Directors Orientation

Welcome Getting Started in Group Life
groups director orientation information

Welcome to the North Point Ministries Group Life team! We are excited that you have
Table of Contents chosen to join us.

This orientation packet is designed to give you an overview of our Group Life ministry
Welcome Letter ........................................................................ 5 areas, of your group director position, and of the integral role that the ministry and your
Orientation Timeline .............................................................. 6 position plays in the organization as a whole. The Orientation Timeline section of this
manual serves as a guide to your orientation process. In keeping with our organizational
NPMI Fundamentals .............................................................. 12 and divisional culture we have prioritized relationships and environments as the optimal
5 Things God Uses to Grow Our Faith ........................ 14 means of delivering content. In addition, we have recommended resources and a list of
other topics pertinent to your role.
7 Core Values ................................................................ 16
7 Practices for Effective Ministry ................................. 17 As you begin your employment as a Community Group Director at North Point
Statement of Faith ........................................................ 20 Ministries we want to offer several observations that pertain to your orientation. First
of all, we understand that different people have different learning styles. Therefore,
Staff Coaches ................................................................ 21 while the columns of the Timeline Orientation section of this packet suggest a specific
Division / Campus Collaboration ................................. 22 delivery of the content, feel free to consult your manager and team members about the
Group Life Fundamentals ....................................................... 24 possibility of obtaining the relevant information by an alternate means that are more
conducive to your style. Secondly, we acknowledge that adults learn best and most on a
Leader Essentials ........................................................... 24 need-to-know basis. With that in mind, you are encouraged to adjust the time frames
Job Description .............................................................. 26 (i.e. first week, first month, first quarter, and first six months) to which the various
items are assigned. Lastly, we recognize that much of what you learn will be on-the-job
Leader Interview Qualifications & Questions ............... 28 training acquired by actually performing the duties of your role. In learning your role in
Group Leader Reference Email Template ..................... 30 our ministry, we ask that you give attention not only to what we do, but to why we do
Covenant ....................................................................... 31 what we do what we do.

Seasons of Growth ........................................................ 32 Being a new employee is a great opportunity for you to ask questions and learn how
FAQs – Community Groups ......................................... 34 our ministry works. Please, feel free to do so. Your “fresh eyes” for our ministry and
organization position you to offer your own unique and valuable questions and insights.
FAQs – Assimilation ..................................................... 42
Group Life Definitions ................................................. 48 Thank you for choosing to be a part of our team. We look forward to the valuable
contributions that you will make in your new role.

The North Point Ministries Group Life Team
pg. 5

Orientation Timeline
Setup a Meeting Attend Read/Listen/Watch Walk Through

! Coordinator – calendar overview, ! Read Getting Started in Group ! Home Campus Facilities Tour
First Week

coordinator role & support, reporting systems: Life – Groups Director Orientation ! Organization Structure for NPMI and
_______________________ Information Campus
! Assimilation team member at your ! Read Creating Community, by Bill
campus: Willits and Andy Stanley
_______________________
! Accompany another director on a leader
1-on-1 :
_______________________


! Starting Point team member at your ! Attend NEXT (ﬁrst available ! Read Seven Practices Of Effective Groups Model
campus: opportunity) Ministry, by Lane Jones and Andy ! History of groups at NPM
_______________________ Stanley
! Transformation vs. information
First Month

! Leadership Training & Resources (LTR) ! Watch or listen to “Why I’m A
team member: Lifer,” Andy Stanley’s Willow Creek ! Duration of groups
_______________________ 2009 Groups Conference talk ! Covenant
! Team Members of other Group Life ! Review the membership website ! Closed Groups
departments as desired:
! Multiplication
_______________________ Review Web Resources:
! Number of group members
! Accompany another director on a leader

! groupcurriculum.org
interview: ! Apprenticing
_______________________ ! groupleaders.org
! Leader Development
! Previous director about leaders/groups: ! 5 C’s
_______________________
! Facilitating vs. teaching
! Childcare Reimbursement
! Northpointleaders.org

pg. 6 pg. 7

First Quarter

! Right Path conversation with manager & ! Attend CGLO (ﬁrst available ! Listen to “Trust Over Suspicion,” ! Best Practices
a staff coach: opportunity) Andy Stanley’s staff training talk from ! Toolbox Inventory
_______________________ 7/20/07
! PDP Process
! Campus Group Life Director: ! Watch or listen to the “Five
_______________________ Things God Uses To Grow Our
! Care team member at your campus: Faith” sermon series
_______________________ ! Listen to “40 Miles,” Andy
Stanley’s staff training talk from
12/4/06
! Review Insidenorthpoint.org/
groups


