Groups Leader Podcast

In this episode, Kurt Garceau and Jake Rosekopf talk through 9 practical tools to help you make discussion time easier so that everyone has the opportunity and feels comfortable enough to share.
EPISODE NOTES:
1) Put in the work.

• Prepare ahead of time, pray ahead of time, leave room for the Holy Spirit.

2) Set the tone.

Be honest and vulnerable as a leader and acknowledge you don’t have all the answers.

• It challenges group members to think and come up with answers.
• It takes the pressure off you. You don’t have to have all the answers.
• It creates a safe environment for people to share.

3) Don’t do all the talking.

• Don’t ask questions and then answer the questions first. Your goal is to have everyone feel comfortable enough to share.

4) Be comfortable with silence.

• If no one shares after 10 seconds ask a transitional question. “If you had to answer that question in one word, what would it be?” When someone shares, ask “Why did you pick that word?”, and conversation will start.

5) Steer the conversation back.

• “That is an interesting point. Help me tie it to our discussion."
• “Let’s circle back on that, but for now, what do you think about this or that?”
• “That was a great story, let’s get back on track here with this next question.”

6) Ask open-ended questions.

• “Why do you think the author said that?”
• “What are your thoughts?”
• “What comes to mind when you think about this?”
• “What are your thoughts about this particular subject/thought?”
• “Why?”

7) Invoke different responses.

• “Do we all feel the same way or does anyone have a different thought?”
• “Do you really agree with what the author is saying?”
• “If someone disagreed with our discussion, what do you think they might say?”

8) Involve everyone.

• “Not everyone has had a chance to share on this subject. Anyone else before we move on?”
• “What are your thoughts?”

9) Let them craft their own applications.

• “What will we do next because of this great discussion?”
• “How can put this into practice tomorrow?"
• “What are some things you are going to do differently?”

Idea: Write down what members share and ask them to report back the next week.

Check out our Vox Groups Leader Resource on RightNow Media for more practical tools to lead healthy, vibrant, growing Community Groups. https://app.rightnowmedia.org/.../interact.../863245/details

• If you don't have access to RightNow Media join today: https://app.rightnowmedia.org/join/VoxChurch
• Keep connected with other CGLs & Coaches by joining our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NHVCGLsCoaches

In this episode, Kurt Garceau, Jake Rosekopf, and Mickeve Regis talk about the importance of connection and community beyond the regular group gathering and offer many practical ideas to accomplish it.

EPISODE NOTES:
WHY should we focus on life together beyond the gathering?
- Follows the example of Jesus with his disciples.
- Creates family & satisfies the longing everyone has for community.
- Fosters greater authenticity inside gathering time.
- Encourages better attendance at the Community Group gathering.
- It’s a way to invite new people to join your group.
- Growth happens in the context of community.
HOW can we accomplish life together beyond the gathering?

1. COMMUNICATION

• Texts and Group Texts
• GroupMe
• WhatsApp
• Instagram
• Create a Facebook group
• Email chain

2. FELLOWSHIP

• Dinner out together
• Grill in the backyard and play outdoor games.
• Go to a sports game together, or watch a game at someone’s house.
• Host a game night.
• Go on walks/hikes together and include kids if applicable.
• Go boating together.
• Mini golf, frisbee golf, virtual golf, regular golf
• Trips - Camping trip, Beach trip, Mystic Trip, NYC trip, Boston Trip
• Celebrate milestones - birthdays, anniversaries, the birth of a child/grandchild, graduations, retirement, and baptisms.
• Meet for coffee at a local coffee shop.
• Go to a movie or watch a movie at someone’s house.
• Go out to lunch after church on Sunday.
• Celebrate holidays together – Examples: Christmas Party, Friendsgiving

3. SERVING TOGETHER

• Join a servant team and serve together at your campus.
• Outreach opportunities (listen to Episode #5 for ideas).
• Being there for each other in times of need, heartbreak.
• Reach out to members who are sick - Get well soon cards, texts, phone calls.

