New Leaders

Welcome new leaders! Dive into this insightful video with Pastor Darryl, our Groups Pastor, as he equips you with tips and strategies for launching your new group or to step into your leadership role with confidence.

We are thrilled to welcome you to the meaningful role of a small group leader at Centerpoint. As a leader, you play a crucial part in stewarding the responsibility God has given you to love and lead people to a life-changing connection with Christ. Your dedication and commitment to this role are essential in creating an environment where individuals can grow closer to God in life-changing community.

Here are some ways to equip and prepare you for this incredible journey:

1. Prepare With Prayer 

Keep your connect group in prayer from the weeks or days before your first meeting to seek God's guidance and invite His presence into every aspect of your group. Ask God to align your heart with His for the group and trust in His guidance. As you prepare with prayer, you acknowledge that God is the ultimate orchestrator of your group and its details.

2. Communicate  

Prior to your first meeting, reach out to group members. Share your excitement, expectations, and any important details about the upcoming meeting.

3. Welcome Group Members at the Door with Name Tags

At your first meeting, create a warm and inviting atmosphere by personally welcoming and greeting members at the door. Hand out name tags to facilitate learning each other's names, fostering connection from the start.

4. Seating

Arrange chairs or space for people to sit in a circle. This creates an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing and hearing each other.

5. Establish Group Ground Rules

During your first meeting, take the time to establish ground rules that will guide your group. Be sure to include the Purpose, Commitment, and Rules of Engagement to set clear expectations and create a safe and respectful space for growth.

Purpose: Share with your group the purpose of coming together—creating space for people to grow closer to God in life-changing community. Discuss what that looks like for your specific group setting.

Commitment: Discuss meeting logistics, study or sermon series details, and any potential schedule conflicts (i.e. holiday, Seek Night, retreat, etc.) refreshments, and food arrangements. This is a great opportunity to invite others to actively serve especially in areas that align with their abilities.

Rules of Engagement: Define how your group will interact with one another. Emphasize confidentiality and respect, ensuring a safe and supportive environment.

6. Be Mindful of Time

Respect everyone’s commitments by wrapping up the meeting 15 to 20 minutes before the official end time to allow for prayer and connection at the end.

7. Communicate Again

After the first meeting, express gratitude. Send a “thank you” or “great seeing you” text or email to everyone who attended. Reach out to those who signed up but couldn’t make it, letting them know they were missed and encouraging their participation in the next meeting.

8. Celebrate

Congratulations on hosting your first connect group! Take a moment to celebrate this achievement and the positive impact you're making within our church community. We appreciated your dedication to lead others to a life-changing connection with Christ.