Hello, would-be Hosts. Go ahead and ask.
Why should I sign up to be a host now if the Consumed journey doesn't start until February?
What are the qualifications to be a host?
What are small group hosts asked to do?
Why should I consider the optional Host Training?
OK, what are the details on the Host Training?
I went to Host Training last year for the Kingdom series. Do I need to go again? Will it be the same as last year?
I'm already in a small group. What should I do for the consumed journey?
Do I need to sign up to be a host if I'm already leading a small group?
What if I want to host but don't have a group? How will people get into groups?
When will people start signing up for my group?
What if I'm going to be out of town for a week? Can I still host a group?
What can I do with my kids while our group meets?
Why should I sign up to be a host now if the Consumed journey doesn't start until February?
Getting hosts signed up early is key to the success of this journey. Potential group members need plenty of time to find the group that works best for them. We also want to give you the opportunity to prepare in advance to guide your group through the Consumed series by participating in one of the optional training sessions available only to hosts.
What are the qualifications to be a host?
Hosting is easy! You don’t need to be a counselor or a Bible expert. All the commitment requires is the time it takes each week for your group to meet, a place for your group to gather and the willingness to guide a few other people through the Consumed group materials, which will facilitate your experience.
What are small group hosts asked to do?
Host your own weekly small group during the first six weeks of the Consumed series, which runs from February 9—March 30 (the series runs for eight weeks, but the commitment to host a small group is for only six weeks). Provide a welcoming place to meet and an open mind, be a good sport and be flexible!Also, consider attending an optional, one-day Host Training experience on Saturday, January 12 or Saturday, February 9. The Host Training isn’t required to be a host, but it’s definitely a worthwhile experience if you’re able to attend.
Why should I consider the optional Host Training?
While the Consumed journey is set up so that you can be successful without training, we want to offer the added resources and additional security of training to anyone who wants it. We place a really high value on this all-community journey thing, and we want to do everything we can to equip hosts to have a great experience.This one-day training experience will give you the opportunity to meet other hosts, learn together in an interactive, supportive environment, and get a first-hand sneak peek at the Consumed series content. You’ll be able to customize your training experience to include the topics that are most relevant to you, including: fundamentals of hosting a small group, leading the kids in your Kids' Club area through the journey (intended for Kids' Club volunteers and parents, offered only on the January 12 training), and leading CSM students through the journey (intended for CSM volunteers and parents, offered only on the January 12 training).
OK, what are the details on the Host Training?
Host training will be offered on Saturday, January 12 and Saturday, February 9. You only need to attend one of the training sessions. The core training will run from 8:30am—12:40pm, which will include a continental breakfast, some large-group training and one round of your choice of a breakout session. The “Fundamentals of Hosting a Small Group” session will be repeated in the afternoon for any Kids’ Club or CSM parents and volunteers who missed the morning breakout, and we’ll even bribe you with lunch if you’re willing to stay. Childcare will be provided. You can sign up for training when you sign up to be a host.
I went to Host Training last year for the Kingdom series. Do I need to go again? Will it be the same as last year?
The topics, materials and tools for the Consumed journey are brand new, so the format will be similar to last year, but the material will be totally different.
I'm already in a small group. What should I do for the Consumed journey?
In the past we’ve asked existing small groups to break up to host new groups for people who haven’t yet been involved in a small group environment. For the Consumed series, we’d just like you to consider the uniqueness of your group and what God might have for you. Maybe the best thing for you is to stay together with your current small group. Because we need so many hosts, though, and so many people in our community aren’t already in groups, please at least consider breaking up, either temporarily for the journey, or even permanently, for the sake of reproduction. It’s a good idea to include your intention for the group up front in your posting, so people can select what’s best for them.
Do I need to sign up to be a host if I'm already leading a small group?
Yes, please do! We’d like to make sure that you receive key information and optional training opportunities available only to hosts, and designating yourself as a host for the Consumed journey will enable us to do that.
What if I want to host but don't have a group? How will people get into groups?
There are several ways you can find people for your group:
- The easiest and most effective way to find people for your group is to post your information on the web. Thousands of people looking to join a group will use the website to search for a group that works best for them.
- Ask friends and people you already interact with on a regular basis to join your group.
- Attend the Consumed Connection Event that will be held at Crossroads on Sunday, February 10 to meet people looking to get connected with a small group host. The event will start at 7:30pm, so would-be hosts should arrive by 7pm.
- Host an onsite group that will meet at Crossroads on Wednesday nights during the Consumed series. We’ll need 45-50 hosts for groups of people new to our community to meet here for either a men’s, women’s, couples’ or open onsite group. If this is something that interests you, please email us.
When will people start signing up for my group?
Most participants will start looking for groups on the web after January 11, so don't worry if no one has signed up for yours before then. Please make sure to post your group prior to January 11 so it's there when most people are ready to sign up!
What if I'm going to be out of town for a week? Can I still host a group?
Definitely. Just let your group know in advance when you’ll be unavailable, and make arrangements with another member of your group to serve as the host.
What can I do with my kids while our group meets?
You might need to get creative. Some groups choose to meet after the kids have gone to bed. Some groups bring all the kids to one home and get a group babysitter. Maybe you can ask grandparents or a neighbor to watch your kids while your group meets. Whatever you end up doing, try to arrange things in such a way that if the kids are included in your group time, it’s in a way that everyone is comfortable with. Kid interruptions are very distracting to some people, and very welcomed by others.
Top
of Page
Prayer
Request
Get
in Touch