Our Vision is to be a multicultural community of vibrant
worshippers that influence Anchorage and beyond with the Gospel of Jesus
Christ. Our Mission is to Equip people with the tools to live a Kingdom
lifestyle and then Send them weekly and missionally to live that lifestyle in
their spheres of influence. Life Groups play a key role in fulfilling the
vision and mission of KLC.
Life groups are a good source of discipleship,
accountability, and encouragement. The primary purpose of Life Groups is to
give people a safe place to connect, build relationships, and grow together
spiritually.
The Role of a Life Group Leader
We you think about leading a Life Group don’t think about
teaching – think about hosting and facilitating a discussion or activity. That
will be your primary role. The Life Group Leader provides the venue, hosts a
warm and friendly environment, and facilitates the meeting discussion or
activity. Life Groups are
aimed at promoting participation from members of the group, creating a
conversation that fosters spiritual growth and encouragement.
KLC may provide
pre-approved DVD curriculum or books for the leader to use in the group. If you
have curriculum that you would like to use you will have to submit it for
approval.
What Kind of Group?
There are different kinds of Kingdom Life Groups you can
consider facilitating, each with a different focus:
- Discussion:
The
group focus is on learning and growing together. The Leader’s intention is to
encourage the group to grow through group study, discussion and prayer around a
particular topic of interest to the group. Group Leaders should check to see if
we have a curriculum that is available for them to use.
- Activity: The
group focus is on connecting through a shared interest or activity. The
Leader’s intention is to create friendships with both Christian and
pre-Christian people.
- Support: The
group focus is on helping others win in specific areas of life. The Leader’s
intention is to bring aid and support to individuals who are in the process of
overcoming specific life issues using specialized curriculum and resources
approved by church leadership (Finances, Health, Divorce, Addiction Recovery).
- Outreach: The
group focus is on reaching people in the community. The leader’s intention is
to serve a specific need in the community. The group may partner with an agency
or organization that is providing a specific service to the community.
Life Group Calendar
Life groups have a starting and ending point.
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FALL SEASON: The fall season runs from August
through November (December is optional).
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SPRING SEASON: The Spring season runs from
January – April (May – July is optional.
Each season is preceded with a Life Group Leader
Orientation and a Life Group Launch Sunday to help you get started.
Life Group Boundaries
Life Groups must have a safe environment where friendships
can be developed. Life Groups are not a place…
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for business promotions or for network
marketing promotions.
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to receive monetary Offerings.
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to invite unapproved speakers or use teaching
materials that are not approved by the Lead Pastor or Coordinator.
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to introduce unapproved doctrine or direct KLC
members to other ministries.
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to make contracts or promises on behalf of
Kingdom Life Church.
First Steps to Starting Your Life Group
Your first step is to take Belong (if you are new to
KLC [less than a year] or have never led a KLC group or ministry).
Your second step is designing your own group and
submit your concept to the Life Group Team/Coordinator for approval. Your
design should include the following…
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WHAT is the focus of the group (discussion,
interest, support, outreach)?
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HOW frequently the group meets (weekly,
bi-monthly or monthly).
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WHERE the group meets (home, restaurant,
church, etc.)
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WHO is the group’s target audience (men, women,
couples, parents, students, young adults, senior adults, etc.)?
Your third step is very important if you want to
succeed. Start by looking for someone to assist you in leading your Life Group.
Then make a list of up to ten people you know in and/or outside of KLC that you
would like to invite.
Your Life Group should reflect your passion, interests, and
your spiritual gift. The success of the Life Group will be determined by two
factors: 1) your enthusiasm and initiative to connect with potential members,
and 2) whether your group focus meets the needs, wants, and interests of the
community you are targeting.
Generally, a group size of 3 – 8 people is optimal for a
comfortable environment for connecting and sharing for most people. Generally,
we would like your group to stay open during the Fall or Spring session for
people to join.
Promoting Your Life Group
You are the best source of promotion when it comes to starting
and sustaining a Life Group. A leader who is enthusiastic, takes initiative in
inviting others with a personal touch can be assured of good attendance in
their group. The best invitation is live and in person or by phone, not email.
We promote a small culture at Kingdom Life Church so every
individual understands he/she can find a safe place to belong. We advertise our
Life Groups on the main page of our website.
That enables people to find your group based on time,
location, and focus. We promote the start of our Fall and Spring sessions
through Life Group Launch Sunday.
Childcare
When inviting families with young children to your group,
you have two options for accommodations. Your group can find a reliable
teenager who will come and provide childcare during the meeting time. Parents
can pay this person directly. Please do consider what is manageable for a teen
to handle in your home. Another option is to rotate responsibility amongst the
members of your group. Have someone manage a schedule and activities (games,
videos or crafts) for the children.
Using Church Community Builder
You will be granted access to Church Community Builder, a
contact management tool that will help you communicate with your group.
In order to use CCB you will have to create a login and
password. Just click the register link and follow the instructions.
CCB will advertise your group to those with access to the
online community. In addition, inquiries about your group from our website will
be immediately sent to CCB. In turn, CCB will notify you by email (your email
is kept private). You will also be able to…
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Create a roster
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Send group emails.
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Invite CCB attenders you know.
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Download a PDF roster so you can pray for your
group.
The Approval Process
To start the approval process, to lead a Life Group, you
must first complete the Belong. Belong will orientate you to the vision,
mission, and values of KLC. You will also gain an understanding of your
spiritual gifts. When you complete Belong and are recognized as a KLC member,
you are then ready to complete the rest of the approval process…
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Submit you Life Group Leader Application,
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Attend a Life Group Leadership Orientation, and
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Read and agree to live by the Believe, Fight,
Win Pledge.
Believe, Fight, Win Pledge
As a Life Group Leader, you commit to the
following pledge:
“I BELIEVE what the Bible defines as sin is
sin.
While leading a group, I agree to consistently
and aggressively FIGHT (resist) what the Bible defines as sin. When I lose,
I agree to repent quickly (1 John 1:9), and resume my fight.
Winners consistently WIN against sin. I agree, with
the aid of the Holy Spirit, to pursue a winning pattern of living while leading
my Life Group at KLC.”
As followers of Jesus, the way we present ourselves to
others is of vital importance to the way others perceive Him. Our conduct
should never be an embarrassment to Christ, but should exemplify the best
qualities of a mature believer and leader.
Exemplifying the highest moral commitment, KLC Life Group
Leaders should strive to cultivate an intimate relationship with God through
regular Bible reading and prayer. It is expected that you also refrain from
behaviors that might cause Christ to grieve and others to stumble (Read Romans
Chapter 14).
Further Commitment
In order for you to lead a Life Group we expect you to be a
committed member of Kingdom Life Church, which means you honor the Lord through
regular tithes and offerings, you are faithful to attend services (inviting
others to attend), and you practice accountability to your Pastors.
When your group has been approved, we ask that you:
- Pray,
prepare, and promote your Life Group meetings.
- Provide
a safe and caring environment for people to build friendships.
- Encourage
group members to take the next step in their relationship with Christ.
- Look
for opportunities to inspire someone else to lead a Life Group.
- Track
and Report attendance for you Life Group using CCB.
- Respond
in a timely manner to any communications from the Life Group support team that
manages your account in CCB.
- Share
testimonies from the members of your Life Group.
Submit Your Life Group Idea
Now that you have a general understanding of how we do Life
Groups, you can take the next step and submit your Life Group application. We
will contact you for an interview. Our goal: to help everyone join or start a KLC life group.