Connect Group Training Manual For Leaders and Coaches

Transcription

1 Connect Group Training Manual For Leaders and Coaches Connect Group Training Manual 1 Hillsong Church

2 Dear Friends, On behalf of our Senior Pastors, Brian and Bobbie Houston, thank you so much for stepping up and choosing to be trained as a Connect Group leader. In her fantastic book, Heaven is in the House, Ps. Bobbie encapsulates the essence and spirit of what connect groups are really all about: As our churches increase in size, I think we all need to discover clever ways of connecting people. We have a philosophy at Hillsong Church that says, as the church gets larger, it also needs to get smaller. This realisation encompasses our connect group structure, where we want to see every person connected in a small group. Our earnest desire is to see countless connect groups scattered across our city, full of people who know how to hang out, enjoy, and amongst other things eat together (both naturally and spiritually) in such a way that fellowship is nourished. I pray that they will all be open hearted enough to always have an open door and a place set at the table (or whatever) for invited or unexpected visitors such is the nature of a healthy family and such is the nature of a healthy spiritual church. Our prayer is that our training will inspire you to fulfil this mandate and empower you with the skills to connect others to biblical community, equip them to be followers of Christ and to serve others in love! Thanks again, Connect Groups Pastor Connect Group Training Manual 2 Hillsong Church

3 Contents INTRODUCTION: THE TRAINING PROCESS...5 SESSION 1: THE HEART OF CONNECT GROUPS IN THE EARLY CHURCH OUR MISSION AND STRATEGY THE ESSENCE OF CONNECT GROUPS... 7 CAN YOU SEE IT?... 8 ACTIVITY... 9 SESSION 2: YOU THE LEADER A ROLE DESCRIPTION WHAT A CONNECT GROUP LEADER LOOKS LIKE WHAT A CONNECT GROUP LEADER DOES ACTIVITY SESSION 3: A MEETING TO LOOK FORWARD TO THE UNSEEN ELEMENT THE MEETING PLAN LEADING THE STUDY GROUP DYNAMICS MISSIONS PEOPLE COUNTING ACTIVITY SESSION 4: THE JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY CONNECT EQUIP SERVE ACTIVITY SESSION 5: CONNECT GROUPS WHO CARE A FAMILY WITHIN THE FAMILY A BRIDGE TO SPECIALISED CARE ACTIVITY SESSION 6: READY, SET, GO! ARE YOU READY? BEGINNINGS THE HILLSONG ALLOCATION SYSTEM THE FIRST CONNECTION A NETWORK OF SUPPORT ACTIVITY CONNECT GROUP DETAILS PERMISSION FORM Connect Group Training Manual 3 Hillsong Church

4 7. COACHING FOR SUCCESS THE ROLE OF THE COACH VITAL SIGNS COACHING THROUGH CONNECTION COACHING AT EVERY STAGE STARTING GOALS Connect Group Training Manual 4 Hillsong Church

5 Introduction: The Training Process INTRODUCTION: THE TRAINING PROCESS Welcome to the exciting journey of training to be a Connect Group Leader! We are committed to helping you to become an effective leader. This training process is designed to inspire you with the heartbeat and purpose of Hillsong Connect Groups as well as equip you with the skills you need to lead a life-changing group. Your training includes attending a specialised session with our Connect Group pastors ( Potential Connect Group Leaders Training ), completing six short sessions from this manual in your own time, activities in your Connect Group and debriefs with your leader. While it is important to complete all components of this manual, the timing is flexible according to your needs. You can start at any time and go at your own pace! For most people, the full process will take approximately three months. For those who have led small groups in a Christian context previously, allow one month before you are ready to go! Session 1. The Heart of Connect Groups* Activities Attend Potential Connect Group Leaders Training with Connect Group Pastor Complete Session 1 in Training Manual 2. You the Leader Complete Session 2 in Training Manual Meet with Input Connect Group leader to discuss activities in Session 1 and 2 of Training Manual 3. A Meeting to Look Forward To 4. The Journey of Discovery Complete Session 3 in Training Manual Lead prayer and missions segment in your Input Connect Group meeting Lead study in your Input Connect Group meeting Complete Session 4 in Training Manual Meet with a Connect Group member(s) with the goal of spiritual encouragement Lead whole Input Connect Group meeting 5. Connect Groups Complete Session 5 in Training Manual who Care Organise a social gathering for your Input Connect Group. 6. Ready, Set, Go* Complete Session 6 in Training Manual Meet with Input Connect Group Leader to discuss your progress and readiness for leadership using the Readiness Checklist 7. Connect Groups for Everyone* Complete Session 7 in Training Manual Meet with your Service or Age-group Pastor for final approval and to plan for commencement. Brainstorm ways of attracting new members to your group with your Input Connect Group leader or coach. *For those who have led small groups in a Christian context previously, your training includes attendance at the Potential Connect Group Leaders Training night, reading this manual and completing the training activities in Sessions 1, 6 and 7. Connect Group Training Manual 5 Hillsong Church