! Bill Willits ! Attend SP Orientation ! Listen to “Don’t Be That Couch,” ! Facilities tour of the other campuses
First 6 Months

Andy Stanley’s staff training talk from
7/7/08
! Listen to “Polarity Management,”
Andy Stanley’s staff training talk from
6/7/04
! Listen to “Repairing the

Transmission,” Andy Stanley’s Drive
’06 Session 2 talk
! Review Insidenorthpoint.org

pg. 8 pg. 9


! Team members of other divisions / ! Attend Sundays at North Point ! Listen to “Funnel of Love,” Andy ! Relationship / information
departments as necessary in other divisions: Stanley’s staff training talk from management systems
Optional

_______________________ 7/1/10
_______________________ ! Read “Leading Life-Changing
_______________________ Small Groups,” by Bill Donahue
_______________________
_______________________ ! Read No Perfect People Allowed,
by John Burke
! Life Lessons Over Lunch Director:
_______________________ ! Read Everybody’s Normal Till You
Get To Know Them, by John Ortberg
! Listen to “Don’t Be Stupid,” Justin
Elam’s staff training talk from 8/5/10

pg. 10 pg. 11

NPMI Fundamentals
Vision, Mission & Strategy 7 Core Values
Our vision is to create churches that un-churched people love to attend. Our mission is
• Biblical Authority
to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Our strategy is to create
• Intimacy with God
environments where people are encouraged and equipped to pursue intimacy with God,
• Relational Evangelism
community with insiders, and influence with outsiders.
• Authentic Community
• Strategic Service
• Intentional Apprenticing
3 Vital Relationships • Relevant Environments
• Intimacy with God
• Community with Insiders
• Influence with Outsiders
7 Ministry Practices
• Clarify the Win
• Think Steps, Not Programs
5 Things God Uses to Grow our Faith • Narrow the Focus
• Practical Bible Teaching
• Teach Less for More
• Private Devotions
• Listen to Outsiders
• Providential Relationships
• Replace Yourself
• Pivotal Circumstances
• Work On It
• Personal Ministry

3 Key Environments Our Groups Model
We believe that sustained life change happens best within the context of intentional
• Foyer

NPMI Fundamentals
structured relationships. Community groups provide that structure for us at NPMI. A
• Living Room
community group is defined as a small group of 6 to 10 individuals or 5 to 6 married
• Kitchen
couples who meet in someone’s home for fellowship, Bible study, prayer and accountability.
They are closed groups with a commitment to meet together for 18 to 24 months.

pg. 12 pg. 13

• Supplement curriculum reading assignments from the Scriptures along with
5 Things God Uses two or three simple questions.
To grow our faith • Orient your discussion time toward application not simply information.

After you became a Christian, what were the defining moments for you in your faith B. Private Devotions
journey? What contributed to your growth? Did you ever fall away? Why? What brought • Develop a consistent devotional life.
you back? In each of our stories, the catalysts for our spiritual growth typically fall into five • Assign one or two memory verses for each curriculum you study.
categories. We call these the 5 Things God Usesto Grow Our Faith. • Suggest devotional guides.
• Spend time teaching your group how to have a quiet time.
I. The Five Things God Uses to Grow Our Faith • Open group time by asking one member to share a quiet time insight from the
previous week.
A. Practical Bible teaching
C. Providential Relationships
B. Private Devotions • Create space in your life for relationships.
• Begin the early sessions with personal testimonies.
C. Providential Relationships • Allow for social times regularly
• Multiply your group and apprentice another leader.
D. Pivotal Circumstances
D. Pivotal Circumstances
E. Personal Ministry • Be sensitive to people’s need to process.
• Provide Biblical guardrails for their interpretation of current events.
Now, if that is how God works, what does that mean for community groups? If we want • Bear one another’s burdens.
to have life-changing small groups, we need to work in tandem with these five things. So,
what can we do in our groups to facilitate the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of group E. Personal Ministry
members? More specifically, what are some practices in which you, as a groups director, • Encourage group members to join a strategic service team.
can coach group leaders? • Encourage group members to describe their hands-on ministry experiences.
• Participate as a group in a ministry project.
This section offers best practices for each of the 5 Things, ideas to assist group leaders in • Choose a curriculum that focuses on evangelism or spiritual gifts.

