Steps to Becoming a 
Small Group/Prayer Group Leader

Small Group Leader Job Description

The job of the deacon is to assist the Elders in their pastoral work in an effort to protect their time of study and prayer.  A Deacon is required to have exemplary character (the standards are as high as for the Elder), because the Deacon is a leadership role.  Anyone can assist the Elders, but the Deacons do so in a unique way – as similarly qualified leaders who can help in ways others cannot.  When an Elder has a task (such as counseling, distributing benevolence money, helping in decision making or some special leadership role) that requires an especially trustworthy person who has exemplary character, it is the Deacons’ role to assist with that task.

Small Group Leader Qualities

•	A small group leader must be a person who is committed to the ministry of Agape.
•	Be invested and faithful in attending church meetings (worship, small groups, corporate prayer, etc), 
•	Be eager to serve,
•	Be loyal to church leadership, both personally and philosophically,
•	Be willing to make sacrifices for the spiritual benefit of others. 

For all Small Group Leader

Stage One: Getting Acquainted 

Stage One of the process (Getting to Know Us and Getting to Know You).
□	Give your Testimony to an elder in written form or verbally.
□	Write a 300 to 700 word presentation of the gospel
□	Read the Agape Distinctives
□	Complete the Agape 101 Class
□	Listen to the following series and write a short paper for each one that contains the highlights of the class for future reference in your ministry.
□	Loving God 
□	What is a Church?
□	Jesus’ Pattern for Prayer
□	Fill out the General Ministry Survey and the Basic Doctrine Survey

Stage two: General Training 

□	Attend 4 different prayer or small groups
□	Co-Lead a small group with 2 different prayer group leaders.
□	Attend a Character Builder and  formulate a plan for making progress in the areas of weakness in your character. Discuss this plan with a pastor.
□	Attend the small group leaders meeting the 3rd Saturday of each month at 2:00pm.

Types of Small Groups

Prayer Group
Dinner Group
James 1:25 Group
Fellowship Group
Accountability Group
Ministry Group
Discussion Groups (sermon, book, tape series, study guide, character builder)
Bible Study Group (video teaching, leader hosts)
Bible Study Groups (live teaching, leader teaches)