify my Area Leader and/or Section Pastor of the progress of my group and other needs associate with my group. 4) I understand that I am responsible for the pastoral care of my Care Group. As a result, I will: Pray for the individuals in my group. Follow up with each person in my group. Lead my group in providing care for one another. Be aware of special events, red flags, hospital needs, funerals, etc. and notify my Area Leader and/or Section Pastor 5) I will strive to create an environment of growth in my group by: Involving as many people as possible in group discussion. Creating a safe, comfortable and welcoming environment. Beginning and ending on time. Delegating responsibilities and developing other leaders. Using required discussion materials and keeping with the vision of the church for Care Groups. Name Date

Care Group Leader: You will receive copies of this Covenant for your Members to complete. Please return completed forms to your Section Pastor. Care Group Member Covenant Welcome to Winter 2015 Care Groups at Celebration. Congratulations on your desire to grow deeper in your relationship with God through this study and the relationships that will begin in this Care Group. As a member of this group, you will be asked to enter into a covenant with the other members to make this Care Group a priority. To be a part of the group, you are asked to make the following commitments: 1) I will make this group a priority by attending each meeting, keeping up with my assignments and participating openly in group discussion. 2) I will regularly attend Celebration services and contribute to the ministry of the church through my attendance, giving, service, and inviting of others. 3) I will strive to build authentic relationships with those in this group by showing care, providing encouragement and praying for their needs. 4) I will serve together with my group during the semester and will participate in an outreach project and PLAY together with my group. 5) I will explore honestly my next steps for spiritual growth. Name Date

2015 Care Group Calendar *Does not include monthly meetings for Area Leaders to be scheduled by Section Pastor *Does not include monthly Area Leader Huddles for Care Group Leaders to be scheduled by Area Leader Area Leaders Meeting: Meeting Scheduled by Section Pastor monthly with Area Leaders Area Leader Huddles: Meeting with Care Group Leaders by their Area Leader, scheduled monthly Leader Lunches: Quarterly lunch with Pastor Zach with all leaders & volunteers Guest Lunch: Regular fellowship lunch for newcomers to church to meet Pastors and leaders. Great opportunity to invite newcomers to your group January 11 January 25- February 8 February 1 February 8 February 28 March 13-14 March 29 April 4-5 April 26 May 16 May 17-31 May 16 May 31 May 31 June 24-28 August 2 August 8 August 21 August 30 August 30- September 13 September 13 September 18-19 October 18 October November 1 November 18 November 20 December 13 Leaders Lunch following service with Pastor Zach Winter 2015 Semester Care Group Sign Ups in Foyer Guest Lunch following service Care Group Sunday / Launch Winter 2015 Semester Church Work Day, 10am- 3pm ONE, Church Retreat Guest Lunch following service Resurrection Weekend Leaders Lunch following service with Pastor Zach End of Winter 2015 Semester Summer 2015 Semester Care Group Sign Ups in Foyer Servolution! Care Group Sunday / Launch Summer 2015 Semester Guest Lunch following service Summer Camp Meeting with Evangelist Michael Livengood Guest Lunch following service Back to School Outreach End of Summer 2015 Semester Leaders Lunch following service with Pastor Zach Fall 2015 Semester Care Group Sign Ups in Foyer Care Group Sunday / Launch Fall 2015 Semester Thrive Leadership Conference Leaders Lunch following service with Pastor Zach Celebration of Life (Dates TBA) Guest Lunch following service Thanksgiving Outreach End of Fall 2015 Semester A Great Big Toy Giveaway

Four F s of Leading a Care Group 1. F ill- Up Secure a Coordinator for your group Sunday Sign Ups/On- line Sign Ups At church/cg Info Table Outside of church: friends, neighbors, co- workers List 4 people you can invite to join your Growth Group: 1. 3. 2. 4. *Challenge: Ask one person who does not go to Celebration to join your group. 2. F ollow- Up Immediate Follow- Up (e- mail with all pertinent info) Pre- Group Communication (at least one phone call and a reminder e- mail right before the first meeting) On- going Communication (minimum of 2 weekly e- mails) *Challenge: Don t let anyone slip through the cracks. 3. F ocus Pray for your group and the individuals who sign up Have a plan for your lesson & a place for your group to meet Lead the group through the Care Group Covenant & a Plan or Syllabus *Challenge: Place your Care Group List in a place where you will see it every day. 4. F acilitate Begin and end on time every time Encourage everyone to participate in discussion Serve at least once a month Participate in one outreach event *Challenge: Be present at all your Care Group s service opportunities.

FILL- UP CHECK LIST: Secure a Coordinator for your Care Group. Serve at the Care Group Info Table and ask people on Sunday to join your group. Invite friends, neighbors and co- workers to join my group. FOLLOW- UP CHECK LIST: E- mail every person who signs up for my group immediately with all of the important information: day/time/location, start date, syllabus, contact info, etc. Call everyone who signs up for my group at least once before the group begins. Send an e- mail reminder two days before my group begins. Continue following up with those who don t show up for Care Group at least 2 weeks into the group (don t remove their name from the list until they request it). FOCUS CHECK LIST: Pray daily for those who have signed up for my group. Secure a place for my group to meet. Have the Syllabus and Care Group Covenant ready at the 1 st group meeting. FACILITATE CHECK LIST: Send 2 weekly e- mails to my Care Group: Prayer Requests (day after group meets) and Group Reminder E- mail (day before next group meeting).