NPMI Fundamentals
paying attention to, and leveraging these five catalysts in their group. • Involve every member in ministry to the group. (Example: Share the teaching
assignment, the hosting assignment, the prayer time, select an apprentice.)
II. Community Groups and the 5 Things
Suggestion:
A. Practical Bible teaching Review the 5 Things with your community group. Use this time to explain some of
• Choose curriculum that necessitate personal Bible Study. the “whys” behind the “whats” of group life. You may want to begin this discussion by
• Choose curriculum that supports the 3 vital relationships (Intimacy with God, giving illustration of how God has used these five things to facilitate your own spiritual
Community with Insiders and Influence with Outsiders). development.
pg. 14 pg. 15

7 Core Values 7 Practices
For Effective Ministry
For North Point Ministries
1. Clarify the Win
1. Biblical Authority – God has spoken to us through the Bible and we recognize Keep your ministry aligned by clearly defining what is important
it as the final authority for our lives.
As long as the “win” is unclear . . .
1. You force those who want to follow to guess what a win looks like.
Q. Are your priorities consistent with Scripture?
2. You enable those who want to lead to define winning in their own terms.
3. You risk the havoc that misalignment can cause to an organization.
2. Intimacy with God – God desires an intimate relationship with each of us.
The clearer the “win” . . .
Q. Is your relationship with God growing? 1. The easier it is to keep everyone on the same page.
2. The better you’ll manage resources.
3. The more your staff will say “no” to what doesn’t fit.
3. Relevant Environments – Every environment should be designed to effectively 4. The simpler your structure will stay.
connect with its target audience. 5. The greater the potential for momentum.

Q. Are your environments appealing, engaging, and helpful?
CRITICALQUESTION
Are your values and vision driving your decisions?
4. Relational Evangelism – God’s message of forgiveness through Christ is most
effectively conveyed within the context of personal relationships.
2. Think Steps not Programs
Q. In whom are you investing? Before you start anything make sure it takes you where you need to go

5. Authentic Community – Accountability, belonging, care and spiritual growth You need to PRE-DECIDE 2 things.
1. What you want people to BECOME.
happen best with relationally-connected believers. 2. Where you want people to BE.

Q. Are you in a small group? Then make sure every environment you design is a step to get them there.

6. Strategic Service – Our spiritual gifts have maximum impact when exercised in A GOOD STEP has to be . . .
1. EASY

NPMI Fundamentals
support of our strategy.
2. OBVIOUS
3. STRATEGIC
Q. Where are you serving?
Why Churches have Programs, not Steps
7. Intentional Apprenticing - We are responsible to pass along to others the 1. They don’t have a clear strategy.
knowledge, skills and opportunities that have been entrusted to us. 2. They have bought into a ministry “menu” philosophy.
3. They feel pressure to provide programming on the basis of needs, not purpose.
4. Their staff has built their identity around a program and not a mission.
Q. Who are you apprenticing? 5. They do not have a culture that confronts the “brutal facts”.
6. They fear the fallout of eliminating certain programs.
7. They have not given their leaders permission to “not” do some things.
pg. 16 pg. 17

CRITICALQUESTION CRITICALQUESTION
Is there a step to add or a program to subtract? What are the “irreducible minimums” you teach?

3. Narrow the Focus 5. Listen to Outsiders
Don’t try to do everything in every environment, do a few things well Become a student of the target audience you are trying to reach

1. Focus on WHO you want to reach. How to make outsiders a priority:
2. Focus on WHAT you want to accomplish. 1. Study the EXPERTS.
2. Practice an “INVEST & INVITE” Strategy.
YOU HAVE TO DRAW A CLEAR TARGET, 3. Ignore INSIDERS.
IF YOU WANT EVERYONE TO AIM IN THE SAME DIRECTION!

The more focused the environment . . . CRITICALQUESTION
the greater the relevance. Do insiders get excited about inviting outsiders to your church?
the better the connection.
the higher the quality.
6. Replace Yourself
Make sure every volunteer recruits a volunteer to multiply the base of ministry
CRITICALQUESTION
How do you deﬁne success for each environment? Intentional apprenticing solves a number of problems.
1. It allows you to recruit exponentially.
2. It protects the quality of leaders.
4. Teach Less for More 3. It gives people conﬁdence to serve effectively.
Reduce curriculum down to an “irreducible minimum” and establish a cycle 4. It insures your future as an organization.

TEACH WITH THE END IN MIND!
CRITICALQUESTION
A. The “Teach Less for More” concept is based on this premise: Who is the best prospect to do what you are doing ?
1. All Scripture is equally INSPIRED.
2. All Scripture is NOT equally IMPORTANT.
3. All Scripture is NOT equally APPLICABLE. 7. Work on it, Not Just in it
Establish consistent blocks of time to celebrate and evaluate what you do

NPMI Fundamentals
B. To “Teach Less for More” you need to:
1. Decide WHAT you are going to say. 1. CALENDAR TIME.
2. Decide HOW you are going to say it. 2. CELEBRATE THE WINS.
3. Decide to say ONE thing at a time. 3. CONFRONT THE FACTS.
4. Then say it OVER and OVER again.