6 Session 1: The Heart of Connect Groups SESSION 1: THE HEART OF CONNECT GROUPS Welcome to your first training session! This session is foundational to your preparation as a Connect Group leader. At the beginning of your training journey we want you to catch the heart and vision of our Connect Groups. This session is all about the why behind what we do! 1. IN THE EARLY CHURCH Read Jesus last command in Matthew 28:18-20, then Acts 2:46, Acts 5:42 and Acts 20:20. How did disciple-making occur in the early church? 2. OUR MISSION AND STRATEGY Just as in the early church, regular small group gatherings in homes are central to the life of Hillsong Church. Connect Groups are one the key strategies we use to fulfil our mission statement: To reach and influence the world by building a large Christ-centred, Bible-based Church, changing mindsets and empowering people to lead and influence in every sphere of life. This mission is outworked through our campuses, a citywide network of Connect Groups, contributing ministries and extension services. It is primarily through Connect Groups that we connect and empower people to lead and influence in every sphere of life. They are central to the journey of discovery at Hillsong Church! We want to see everyone in our church connect to biblical community, be equipped to be a follower of Christ and serve others in love. Therefore Connect Groups are a key mid-week priority just as our weekend services remain the priority within the life of our church 1. Input and Output At Hillsong Church we follow an input and output model. When you first join a group, this becomes your input group and you meet with them fortnightly. When a new group is started, you stay in your input group and begin your own group on the alternating week. This is your output group. This structure means you have a healthy balance between serving others and receiving personal support. It also allows us to multiply by developing new levels of leadership without splitting or dividing existing groups. 1 When every other opportunity has been explored, a connect group may meet on weekends. See your Age-group or Service Pastor for more information before meeting on a weekend. Connect Group Training Manual 6 Hillsong Church

7 Session 1: The Heart of Connect Groups 3. THE ESSENCE OF CONNECT GROUPS Read 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12. Paul is writing to the church at Thessalonica. Describe the relationships within the Thessalonian church. Take a few moments to describe an environment where healthy spiritual and personal growth can occur. What should Connect Groups be like? In our church, healthy Connect Groups aim to fulfil purposes: Connect Equip Serve Connect Think back to your first few months in our church. How did you connect with people on a personal level? It is easy to feel alone in a crowd. Connect Groups are an open door into the life of our church family. This is how we become as Pastor Brian says, a small church with lots of people. When you are in a connect group, you experience the love and strength of biblical community. Equip Imagine someone you can call when you re discouraged, someone to pray with when you are doubting and someone who can teach you more about what God is like! Imagine a loving community of people who notice when you re away; gently able to challenge you when needed and who will help you share your faith with others. Connect Groups are the place you can be equipped to become more like Jesus and to live a faith-filled life. We want to see you grow, flourish and become all that God has called you to be! Connect Group Training Manual 7 Hillsong Church

