At Gracecity, we believe everyone needs a place to belong — a circle of people who know your story, support your faith, and walk with you through real life.

That’s what Connect Groups are all about.

Connect Groups help people:

• Find care and connection - real relationships where people are known, prayed for, and supported.

• Grow in their relationship with Jesus - opening Scripture, discussing life, and taking next moves together.

• Experience whānau - a supportive second family who shows up in key moments of life.

• Live out faith in community - not just on Sundays, but in homes, cafés, and everyday spaces.

• Multiply - as groups grow, new leaders and new groups form, helping more people find belonging.

Across every Gracecity location, Connect Groups are a key part of how we join God’s renewal of people and places. They are the primary place of connection and care in our church.

Connect Group Leaders play a vital part in shaping the culture of Gracecity. You don’t need to have all the answers — you simply need a heart for people, a willingness to grow, and a desire to help others take their next move in faith.

The Four Things Every Leader Brings:

• Welcoming - You create a safe, inclusive environment where people feel valued and at home.

• Facilitating - You guide meaningful conversations, prayer, and Scripture reflection that connect faith with everyday life.

• Caring - You check in, support, and pray for your people — especially in key life moments.

• Multiplying - You help people take next steps, identify apprentices, and contribute to raising new leaders and new groups.

What Support You’ll Receive

You won’t lead alone. Every Connect Group Leader is supported through:

• A Group Coach (or your Location Lead Pastor)
• Leader training and events each term
• Church-wide resources such as discussion guides, recommended studies, and RightNow Media access
• Clear policies, procedures, and safeguarding support
• Help connecting people into your group
• Ongoing care and connection as part of the Gracecity team

What the Role Involves (practically)

Leaders help their group thrive by:

• Preparing prayerfully and creating a warm environment
• Using aligned, good-quality group resources
• Welcoming new members and helping them integrate
• Keeping group details up to date in Planning Center
• Staying aligned with Gracecity’s mission, vision, and values
• Attending Leaders Quarterly + Coaching gatherings each term
• Caring well and alerting your coach if additional pastoral support is needed
• Raising up an apprentice and being open to multiplication

Leading a Connect Group is one of the most significant ways you can invest in others and help multiply disciples, leaders, and groups at Gracecity.

Connect Groups at Gracecity come in all shapes and sizes - the important thing is creating a space where people can belong, grow in faith, and take their next move in following Jesus.

Here are some common group types:

Life Stage Groups

Groups built around similar seasons of life:

• Young adults
• Families
• Women’s or men’s groups
• Empty nesters
• Seniors

Mixed Groups

All ages and stages together — often the easiest to start and a great picture of church as whānau.

Interest or Rhythm-Based Groups

Groups that gather around a shared interest or weekly rhythm, such as:

• Dinner groups
• Coffee groups
• Creative or hobby-based groups (with a clear discipleship focus)

New Believers or Foundations Groups

Spaces for people newer to faith to ask questions, learn the basics, and grow in confidence.

Online or Hybrid Groups

For people who can’t always meet in person or who connect best digitally.

Not Sure What Type to Lead?

Your Location Lead Pastor or Group Coach can help you shape a group that fits your passion, gifting, and season of life. The heart is the same: creating a place for people to belong and grow.

Starting a Connect Group is simple — and we’d love to help you explore it.

Step 1: Express Interest

Fill out the Start a Connect Group form or chat with your Location Lead Pastor or Group Coach. We’ll help you discern timing, format, and vision for the group.

Step 2: Meet With a Leader

You’ll meet with your Location Lead Pastor or Group Coach to:

• Share your heart for leading
• Ask questions
• Talk through our mission, vision, and values
• Understand the role and support structure
• Begin the onboarding process

Step 3: Complete Onboarding

We’ll walk you through:

• A short orientation
• Safeguarding expectations
• The practical tools you’ll use (Planning Center, resources, etc.)
• Leader training and events

Step 4: Invite and Launch

Once approved, you’ll:

• Invite people to join your group
• Set a meeting rhythm (at least monthly, typically during school terms)
• Launch with support from your coach and location team

We regularly promote Connect Groups across our locations and are always excited to launch new ones.

You won’t lead alone. We make sure every Connect Group Leader feels equipped and supported from day one.

A Coach Who Knows You

Every leader has a Group Coach (or your Location Lead Pastor) who provides encouragement, guidance, prayer, and help with any pastoral needs.

Training & Connection

Leaders are invited to:

• Leaders Quarterly gatherings
• Coaching Cluster meetings each term
• Short, practical training designed to help you thrive

Quality Resources

You’ll have access to:

• Series-based discussion guides
• Recommended group studies
• RightNow Media
• Our Groups Playbook, which gives you everything you need to lead confidently

Practical Support

We help with the admin so you can focus on people:

• Planning Center support
• Easy ways for people to join your group
• Church-wide promotion of Connect Groups each year

Pastoral & Safeguarding Backing

If someone in your group needs extra care or there’s a safeguarding concern, your coach and our pastoral team are ready to help.