Connect Groups are one of the main ways we accomplish the vision at The Church International. Getting plugged in will allow you to fellowship with other believers and grow in the faith.
View TCI HomepageThis orientation is designed to communicate the importance of God’s plan for us to grow together as a community of believers.
We believe God designed us to do life with others, and He uses those relationships with others, so that we can experience spiritual growth.
During this orientation you will gain an understanding of “why” and “how” we do Connect Groups at The Church International and about your role as a leader. Our heart is to see all grow and thrive as we each commit, serve, give, then receive.
As we begin the orientation, pray and ask the Lord to speak about how you can make a difference in the lives of people looking to connect to Christ and others.
We look forward to hearing stories of how God is radically transforming and changing lives because of your willingness to be used by Him!
We are praying for you!
We do Connect Groups because it is the heartbeat of our church! This is where life change happens. Our relationship to Christ isn’t just an experience that happens on the weekend, but in our jobs, with our families, and with our friends. Church is the place where we can all gather together to serve as one body and be the beacon of hope in our community. But in order to take our next steps, it is crucial that we attend a Connect Group because without a community of people to help keep you accountable, to pick you up when you’re down, and to celebrate with you in your best times, life can get lonely! Jesus also had a small group of people that he connected with, therefore we need to. We must be big to reach the corners of the world, but small in order to reach the corners of our neighborhoods and communities.
The Vision:
The vision for every Connect Group is for us to grow in our relationship with Christ and one another. This means that a successful group is not defined by how many people attend, but by whether the group supports the spiritual growth of every member.
As a leader how you lead is by keeping these four simple, but very essential things at the forefront of your mind. This is the expectation of ALL group leaders at The Church International because we want only the best for anyone who attends a cGroup.
Pray for your Connect Group!
• Consistently and daily lift up the needs and the people of the group.
• Prayer is the primary way you care for your group.
• Pray God will speak to those in the group.
• Pray He will help you identify and support the spiritual steps of everyone in your group.
Prepare for your Connect Group!
• Your role as leader is to facilitate conversations and model encouragement and support for the people in the group.
• Create a life-giving environment.
• Review your curriculum/devotional/notes before the group meets (it shows you have been praying and thinking about the group).
• Keep a clean social media presence.
• If you host an onsite group, you will be responsible for the convenient details you desire (ie. tablecloth, water, coffee, snacks…) and all cleanup. Our campuses are used daily so this will tremendously help our staff and other Dream Team members coming behind you.
• Reach out and invite people to your Connect Group. Some people will take initiative and signup on the website while others need that individual invitation.
Provide care for your Connect Group!
• Keep close contact with your group through texts and calls.
• Create a “safe zone” for members by reminding all that conversations stay solely in the group.
• Should a life-changing event or crisis come up during the semester, the Pastoral Care Team will partner with the Connect Group leader and together, they will meet the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of the person in need -- simply let your Connect Group Coach know and contact the Pastoral Care Team.
• Never hesitate to reach out to us if you need help problem-solving!
PARTICIPATE on the Connect Group Team!
• Attend Connect Group Leader Gatherings.
• Respond to any communication from your Connect Group Coach in a timely manner.
• Use the texting app Discord for unity, testimonies, and communication with other cGroup Leaders.
• Keep the Connect Group Team informed by reporting after each Connect Group:
- Go to tci.fm
- Scroll to the bottom of the page and click “FORMS” located in the black bar.
- Scroll down and choose “Connect Group Reporting.”
If you need to make any changes to your group details, please inform your Connect Group Coach AND email Sarai Kahl at sarai@thechurch.fm. She will make adjustments on the website for you.
Just as we encourage group members not to do life alone, we do not lead alone!
At The Church International, we provide a structure to support and connect group leaders as life changes happen and needs arise. Let’s take a look at how every group is supported!
We want to provide an environment of comfort for you to lead without making you feel alone. This is why we are here -- to enable those in the community to do ministry and make ministering to others easy and enjoyable. We are also here to help provide accountability so that our attendees are properly handled and taken care of from the time they walk through the doors!
Every cGroup has an assigned Connect Group Coach who will provide dedicated ministerial leadership to address specific needs. The Connect Group Coach provides spiritual leadership and is there to help with anything you may need. They may also pop in and visit your cGroup if they are available!
TCI Connect Groups operate in a “free market” system. This means that we do not have a church wide curriculum that all Connect Groups must follow, we want you to do the things that God has gifted you to do while sharing the love of Christ! In the case that you may need/want guidance, we have a great list of resources available for you! We believe the Lord connects us through all stages and walks of life. Our groups range from curriculum-based studies to activity-based groups, and in all sizes and types. We do Connect Groups because it is the heartbeat of our church!
Groups meet year-round taking breaks as needed, but remain in close communication. We believe and have seen that a consistent schedule is key! Some groups meet weekly, some bi-weekly, and some monthly; this is category specific and your Connect Group Coach can advise you on this. During break periods some groups schedule 1-2 fun outings together to stay connected. Also, we do ask for you to not meet as a Connect Group the week of Reign Women (if you have a women’s group) or Real Men (if you have a men’s group) but encourage your group to attend the service instead and invite your group to sit with you.
Connect Group leaders must:
• Love Christ and His people.
• Have a healthy spiritual walk as a model to those in their group.
• Complete Connect Track and TCI Leadership Course.
• Currently attend a Connect Group or faithfully serve on a Dream Team.
• Submit a signed Commitment Letter.
• Participate in two serve days a year put on by the church with your cGroup.
• Complete the Connect Group Leader interview.
As a Connect Group Leader, you are considered an essential pillar of the church. Therefore, it is important you desire to present a Christ-like example that ensures the safety of minors and adults you may be trusted to shepherd.
As a Connect Group leader, you will be viewed by those in your group as a pillar in the church. As such, we ask that you make a commitment to demonstrate Biblical standards as you lead. Please review The Church International Commitment Letter.
The Church International Commitment Letter:
I commit to be a world changer for the glory of our heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I commit to believe in the Apostles Creed. We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and He will come to judge the living and the dead. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the universal Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
I commit to practice spiritual disciplines.
I commit to the local church and universal church.
I commit to serve in the Lord Jesus Christ’s kingdom.
I commit to support the Lord Jesus Christ’s kingdom by giving to the mission of Elohim to see people saved, discipled, and the poor and the hurting helped.
I open my life to receive the abundance of Elohim’s promises in my life to have life and life more abundant.
I commit to lead by The Way of the Shepherd.