8 Session 1: The Heart of Connect Groups Serve We believe that every person is created with God-given potential to make a difference in the world. Connect Groups help you realise your spiritual gifts and challenges you to use them to serve others. Here is a place where there are like-minded people who believe in you. This is how leaders are developed! A Balanced Connect Group These three functions: connect, equip and serve are all essential in the life of a Connect Group. Connect is our primary goal. Our first priority is to make sure everyone in our church is connected and cared for. People don t care what you know; they want to know that you care! It is through a foundation of genuine connection that equipping and serving can occur. Like a seesaw these three priorities need to be kept in balance so there is opportunity to both give and receive. As a leader, you will need to be responsive to different seasons and the unique needs of the members who make up your group. For example, at times there needs to be an emphasis on inspiring people to serve (eg. at conferences), and at other times people need time to recharge and regroup. Or in another situation, a group of mature Christians who are highly involved in church life will have very different needs to a group of teenagers who recently came to Christ. All groups need to connect, but an effective leader knows when to equip people and when to inspire them to serve. What may be the outcome of a group that becomes too focused on connection, but not on equipping? Or too focused on service, but not on connection? CAN YOU SEE IT? Meet Sam: Sam has been coming regularly to church for six months. His spiritual journey has been a rollercoaster ride having been raised in a church home but then wandering away from God in his early twenties. Now approaching mid-life, he is searching for some answers. He attends the 11am service, and has seen a few familiar faces here and there but has yet to really get to know anyone. Facing pressure at work about his recently renewed faith and unsure of his future, he has lots of questions about issues like prayer and guidance especially in regard Connect Group Training Manual 8 Hillsong Church

9 Session 1: The Heart of Connect Groups to his family. He would love to contribute more to church-life but is unsure about where he fits in. But mostly he wonders if God notices Sam and many others in our church are the reason for Connect Groups! We are passionate about the vision to see a strong citywide network of connect groups that reflect the heart and nature of God. It is great to have you join us in seeing this vision fulfilled. Can you see it? A church so compassionate that people are drawn from impossible situations into a loving and friendly circle of hope A church so committed to raising, training and empowering a leadership generation to reap the end-time harvest that all its ministries are consumed with this goal ACTIVITY Discuss the heart of Connect Groups with your Input leader or Connect Group coach. How well have you caught the heartbeat and vision of Connect Groups? Connect Group Training Manual 9 Hillsong Church

10 Session 2: You the Leader SESSION 2: YOU THE LEADER Jesus is sitting on a beach eating fish over a BBQ and talking with his close friends. He discusses their futures; what they hope for and the things they fear (see John 21). It is a familiar scene for the band of disciples. Together they had grown to understand the truths of the Kingdom, learnt to love one another, how to be equipped to and how to serve and grow closer to Jesus. This lies at the core of Connect Group leadership. As leaders, this is what we are called to do! Have you learnt some things about God you can share with others? Can you befriend and love people and connect them together in a circle of friendship? Can you encourage someone when they are down? Are you able to believe in someone s potential? Then you can lead a Connect Group! A ROLE DESCRIPTION As a Connect Group leader, you are: 1. Connecting people in biblical community, by: Creating a warm, open door environment where all people on any stage of the journey are welcomed Taking responsibility to ensure new people find connection in your group or within another part of the church family Referring serious needs to the pastoral care department. 2. Equipping people so that they develop Christ-likeness, by: Facilitating spiritual growth through encouragement and loving accountability Praying for and with the people in your Connect Group Helping people apply Bible teachings to daily living (2 Timothy 3:16). 3. Empowering people to serve, by: Helping them serve in the life of the church Helping them to discover their gifting and call Helping them to impact and influence in every sphere of life. Identify ways that you are already leading others to connect, equip and serve. For example, have you been able to: Invite someone to church or have coffee with a new friend? Pray with someone and share what God means to you? Encourage someone to serve for the first time? Connect Group Training Manual 10 Hillsong Church

