Guidelines and Suggestions for GCF Discussion Leaders
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Discussion Leaders are Expected to:
- Choose when to have worship (before or after introductions and discussion?) and notify worship leader
- Prepare ice-breaker (intro.) question in advance
- Start on time (no later than 7:10 pm)
- Initiate the beginning of the meeting (or ask someone else to do so) on time
- If there are new folks, give the spiel (quick description of what GCF is about) or ask someone to do it
- Maintain the flow of the meeting (introduce the worship leader, Tim when he gives the announcements, etc.)
- Keep track of time and end discussion and worship by 8:20 pm to leave time for prayer and announcements at the end
Other Suggestions:
- You are encouraged to contact the worship leader in advance to coordinate appropriate themes, etc.
- Encourage discussion participants to support their comments with appropriate Scriptural passages.
- Encourage everyone present to participate in the discussion. Avoid having a few people dominate the discussion.
- Try to keep the discussion on track.
- If you notice that Tim isn't at the meeting, ask around to see if someone else is prepared to give the announcements at the end. (A smooth transition into announcements helps maintain the attention of the group.)
- Try not to say or do things that single out visitors. Approaching them one-on-one to welcome them is great, but we should avoid making an issue of it as a large group.
- Don't feel confined by our usual format for Thurs. night meetings (brief worship, introductions, then reading, discussion, and brief prayer). Consider bringing in an outside speaker, making prayer or other aspects of worship or introspection apart of the meeting.