C. Reasons churches don’t “Teach Less for More.” CRITICALQUESTION
1. They are programmed to teach information, not application. Are spending time working ON your ministry, or just IN it?
2. They worry about not having enough to say.
3. They fear they will leave something out.
4. It’s easier to teach more for less, than it is to teach less for more.
pg. 18 pg. 19

Statement of Faith Staff Coaches
North Point Ministries North Point Ministries

What does North Point Ministries believe about the Scripture? We recognize that there are times when you may need to speak to someone on staff
We believe the entire Bible is the inspired Word of God and that men were moved by the regarding a work or personal situation and you may not feel comfortable in talking with
Spirit to write words of Scripture. Therefore, the Bible is without error. your direct supervisor. That is the reason why we have created the staff coach role. At each
North Point Ministries campus, we have staff coaches who are available to meet with you.
What does North Point Ministries believe about God? The information you share with your staff coach will be kept confidential. We would ask
We believe in one God who exists in three distinct persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). that male employees meet with a male staff coach and female employees meet with a female
We believe that Jesus Christ is the second member of the Trinity (the Son of God) who staff coach. You can contact Staff Coaches at any campus regardless of the campus you
became flesh to reveal God to man and to become the Savior of the lost world. work at. Staff coaches are as follows:

What does North Point Ministries believe about mankind? Browns Bridge Community Church
We believe that man was created in the image of God to have fellowship with Him, but Al Causey Middle School Group Director
became alienated from that relationship through sinful disobedience. As a result, man is Bob Hempen Director of Married Community Groups
totally incapable of coming back into a right relationship with God by his own effort. Shawnie Merritt Assistant to Lane Jones
Elaine Scott Women’s Community Group Director
What does North Point Ministries believe about salvation?
We believe that the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross provides the sole basis for the Buckhead Church
forgiveness of sins. Therefore, salvation only occurs when a person places his faith in the Susanne Fatigati Membership Director
death and resurrection of Christ as the sufficient payment for his sin. Kristen Franklin Assistant to Jeff Henderson
Mike Glogorski Director of Care Network
What does North Point Ministries believe about the Christian life? John Hambrick Director of Married Community Groups
We believe that every Christian should live for Christ and not for himself. By obedience to
the Word and daily yielding to the Spirit, every believer will mature and become conformed North Point Community Church
to the image of Christ. Cliff Atfield Married Community Group Director
Darcy Dickerson Associate Service Programming Director

NPMI Fundamentals
What does North Point Ministries believe about the church? Diane Grant Assistant to Andy Stanley
We believe that the church is the body of Christ of which Jesus Christ is the Head. The Ashley Kirkman Assistant to Bill Willits
members are those who have trusted by faith the finished work of Christ. The purpose of Fran LaMattina Director of Women s Community Groups
the church is to glorify God by loving Him and by making Him known to a lost world. Dave Lewis Director of Care Network
Janet Schroer Women s Community Group Director
Tom Shefchunas Director of Middle School
Dan Stonaker Associate Director of Ministry Services
Donald Wise Strategic Partner Director
John Woodall Director of Married Community Groups
pg. 20 pg. 21

Division/Campus Collaboration Notes
Group Life Division – North Point Ministries

Like any organization, as NPMI has grown in size we have grown in complexity. Having
multiple campuses has multiplied the challenges of communication and collaboration.
In an attempt to manage the tension between efficiency and creativity effectively, the
organization has clarified the responsibilities held by campuses and those held by division
(in your case Group Life) in several areas. This grid is provided to give context on and
insight into the organizational leadership and decision-making structure.

Division Responsibilities Campus Responsibilities
!"#$$
- staffing requests (w/ campus) - staffing requests (w/ division)
- staffing/interview strategy - interview process
- staff hiring (w/ campus) - staff hiring (w/ division)
- staff development - staff logistics

%&'(&#)
- program concepts - program implementation
- ministry branding/marketing - ministry promotion
- systems design - systems implementation
- group content/curriculum plan - content/curriculum implementation
- fusion teacher content - fusion teacher coordination
- calendar planning - calendar implementation
- budget strategy/priorities - final proposed budget
- printed materials/layout - printing/distribution

NPMI Fundamentals
*#+,-,".
- facility design - facility decorations
- facility scheduling/logistics

/'-01"22&3
- training strategy - strategy implementation
- combined training events - campus specific events
pg. 22 pg. 23

Group Life Fundamentals C. Identifying an apprentice in the first six months off your group helps insure that
your group is ready to multiply at the end of your covenant period.
D. Our multiplication strategy necessitates the need for apprentices at every level.
Leader Essentials E. This essential focuses on how you intentionally apprentice.