11 Session 2: You the Leader WHAT A CONNECT GROUP LEADER LOOKS LIKE With the privilege of leadership comes responsibility. In his pastoral letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul lists some standards for leadership. Read them in 1 Timothy 3:1-13. Leading a Connect Group is a key role within Hillsong Church. Pastor Brian says, Leadership is example, it s giving people something to follow. A Connect Group leader is: 1. Passionate about God and people 2. A person of character and integrity 3. Committed to personal spiritual growth and leadership development 4. Supportive of the leadership and vision of the church by prioritizing involvement in relevant church activities wherever possible. This includes: o Attending a weekend service and serving in a weekend service o Attending Leadership Vision Nights and conferences o Supporting our church financially through tithes and offerings. Read through the list above. What are your strengths? Are there any areas you can mark for improvement? WHAT A CONNECT GROUP LEADER DOES Leading a Connect Group requires our time and effort. As Paul says, to this end we labour - not alone - but with the life and energy of the Holy Spirit who powerfully works in us (Colossians 1:29,30)! The rewards of leading a Connect Group are fulfilling and eternal. There is nothing to compare with seeing others grow closer to God. Paul asks us, What is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we glory in when Jesus comes? Is it not you? (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20). Above all else, people are our glory and joy! A Connect Group leader: 1. Cares and prays for the people of their group 2. Regularly reports on the progress of their group 3. Runs an inspiring and encouraging connect group meeting 4. Attends their Input Connect Group 5. Takes responsibility for growing their connect group 6. Facilitates social activities that encourages their group to connect with each other. ACTIVITY Discuss your answers to the questions in this session with your Input Leader. Share potential strengths and any fears or concerns you may have in seeking to lead a connect group. Connect Group Training Manual 11 Hillsong Church

12 Session 3: A Meeting to Look Forward To SESSION 3: A MEETING TO LOOK FORWARD TO Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:25). Think of a recent Connect Group meeting that you really enjoyed. What made it encouraging or helpful - so that you were looking forward to the following week? In starting Hillsong Church, Pastor Brian aimed to build a church he wanted to go to. Aim to lead a Connect Group meeting you want to go to! 1. THE UNSEEN ELEMENT For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them (Matthew 18:20). It s unseen, yet you know when it s there and when it s not. It s invisible yet it s perhaps the most powerful element of a meeting. It is atmosphere. A positive atmosphere full of faith, hope and love inspires people to grow, facilitates healthy relationship-building and importantly allows the Holy Spirit to work. Connect Groups are an expression of church in your home. There should be a culture of encouragement, blessing and unity. Your meeting reflects the heart and vision of Hillsong Church! As a leader it s your role to set the tone and culture of your group. Atmosphere does not just happen! How can you create an effective atmosphere that builds others up? Consider the location of your group, your preparation for the meeting and the example you can set as a leader: 2. THE MEETING PLAN A typical Connect Group meeting includes: Connect Group Training Manual 12 Hillsong Church

13 Session 3: A Meeting to Look Forward To Start and Finish Connect group meetings last 90 minutes. Please respect people s time by starting and finishing the meeting promptly. If some want to linger longer, make sure you officially close the meeting so that other members are free to leave. Time to Connect Allow approximately minutes for welcoming and introductions. This time is essential. Also food always helps unlock social barriers! Be a good host and try to connect with every member. You know you have a healthy Connect Group when you have to curb conversations to begin the study! Study Together Our Connect Groups all follow the same Bible study based on sermons by Pastor Brian. This means that the whole church is moving forward in one direction even if we do not all attend the same service. Prayer and Spiritual Gifts In each Connect Group meeting, pray for each other s needs, our church vision and leadership as well as our related ministries, including missions. Prayer points are included on the study as a guide. This is also an opportunity to encourage others prophetically always ensuring that our words encourage and build up. Try different combinations in prayer to add variety and help new pray-ers. For example, pray in pairs or small groups as well as praying corporately. One For Another: Missions We are passionate about reaching beyond the four walls of our church into the wider community and the world. Our mission giving funds various church plants and ministries such as Hillsong TV. This segment is an essential time for us to focus on and catch the vision of these exciting endeavours! Our giving and prayers make a difference! Church Events Occasionally Connect Groups do not meet in homes but gather together for special church events such as Prayer Nights. Your Connect Group pastor will let you know throughout the year when these special nights occur. When they are scheduled, aim to sit together and create opportunity for fellowship in your group in the whole church setting. Remember to report attendance as if this was your normal Connect Group meeting. 3. LEADING THE STUDY The study time provides opportunity to discuss what we have learned in weekend services, ask questions and reflect on how we can apply biblical truth to our lives. The early church leader James wrote: Do not just read what the Word says; do it! (James 1:23-25). Download this week s study from Carefully prepare! Look up the scriptures. Answer the questions yourself first. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. If you have any queries about the study itself, speak with your Input leader. Connect Group Training Manual 13 Hillsong Church

