Group Leader Resources

Community Group Leader Role Descriptions

  • Community Group Leader

    Position: Community Group Leader
    Accountable to: Scott Shockley – Pastor of Community Life
    Support from: Scott Shockley, or 203.796.7373 ext. 111

    At the center of the Gospel message is a story of God’s love, mercy and grace. The reality of this message is best lived out in our lives and in committed Christ-centered community. As recorded in John 13:35, Jesus said it is by seeing the love of Christ-followers in action, that people will truly see Christ. Imagine what would happen if thousands of Christ-followers began to share and live life more intentionally together. As a growing church in New England, we sense that God is inviting us to partner with Him in making a mighty impact in this region for His glory. We believe a key component to this is Community Groups.

    Position Overview

    “It was [Christ] who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:10-14

    The Community Group (CG) Leader’s responsibility is to shepherd and empower a geographically based community of Christ-followers to pray, love, give and live in their everyday lives. Community Groups are team based in their leadership structure. By the CG leader encouraging, supporting, empowering and praying for the Community Group’s Core Leadership Team, the CG leader helps create an environment where individuals and families grow in Jesus, become part of a family, are cared for, and challenged/encouraged to change their world. By keeping a “30,000-foot view” of the group, the CG leader is able to help maintain the “big picture” vision while serving as a pastoral leader– one who guides, encourages, blesses, loves and seeks to unify the community in Christ.

    Specific Responsibilities

    ASSEMBLE: The CG Leader’s first responsibility is to pull together a geographically based Core Leadership Team consisting of Host, Care Coordinator, Discipleship Leader, Prayer Leader, Church in Action Leader, New Believer Coach, and Emerging Generations Coordinator. Role descriptions are provided as a means of helping one identify potential leaders as well as discuss the specific responsibilities involved in a leadership role. Support and assistance is provided by Scott Shockley, Pastor of Community Life. The CG Leader should call together the Core Leadership team periodically (every 6-8 weeks) to pray and discuss the health of the CG.

    EMPOWER: The CG Leader’s role is to empower, encourage, and become a champion for each Core leader as they seek to minister in their area of responsibility. In addition to the required training for each Core leadership role, they encourage each leader to stay well connected with their staff/church link.

    SHEPHERD: A shepherd is one who guides, loves and watches out for a group of people.

    • Guide: The CG leader’s responsibility is to keep the Community Group focused on Christ and His call for our lives. At Walnut Hill, our vision/mission is “In Jesus, Called Together, Being Transformed, and Changing Our World.” This simple and yet powerful biblically based charge, sets the stage for a balanced community – one that seeks a deep relationship with Jesus and one another, while growing personally and allowing Christ’s love in us to impact the world. It is the CG leader’s responsibility to watch that the Community Group is staying centered. The action verbs praying, loving, giving, and living serve as pillars or values to our church and each Community Group.
    • Love: Although each Community Group has a Care Coordinator, the CG leader still plays a powerful part in helping to create a loving community. Whereas the Care Coordinator is intimately involved in the details of member’s lives, the CG leader invests in the Core leadership team and, as led, offers kind words and encouragement to those in the group. One can never underestimate the power behind a kind word from a leader.
    • Protect: As we read in Scripture (Romans 16:17, 1 Timothy 1:3-4, 2 Peter 2:1-3), a community of Christ followers should always be aware of individuals or situations which could cause the body of Christ harm or division. The CG leader is responsible for keeping an eye out and addressing these situations in the love of Christ. Please contact Scott Shockley for counsel and support in this area.

    LEAD: One of the ways that the Community Group leader provides spiritual direction to the group is by setting the agenda and acting as an “MC” at the twice a month Community Group gatherings. During the CG leader training, one example of what a flow for a gathering could look like will be studied together. By acting as MC, the CG leader helps ensure that the group is staying focused and that Core Leaders are being given opportunity to minister. The CG leader can also underline key points, and action items. Before the twice a month Community Group meetings, it is suggested that the CG leader touch base with the group’s Core leadership to find out what is on their hearts and what they would like to accomplish in their areas at the upcoming meeting.

    CHAMPION: Walnut Hill recognizes the unique distinctives of men and women and is committed to supporting and encouraging each one on their journey with Christ. The role of the CG Leader is to be a champion for key Men’s and Women’s events throughout the year. For example, the CG Leader should encourage the women to all attend the Advent Breakfast together and similar events; and all the men to attend the quarterly breakfasts together. More information is available in the CG Leader training.