6 Leader Essentials Overview 5. Provide Care - How you handle tough situations
Each leader is equipped, developed and monitored around 6 key essentials that we have A. The most effective support during times of crisis or special need comes from
defined as the components to a healthy group experience. While the list is not exhaustive, people you know well.
we feel the group experience will be valuable for both the leader and the participant if the B. Effective community groups are biblically functioning communities of
leader implements these priorities. All of our equipping times, both corporate and one-on- encouragement and care.
one, are centered on these essentials. The six leader essentials are detailed below. C. The primary way we provide care to our attendees in through our community
groups.
1. Think Life Change - Why we do groups D. This essential focuses on how you deal with challenging situations in your group,
A. The objective of a community group is to create an environment where God is and the additional resources that are available from Buckhead Church.
able to work in the lives of group members.
B. Over time, your group can easily drift away from doing the things that best help 6. Multiply Influence - How you maximize impact
it accomplish this objective. A. The success of the group can be the demise of system (i.e., not multiplying)
C. Keeping the life change goal in front of the group challenges us to make the B. Multiplying new groups allows you to multiply your influence.
group meetings purposeful.
D. This essential reminds us of why we do groups. Year # People
Today 10
2. Cultivate Relationships - How you build community 1.5 20
A. Healthy group relationships require regular and intentional investments. 3.0 40
B. Taking steps early to build the relational capital of the group is one of the most 6.0 160
important things you can do for a new group. 9.0 640
C. This essential focuses on how you build community in a group. 10.5 1280

3. Promote Participation - How you lead and Involve others C. New members bring new vitality to your group.

Group Life Fundamentals
A. Community group leaders are facilitator of discussion, not teachers of curriculum. D. Multiplying your current group provides an opportunity for others to participate
B. Shared participation creates broader ownership of the curriculum and of the in a group.
group. E. Ways to reduce the trauma of multiplication:
C. Group members should be encouraged to participate in the facilitation and the • Use the covenant to establish a birth date
leadership of the group meeting. • Enlist an apprentice early
D. This essential focuses us on how you lead the group meeting. • Talk about multiplying early and often
• Multiply around the best times ( January & September) to form a new group.
4. Replace Yourself - How you intentionally apprentice
A. Apprenticing is the most effective way to train new group leaders.
B. An apprentice is someone who has the potential to replace you, not simply assist
you.
pg. 24 pg. 25

North Point Ministries Interview all new leaders in preparation for each GroupLink.
Assist in identifying apprentice leaders within existing groups.
Job Description
Constantly recruit new leaders.
6. Oversee Multiplication
Married Community Groups Director
• Track group progress through 12-24 month duration.
• Identify apprentices and begin developing them in preparation for leadership.
Purpose Statement:
• Meet with apprentices when possible.
A Community Groups Director is responsible for shepherding and leading approximately
• Encourage multiplication of groups.
75 group leaders by encouraging and equipping them to pursue the three vital relationships
and the six leader essentials.
Administration (15%)
1. Manage notes from meetings with leaders.
Reports to:
2. Setting up 1-on-1 meetings (or working with coordinators to assist in meeting
Director of Married Community Groups
scheduling).
3. Verify that all group information is current and accurate after each 1-on-1 meeting
Proﬁle:
or as needed.
The proﬁle of a Community Groups Director should be a blend between people and task
4. Insure timely follow up after each GroupLink.
personality traits. He/She also should have one or more of the following spiritual gifts:
• Contact Starter Groups to determine which groups are continuing into
leadership, discernment, exhortation, teaching and pastor/shepherd.
Community Groups.
• Contact Formative Groups to offer assistance, discuss leadership options and
Priorities/Responsibilities:
determine any appropriate next steps.
5. Participate with various Group Life teams and meetings that focus on the ongoing
Highest Payback Activities
development of the ministry.
• Enlisting
• Shepherding
• Administration
Events and Training (15%)
1. Participate in GroupLink activities including:
• Multiplication
• Environment set up

• Events
• Leader meeting assistance
• Event attendance
Shepherd Leaders (70%)
• Environment breakdown
1. Meet one on one with leaders 3 times a year.
2. Participate in planning and execution of training events across multiple campuses.
2. Equip and develop each leader around our 3 vital relationships and the 6 leader
3. Assist in planning and execution of yearly group leadership events across campuses.
essentials.
4. Participate in leading and serving at Community Group Leader Orientations.
3. Monitor the health, effectiveness and duration of groups.
5. Participate in developing leadership tools for our leaders as needed.
4. Be available to minister and serve each leader.
6. Assist periodically in execution of NEXT environments.
5. Recruit New Leaders

pg. 26 pg. 27

Community Group Leader • Reference email template
Interview & Qualifications

Process:
Those interested in being a Community Group Leader should fill out a leader application
and meet with a staff person for an interview before taking on the role of Community
Group Leader.