14 Session 3: A Meeting to Look Forward To Be selective in your use of the discussion questions. If people are sharing from their hearts and the discussion is fruitful, do not feel locked into completing every question. However, do remain focussed on the topic and intent of the study. Encourage people to read from their Bibles. Model good use of your Bible Conclude the study with a challenge or an emphasis on how we can apply what we have learned to our lives. 4. GROUP DYNAMICS Your Connect Group may be made up of people of all backgrounds, nationality, and spiritual maturity. You may have new Christians and seasoned theologians! Ask open-ended questions to encourage full participation. Avoid doing all the talking! A good guideline is the rule. i.e. Approximately 70% of the speaking should be from members and 30% from the leader. Keep the discussion positive and discourage a critical spirit amongst your group. Carefully lead the conversation back to the topic when tangents occur. Where sensitive issues or complex questions arise in your group, follow up one-on-one after the meeting. Remember to ask for advice of your Input Connect Group leader or coach if you encounter difficulty leading your group. 5. ONE FOR ANOTHER: MISSIONS I will bless you... and you will be a blessing. (Genesis 12:2) We are heirs to this amazing promise given to Abraham hundreds of years ago. Abundant generosity not only leads to blessing in our own lives but to the lives of people around the globe. Get excited about the opportunity to share in this promise! The aim of this short segment is to present the vision of missions to your group and inspire them to give. People give to vision! Prepare a few minutes familiarising yourself with the missions focus of the month and download the giving envelopes and credit card slips from Please be diligent with these practical details many people choose to give using their credit cards even in Connect Group so it is important that you have the slips available. Complete the details on your envelope with two signatures and place it in the weekend offering containers. Setting a Faith Goal One of the best ways to inspire connect group giving is to set a faith goal at the start of the year - by: 1. Sharing our vision and strategy. Read scripture to show the biblical mandate of missions and to build faith. Be passionate about the vision of our Missions Giving people give to vision. Our Missions Giving section on the website will show you the causes we are supporting and our overall faith goal for the year. Previously our giving helped pioneer churches in Japan, Stockholm, Cape Town, Paris and Moscow. We also support Hillsong Television which reaches thousands of people every week. 2. Ask your Connect Group to prayerfully consider what they can give. Encourage people to stretch their faith whilst being realistic. Each member anonymously writes down an amount Connect Group Training Manual 14 Hillsong Church

15 Session 3: A Meeting to Look Forward To for each meeting on a piece of paper. Multiply this figure by twenty roughly the number of meetings during the year. 3. Enter the totalled faith goal in your MyHillsong report and announce to your group. Monitor your progress throughout the year and keep your connect group informed. While our individual contributions may be small, together we can make a significant difference! 6. PEOPLE COUNTING The shepherd knew when one sheep was missing from his fold of 100 (Luke 15:4). As one pastor said, We count people because people count! It s important that we are faithful with those who have been entrusted to us. Every person matters to God. Our efficient web-based reporting system will help you manage and lead the people in your connect group. Using this tool we can monitor the health of our groups by tracking attendance, following up our members pastorally and maintaining accurate contact details and offerings. An will be forwarded to you each fortnight as a reminder to enter these important statistics. To use Connect Group reporting: Log onto Go to My Menu Click on My Connect Group, then under the Attendance tab, enter attendance, mission giving and update any contact details. ACTIVITY 1. Plan with your Input Connect Group leader to lead the prayer and mission segment of the meeting. Afterwards discuss with your leader: a. How did you go? b. What worked and what didn t work? Any areas of improvement? 2. Plan with your Input Connect Group leader to lead the study the following time you meet. Complete the meeting report with your leader. Also discuss with your leader: a. How did you go? b. What worked and what didn t work? Any areas of improvement? Connect Group Training Manual 15 Hillsong Church

