RRC LIFE GROUPS::
RRC Vision:: To be a community transformed by Christ, reaching seekers and building believers into whole-hearted followers of Jesus.
At Red Rocks Church, the life group is the best place for sustained life change to happen. In a life group, we connect with people on a deeper level and discuss the issues and challenges of life that face us all and build friendships. Together we study God’s word and how it applies to our lives, we pray for each other and care for the needs of those in the group. It is what we call “doing life together.”
Practically, there will never be a way for the staff to minister to all the people that attend RRC. That is why we place such an emphasis on group life, where people’s needs are met, friendships are forged, and ultimately lives are restored by Christ.
Life Group Leadership Team::
Director of Involvement – Responsible for serving Life Group Coordinators, Life Group Coaches, Life Group Training, and overall health of small groups.
Life Group Coordinators – Responsible for coordinating and serving new emerging groups, communication with coaches, recruiting potential leaders, assisting with initial leadership interviews for potential life group leaders.
Life Group Coaches (Geographical Area Directors) – Responsible for serving and mentoring life group leaders in their geographical area. Life group coaches serve the needs of Life Group Leaders and are responsible for up to 5 leaders. Coaches need to have a minimum of 2 years exp leading life groups. Life group coaches can also be a life group leader, but be willing to have enough time to accomplish both in a healthy manner. Coaches need to meet with a life group leader 3 times annually to encourage, equip, and be an available mentor.
North, South, East, West, Central
Life Group Leaders – The foundational leadership structure for discipling and ministering to our church. Life group leaders serve the needs of those in life groups. They are required to attend 2 of 3 “Leadership Summits” per year. Along with meeting with their coach 3 times per year. That is a total of 5 meetings to attend per year to remain a RRC Life group leader.
Life Group Structure::
Size – 1 leader/ or couple leading the group with up to 6 couples or 10 individuals.
Purpose – Provide small group environment to build God-honoring community toward becoming whole-hearted followers of Jesus. Each group should have elements of accountability, belonging, and care (Acts 2:42-48) where there is the study of God’s word, prayer, and needs being met.
Format - At RRC we believe that there needs to be structure and training with accountability, but allow many forms of life groups to emerge if the purpose is being accomplished. If a leader is new to leading a life group, we recommend starting a home group first as leading an active group is more challenging.
Home Groups - Most life groups meet in homes or a coffee shop on a week night, share a meal or coffee and then go through study of God’s word, talk about life and pray for one another.
Active Groups – Many life groups incorporate a common activity such as skiing, snowboarding, fly-fishing, mountain biking, hiking, cooking, scrap booking, crafts and almost any activity that allows for the life group’s purpose to be accomplished. These groups are typically led by an experienced leader who can overcome environmental challenges.
Timeline – Once a new leader goes through training, is recognized and commissioned, we recommend groups start meeting weekly or bi-weekly depending on what the group agrees to as a whole. Groups will meet for 6 mo. sessions with the option to renew the group agreement for another 6 mo. This allows for groups to be accountable and committed to each other.
“Guilt-Free 4 Pass” - Every new person that attends a life group has a free pass to attend a life group 4 times without having to commit to the group. If the person or couple decides for any reason they would like to try another group, the entire group is expected to thank them for coming and encourage them to find another group, then let the small group coordinator know they are looking for another group. If by the end of 4 meetings they want to join the group, they will just sign the best efforts “Life Group Agreement.”
After 6 mo., a group is able to renew the agreement to meet another 6 mo. Groups can renew 3 times and meet for up to 18 months total.
Multiplication – a life group leader is expected to identify a potential life group leader apprentice at the end of 6 mo and give them opportunities to lead the life group with the expectations that they will go through “Life Group Leader Training” and start a new group within the 18 mo. We always have an “empty chair” mentality and desire to include more people in God’s Kingdom.
Life Group Leader Development – At RRC, we are committed to developing leaders. We recruit our life group leaders through staff identification, leader referrals, mid-sized group breakout leaders (men’s groups, women’s groups, college groups), and most importantly by apprenticing leaders and multiplying groups. All life group leaders are required to attend 5 leadership oriented meetings annually to maintain their status as leaders, which we believe to be healthy and manageable.
“Christian community is the final apologetic.” – Francis Schaeffer