Profile:
The Community Group Leader is responsible for providing his/her community group with
vision, direction and support. The Group Leader is supported by a Community Group
Director.

Qualifications:
The Community Group Leader is to:
• Be a member of the church
• Fill out application
• Be interviewed by a staff member
• Be willing to participate in regular leadership trainings and one on one’s
• Preferably had previous small group experience

Expectations:
• Shepherds the group by facilitating the group meeting and monitoring it’s health
and duration
• Guides decisions relating to the covenant and curriculum around the 3 vital
relationships
• Participates in and encourages the spiritual growth of group members (needs to

hint at apprenticing/serving)

Leader interview process for Group Director:
• Group Director receives leader application from Coordinator
• Group Director contacts applicant to schedule leader interview
• Contact applicant in a timely manner. Do not approve in the meeting.

Resources:
• 5 C’s of leader interview
• Leader interview/questionnaire/overview

pg. 28 pg. 29

Reference Email Template Covenant
Hi [REFERENCE], One of the most important features of a community group is having a predictable
environment. Casting vision for the purpose of groups, sharing an understanding of the
[APPLICANT] has applied to be a singles small group leader at North Point Community values expressed in community, and communicating expectations for group participation all
Church/Buckhead Church/Brown’s Bridge Community Church and has listed you as a contribute to an environment in which individuals feel safe and comfortable. Used at the
reference. A small group is an environment where participants are encouraged to pursue beginning of a group’s commitment, the covenant is a conversation piece that provides an
authentic community (accountability, belonging and care) and spiritual growth (intimacy overview of the group, defines the group’s duration, and galvanizes members’ commitment.
with God, community with insiders and influence with outsiders). The role of a leader is
to shepherd the group by providing vision, direction and support for the group. I’d be very
grateful if you could take a few minutes to answer the following questions.
!"#$%&'

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pg. 30 pg. 31

Seasons
of Growth
Everyone who attends one of Taking peoples’ spiritual
our campuses is at a unique timing, personal interest, and
place spiritually. As a result, each missional engagement into
person’s needs are different – the consideration allows us to
most relevant environments, the direct people more effectively.
most pertinent messages, the This tool was developed to
most applicable resources, and inform people about our
the best next steps are different resources and environments
for each individual. and to assist us into guiding
people to the best next steps
for them.

pg. 32 pg. 33

FAQs Question: How are the single adult living room environments and single adult
community groups related?
Community Groups
Our FUSiON gatherings function as a step between our Sunday worship service foyer
environments and our community groups. FUSiON attendees experience a taste of
Question: How do you define a community group?
community in discussion groups at the gatherings, and are regularly encouraged to connect
Community groups are small groups of approximately six married couples or eight to ten
into a community group. Community group members are also encouraged to participate
individuals of the same gender that meet weekly in someone’s home for fellowship, Bible
in FUSiON gatherings as another opportunity to connect relationally with the members
study, prayer, and accountability. They are for adults of all ages, stages of life, and spiritual
of their group, as well as other single adults, on a regular basis. The Single Adult Living
maturity. Most community groups are formed as people meet and connect at GroupLinks.
Room and Single Adult Community Group teams also work together to execute an annual
Labor Day singles retreat and other special events.
Question: Why does North Point do community groups?
We believe that it is in the context of intentional relationships where significant life
change takes place best. Community groups are the place where real life and real issues
Question: What is your process for connecting people into community groups?
are discussed. This is the environment to celebrate the successes and good times of life and
The primary way we connect people into community groups is through GroupLink. We
comfort one another in the tough and disappointing times. It is a place to be encouraged,
hold four GroupLink weekend events per year.
equipped and challenged to grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ.

Question: What is a Starter Group, and how is it different from a community group?
Question: When do community groups meet?
A Starter Group is a group that has agreed to meet together for eight weeks to get to know
Each community group decides when and where it wants to meet. Most groups meet at
each other, do a relational type curriculum, and at the end of that time determine whether
least 3 times a month. As individuals seek to join a community group, we help them find
or not they want to stay together for another twelve to twenty-four months as a community
people that are meeting on a particular night and in a certain area of the city. All of our
group. The main purpose of a Starter Group is getting to know each other and forming
community groups meet in group members’ homes. With the exception of Starting Point
relationships. This sets the foundation for the group, as it becomes a community group.
groups, no small groups meet at the church.