16 Session 4: The Journey of Discovery SESSION 4: THE JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY Think back over the journey of your Christian life... Remember the time of exhilaration when you experienced a miracle you thought impossible, or the lights-on moment where you understood something for the first time. The feeling of triumph when you finally overcame a destructive habit or perhaps a time of confusion when the whys? of life were overwhelming and circumstances caused you to stumble on the way... The Christian journey is full of discovery, promise and challenge. For every disciple, the journey of walking with Jesus is unique, but we were never designed to do it alone. Connect Groups allow us to do the journey of life with Jesus together. We spur each other on! (Hebrews 10:24) As leaders, the goal is to facilitate this journey of discovery for every person in our groups. We aim to connect people to biblical community so that they can be equipped to be more like Christ and ultimately serve others in love. 1. CONNECT People grow and flourish best in true biblical community where there is friendship, warmth and acceptance. In what practical ways can we create this sense of community and family? In your connect group meeting? Outside your connect group meeting? 2. EQUIP We preach Christ so that we can bring each person to maturity. To be mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less. That's what I'm working so hard at day after day, year after year, doing my best with the energy God so generously gives me (Colossians 1:28, The Msg). As Christians our goal is to know and become like Christ. First we need to be growing in our own lives and then equipping others to do the same. That s why in our Connect Group study, there is a strong emphasis on application. Just like we see with the writer of Colossians who aims to bring each person to maturity. Sometimes it s as simple as praying for people, taking an interest in Connect Group Training Manual 16 Hillsong Church

17 Session 4: The Journey of Discovery them and asking the right questions. You don t need to know all the answers or be the source of all wisdom. The Holy Spirit is there to help and guide you. List some helpful questions you could ask of someone you wish to encourage in their spiritual growth: 3. SERVE Jesus came to earth to serve others (Mark 10:45). Service is the ultimate expression of love. In the Body of Christ every part is called to contribute no matter how small (1 Corinthians 12:4-6). Connect Groups are the ideal place for identifying spiritual gifts and encouraging people to use them, but also to remember that however we serve, without love, we gain nothing (1 Corinthians 13:4). Look for the potential in people in your group. Speak life and vision into them. Ask them to volunteer in church life or take a turn leading in prayer or share their faith with the unsaved. Challenge them to step out of their comfort zone. Pray for them and encourage them to give. People respond when they know others believe in them! From your group you can raise up new leaders who can later start their own Connect Group. In fact it s important that you identify and train an assistant as soon as possible so they are available to help and lead your group if you are ill or away. What qualities would you look for in a potential leader? ACTIVITY 1. Meet with a Connect Group member(s) with the goal of spiritual encouragement. 2. Lead a whole Connect Group meeting. Afterwards, debrief with your Input Connect Group leader. How did it go? Any areas for improvement? Connect Group Training Manual 17 Hillsong Church

18 Session 5: Connect Groups Who Care SESSION 5: CONNECT GROUPS WHO CARE Be shepherds of God s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers not because you must but because you are willing, as God wants you to be (1 Peter 5:2, NIV). In the rural communities of the first century, shepherds were quite common. Traditionally good shepherds were those who knew their sheep by name, who protected them from danger, led them to green pastures where they could feed and grow and who were willing to even lay their life down for them. This describes the heart of Jesus for us (John 10:11-13). Like a shepherd who cares for the sheep, a Connect Group leader takes responsibility for the health and welfare of each person in the group. It goes beyond just a quick how are you? to creating a sense of family where people are genuinely loved and cared for. 1. A FAMILY WITHIN THE FAMILY God sets the lonely in families (Psalm 68:6). He knows we need a loving group of people who know our name and understand how we really are. Even though our whole church is a family, it is through Connect Groups that we can see the church family functioning in relationships of genuine love and practical care. As our church get bigger we also need to get smaller. In our Connect Groups we celebrate personal milestones and achievements; we support each other through tough times, we believe in each other s potential and show loyalty by keeping confidence when people trust us enough to share. How can we care for people in our Connect Groups in practical ways? 2. A BRIDGE TO SPECIALISED CARE There will be situations in people s lives that require more support than you are personally able to give them. At such times the Connect Group leader acts as a bridge between members and other resources in the church. Pastoral Care Team Our Pastoral Care team are available to assist you with professional counselling, crisis care and emergency relief. Contact them in times of major or long-term sickness, marriage difficulties, hospital stays, loss of employment or a death in the family. Connect Group Training Manual 18 Hillsong Church

