How Do You Know If You Are Succeeding As A Leader?

At our Group Leader Kickoff on Sunday, January 7th, we addressed an important question we as leaders should know how to answer, "How do you know if you are succeeding as a Group Leader?"

In short, we know we are succeeding when we are helping our Group Members experience Biblical Community - aka the ABCs: Applying the Bible, Building relationships, and Caring for each other.

Whenever we see our group members living out the ABC's, that is success!

The best way to help our Group Members live out the ABC's is by practicing the 6 Group Leader Essentials (See below). These are 6 essentials that we as leaders can't go without!

Which of these 6 Essentials do you need to work on? Identify one, review it, and make a goal to improve this trimester.

Group Leader Kickoff Training Recap

Lead Pastor Drew Karschner shares with our Group Leaders about some of the stories about what God has been doing at Northridge as well as sharing upcoming sermon series and events that would be helpful for Group Leaders as they plan ahead for the Community Group Trimester.

How do you know if you are succeeding as a Group Leader? In this talk, our Community Group Pastor Jason DeGraaff answers how to know if we are succeeding as a leader and introduces the Group Leader Essentials we as a Group Leaders can't go without if we are going to be successful.

In this video Andy Woodall talks about the importance of Pursuing Christ as our #1 Group Leader Essential. This is 1 of 6 Group Leader Essentials that we believe Group Leaders can't go without.

In this video Nate Miller talks about the importance of Cultivating Relationship as our 2nd Group Leader Essential. This is 1 of 6 Group Leader Essentials that we believe Group Leaders can't go without.

In this video Nancy Simmonds talks about the importance of Promoting Participation as our 3rd Group Leader Essential. This is 1 of 6 Group Leader Essentials that we believe Group Leaders can't go without.

In this video Aaron Hixson talks about the importance of Modeling Authenticity as our 4th Group Leader Essential. This is 1 of 6 Group Leader Essentials that we believe Group Leaders can't go without.

In this video Brad Files talks about the importance of Providing Care as our 5th Group Leader Essential. This is 1 of 6 Group Leader Essentials that we believe Group Leaders can't go without.

In this video Mark Nelson talks about the importance of Replacing Yourself as our 6th Group Leader Essential. This is 1 of 6 Group Leader Essentials that we believe Group Leaders can't go without.

Here are a few additional resources you may find helpful:

Why and How To Share Facilitiation

Here are 3 tips on sharing facilitation and a 1 page guide and suggested email for 1st time facilitators.

How Do You Get People To Show Up To Your Group?

While we can't control people or make decisions for them, here are 2 steps that will help move people from your group roster to your living room.

Tough One: Handling The Person Who Refuses To Change

Admit it! There are times as a leader you are frustrated with an individual who you feel you've poured loads of energy and attention into, but who doesn't seem particularly interested in changing. In this breakout we will explore how to handle those who show little or no progress in their spiritual lives.

Serving Opportunity

Red Cross Blood Drive at Northridge (Irondequoit Campus)

Saturday, January 27th, 8:00AM-3:00PM

The Community Group with the most donors will win tickets to a Red Wings game. 

Do You Have A Question?

We would love to be of assistance to you. Contact your Group Coach HERE.

Jason DeGraaff

Community Groups Pastor

Life Is Better Connected

Christmas Contest + Christmas Social and Serving Ideas

As we move into our winter Community Group break, we would encourage your group to stay connected before our new group trimester begins on January 14th. 

The holiday season can be a challenging time as many of us interact with broken families, as we are reminded of friends and family that are no longer with us, as we face unique temptations, and as we deal with the anxiety that comes along with this season.

Group may be on break, but our relationships shouldn't. In fact, we may need each other during the holidays more than ever. 

As you celebrate the holidays, we'd love for your group to participate in our Community Group Christmas Contest by sharing your group experience with us and your friends.

Community Group Christmas Contest

Post a Christmas picture on Facebook or Instagram with your Community Group between December 10th-23rd using hashtag #ChristmasWithMyGroup and tagging @NorthridgeRoc.

We will have 3 prizes. Your group can win one of the following categories by being the group with the: 

1. Most Creative Post

2. Most People Included in a Picture

3. Most Liked Post

So, start planning now for how your group can win.

What are some Christmas ideas for your group to connect together?

10 Group Christmas Ideas

• Have a gingerbread house building contest with hot cocoa and Christmas music.

• Watch a Christmas movie like "Elf," "It's A Wonderful Life," or "The Nativity."

• Make and give away Christmas cookies.

• Go caroling.

• Get outdoors - skiing, sledding, hiking, or have a snowball fight.

• Go ice skating downtown.

• Bring your kids to see Santa at the mall and grab a meal together.

• Attend a Christmas concert.

• Sit together at the Christmas Eve service (see times HERE).

• Serve together (See ideas below).

Connect with your co-leaders and set a date on your calendar this week; then you can start brainstorming with your group what your Christmas celebrations might look like.

Looking for a serving Idea?

7 Group Serving Opportunities

• Open Door Mission

  Fill out a volunteer inquiry form for Open Door Mission to find out more about their seasonal serving opportunities. https://opendoormission.com/getinvolved/

• Basketball Tournament

  Youth For Christ is hosting a Christmas basketball tournament and can use volunteers to help run the event and participate. www.northridgeserves.com/blog/trunk-or-treat-and-a-christmas-basketball-tournament

• Christmas Basket Giveaway

  Mission Share has Christmas related service opportunities such as their Christmas basket giveaways and their Christmas Hope Gifts Program. Northridger Patrick can help you find out more details and connect: www.northridgeserves.com/our-team/patrick

• Pack Hygiene Kits

  Pack hygiene bags for Supports on the Streets or hygiene/cleaning kits for Genesis House with a Christmas themed twist (such as including Christmas cards for those receiving the bags). Contact Allie for Supports on the Streets (http://www.northridgeserves.com/our-team/homelessness) and Leanne for Genesis House (http://www.northridgeserves.com/our-team/youth).

• Christmas Carols and Cookies for neighbors

  You can put together some cookies or other goodies as a group and pass them out to your neighbors and optionally sing Christmas carols too.

• Kids Care For Northridge Youth Ministry

  NYM provides childcare each week on Wednesday nights for our volunteer youth leaders. You and your group can take care of a group of children from infant to 6 years old. Contact Justin Laskowski for more info: jlaskowski@NorthridgeRochester.com 

• Serve at Northridge

  Contact your Campus Pastor or the Ministry Leader in the area you already serve to find out what opportunities Northridge has for Christmas Eve or the holidays.

Enjoy the break. Get some rest. Have fun connecting. I look forward to seeing your Christmas posts! #ChristmasWithMyGroups

See you January 7th at 5PM for our Group Leader Mid-Year Kickoff and some Outlaw Baked Potatoes!

Jason DeGraaff

Community Groups Pastor

Life Is Better Connected