Community Group Leader Behaviors
As a Group Leader, you hold a position of influence. Your group members will look to you as a role model, observing your words and actions. This is a significant and valuable responsibility, but it also means that your lifestyle should align with the values you represent within the group. Consistency between your leadership role and your daily life is essential.
We want to address three specific areas of concern: sexual relationships, substance use, and social media conduct. We want to ensure you are comfortable with our expectations in these areas and avoid placing you in a position that conflicts with your personal convictions. Most importantly, we aim to support and encourage you if any of these areas present challenges.
For the benefit of our ministry and your personal integrity, here are the expectations we ask Group Leaders to uphold and model:
Regarding Sexual Behavior
We believe that sex was created by God as an expression of intimacy between a man and a woman within the context of marriage. Volunteers who embrace lifestyles and behaviors that conflict with this belief will eventually find themselves having to pretend to be something they are not or believe something they don’t. In an effort to protect you from a potentially awkward situation, we ask that you not volunteer as a Group Leader at this time if:
You are involved in a sexual relationship and are not married.
You are pursuing a same-sex relationship.
You are married and are currently involved in a sexual relationship outside of your marriage.
In the spirit of being a good role model, if you are single and living alone with a non-family member of the opposite sex, we ask that you not volunteer as a Group Leader at this time.
Regarding Substance Behavior
If you have a history of alcohol or drug abuse, this might be something God uses in a positive way to steer others in a different direction. If you feel this is part of your message, and perhaps part of your motivation for wanting to get involved in Groups leadership, we would love to talk with you further. While we might disagree with the timing of your involvement, we don’t want to miss an opportunity to partner with what God is up to in your life. We ask that you not volunteer as a Group Leader at this time if one of the following things is true:
You have been arrested or convicted of an alcohol or drug-related offense in the past twelve months.
You are currently being treated for active alcohol or drug abuse.
You have used any illegal substance during the past twelve months.
If consuming alcohol to the point of being unable to drive or to the point of it being illegal for you to drive yourself home is a part of your life.
Regarding Social Media Behavior
The people in your group will visit and follow you on social media. While social media can be a great connection tool, it also serves as a window into your life. In light of that, we ask that you leverage social media with your group members in mind. We realize this is a judgment call.
Care for the flock God has entrusted to you. 1 Peter 5:2-3