Southern Hills Church of Christ
Friday, September 10, 2010

Groups FAQs

Why do we need Groups at Southern Hills?
To help us honor our vision to be God’s Community Front Porch: inviting, including and involving people in the life of Jesus, Groups will help us:
  • provide people with a clear path from being invited to being included in the life of Jesus at Southern Hills.  Groups will provide opportunities for new and existing members to find inclusion.
  • provide a better network of assured care at Southern Hills.  Things like visiting members in the hospital, preparing meals and extending encouragement will happen within Groups..
What qualifies as a Group at Southern Hills?
A Group is a collection of people who provide each other with inclusion and care.  Click here to watch a short video that explains what makes a Group.
 
When will Groups meet?  Does my Group have to meet at a particular time?
Southern Hills has identified Sunday nights as our time for Groups.  However, each Group may decide the best day and time to meet.

Where are Groups supposed to meet?
Groups will ideally take place where life happens - in homes, around a bunco table, at a park, at the church building, or wherever the Group determines.

What is my Group supposed to do when we come together?
Each Group is empowered to do whatever best facilitates inclusion and care among the members.  This could be Bible study, service, recreation or other possibilities.

What is the recommendation of the best size for a Group?
Most people who study group dynamics suggest the best size is around 13.  However, each Group will determine what size will allow them to provide inclusion and care for each member.

What about children?  teens?
We encourage children and teens to be part of their parents’ Group.  This will provide opportunities for children to connect to the faith of their parents and other adults in a purposeful environment.  Click here to read additional information and ideas about Groups and families.

How do campus ministry LifeGroups fit in?
Campus ministry is already effectively using LifeGroups to provide inclusion and care for its members.  LifeGroups will continue as usual as part of Southern Hills Groups.

What will happen to Sundown? 
Those who attend Sundown (our Sunday night gathering which takes place at 5 p.m. in the Chapel) will become a Group.  The format of Sundown will remain the same - 40 minutes of Bible teaching and 20 minutes of worship centered around communion.  There will also be emphasis on including and caring for those who attend Sundown.

If I’m already in a small group, do I have to quit?  Are we doing away with shepherding groups?
No and no.  Existing small groups and shepherding groups that are functioning effectively will be encouraged to continue as they are.  Southern Hills leaders would like to provide those groups with support in the form of resources, encouragement and coaching.

What is the Groups Test Drive? 
The Groups Test Drive is a six-week opportunity from September 27 through November 1 during which no other Sunday night programming will take place.  The Groups Test Drive is designed to encourage every Southern Hills member to sample what Groups can accomplish in providing a greater sense of inclusion and care.

What training/materials are Groups being supplied with?  Does my Group have to study the material in the provided packet?
During the Groups Test Drive, a DVD series entitled “Handle With Prayer,” taught by Rick Atchley, will be provided to Groups wanting Bible study material.  Groups are not required to use the material.

How will Groups be formed?  What if someone doesn’t get invited into a Group?
Prior to Test Drive, on September 6 and 13, Group leaders will identify themselves.  Group leaders will be largely responsible for forming their Groups.  Groups will form September 13-27 through personal connections, online sign ups and calls to the church office. 

Who is on the Groups leadership team?  How do I contact them?
Vann Conwell, JoAnn Evans, Mary Haines, Amanda Pittman, Mark Viertel.  Email groups@southernhillschurch.org.

Are there qualifications for Group leaders?  How do I become a Group leader?
Group leaders will be required to do three things:
  • assemble a Group around them.
  • receive basic training on group fundamentals.
  • engage in on-going support with their Group coach.
Opportunities will be given for anyone wishing to be a Group leader to identify themselves on September 6 and 13.

What does the coaching process look like?  How will it be carried forward?
Coaches are members of the Southern Hills ministerial team, who will provide encouragement, support and access to resources to every Group leader.  Leaders of new Groups will receive personal contact from their coach within the first three weeks of Test Drive and on-going support after Test Drive.  Leaders of existing Groups will be contacted by their coach at least once every 60 days.

After the Test Drive ends, what happens to my Group?  What if I my Group is not a good fit for me?
Ideally, each Group formed during Test Drive will continue to meet beyond the six-week period, providing on-going inclusion and care.  We realize some members of some Groups will not make a lasting connection, and will choose not to continue with their Group.  A few Groups may decide not to continue after Test Drive.  After Test Drive, we will give priority to incorporating new members into existing Groups.  In addition, another Test Drive will take place in the spring.

What happens to other Sunday night programs after the Test Drive?
Sundown will continue every Sunday night at 5 p.m. and will finish in time for Groups to meet.  Our elders have determined that Sunday nights at Southern Hills will be primarily set aside for Groups.  However, some special events may take place on Sunday nights after Test Drive.

What role will our elders play in Groups?
Our elders support Groups as a vital part of the realization of our vision.  We anticipate our elders participating in or leading a Group like any other Southern Hills member.

Do Groups have to be open to new members?  Is a “closed” Group acceptable?
Groups will be locked for the six week Test Drive period, in order to provide Groups the best chance to gel and achieve momentum.  After Test Drive, we will give priority to incorporating new members into existing Groups.  In addition, another Test Drive will take place in the spring.
We hope all Groups will be open to the possibilities of receiving new members after Test Drive.  However, we realize each Group will be unique, and we will defer to each Group to determine their ability to include and care for new members.

Are Groups for Southern Hills members only?
Absolutely not.  We want our Groups to be open to anyone God might put in our path.  We encourage each Group to invite, include and care for people we encounter everyday.