19 Session 5: Connect Groups Who Care If you are unsure of what to do, don t hesitate to ask! Your Input Connect Group leader, Connect Group coach, Age-group or Service pastor can all advise but if you are unsure go straight to the Pastoral Care Department who are all available to help you. Simply call the church on and ask for the Pastoral Care Team. Also, remember that Pastoral Care are available to you personally if you need someone to talk to in confidence. Educate for Life Hillsong CityCare provide a range of specialised courses that may help someone in your group. Encourage them to register if you think it will help them. For example: Marriage, SAFE, DARE, and Shine courses. See our website for more details. ACTIVITY Organise a social gathering for your Input Connect Group or take the lead in arranging practical support, such as meals, for someone who is sick. Connect Group Training Manual 19 Hillsong Church

20 Session 6: Ready, Set, Go! SESSION 6: READY, SET, GO! Starting a Connect Group is one of the most practical and effective ways to actively build the church. Now that you have come this far, are you ready to start a new group? 1. ARE YOU READY? Complete this readiness checklist and discuss with your Input leader: Readiness Checklist Yes In Progress Are you growing in your walk with God? Do you carry the heart and spirit of Hillsong Church? Have you prioritised involvement in key church activities? Are you in an input connect group? Have you led a study? Have you organised a social gathering? Are you registered for Have you signed a privacy permission form (page 23)? Have you read and understood the Connect Group Training Manual? Are you ready to start leading a Connect Group? No 2. BEGINNINGS... How do new groups start? Listed below are eight different ways that you can connect new people into your group. Number them, 1 to 8 (1 being the most effective, 8 the least effective). Method of Connection Someone comes and asks if they can join your connect group Someone comes and asks a member of your group if they can join your group You meet someone and invite them to your connect group One of your connect group meets someone and invites them to join your group You are introduced to someone in the Welcome Lounge who is interested in joining a connect group A person fills in a card saying they want to join a connect group. The card goes to a call-team member. Once they have contacted the new person after three attempts, the call team member identifies your connect group as the best fit. The call team member calls or s you so that you can then call the new person and invite them to your group. Once you have made contact with the new person they meet you and the rest of your connect group. Someone finds your connect group details from our online search tool and asks to join your group Pray and wait for people to supernaturally turn up at your connect group Number Connect Group Training Manual 20 Hillsong Church

