A Note to Small Community Leaders

Small Community Leaders are...

• People who encourage participation and the sharing of our Christian faith.
  
• People who encourage the spiritual growth of the community and its individual members through communal prayer, a prayerful atmosphere at meetings, and daily prayer and reflection on the Scriptures.
  
• People who move the community to action to be carried out between meetings. They are not satisfied with a self-centered comfort level in the community but are always urging that the faith of the community be brought to impact on their daily lives and the world around them.
  
• Community builders who create a climate of hospitality and trust among all participants.
  

Small Community Leaders are not...

• Theologians: The nature of the meeting is faith sharing; should a theological or scriptural question arise, the leader should turn to the pastor or staff to seek guidance.
  
• Counselors: The small communities are not intended for problem solving. This is an inappropriate setting to deal with emotionally laden issues of a personal nature. The leader is clearly not to enter the realm of treating people with emotional, in-depth feelings such as depression, anxiety or intense anger. When someone moves in this direction, beyond faith sharing, the leader should bring the community back to faith sharing. With the help of the pastor or staff, the person should be advised to seek the assistance of professional counseling.
  
• Teachers: The leaders are not teachers. Their role is to guide the process of the faith sharing as outlined in the materials.

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