One Hour Training for Small Group Hosts
- Are you trusting in the sacrificial death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ alone for your eternal life? In other words, do you believe Jesus died for your sins, rose from the dead and based on trusting in that alone, your sins are forgiven, and you will spend eternity with God?
- Is this your church home? If not, will you make this your Church home? Home Church is defined as the place you faithfully attend, serve, give and when asked to, the one place you would vote. Membership is not a pre-requisite to be a host.
- Will you be ready to receive the group each week? This involves tending to the outside as well as the inside of the house. The outside; Is the house easy to find? Is there adequate parking? Is the entry way well-lit and easy to navigate? The inside; is the kitchen, meeting area and bathroom clean? Are pets secured? People are not comfortable with cats rubbing against them and dogs sniffing them. Are children cared for? Most groups do not provide child care.
- Will you organize the refreshments and group meal? Another key role of the hosts is to manage the refreshments and goodies. The host should provide snacks and liquid refreshments the first week. Offer decaf coffee if your group meets at night. It is up to the host if they want to provide snacks each week or organize a signup sheet. If the group uses a signup sheet the Host is responsible for a reminder call each week.
The host is also responsible for organizing the group meal. Once a session the group eats a meal together. It can be in the meeting place, another home or at a restaurant. It can be on the night of a meeting or in addition to the meeting. The Host is not responsible for providing the food. They are however responsible for making sure it happens. If the group doesn’t go to a restaurant the food can be prepared by the host or group member, provided by a caterer, cooked by someone in the group or done on a potluck basis. The host organizes this. - Will you attend Wrap Up? The host is also invited to Wrap Up. This is a free up scale dinner for the host and spouse, along with all the other leaders and hosts, that takes place the week after the last meeting. It’s a way to say thank you for serving as a host. It’s also a fun time to share God stories, give constructive input and make referrals.