21 Session 6: Ready, Set, Go! Which method of connection is most effective? Discuss your answers with your Input Connect Leader! By far the most effective way to find people for your group is face-to-face connection. Invite the people you meet in church, serve in the welcome lounge or join a connections team. These are by far the best ways to build your Connect Group! Our Welcome Lounge is the best place at our weekend services to meet people who are interested in finding a Connect Group. Our Connect Group teams would love to have you serve in the Welcome Lounge with them simply visit the Welcome Lounge and offer to be part of the Connect Group Team. Our online search tool and our MyHillsong allocation system are fantastic, but they are a back up to the culture we are intentionally creating of meeting people face-to-face and inviting them to a group. 3. THE HILLSONG ALLOCATION SYSTEM We want to help newcomers find a Connect Group as quickly and easily as possible! Our new online search system enables interested people to search for potential connect groups at Any person with a MyHillsong account can search through a list of all of our connect groups and contact you directly. There is also a Connections team that helps new people get connected into groups. A new allocation occurs when a person submits a Welcome card during weekend services. The team then allocates them to your group and informs you via or phone. Their name will also appear on your list at Your Permission In order to provide easy accessibility, we need to provide people with the contact details of available connect groups. With your permission, we will make this information available through a private and secure website for the people of our church. Any new person with a MyHillsong account or our Connect Group Connections team will be able to access your details and locate your group. The search function will be linked to Google maps, so people will be able to find directions to the suburb and street where your group meets. (We have chosen not to provide the actual house number for privacy reasons. Any new person coming along will still need to call or you in advance before coming along to your connect group). Privacy legislation means that we need your written permission to do this. A form is included in this session for you to complete, tear out and hand to your age-group or Service Pastor. If you have any questions, please don t hesitate to contact one of the pastors. A full copy of our privacy policy can be viewed at 4. THE FIRST CONNECTION Let s make potential members feel welcome by responding promptly to a new allocation or an expression of interest! If you have not yet met them face to face, it s a good idea to arrange to meet them after a weekend service and get to know them briefly. Why not take them out for coffee? They are more likely to come to your group if they have met you first. Be warm and Connect Group Training Manual 21 Hillsong Church

22 Session 6: Ready, Set, Go! encouraging, but also allow them the freedom to check out other Connect Groups if they don t feel comfortable in yours. Be kingdom minded and help them find their place. 5. A NETWORK OF SUPPORT We are committed to seeing you succeed as a leader and helping you to build a healthy connect group. These people are available to help you: Your Input Connect Group leader Your Connect Group Team and Coaches Your Service pastor or Age-group pastor. ACTIVITY Meet with Input Connect Group Leader to discuss your progress and readiness for leadership using the Readiness checklist. Connect Group Training Manual 22 Hillsong Church

23 CONNECT GROUP DETAILS PERMISSION FORM Please complete and hand to your Service or Age-Group Pastor prior to starting your Connect Group. I, give my permission for Hillsong Church to use the following details for the benefit of connecting potential new people into my connect group. I am aware that these details will be disclosed on and will be used by team members to connect people into my group. Please tick the appropriate boxes and complete the details: Mobile Number: Street Name: Suburb: Day of week we meet: Time we meet: Four words that describe my Connect Group (E.g. male-only, young adults, creative arts, relaxed): Signature: Print Name: Date:

24 7. COACHING FOR SUCCESS This section applies to potential Connect Group coaches only A quick snapshot of some of the Connect Groups in one of our weekend services: The Dennis have just started a new Connect group they have strong support from their input leader with a few members joining them to start things off. However they are fairly new Christians and are a little hesitant of taking on the role. Nathan loves leading his group. They have been meeting together for over a year now and he is confident of their progress, although there is one or two who are occasionally disruptive. He thinks there may be potential new leaders in his group. Karina is a widow and is excited to start her new group. She has led a group before at an Anglican church. She has very few contacts as she is new to the church. The McCurdies have been leading the same group for many years. They just moved house ten minutes away from inner Sydney. Some members have left and are looking for a new group, leaving the group a little weak in numbers and in need of strengthening. So how can you help? Our input output model helps us to grow and reproduce Connect Groups in the life of our church. However sometimes there is a need for others to come alongside our Connect Group leaders and offer support, encouragement and advice. That s where the Connect Group coaches come in! THE ROLE OF THE COACH Coaching involves helping another person to perform at their best. A coach comes alongside and challenges, stimulates and encourages a person to keep them growing. At Hillsong Church, a Connect Group coach aims to equip new and existing connect leaders to lead their groups effectively. In this senior volunteer role, you are entrusted with: 1. Serving your Age Group or Service Pastors to build healthy connect groups 2. Encouraging Connect Group leaders to fulfil their role and help facilitate growth and reproduction of new groups. 3. Supporting the input-output connect group model by focusing on training and empowering connect group leaders who need additional support in a specific area. A Leader of Leaders What a Connect Group Coach looks like... A connect group leader with minimum two years volunteer experience at Hillsong Church