Introduction
The following is an attempt to describe the job of a Housegroup
Leader. It is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather to
outline what we see as the main areas and activities involved.
The sequence of points is not intended to be significant.
Do let us know if we have missed something important.
The Task
To enable each member of the Housegroup to grow in their Christian
life. In a word, the task is 'discipleship'.
Primary Areas of Responsibility
- Pastoral care
- Housegroup meetings
- Liaison with other church leaders
- Personal growth
- Outside interests
- Develop new leaders
General
- Vision (have one and communicate it)
- Set goals and standards (for the group to commit themselves to)
- Delegation (don't do it all yourself but ensure it is all done)
- Be an example (you are an example, whether you like it or not)
- Use the resources available to you (the Bible, prayer, other church leaders)
Pastoral Care
(Aim to prevent the problems before they come: the best pastoral care is
proactive as well as reactive)
- Availability (people must know you are available when needed)
- Encouragement (everybody needs it)
- Visiting (people relate to you differently at home)
- Meals (eating together builds bridges)
- Love (without it you can do nothing)
- Admonish (provide the first line of church discipline)
- Mediate (conflicts will always arise from time to time)
Housegroup Meetings
- Prayer (encourage everyone to pray)
- Bible study (teach people how to study the Bible for themselves)
- Freedom (don't restrict them to your limitations)
- Fellowship (encourage everyone to share their problems)
- Worship (does not have to mean singing)
Liaison with other church leaders
(The Housegroup is a part of a larger church)
- Support of the Elders through prayer (find out what to pray for)
- Church direction (know what it is and go for it)
- Communication (from Housegroup back to the Elders, etc.)
- General (keep the group in touch with the rest of the church)
Personal growth
(The Housegroup can't keep growing unless you do)
- Holiness (sin prevents growth)
- God's calling (what is God saying?)
- Step out in faith (get on and do it)
- Spiritual gifts (identify and develop them)
- Ability to share your faith (knowledge and practice)
- Achieve potential (in every area of life)
- Non-spiritual gifts (are as important as the spiritual gifts)
Outside interests
- Evangelism (both individual and group)
- Christian training and conferences (would any be helpful?)
- Other Churches (can we support and/or learn from them?)
- Social concerns and action (does the community know we exist?)
- Third world contact (support Jonah, Fritz, any personal contacts)
Develop new leaders
- Identify (who is ready and willing?)
- Set goals and standards (realistic ones)
- Delegate (and check it has been done properly)
- Abdicate (when they can take on the responsibility)