For all of you new budding leaders, this is how we do things at the Findlay First Naz:
First, we listen to the Holy Spirit in our lives. Next, we strategize steps that will help us in our work...
Leading a Group Thanks for your willingness to lead! Here are a few procedures that your group members might expect and a few tips to help you along the way. If you have not seen the presentation for D-groups, then click here to view Pastor Mike explain them in detail.
Communicate: your group members may want to hear from you at least twice per month. That can be in person, by text message, email or phone calls, notes in the mail, whatever it takes to keep the leader-follower relationship alive and able to thrive. The communication doesn't even have to come directly from the "leader" so long as someone assisting with the group (host, secretary, or co-leader) can do the work of keeping communication lines open. Include pertinent details such as when the next meeting/gathering is, where, what to bring, a discussion topic.
Designate: create/design a plan of action or agenda for the meeting or gathering. It can vary and can go off-track as necessary, but your group will appreciate a leader who has a plan designed. Pray that the Holy Spirit will open your minds and hearts as a group, that God's love would permeate through you and for you, and something beautiful would emerge by the time your group hits it's intended end-date (or re-start date).
Facilitate: Try to begin and end the event on time and according to the plan you have communicated and designated to your group. A follow-up email (see below) can be sent out after every meeting/gathering to report who attended, what any important prayer requests were, issues to note, plans for the next meeting, etc. We encourage all LifePoint D-groups to meet twice per month or as often as possible.
Installing ChurchTeams database on your smartphone Obtain access to your friend's contact info and search for people and groups.
From your smart phone: Click on this link: https://www.churchteams.com/m/login.asp?oID=12443 -- Or from your smartphone internet browser, type in tinyurl.com/nazlogin and press enter (goes to the above link).
Click on "Add a Bookmark/Favorite for this page or save it to your phone's homescreen". This will give you an icon that looks like a regular app icon. You can place the icon anywhere you like. (Adding a bookmark is simple too).
You can login with leader's password and search for groups or people. A search bar is at the top left corner of the page. The regular login is Nazarene for non-leaders.
Once you have found a person's profile you can click on their phone number or email and instantly contact them. No more need to go to a printed directory and type in or dial an email address or phone number! Also, once you find a group, you can click on "Communicate" (a blue button) and hit up the entire group all at one time!
Reporting a D-Group Meeting Online We emphatically welcome a report on any and all meetings that your group completes. This helps us tremendously by knowing that the Lord's work is being accomplished through his people. Here's how to complete a report:
Log in through ourChurchTeams portal and type in your leaders-only password.
Type your group/name in the search bar (for example, Sertell Group). Or you can go to "Groups" then "Browse".
In your group profile, click on "Reports" blue button and "Meetings" in the drop-down menu.
Click on "Add Meeting" blue button, then complete all the available fields.
Mark the check-box "Copy email to entire group" to send to the members of your group.
Click the "Send/Save Report" green button. This report will be sent to your email inbox.
*This is a leaders-only password and is not publicized. Everyone else can login with the password "Nazarene",
Public Announcements and Promotions You're a leader. You might have something you want everyone to know about. That's good. We love your enthusiasm. Here are some ways to spread the word: First, check with the office concerning your cause to see if there is room in the bulletin or other location for a print or poster announcement (there are guidelines for these too). Also, spread the news via personal email, Facebook, and/or word-of-mouth. You're a leader - so we know you can do it. Then, you might check with a pastor. We cannot guarantee all items can be presented in our worship service. All items must be for a general audience, be a part of our stated mission, vision or values, not targeting just a segment of the congregation. If you are approved for a public announcement, please make sure you make logistics arrangements with Amy Mead and Nate Stults as early as possible. All of our worship service plans are set in place by Wednesday/Thursday of each week.
Skits and Dramas Same procedures apply as above promotions, only more so. Longer-range advance planning will be necessary, probably at least four weeks, if approved. If you want to be a part of a skit or dramatic reading, let us know. By the way, we could use a few more actors.
Communion We only take communion (the Lord's Supper) once per month, but as always, we want to BE in communion with Christ always, to integrate his way, truth and life into ours minds and routines, by faith and action. We usually offer communion on the first Sunday or the month. Don't miss out on this important means-of-grace!
Connexions Tours, Discover Classes, Membership Inductions, Baptisms, Baby Dedications We have each of these 3-4 times per year. These are very important steps to us. If you have not participated in these "rites of passage" then please let us know how we can assist you.
Is something missing on here? Check back every now-and-then for updates as things are probably not on here that could be. Or refer to our Priorities page. Please send comments or questions to Pastor Nate at [email protected] or 419-788-0975 cell/text.