ADULT LIFEGROUPS

Here are the instructions for accessing your LifeGroup in the TouchPoint portal:

• Login to TouchPoint at my.chetscreek.com. If you need an account, you can request one there as well.

• On the home screen you will see a box that says, “My Involvement.” Click on the link for your LifeGroup.

• Once you are on your group’s page, there are several tabs. The “People” tab shows your current group members, their contact information, their birthdays, and the date that they last attended. The “Meetings” tab allows you to look up the attendance history by date.

• In the top right corner of your group’s page are several blue buttons. The second one (cloud with down arrow) contains a number of different reports that you can run depending on what information you are looking to obtain.

• The blue envelope button allows you to create an email. Select “all current members.” Some templates will pop up, choose “empty template.” Fill out the subject line (don’t worry about checking any of the boxes), then “click here to edit content” and a text box appears. Write your email here, then select “SAVE.” Scroll down and hit the “SEND” button.

• The more you use the database, the more familiar you will become. It is a great tool to keep up with your LifeGroup members and know who you need to reach out to! If you have any questions or problems, please contact our Database Admin Julia at julia@chetscreek.com

It’s important to have get togethers that solely consist of fellowshipping together. Something happens when you gather in someone’s home or have a game night. The fun helps build relationships in a way that sitting in a LifeGroup room cannot. We are called to build biblical community and our shared devotion to Christ make fellowships different than just a party. We are building friendships for eternity.

Here are some best practices to follow:

Invitation: Be sure everyone is invited and feels included. Reach out to group members who were absent the day the fellowship is announced. Invite newcomers personally.

Inclusion: Seek to sit by someone you do not know as well, especially if this is their first time joining your group.

Variety: Sometimes people cannot come due to childcare so mix it up. Have a fellowship that includes families, men only/women only gatherings, and adults only.

Smaller Groups: Some groups are so large it is hard to accommodate everyone’s schedule. We have groups who have formed smaller care groups or supper clubs so members are sure to get to know one another better.

Day to Day: Fellowship can happen “as we go” about our week. Create a group chat, Facebook group, or text thread and communicate throughout the week.

Spontaneous: Sometimes groups never get together because nobody has taken up the mantle of organizing it. “Who wants to grab lunch after church today?’ can be an easy way to connect outside of group. Or post in your Facebook group or group chat if you are grabbing dinner out one night and see who can join you.

Struggles: We never want a fellowship to be a place where someone who is struggling with an addiction must face temptation. You never know what someone might be dealing with or is a painful memory for them.

Affordable: What is considered cheap to one is costly for another. Since we want everyone to feel included be sure your gatherings are not too expensive. If you know someone is struggling you can approach them one on one to offer help, if possible.Location: Feel free to use the church if you are trying to accommodate a large group. You can also borrow tables and chairs from your campus. Please contact a staff member at your campus to get that set up.

Leading: Share the load and invite others to help plan, invite, set up and clean up from a fellowship. Do not let this all fall on you as the leader, plus you may be inhibiting others from using their gifts of organization and hospitality.

Frequency: Some groups have more time and have lots of fellowships. Be sure this does not become a burden on anyone or makes newcomers feel pressured, especially if your fellowships are during class. The goal of a fellowship is connection. Aim for once/quarter or Spring/Summer/Christmas.

The Bible Project

Bible Study Tools

Study Light

What We Believe

Got Questions

Bible Gateway

LifeGroup Lesson Planning Sheet

Bible Basics for LifeGroup Leaders

Helping Your Group Thrive During Summer

Ten Helpful Tips for Leading a Small Group Discussion

Identifying Leaders in Your LifeGroup