We're Moving to the City

We are packing up our bags and moving all of the small groups leaders at Grace to "the City."  There is a new group on the City named "Small Group Leaders."  From here out it will be the new gathering place where we will find resources, training, ideas, announcements, and conversations for anyone and everyone that leads a small group at Grace.  It is open for all Leaders, Co-Leaders and Apprentices from every ministry including Children, Youth, Men Alive, Women's Connections, Starting Point, Foundations, and Grace Groups.  

Small Group Leaders will become place for some new online training that we will roll out next year.  It will be the place to learn about new curriculum, to post a prayer request, tell a story about your group, get answers to about group issues. It will also be where we will post all important information and announcements for all group leaders. I am hoping that we will see many conversations in this new forum and that this will become a place where we can learn from each other.

So come on over, join in, post an idea, tell us how your group is doing.  If you are on the City, then just search for Small Group Leaders and hit join.  If you are not on the City yet, this link will get you started.  If I can answer any questions for you about the City, just ask.  Soon we will be posting some stories about how group leaders are using the City for their group.  See you on the City.

Orphan Sunday

Orphan Sunday is this weekend, and it is another great opportunity for your group to learn together. James 1:27 says that "Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you."  Caring for the orphans looks different for every believer, but clearly it should play some part in every believer's life. Come out to the Grace Place at 5pm on Sunday and learn more about what is going on around the world and in our own backyard.  We will hear about adoption, social justice, and everything in between.  Don't miss this day being observed in churches around the world.  Also check out http://marylandorphansunday.org/ . See you there.

Join all of our groups on the City

Many of our small group leaders have accepted their invitations and got their small group up and running on the City.  They have invited their whole group in and are using all the tools available for their group.  The feedback has been incredibly positive. The stories are already coming back to us about how the groups are using the City and how helpful it has been for their group.

If you are not on the City yet and you would like some help; or if you are on, but you are stuck at some point in getting your group on and using the tools...

We are going to have a kiosk at the GroupLife table with a City 'expert' for the next couple of Sundays who can answer any questions and walk you step by step through any issues or concerns. Please come on by and ask any questions you might have about the City.  We hope to have all of our small groups on the City before we roll it out to the rest of the church in a couple of weeks.

Bring Your Group

I just wanted to make sure everyone knows about the Prayer Workshop Event coming up on Sunday Night, October 30th, 6:00-8:30pm.  This is tailored made for you to bring your group and really explore what the next step in the prayer life of each individual and the group might be.  I didn't want you or your group to miss out on this "Going Deeper" opportunity.

David Shive will lead us through an evening of teaching and very practical activities that will help us connect to the true meaning of prayer.  You will learn how your "conversations" with God can bring you into a much closer relationship with Him, and explore what true Biblical prayer looks like.  Bring your whole group if you can.  You will not regret the extra effort.  I hope to see you there.

Growing?

How is everyone doing in your small group? Really? In an honest evaluation, would you say each individual is whole heartedly pursuing their relationship with Jesus? Are they closer, more connected, more intimate with God than six months ago? Would you like some help in creating the best environment for that to occur in your group? This Saturday, group leaders will meet for our workshop Leader Training 201. Maybe you've taken this before (it is even more helpful the second time.) Maybe this would be your first time. (We ask all leaders to take this workshop.) Either way, it is a great way to get your group on track and learn how to create the perfect environment for spiritual growth to occur. Do not miss out on this opportunity. Bring someone from your group along. Register by sending an email to training@gracegroups.net . Saturday, October 22nd, 8:30am-12:30pm at Grace.

Sunday Night & the City

Hi Group Leaders - Two Quick Things

1.  Last Reminder for our Fall Leader Gathering this Sunday, 5-7pm.  Please come out and be with us. It is a great time to meet some other group leaders and sharpen your group skills.  If you are a Sunday group, you can ask someone in your group to take the helm for just this week so that you can attend this gathering.  A couple of Sunday groups have asked if they can bring their group along.  Sure you can.  The more, the healthier.  Just drop us an email to let us know your whole group is coming.  We will have some finger foods for snacks.

2. As a group leader you are about to be invited on to the City.  You have heard us talking about it on Sundays, now it is open to your group.  This is going to be a great place for us to grow closer as a church even as we are getting bigger.  The City has a boatload of benefits that you will learn about as we move forward.  I am really looking forward to how this will help our groups grow deeper and become healthier.

Come on in and get ready to invite and encourage your whole group to join you on the City.  I will send you an invitation separately that will get you into your small group on the City.  Once you are there, send me (Michael Moore) a message and I will make you the LEADER of your group. Then you can invite everyone in and begin to enjoy all of the benefits.  Please make sure your personal profile is complete including a picture and change your group description (not the Name) for your group. Check out this link to get all you need to get started as a group leader on the City.

http://www.gracegroups.net/leadtheCity.html  

We will talk more about the City Sunday Night and have an opportunity for you to get your questions answered.  See you there.

Fall 2011 GroupLife Leader Gathering

Twice a year, as a part of our ongoing training for small group leaders, we gather to sharpen or skills and learn how to be better group facilitators. I am always looking for opportunities to learn from other leaders and get better at facilitating my group. This is the place to do that. Our Fall Gathering for Small Group Leaders is on Sunday, October 9th, 5:00-7:00pm. If you have any part in facilitating a small group at Grace please set aside this time to be encouraged, be trained, meet other leaders, and learn from Mark Norman. We also will be some of the first at Grace to get on to the City. I am hoping every small group leader will invest in the health of their group by being a part of this important event.  Remember, 
"It Takes Healthy Groups to Make a Healthy Church."