    Support/Encouragement/Equipping

    • Initial Community Group Leader training provided
    • Interaction with the other members of the Community Group Core Team
    • Scott Shockley is available for specific questions
    • Periodic Community Group leadership training and other Walnut Hill sponsored events as they are made available. These will be times for encouragement/sharing, vision casting, on-going training and prayer.

    Commitment

    The Community Group Leader commits to serve for at least one year. Natural discussions will periodically take place between Scott Shockley and the Community Group Leader regarding how the role is going and if they feel comfortable with the ministry position. As the CG leader is a significant leader in a community, we ask that a leader reaches out to Scott for discussion months before they would consider ending the role.

    Qualification, Gifts, Strengths

    • Strong, growing and unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ
    • Active member of Walnut Hill Community Church or proceeding through the membership process
    • Spiritual gift of leadership
    • Team player

  • Discipleship Leader

    Position: Discipleship Leader
    Accountable to: Community Group Leader
    Support from: Scott Shockley, or 203.796.7373 ext. 111

    At Walnut Hill, we recognize that “In Jesus, we are called together, being transformed and changing our world.” We desire to grow in our relationship with God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - and can testify that as we surrender our lives to Jesus and seek to follow Him each day, God is making us more like His Son and working through us to impact the world.

    Position Overview

    “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that all God’s people may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

    Working with the Walnut Hill Discipleship team, the Discipleship Leader is responsible for leading, facilitating, and/or coordinating the teaching and discussion times at Community Group meetings. The aim of these teaching/discussion segments will be to dive further into church themes being taught at weekend services so that Community Group members can: 1) Apply lessons learned to their lives and 2) Grow in knowledge of the Scripture.

    Specific Responsibilities

    • GOING DEEPER CLASS: We believe that the lessons being taught during our weekend services are vital to the spiritual growth of the church. However, just hearing a lesson does not guarantee life change or personal application. An exciting and important part of Community Groups is that all groups will be staying in sync with each other by studying and diving more deeply into sermon series themes. To make this possible there is a “Going Deeper” class twice a month on Sunday mornings at 9:30am. It is required that whoever will be leading the next teaching/discussion segment at a Community Group attend this class. Here, Discipleship Leaders will gather to get on the same page with key themes, receive helpful resources, learn from one another, and take part in an interactive teaching session to prepare for teaching at their group. In addition to Discipleship Leaders, this class is open for anyone who would like to attend.
    • TEACH / FACILITATE: The primary role of the Discipleship Leader is to lead the teaching/discussion segment at the twice a month Community Group gatherings. Community Groups will adopt a “50/50” approach to teaching and discussion. Within the 30-35 minute teaching/discussion segment, half the time should be spent teaching and half the time should be spent in discussion. The Discipleship Leader training sessions will discuss this in more detail.
    • COORDINATE: Although the Discipleship Leader is responsible for leading the teaching/discussion segment during the twice a month Community Group meetings, we recognize that it is likely that the Discipleship Leader will have to miss a gathering or “Going Deeper” class at some point. In this situation, it is the Discipleship Leader’s responsibility to find someone to attend the “Going Deeper” class and lead the teaching/discussion segment. It is therefore encouraged to develop a small team of individuals ahead of time who would be prepared to teach and facilitate conversation. A Discipleship Leader may choose to share the role of teaching and facilitating by alternating with others, etc. However, it is important to note that the Discipleship Leader is responsible for maintaining excellence in this area and accountable to the Community Group Leader to do so.
    • Attend Community Group Core Leadership meetings (Once every 6-8 weeks as determined by your Community Group Leader) and specific training sessions as provided.

    Support/Encouragement/Equipping

    • Initial Discipleship Leader training provided by the Discipleship Team
    • Interaction with the Community Group Leader and other members of the Community Group Core Team
    • Pastor Scott Shockley is available for specific questions
    • Periodic Community Group leadership training and other Walnut Hill sponsored events as they are made available. These will be times for encouragement/sharing, vision casting, on-going training and prayer.

    Commitment

    The Discipleship Leader and all Core Leadership members commit to serve for one year. A natural discussion will take place between the Community Group Leader and each Core Leader after three months to talk about how the role is going and if they feel comfortable with the ministry position. Another conversation will take place around ten months to determine whether a person desires to continue in the role beyond a year.

