As a Care Group leader of Evangelical Community Church, I recognize that this position of leadership comes with expectations and responsibilities to God and His Church. I recognize that God has brought me to this place of pastoral leadership and will "do my best to present myself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." Before God and my peers I will abide with the following covenants.

• THE COVENANT OF PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD:

I will be committed to regular Bible reading and develop a growing personal relationship with the Lord. I will be committed to being a good student of God's word.

• THE COVENANT OF THE CHURCH:

I will be faithful in my attendance to worship with the body of ECC and use my spiritual gifts accordingly. I will be committed to keep the bond of peace.

• THE COVENANT OF PRAYER:
I will be committed to regularly praying for those in my Care Group, for those that we are reaching out to, and for special outreach events.

• THE COVENANT OF DEVELOPING LEADERS:

I will empower and provide opportunities for those in my group to use the gifts that the Lord has given them.

• THE COVENANT OF AVAILABILITY:
I will make myself available to those in my group through lunches, coffees or phone calls for prayer and/or counsel.

• THE COVENANT OF AFFIRMATION AND ACCEPTANCE:
I will attempt to express God's affirming love to those in my group, although I may not always like or agree with them.

• THE COVENANT OF SENSITIVITY:

I will be positive in my attitude and speech, not criticizing, but encouraging and building up those in my group.

• THE COVENANT OF CONFIDENTIALLY:
I promise not to divulge anything that has been shared in this group in confidence. I also will not push those in my group to share things about themselves that they would prefer to keep undisclosed.

• THE COVENANT TO REACH OUT:

I will commit to being intentional in participating and/or providing outreach opportunities for our group.

Leader Job Description

Care Groups are viewed as small churches, as they encompass the four aspects of the church - worship, nurture, community and outreach. Care Groups are the pastoral arm of the ECC. Therefore, the term Care Group leader carries with it the role and responsibility of pastor, or shepherd.

Responsibilities

As a Care Group leader your largest responsibility involves being an overseer, or shepherd to those in your group. It means to be concerned about the welfare of each member of your group just as you are concerned about your own. It means serving those in your group. This can be broken down into 4 spheres of responsibility.

• Worship: facilitate regular time with God in worship through song, prayer, praise, testimony (etc). You may choose to delegate this to someone who is gifted in this area.

• Community: establish and build relationships with those in your group, both new comers and old timers. This may involve responding to emails and making phone calls, it may also include ice- breakers, coffees, dinners, retreats, games nights, etc. You may wish to ask someone to connect with the newcomers each week. Create a safe place for others to share their feelings, hurts, and pains.

• Nurture: prepare a study each week that will enable participants to engage in God's word. Encourage group discussion, questions, and challenges that will enable the group to go deeper into God's word.

• Outreach: participate in outreach. Consider a) connecting with non Care Group ECC'ers and inviting them to your group b), hosting evangelistic dinners (ie Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter) c) reaching out and responding to the needs within the society by participating in outreach events.

Note: using the gifts of those in your group will help to build up the body of Christ. Therefore if you see that these four aspects are being fulfilled there is no need for you to do everything.

Qualifications

1. A believer in Jesus Christ and growing in your relationship with the Lord.
2. An ECC member OR submit a testimony.
3. Part of an existing Care Group and/or apart of ECC for six months OR recommended by the leadership.
4. Committed to ongoing training.