Check out our Vox Groups Leader Resource on RightNow Media for more practical tools to lead healthy, vibrant, growing Community Groups. https://app.rightnowmedia.org/.../interact.../863245/details

• If you don't have access to RightNow Media join today: https://app.rightnowmedia.org/join/VoxChurch
• Keep connected with other CGLs & Coaches by joining our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NHVCGLsCoaches

In this episode, Kurt Garceau, Jake Rosekopf, and Jermaine Sheppherd talk about some of the practical upsides and downsides of having a big Community Group, as well as tools and skills for Community Group Leaders to utilize to make sure their group is healthy, vibrant, and growing.
EPISODE NOTES:
Community Groups at Vox Church, on average, range from 5-20 people.
Upsides of a big Community Group:

1. Increased chances of connecting with someone who is like you.
2. Increase of different life experiences and perspectives so people can learn and grow more.
3. Increase of opportunity to do fun things with a big group.
4. Increase of opportunity to meet each other’s needs.
5. Increased opportunity to develop future group leaders.
6. Increased community between members outside of the group.

Downsides of a big Community Group:

1. Potential for a lack of space.
2. Potential for a lack of participation.
3. Potential for a lack of shepherding.
4. Potential for a lack of attendance.
5. Potential for a lack of childcare.

Practical Tools and Skills:

1. Subgroup - Start your group time together for fellowship, worship and if you have a video to show for the Bible Study. Then break into multiple groups (subgroups) during your discussion time. We suggest breaking up by gender and in groups of 8-10 for greater participation and deeper discussion. Make sure you have a sub-group leader prepared for discussion. (This is a great tool to actually find future group leaders) Come back together at the end of the discussion time and someone report from each group the highlights of their discussion. Pray to end the time together.
   
2. Multiply - Recruit more leaders to take on more leadership roles within the group, or develop another leader who can either launch his/her own group, or take a small part of the group and start a new one. Be proactive instead of reactive, and you'll never let your group become “too” big.
   
3. Split up responsibilities - What a great way to relieve the burden for a few people to do all the work required for a big group. This will create teamwork, a spirit of serving, and more committed group members who feel a part of the group.
   
4. Recognition/communication of the size of the group needs talked about every so often. This will give people an opportunity to speak up if they believe the group is getting bigger than they are comfortable with. There are options! (Subgroup, multiply)

Check out our Vox Groups Leader Resource on RightNow Media for more practical tools to lead healthy, vibrant, growing Community Groups. https://app.rightnowmedia.org/.../interact.../863245/details

• If you don't have access to RightNow Media join today: https://app.rightnowmedia.org/join/VoxChurch
• Keep connected with other CGLs & Coaches by joining our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NHVCGLsCoaches

Join us in this episode as we welcome our guest, Lauren Roy, the Global Mission Director at Vox. Tune in to hear an engaging discussion on the latest updates regarding upcoming trips and discover practical ways for community group leaders to join in prayer and support this impactful ministry's mission to come alongside our partners in 2024.
Episode Notes: Practical ways you as a leader can partner with Global Missions:
Partner in Prayer:

Global Missions Prayer Needs:

1. Church Planting & Theological Training
   For Rog & Deb YWAM
   Pray for someone to help pioneer an apprenticeship program
   in the coming months.
   For Advancing Native Missions
   Pray for a deepening faith of church elders and leaders in
   Africa so they, in turn, can teach believers to know Jesus and
   grow in him.
2. Least Access to the Gospel
   For David & Monica - Turkey
   Pray for local leaders within the church to step into
   leadership, care, and discipleship roles within the church.
   Pray for revival to sweep through Fethiye.
   Pray for God’s favor and provision to allow for the purchase
   of a building that would increase the church's space to grow.
3. Women & Children
   For Love 146 - Philippines
   Pray children are reached with prevention education and
   protected from trafficking.
   Pray for discernment, wisdom, and strength for staff carrying
   daily heavy stories and situations.
   Pray for heart change and repentance for traffickers.
   For Rise + Shine - India
   Pray for on-the-ground teams to receive wisdom and
   discernment as they navigate escalating persecution in India
   alongside 1,800 pastors in the field.
4. Extreme Poverty
   For World Relief
   Pray for health in places like Malawi & Burundi where
   communities have been grappling with the resurgence of
   Cholera. May they have the funds and support needed to
   respond to and prevent outbreaks through hygiene, water,
   and sanitation solutions
5. Arena of Ideas
   For Hope International
   Pray for the work of Hope International in Burundi. Pray that
   God would continue to grow their savings groups and that
   people would come to know God through the opportunities
   to learn about financial stewardship.

Recruit a Missions Champion to intentionally keep needs in the forefront.

• One time a month pray for these needs for 10 minutes with your group.
• Create a care package for one of our partners

Check out our Vox Groups Leader Resource on RightNow Media for more practical tools to lead healthy, vibrant, growing Community Groups. https://app.rightnowmedia.org/.../interact.../863245/details

• If you don't have access to RightNow Media join today: https://app.rightnowmedia.org/join/VoxChurch
• Keep connected with other CGLs & Coaches by joining our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NHVCGLsCoaches

In this episode, Kurt Garceau and Jake Rosekopf talk through 7 practical tools to lead a dominant personality and ultimately your group with grace and truth, in love.
EPISODE NOTES:
1) Pray for wisdom and words! (James 1:5, Colossians 4:6)

Pray for wisdom and for the right words and trust God to give them generously.
2) Set the stage.

• “Hey guys, before we begin, I just want to remind everyone that we want to make sure everyone has a chance to talk tonight, so let’s give everyone an opportunity.”

3) Manage Eye Contact.
Dominant personalities often associate eye contact from the discussion leader as a green light to talk.
4) Call on a specific person to share their thoughts first.

• “John, what do you think about this one?”
• “Let’s hear from one of the guys/ladies (opposite gender of dominator) on this one.”

5) Steer the conversation.

• “That's a really good point."

Immediately turn to the group, and say:

• "What do you all think?"
• “Do other people have an opinion on this?”
• “Who haven’t we heard from?”
• “Does anyone have an alternative view?”
• “Let’s see if anyone else has something to add here."

6) Use something they’ve said as a turning point and spin it positively.

• “John, I like how you patiently dealt with your difficult manager at work. Has anyone else experienced that?”

7) Give a silence time limit.

• “I realize it takes people time to think when a question is asked. To make sure everyone gets a chance to engage with our discussion, let’s wait 5 seconds before we answer this one.”

Then call on someone specific by name...

• “John, are you ready to answer?” If John is not, ask the next person.

What do you do if you have tried these methods and the problem continues....

1) Pray again! Ask God to help you see them as He does. Ask Him for wisdom and words and for the person to receive correction with humility.

2) Reach out to your Coach or your Campus Community Group Director for prayer/advice.

3) Meditate for a few days on Ephesians 4:2-3.

4) Ask to talk to the person outside of group time. Never confront the person during group time.

5) At the meeting:

• Affirm them in what they do contribute.
• Ask permission to bring up your other observations.
• Remind them that the goal of the group is to give everyone a chance to share. Share that you perceive they are dominating the conversation and remind them that they will be blessed by listening to others as well.
• Put them on a mission. Invite them to help in getting some of the other people in

Check out our Vox Groups Leader Resource on RightNow Media for more practical tools to lead healthy, vibrant, growing Community Groups. https://app.rightnowmedia.org/.../interact.../863245/details

• If you don't have access to RightNow Media join today: https://app.rightnowmedia.org/join/VoxChurch
• Keep connected with other CGLs & Coaches by joining our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NHVCGLsCoaches