    Qualification, Gifts, Strengths

    • Strong, growing and unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ
    • Active member of Walnut Hill Community Church or proceeding through the membership process
    • Spiritual gift of teaching
    • Team player

  • Care Coordinator

    Position: Care Coordinator
    Accountable to: Community Group Leader
    Support from: Pastor Paul Cathcart and selected Care Partners, care@walnuthillcc.org or 203.796.7373

    Position Overview

    “And this is [Christ’s] command: to believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us.” 1 John 3:23

    At Walnut Hill, we commit to share life through relationships – developing, encouraging, and serving one another within the body of Christ wherever we are placed. The Care Coordinator’s responsibility is to see that members of the Community Group are ministered to by other members when they have needs or are experiencing illness, loss or trials. The Care Coordinator’s role is to encourage and empower the Community Group to live out “loving one another” as a core value of the community.

    Specific Responsibilities

    • Support the Community Group by being the contact person for needs within the community
    • Arrange for meals, child care, transportation or any other support when a specific need arises within the Community Group
    • Notify the Pastor of Care if any group member is hospitalized or there is a significant event or issue involving a Community Group member
    • Function as liaison between the Community Group and Pastoral Care ministries as needed (Good Sense, Married Life, 12 Steps, etc.)
    • Complete Care Activity report and forward to the Ministries team administrator for data entry into the Care Registry database (for hospital visits & meals)
    • Attend Community Group Core Leadership meetings (once every 6-8 weeks as determined by your Community Group Leader) and specific training sessions as provided

    Support/Encouragement/Equipping

    • Initial Care Coordinator training provided by the Pastoral Care ministry
    • Interaction with the Community Group Leader and other members of the Community Group Core Team
    • Pastor Paul Cathcart and the Pastoral Care Ministry are available for specific questions
    • Periodic Community Group leadership training and other Walnut Hill sponsored events as they are made available. These will be times for encouragement/sharing, vision casting, on-going training and prayer

    Commitment

    The Care Coordinator and all Core Leadership members commit to serve for one year. A natural discussion will take place between the Community Group Leader and each Core Leader after three months to talk about how the role is going and if they feel comfortable with the ministry position. Another conversation will take place at around ten months to determine whether a person desires to continue in the role.

    Qualification, Gifts, Strengths

    • Strong, growing and unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ
    • Active member of Walnut Hill Community Church or proceeding through the membership process
    • Spiritual gift of teaching
    • Team player

  • Church in Action Leader

    Position: Church in Action Leader
    Accountable to: Community Group Leader
    Support from: Vicky Calver, Pastor of Evangelism & Outreach

    Position Overview

    “You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Mathew 5:14a, 16b

    “…faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2:17b

    We seek to be a Church in Action. We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our everyday lives, together in our community and standing with the church around the world as they do the same. The Church in Action Leader’s responsibility is to be an advocate, voice, and cheerleader for the area of evangelism (with New Believer Coach), community engagement and global mission - helping to ensure that the value of “Living in the World” is a core component realized in the community.

    Specific Responsibilities

    • Ensure that the Community Group is regularly involved in serving others. This may take the form of serving people in your local area (based on guiding principles and values to be discussed during training) and engaging in activities organized corporately as a church. Please regularly share with Vicky Calver the kinds of activities in which you are engaged.
    • The Church in Action team is identifying a number of God-sized kingdom assignments both here and around the world which need our prayer. By choosing one or more and committing to stand with those we support, your Community Group has the opportunity of being part of something bigger then yourselves. Information and updates will be available soon. Work with your group to choose one or more areas, encourage regular prayer and keep your group updated with what’s happening. You may even feel led to send notes of encouragement.
    • Encourage the group to get involved in Church in Action activities such as receiving the Church in Action email, participating in Church in Action weekends, and service opportunities.
    • In coordination with the Discovery Class (coming soon), get to know each group member and help them understand how their unique God given gifts, personality, and spiritual gifts can be used by God for His glory. This may include helping them find a place to serve within the church or community, or live more effectively wherever they are. *Walnut Hill is working to provide resources to aid in this process.
    • Attend Community Group Core Leadership meetings (Once every 6-8 weeks as determined by your Community Group Leader) and specific training sessions as provided.
    • Attend up to three Church in Action Leader meetings annually.

    Support/Encouragement/Equipping

    Walnut Hill is committed to your success by supporting, encouraging, and equipping you as a leader.

