Facilitate or Host a Community Group (CG)
If you are interested in facilitating a group and have completed the required trainings, please fill out this application form. Once you submit, we will reach out to you to schedule an interview with a Pastor or ministry staff.
What is CG?
At Citylife, a Community Group is a smaller community of people who gather together during the week to grow deeper in our love and relationship with God, with one another, and with our neighbors in our city.
Though each CG has some differences, we seek to center our life together in 3 main areas: COMMUNITY, CARE, and PRESENCE.
Who makes up the CG Leadership team?
Co-facilitators & Hosts
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Our goal is for each Community Group to have two co-facilitators to help share leadership responsibilities. In our experience, co-facilitators work best when they already have an established relationship, so we encourage facilitators to invite someone they know to join them in this role. Potential co-facilitators could include a significant other, a friend, or a fellow member of your current Community Group. Both co-facilitators are required to participate in New Facilitator Training.
Additionally, we ask facilitators to arrange for a host, whether by offering their own home or finding a willing host. Some groups have also successfully met in workplaces, public spaces, and other shared locations.
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Facilitate and/or host regular group meetings (usually weekly or bi-weekly)
Attend monthly leader check-ins for encouragement and support (1st Sunday of every month)
Mobilize and delegate different roles to CG participants (administration, planning socials, mercy and neighborhood outreach liaison, etc).
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Provide a warm and welcoming environment for all people
Communicate clearly with the group on matters relating to hosting
Be an active participant in the group
Note: Unlike facilitators, hosts do not have to be members.
Requirements to Facilitate
Community Group facilitators are current Citylife members who:
Have a love for God
A commitment to our church, and
A heart for ministering to our neighbors in our city with the gospel.
While prior experience leading a small group can be helpful, it’s not required.
All facilitators must fill out an application, submit a reference, go through an interview, and complete New Facilitator Training, a program designed to provide vision and skills training, offered every summer.
Curriculum
Community Groups will use weekly study guides corresponding with the Sunday Scripture passages. These guides will be provided by our pastoral leadership team. Alternative curriculum options will also be provided for the winter/spring months.
Oversight & Support
Our elders (teaching and ruling elders) will be assigned to you to provide pastoral care and pray for you and your group. You will also receive peer support from fellow CG leaders during our monthly leader breakfasts on the first Sunday of every month. Pastor Daniel and our staff will also serve as a resource to you to provide equipping, training, and care.
CG Facilitator Info Sessions & Trainings
New Facilitator Training is offered once a year in the summer (for now) and is required of all new facilitators of Community Groups. This class is also open to regular members of a Community Group who are interested in leading in the future.
Before training starts, we will have a New Facilitator Info Session to go over questions and discuss the role and expectations of a group leader. Please join us for one of the two sessions.
New Facilitator Info Sessions
Info Session #1
In person
Info Session #2
Virtually on Zoom
If you are unable to attend either of these group info sessions, please contact daniel@citylifeboston.org for next steps.
Training will include an introduction to the three elements of a group meeting and practical skills for leading inside the group time and outside of the group time. There will be time to get to know other incoming leaders, actively learn and discuss questions together. You must attend all three training sessions.
New Facilitator Training (Required)
Training Session #1
Preparing the Leader
In person
Training Session #2
Hospitality & Facilitating
In person
Training Session #3
Member Care
In person
PLEASE NOTE: University ministry training sessions will be on separate dates. Please contact tyler@citylifeboston.org for more info.
Application Process Overview
I
Attend Info Session
Join our annual info session where you can learn about what it means to serve as a CG Facilitator.
II
Attend 3 Trainings
If you feel called to serve as a CG Facilitator, participate in three training sessions.
III
Submit Application & References
Once you complete all three trainings, submit an application, where you can also list your references.
IV
Interview
Complete a 1-hour interview with our pastor. You can schedule the interview after submitting your application.
FAQs
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No. While a love for God’s Word is essential, you do not need formal theological training. Study guides are provided, and New Facilitator Training will equip you with the tools and confidence needed to help facilitate group discussions.
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No. Our heart is for you to first belong to a current group before you potentially lead a new group.
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No. Our heart is for you to first belong and commit to being a member at our church, before you potentially serve as a CG Facilitator.
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Please reach out to daniel@citylifeboston.org. We may be able to offer a makeup session or alternative pathway to complete the training requirements.
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You’re still encouraged to apply! We’ll work with you to explore options and possibly pair you with another member who is also applying or interested in co-leading.
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Absolutely. Many couples find it meaningful to lead together. Both partners must be Citylife members and participate in the required training.
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We ask facilitators to commit to one ministry year (September to June), with the opportunity to continue or step back after that term.
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You’ll be supported by our elders, have monthly check-ins with other leaders for mutual encouragement, and have access to pastoral staff for coaching, prayer, and troubleshooting throughout the year.
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Join a New Facilitator Info Session to explore and ask questions without committing. You're also welcome to attend New Facilitator Training even if you're still discerning, or reach out to daniel@citylifeboston.org for a conversation.