Question: What is your process for tracking Starter Groups?
Question: How long does a community group last?
After Starter Groups are formed, information about the group and its members are entered
Initially, all of the groups that are formed at GroupLink begin as Starter Groups. Starter
into our church management database, and a special notation is made to indicate that the

Groups are created to be an introductory step into group life. After eight weeks, group
group is in the starter phase. Starter groups are then assigned to the appropriate group
members can decide to continue on with their Starter Group members or dissolve to
director, and each director follows up with the leader at least once during the eight-week
find another group. Starter Group members who continue on establish themselves as a
starter period. Eight weeks after the group’s start date, the leader is contacted to find out
community group and commit to meet for an additional twelve to twenty-four months.
if the group has decided to continue on as a community group, as well as to update any
Each group determines the duration of time that they will meet.
members that have been added or dropped during the starter period.

pg. 34 pg. 35

Question: What about those who don’t get connected into a community group at Question: What makes your groups model unique from others?
GroupLink? Perhaps the most distinguishing feature of our model is the closed group structure. We
A volunteer assimilator or Assimilation staff member contacts those who don’t get believe relationships take time to form and anything that gets in the way of the group
connected to help them determine their “next steps”. Most of the time they are directed to building the relational capital of the group works against this reality. Groups stay closed
the next GroupLink opportunity. for a predetermined time of twelve to twenty-four months. At that time they multiply to
form at least two new groups. (If a group loses members along the way, they are free to add
Question: You don’t have mixed gender single adult community groups, why? new a member or couple if everyone in the group agrees.)
The purpose of a community group is to provide a predictable environment where
participants can experience authentic community and spiritual growth. We believe that Question: What is the purpose of the covenant and is it really necessary?
this happens best with single adults when they are connected with members of the same The covenant is a tool used by the group members to help establish expectations and manage
gender. It is inherently more difficult for a leader to create a predictable environment with the group for the duration of its life cycle. Its use is essential because most problems that
single men and women together in the same group. The relational dynamics created by a groups face are due to unmet expectations.
mixed environment limit the accountability that is possible or appropriate. As a result, we
do not believe mixed-gender single adult groups experience the same level of community Question: How is childcare provided for community groups?
that is possible in same-gender groups. Parents arrange for childcare during their community group, but we provide childcare
reimbursements at a pre-determined rate. Childcare reimbursements are requested online.
Question: How do groups choose curriculum?
The first source of tension for new groups can often be around curriculum. We Question: What is your process for recruiting and approving leaders?
have chosen to remove that potential obstacle by giving group members their first Our primary means to identify potential leaders is our apprenticing process. Part of the
curriculum at GroupLink. After the first study is complete, our leaders have access to responsibility of leading a group is executing the leader essential ‘Replace Yourself ’ by
www.groupcurriculum.org, which is an online resource that gives them over 200 different identifying a leader apprentice within the first six to nine months of a group. Once the
choices as well as ratings and feedback from other leaders. They also have the option apprentice is identified, they still must be approved to lead by a staff director. The approval
to contact their director to assist them in the selection process. Our goal is that groups process for group leaders includes:
choose studies that promote growth around the 3 vital relationships (Intimacy with God, 1. Completing a leadership application online.
Community with Insiders and Influence with Outsiders). 2. Completing the process to become a member of the church (in the event they are
not members already)

Question: How do groups add additional group members in the event that group 3. Meeting with a staff director for an interview
members move or get married? 4. Committing to ongoing development, beginning with a one-time community
We encourage group members to look at their existing relationships first. (friends, neighbors, group leader orientation before or shortly after starting their group
etc.) After that we encourage them to go to a GroupLink or contact their area assimilator.
When making the decision whether or not to approve someone for leadership, the
candidates are evaluated in five key areas:
1. Character - Is this person in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ?
2. Competence - Does this person have the skills and experience to lead a group?

pg. 36 pg. 37

3. Culture - Does this person embrace the mission, vision and strategy of the church? Question: How do you foster accountability in a Married community group?
4. Connected - Is this person connected to the church through membership? We do this by encouraging men and women to separate for prayer time, guys/girls night
5. Chemistry - Is this someone with whom you’d like to be in a group? out, or even for a short curriculum.