    • Initial Church in Action Leader Training provided by the Church in Action Team
    • Interaction with the Community Group Leader and other members of the Community Group Core Team
    • Vicky Calver is available for specific questions relating to Church in Action
    • Periodic Community Group leadership training and other Walnut Hill sponsored events as they are made available. These will be times for encouragement/sharing, vision casting, on-going training and prayer.

    Commitment

    The Church in Action Leader and all Core Leadership members commit to serve for one year. A natural discussion will take place between the Community Group Leader and each Core Leader after three months to talk about to how the role is going and if they feel comfortable with the ministry position. Another conversation will take place at around ten months to determine whether a person desires to continue in the role.

    Qualifications, Gifts, Strengths:

    • Strong, growing and unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ
    • Active member of Walnut Hill Community Church or proceeding through the membership process
    • Spiritual gift of teaching
    • Team player

  • Emerging Generations Coordinator

    Position: Emerging Generations Coordinator
    Accountable to: Community Group Leader
    Support from: Greg Hall, Children’s Pastor, 203.796.7373 ext. 115

    Position Overview

    “What we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, His power, and the wonders He has done.” Psalm 78:3-4

    Throughout Scripture, we read of the amazing blessing that comes when generations live life together – encouraging, inspiring, and learning from one another. The Emerging Generations Coordinator is responsible for making this value a significant part of each Community Group.

    When it comes to generations, every Community Group will look a little different. Whereas one Community Group may have a number of newborns, it is quite possible that another may have many teens. Community Groups are geographically-based – so the unique makeup of each group is largely determined by the community in which you live.

    Although Community Groups meet twice each month, these formal gatherings are only a start to creating a value for multi-generational relationships. In addition to teaching and sharing times, imagine picnics taking place on weekends – father and son or mother and daughter events, etc., as well as other events taking place from time to time. There is no limit to the creative ways in which God may lead you and your group to build into one another.

    Specific Responsibilities

    • Twice a month Community Group Meetings: The Emerging Generations Coordinator is responsible for coordinating age appropriate activities during formal meetings. Training and tips will be provided including: 1. How to find a location and safe environment within a home and set up guidelines to ensure that children can learn and play while allowing adults to be distraction-free, 2. Finding age-specific resources to aid in teaching and the creation of activities to build on themes and keep the interest of children, 3. How to include teens and even give responsibility to older children, 4. How to prepare adults in the Community Group when it comes to their turn to be with the children. Note: Consistent with Walnut Hill safety practices, children need to be supervised by more than one adult at a time.
    • Building a value for multi-generational community: The Emerging Generations Coordinator has the responsibility of helping to grow a value for multi-generational community. In discussion with others, be the cheerleader or organizer for periodic multi-generational events and opportunities. Recognize that some of the most effective methods may not be in planning “big events,” but simply helping group members pay attention to natural opportunities in life. For example, bringing children into conversation, including them in events, reaching out to children with similar interests, etc. (music, sports). Pray and seek God for creativity in this area.
    • Link with Walnut Hill Youth Ministry: Peer relationships are vital to the spiritual and emotional growth of Middle and High School students. Walnut Hill has a weekly gathering on Tuesday nights at the church for Middle School Students. High School WHY Groups meet weekly in homes around the town where they attend high school weekly. These youth specific gatherings are meant to provide for students all that Community Groups provide for adults and can therefore be treated as an extension of Community Groups. The Emerging Generations Coordinator acts as a cheerleader to parents and students to encourage them to engage in youth ministry. It may be that many of the teens can only attend youth specific groups over attending the twice a month Community Group – the Emerging Generations Coordinator will have to be creative in reaching out and including teens in the community.
    • Attend Community Group Core Leadership meetings (Once every 6-8 weeks as determined by your Community Group Leader) and specific training sessions as provided.

  • Host

    Position: Host
    Accountable to: Community Group Leader
    Support from: Becca Mowrey, Connections Coordinator,

    Position Overview

    “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:8-10

    At Walnut Hill, we work hard to ensure that newcomers to the church - as well as those who call Walnut Hill home - feel welcomed and loved right off the bat. We hope to create an atmosphere within Community Groups that encourages community-building as well as reflects genuine enthusiasm for all who get involved. The Host’s role will consist of two primary responsibilities: creating a welcoming setting for the group and assisting in the area of hospitality.

