LifeGroup Leader Guide

LifeGroup Structure: Tier 2

SECRETARY

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE SECRETARY?

To maintain accurate membership and attendance records so that effective ministry and outreach may occur

WHAT DOES THE SECRETARY DO?

Retrieves and returns the group folder each week from the LifeGroups cart
Ensures that the Director receives the announcement sheet from the folder before the beginning of group time
Processes attendance and guest/new member records accurately
Record attendance, both individual and group head count
Only individuals present in your group (not those serving in other ministry areas should be counted)
Ask guests to complete Guest Form
Invite guests to join the LifeGroup, and if they decline, register them as returning guests
Original form is returned to folder; copies are given to Director and Prospect Coordinator
Give 3-week missed report to Director/Member Coordinator
Process member information changes (such as new address, phone, etc.) by checking “information change” on guest form.
Access TouchPoint app to record attendance in real time
Communicate needed roster changes to Divisional Minister and his assistant to record in TouchPoint

Apprentice Director

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE APPRENTICE DIRECTOR?

To help fulfill the responsibilities of Director as an apprentice
To become a Director of a new LifeGroup (a mentor-apprentice relationship should exist)

WHAT DOES THE APPRENTICE DIRECTOR DO?

Serves as a substitute Director in the Director’s absence
Assists Director in planning and coordinating the work of the group
Prepares to become the Director of a new group

Note: A new LifeGroup may be formed from existing members, or from Shepherd Groups. Please contact your Division Minister for assistance in creating a new LifeGroup. Also see “Starting a LifeGroup.”

Apprentice Teacher

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE APPRENTICE TEACHER?

To help fulfill the responsibilities of the Teacher as an apprentice (i.e., to teach as requested by the Teacher)
Actively prepare to become a Teacher of a new LifeGroup

WHAT DOES THE APPRENTICE TEACHER DO?

Serves as a substitute Teacher, using same curriculum as Teacher
Reviews the curriculum weekly (To view curriculum, visit prestonwood.org/leaders.)
Assists Teacher in preparation and co-teaching on a consistent basis
Prepares to become the Teacher of a new group

Prayer Coordinator

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE PRAYER COORDINATOR?

To lead the group in effective intercessory prayer and express thankfulness to God for answered prayers and praises

WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PRAYER COORDINATOR?

Prays daily for the needs of members, guests and the church family
Provides prayer updates to the Director
Develops an efficient method of collecting and distributing group prayer requests each week
Is sensitive to the Spirit
Ensures that prayer is a key element of each group period, and in general, aims to limit the group prayer time to five to 10 minutes
Ensures that prayer is a key element of each group period
Contacts and encourages those who have requested prayer
Informs the Divisional Minister with urgent prayer needs that involve hospitalization of group members and submit the prayer requests via prestonwood.org/prayer

IDEAS TO MAKE PRAYER AN EFFICIENT AND MEANINGFUL TIME DURING YOUR GROUP MEETING:

Pass around a clipboard at the beginning of the group and encourage your members and guests to share their requests and praises.
Use technology to gather prayer requests (e.g., group e-mail address, Facebook page or prayer blog) and distribute these requests in group.
Use “family rules” to respect the time of your group. For example, ask the group to share requests only for people they have lived with, people who have lived with them, or people currently living with them.
Hand everyone a blank note card as they enter the room and have them write down a prayer request. Redistribute the cards at the close of your group time so that everyone has one person to pray for that week.
Allow everyone to write their requests down on the board as they enter; then during prayer time, break into small groups to pray for the requests listed.

Prospect Coordinator

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE PROSPECT COORDINATOR?

To follow up with visitors and assist prospects
To give leadership and vision of having a REACH mindset to the group

WHAT DOES THE PROSPECT COORDINATOR DO?

Champions the REACH value in the group both at Prestonwood and in the community
Coordinates the follow-up of group guests
Follows up with prospects who visit the group
Follows up with prospects from Minister assigned to group
Builds team of group members who will commit to fellowship with guests
Sets an example by being personally involved in sharing Christ with others and enlisting prospects for group and church membership
Access TouchPoint app to contact prospects or ask other members to contact prospects

LIFEGROUPS PROSPECT CONTACT PROCESS

FIRST VISIT TO GROUP

Give each visitor a LifeGroup registration record to fill out.
If using paper forms, return white copy to your LifeGroup folder. Have Director or Secretary photograph and/or keep the yellow copy.
Record notes, name, phone number and e-mail on a spreadsheet or other organization system.

RECURRING VISIT TO GROUP

Invite the prospect to join the group.
Fill out the LifeGroup registration record again.
Make a note of recurring visit on the LifeGroup contact sheet/index card.

LIFEGROUP SOCIALS

Call all group prospects and invite to attend group socials.

WEEKLY ATTENDENCE REPORT

Call everyone on the group roster who is not a group member.
Make notes concerning contacts (prayer requests, comments, concerns, etc.)
If unable to speak to individual, try to contact that person a minimum of three times (use phone calls, text messages, postcards, etc.)

Member Coordinator

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE MEMBER COORDINATOR?

To actively coordinate ministry for all LifeGroup members
To recruit and equip Shepherd Group Leaders
To ensure that members and Shepherd Groups have a REACH mindset

WHAT DOES THE MEMBER COORDINATOR DO?

Determines how many Shepherd Groups are needed for the group
Recruits Shepherd Group Leaders
Shepherd Group Leaders should be active members of the group who have no other responsibilities in the group
Equips Shepherd Group Leaders by providing a job description and an up-to-date roster of active and inactive members
Holds Shepherd Group Leaders accountable by:
Having ongoing communication with each leader
Ensuring they are following up with group members
Assigns new members to a Shepherd Group and makes sure they are assimilated into the group
Prays weekly for Shepherd Group Leaders by name
Access TouchPoint app to contact members or ask other members to contact them

MEMBER COORDINATOR CHECK-LIST

WEEKLY – Ask the Director weekly for the three-week absentee report and follow up with your missing members
BIWEEKLY – Touch base with your Shepherd Group Leaders to pray for them and offer any assistance they might need
MONTHLY – Make sure new group members are assigned and connected to a Shepherd Group
MONTHLY – Highlight anniversaries, birthdays and significant milestones of members

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