Question: Can people who have been divorced lead community groups? Question: How do you provide care for community group leaders/members with
Yes, we do allow people who have been divorced to lead community groups. During the marital struggles?
interview process, we ask the candidate who has been divorced to share the circumstances The first line of defense is always the group and the group leader. If the situation is
of their divorce in the context of their life story and spiritual journey. During this time we more challenging than they feel comfortable with, the leader will contact their staff group
ask questions to discern what steps the person took to reconcile with their spouse, accept director for additional help. The next step will be the Care Ministry, where they will be
responsibility for the failure of the marriage, and seek personal recovery and growth after encouraged to attend an Intimate Encounters group, a ministry to heal hurting marriages
the end of their marriage. As a general guideline, we do not want to place someone into and make good marriages better. For those who need professional counseling, we have a
a position of leadership within two years of a divorce or without completing a structured list of local counselors that we will refer them to.
divorce recovery program, such as an Oasis group.
Question: How do you address emotional issues in community groups?
Question: How do leaders choose and prepare an apprentice? Part of the role of the group director is to provide encouragement, direction, and support
A leader should choose someone who could replace them. The best way to prepare an to assist leaders in navigating through difficult issues that arise in their groups. We make
apprentice is to include them in every aspect of facilitating and leading the group. In every effort to help the group leader successfully work through these issues without direct
looking for an apprentice, we ask leaders to look for those who have the four C’s (character, involvement from the director. However, there are times that the director needs to get
competency, culture and chemistry) to lead a group. personally involved. This can include meeting with individual members of the group, the
entire group, or acting as a mediator to facilitate a conflict situation. In these situations
Question: Is there only one leader in a group, or does leadership rotate? where direct involvement is necessary, the group director discerns when it is necessary to
There is only one leader of the group, but we encourage leaders to rotate the responsibility engage with our Care Ministry for further assistance. These instances may include seeking
of facilitating and hosting the group meeting. This builds up future leaders and helps all a counseling referral, guiding a member toward a support group environment, or seeking
group members take ownership for the group. benevolence assistance.

Question: How do husbands and wives lead together? Question: What is your process for handling “troubled” groups (i.e. a group that is

Couples are encouraged to complement each other in a community group the same way dying before it’s supposed to end)?
they would in their marriage. We see groups as a great place for everyone to exercise their The group director is responsible for working with the group leader to help him create a
spiritual gifts. predictable environment where the group participants experience authentic community
and spiritual growth. Part of this responsibility is being able to diagnose unhealthy
Question: How do you address men’s issues and women’s issues in the context of a circumstances that arise in a group and guide the leader through those situations. Each
married couples group? leader receives individualized instruction from their director based on their needs and the
We encourage men and women to separate as needed for prayer, sharing, and for studying needs of the group. Every effort is made to help make the group successful, but if all
a curriculum specific to their respective needs. attempts are unsuccessful, the director shepherds the leader through the process of early
multiplication.

pg. 38 pg. 39

Question: How do you get groups to multiply? • How is the leader doing personally? How are they growing in their relationship
We get groups to multiply by continually casting vision to our leaders, who in turn with Christ?
continually cast it to their groups. We also encourage leaders to identify and equip an • How is their group going? How are their group members experiencing growth in
apprentice. The apprentice will take half of the group and start a new group, while the their relationship with Christ? How are they creating a predictable environment
leader keeps the other half and starts another new group. around the six leader essentials?
• What are next steps that need to happen after this meeting?
Question: Do you recommend groups meet outside of their weekly meeting times?
Yes! We recommend groups have regularly scheduled planned interruptions. A planned Question: What is the average week in the life of a staff director like?
interruption can be a social event, a community service project, or even an overnight retreat. They average seven to nine meetings, including leader meetings, leader interviews, and
staff meetings. Approximately 15% of their time is spent in administrative duties such as
Question: How do you train your leaders? weekly reports, documenting meeting notes, scheduling meetings with leaders, and other
We offer our leaders multiple training opportunities: duties as assigned.
• Community Group Leader Orientation (CGLO): This training provides new
leaders with tools they will need for the ﬁrst six months of their group. We Question: Is there a website where other churches can learn more about North Point’s
also introduce new leaders to our six Essentials (Think Life Change, Cultivate philosophy and opportunities for small groups?
Relationships, Promote Participation, Replace Yourself, Provide Care, & Multiply We are constantly adding information to our website, but our most current information is
Inﬂuence). on www.insidenorthpoint.org/groups.
• Three One-on-One meetings (one per trimester each year): Directors meet with
each leader individually at least three times a year.
• One Fall S2 Training (annually): Directors gather leaders in groups of 50-75 for
skills training and shared learning at gatherings we call S2 (Skills development &
Shared learning.) Leaders are given a choice of several S2 dates.
• One Winter re:roup event (annually): A large training environment where group
leaders and apprentices gather together for worship, teaching (large-group and
workshops), and encouragement. This event occurs on one day (or evening) in
the fall.

Question: What is your process for keeping up with leader meetings (i.e. tracking
system for one-on-ones, etc.)?
Our directors use a personal information manager (PIM) on their computer to track
contact information about their leaders, schedule leader meetings, and record information
about those meetings for future reference. After meeting with a leader, the director records
the following information about the meeting in their PIM software:

pg. 40 pg. 41

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