    Specific Responsibilities

    • Work with the family in whose home the group meets to create a welcoming environment suitable to the Community Group
    • Arrive a few minutes early to meet and greet newcomers to the Community Group
    • Plan and organize appropriate meals/food for twice a month meetings
    • Develop and oversee teams within the group that aid in food preparation and clean up
    • Organically gather contact information of the newcomers
    • Obtain permission from the newcomers to pass along their contact information to the Connections Coordinator at Walnut Hill for the purpose of additional follow up via email or phone
    • Be initial contact person for any questions newcomers may have about involvement at Walnut Hill or within the Community Group
    • Maintain a directory of Community members for the purpose of:
      • Allowing Community Group Members to know and contact each other
      • Taking attendance and emailing that spreadsheet to Tamsin Smith (tsmith@walnuthillcc.org) the following day.
      • Noting member’s absences and follow-up with a call or email letting them know their presence was missed.
      • Providing names and contact information of those who attend the Community Group to Walnut Hill via quarterly small group/Community Group survey
    • Attend Community Group Core Leadership meetings (Once every 6-8 weeks as determined by your Community Group Leader) and specific training sessions as provided.

    Support/Encouragement/Equipping

    • Initial Host training
    • Interaction with the Community Group Leader and other members of the Community Group Core Team
    • Becca Mowrey, Connections Coordinator, is available for specific questions
    • Periodic Community Group leadership training and other Walnut Hill sponsored events as they are made available. These will be times for encouragement/sharing, vision casting, on-going training and prayer.

    Commitment

    The Host and all Core Leadership members commit to serve for one year. A natural discussion will take place between the Community Group Leader and each Core Leader after three months to talk about how the role is going and if they feel comfortable with the ministry position. Another conversation will take place around ten months to determine whether a person desires to continue in the role beyond a year.

    Qualifications, Gifts, Strengths

    • Strong, growing and unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ
    • Active member of Walnut Hill Community Church or proceeding through the membership process
    • Desire and ability to motivate and build relationships with others
    • Ability to organize, prioritize, and see things through to completion
    • Enjoys getting to know people and making them feel welcome
    • Good communicator and conversationalist
    • Desire to see people get connected into the family of God
    • Team player

  • Prayer Leader

    Position: Prayer Leader
    Accountable to: Community Group Leader
    Support from: AJ Picard, Pastor of Prayer, or 203.796.7373 ext. 120

    Position Overview

    “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2

    At Walnut Hill, we seek intimate fellowship with the triune God - listening to His voice & His Word and interacting with Him in the everyday experiences of life. The Prayer Leader’s responsibility is to be an advocate, voice, and cheerleader for the area of prayer- helping to ensure that the value of “Praying without ceasing” is a core component realized in the Community Group.

    Specific Responsibilities

    • Ensure that praying with one another takes place at twice a month Community Group Meetings and throughout the month. This includes group prayer and ministering to specific needs
    • Following group meetings, communicate prayer needs via email to the group and when appropriate, to the church at (Please let us know whether a request is “public” and can be shared with our prayer warriors, or “private” and is for our staff and elders only. Please also include whether a request is for the “family” – someone in your family or who attends the church, or “community” – someone who you know outside of church)
    • Follow up on praises / prayer needs throughout the month and communicate emergency needs as needed
    • Encourage group members to participate in 24/7 prayer, and act as their encourager
    • Encourage group members to be regularly reading Scripture
    • When appropriate, refer group members to the Restorative Prayer Ministry for more in-depth prayer times relating to emotional, spiritual or physical healing
    • Attend Community Group Core Leadership meetings (every 6-8 weeks as determined by your Community Group Leader) and specific training sessions as provided

    Support/Encouragement/Equipping

    Walnut Hill is committed to your success by supporting, encouraging, and equipping you as a leader.

    • Initial Prayer Leader Training provided by the Prayer Ministry (class or audio)
    • AJ Picard is available for specific questions relating to prayer or leading your group in prayer
    • Interaction with the Community Group Leader and other members of the Community Group Core Team
    • Periodic Community Group leadership training and other Walnut Hill sponsored events as they are made available. These will be times for encouragement/sharing, vision casting, on-going training and prayer

    Commitment

    The Prayer Leader and all Core Leadership members commit to serve for one year. A natural discussion will take place between the Community Group Leader and each Core Leader after three months to talk about how the role is going and if they feel comfortable with the ministry position. Another conversation will take place around ten months to determine whether a person desires to continue in the role beyond a year.

    Qualifications, Gifts, Strengths

    • Strong, growing and unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ
    • Active member of Walnut Hill Community Church or proceeding through the membership process
    • Passion to see the people of God grow in their relationship with Him
    • Team player