Connect Groups
God designed us for community
Connect Groups
Leading a connect group isn’t about being perfect; it’s about serving others by giving them a place to connect with friends, grow in their faith and care for one another.
Hosting a group is simple—choose a topic that interests you and select a time and location to meet with others to share it. This could be in homes, cafes or even online. We help you every step of the way beginning with initial training and then with ongoing coaching and support.
We ask everyone preparing to leading a connect group to watch the ‘CG Leader Training Sessions’ below and read through some of the useful information telling you more about about the culture of our church. When you've finished watching the training and decide you'd like to be considered for leading a connect group in Home Church go ahead and complete the form at the bottom of the page which tells us that you'd like to take the next step and get some help walking this exciting journey over the coming months.
Connecting, Growing, Caring
Relationships define us, grow us, challenge us, strengthen us, and bless us! We believe connect groups provide a place for people to connect relationally in a smaller context than our Sunday services when everyone comes together. We encourage everyone at Home Church to commit to regularly participating in a connect group.
God explains it is not good to be alone....
Gen. 2:18
"The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’"
At their core our connect groups are all about friends doing life together. They are about spending time with like minded people often those who are in the same season of life you’re in. Our connect groups achieve many things but first and foremost they are to help us facilitate authentic friendships.
It is in Acts 2:42 that we come across the greek word 'Koinonia' (koy-nohn-ee'-ah.) This Greek word that occurs 20 times in the Bible. Koinonia’s primary meaning is “fellowship, sharing in common, communion.”
Friendship is a key aspect of the Christian life. Believers in Christ are to come together in love, faith, and encouragement. That is the essence of koinonia.
When we find Jesus we become part of a family - we are no longer strangers.
Ephesians 2:19
"...you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household"
Connecting, Growing, Caring
Experience has taught us that groups flourish when they have three important elements working well; when friends are connecting, growing in faith and caring for one another. This is why every connect group in our church includes each of these ingredients.
1 - An emphasis on CONNECTING with friends
It is easy to feel alone in a crowd but groups become an open door into the life of our church family. When you are part of a smaller group you experience the love and strength of biblical community. Groups with this emphasis look like friends playing sports together or gathering around a common interest/hobby in-person or online.
2 - An emphasis on GROWING in faith
Groups are a place you can be equipped to become more like Jesus and to live a faith-filled life. These groups are a place where leaders are developed and people learn more about their faith. In these groups you’ll find people reading a great books together, watching a study series online, discussing Sundays message or following a curriculum.
3 - An emphasis on CARING for one another
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of being the helping hand to someone in a time of need. Imagine a church family of connect groups that really care for one another - we think this is why God’s plan is for His Church to be more like a family than simply a community group.
2. Feels like home
It is essential to us that every connect group leader resonates with what matters most to us as a church family. Of course we are a church where you’ll find passionate worship, practical Bible teaching, prayer, the presence of God and Jesus at the centre of it all.
We also have 3 core values that are really important to us as a church family, things Home is known for. These values really matter to us and we want them to matter to you as you lead a connect group at Home.
They are as simple as A B C -
Attend
Home Church is a place were we are present - for some this means attending a church service, for others it could be tuning in to one of our online services. However you choose to attend Home Church, lean in and be present.
Belong
Home Church is a place were it feels like family - a place you can belong. This looks like being part of a Connect Group or simply hanging out with friend in the life of our church. Home Church more than just a gathering of people, we are the family of God, living with purpose and passion for Jesus.
Contribute
Home Church is a place where everyone contributes - not because they have to but because they want to. This looks like bringing our tithes and offerings to invest in the mission of Home Church. It looks like serving on one of our amazing volunteer teams or leading a Connect Group. It can also look like being part of one of our missions teams sharing the good news of Jesus with people all around the world or supporting one of our social justice partners.
3. When and where connect groups meet
When groups meet
Connect groups meets either weekly or fortnightly on any day of the week, at a time that works best for those in the group! We believe a flexible approach makes our group more widely availably to everyone in our church.
Where groups meet
Groups meet wherever most suits the group emphasis. Many meet in homes, coffee shops, on a sports field or even online.
If you are leading an online connect group you group coach will help you get set up so that your group has the best possible experience.
4. A great connect group is…
Where thought and preparation precedes the meeting.
Where people feel welcome, included and at home.
Where great communication takes place with regular updates and where information is shared.
Where you’ll find drinks and food.
Where everyone is encouraged to contribute. In groups where a discussion or study is the focus, approximately 70% of the speaking should be from group members and 30% from the leader.
Where the discussion is positive and helpful.
Where we can share communion together and pray for one another.
Where gossip and negativity isn’t welcome.
Where people support and pray for one another.
Where people are inspired to serve in the life of our church together.
Where people feel safe and secure.
Where people can discover their gifts.
Where people can have fun and grow in their faith.
Where our care and safeguarding guidelines and policies are promoted.
Where it feels like HOME.
5. A great connect group is not…
Where we take offerings.
Where we try to replicate church services
Where we use unapproved materials.
Where we invite speakers to come share in the group.
Where we get into unhelpful controversial topics.
Where we entertain a critical or divisive spirit.
Where you’ll hear gossip or witness disruptive behaviour.
Where you’ll find people building their own little kingdoms.
6. What good connect group leaders do
They pray for people that are part of their group.
They coordinate all aspects of their group and communicate to their members regularly.
They are an example to group members in growing towards maturity in their faith.
They encourage others in their relationships with others and Jesus.
They are a person of character and integrity.
They develop an atmosphere of care in the group.
They encourage unity by representing the philosophy of ministry of HOME Church.
They love and support their church leaders at Home Church.
They are open to counsel from their leaders.
They feedback concerns about their group regularly.
They welcome new people into their group.
They know how to manage basic group admin tasks via ChurchSuite.
They don’t cancel group meetings without letting members and their leaders know.
They raise up others in their group to help them lead.
They are involved in and committed to the life of our church.
Let’s get started!
Simply complete this form and our connect group coordinator will get in touch with you to take you through the final steps before your group launches.
We’re excited to see what God does through you and your connect group!