Community Group Leader Qualifications

Community Group Leaders at Church at the Grove are shepherds — people entrusted with the spiritual lives of others. That's not a responsibility we give casually, and it's not one anyone should take lightly. This document exists to make the standard clear: not to intimidate, but to invite honest self-reflection before you step into leadership.

The qualifications below are drawn from 1 Timothy 3:8-13, the biblical standard for deacons — those who serve and lead within the local church. We hold CG Leaders to this same standard because the work is the same: caring for people, modeling Christ, and creating environments where discipleship actually happens.

Read through these carefully. Sit with them. If you see areas of genuine struggle, that's not automatically disqualifying — it's an invitation to a conversation. We'd rather talk through it honestly than have you white-knuckle your way through an application.

The Qualifications

1. Worthy of Respect

"Deacons, likewise, should be worthy of respect..." — 1 Timothy 3:8 (CSB)

Your character earns trust before your title does. People follow you because of who you are, not the role you hold. This isn't about being impressive — it's about being the same person in every room. At church, at home, at work, online. If people who know you well would describe you as trustworthy and consistent, you're on the right track.

2. Sincere — Not Double-Tongued

"...not double-tongued..." — 1 Timothy 3:8

What you say publicly matches who you are privately. No performance, no playing both sides, no saying one thing to one person and something different to another. Integrity of speech is non-negotiable for someone who will be trusted with people's stories and struggles. A leader who gossips or flatters is a leader who will eventually wound the people they're meant to protect.

3. Free from Controlling Substances

"...not indulging in much wine..." — 1 Timothy 3:8 (CSB)

Leadership requires clarity of mind and freedom of conscience. We believe your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19-20), and leading others requires that nothing outside of Christ has control over you.

Regarding alcohol: If drinking to excess is a regular pattern in your life, we ask that you hold off on leading at this time. A history of struggle with alcohol or substances isn't disqualifying — God redeems stories, and yours may actually be a gift to the people you'd lead. But if it's a current, unaddressed struggle, the timing isn't right.

Regarding marijuana and other substances: If you've used marijuana or other illegal substances in the past 12 months, we ask that you not lead at this time.

Regarding addiction recovery: If you are in active recovery and walking in sustained freedom, we'd love to have a conversation. Sometimes the best leaders aren’t the ones who “have it all together,” but the ones who are honest, humble, and walking towards freedom, because that kind of leadership gives others permission to be honest too.

4. Not Pursuing Dishonest Gain

"...not greedy for money..." — 1 Timothy 3:8 (CSB)

You're not stepping into leadership for what you can get out of it — status, influence, connection, or anything else. Your financial life is honest. You're not using people or relationships for personal advantage. CG leadership is a posture of generosity, not greed.

5. Holding to Sound Faith with a Clear Conscience

"...holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience." — 1 Timothy 3:9 (CSB)

You're grounded in the core truths of the Christian faith and in agreement with Church at the Grove's beliefs. You're not carrying unaddressed, hidden sin that's undermining your integrity. This doesn't mean you're perfect — it means you're honest, you're in the light, and you're walking with people who can speak into your life.

6. Tested and Above Reproach

"They must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons." — 1 Timothy 3:10 (CSB)

CG leadership isn't a role for brand-new believers or people who just showed up. Your life has been visible long enough to be evaluated. You've been in community. People who know you well can vouch for you. There's a track record — not of perfection, but of faithfulness.

7. Faithful in Marriage (If Applicable)

"Deacons are to be husbands of one wife..." — 1 Timothy 3:12 (CSB)

If you're married, you are fully devoted to your spouse. You're not involved in a sexual or emotional relationship outside your marriage. Your marriage may not be perfect, but you're committed to it and actively working to strengthen it. If you're single, you're guarding your singleness with intentionality and living with sexual integrity.

Regarding sexual purity: We believe Scripture teaches that sex was created by God as an expression of intimacy between a husband and wife within the covenant of marriage (Gen. 1:28; 1 Thess. 4:3-8; Heb. 13:4).

• If you are in a sexual relationship outside of marriage, we ask that you not lead at this time.
• If you are single and cohabitating with a romantic partner, we ask that you not lead at this time.
• If pornography is a current, unaddressed struggle, we ask that you not lead until you are walking in consistent freedom and accountability in this area.

The Gospel offers full forgiveness and real freedom in all of these areas (1 Cor. 6:9-11). Our goal is never shame — it's health. If any of this describes your situation, reach out. We want to help you get to a place of wholeness.

8. Managing Your Household Well

"...managing their children and their own households competently." — 1 Timothy 3:12 (CSB)

Your home life isn't perfect — no one's is. But it's not chaos either. You're present and engaged with your family. Your children (if you have them) are being raised with love and intentionality. How you lead at home is a preview of how you'll lead a group. If your home is falling apart and you're trying to pour into others, that's a sustainability problem, and it's one we'd want to address together before you step into leadership.

A Word on Social Media

The people in your group will look you up. They'll scroll your Instagram, see your Facebook posts, and form impressions of your character from what you put online. That's just the world we live in.

We're not asking you to be inauthentic. We ask that you be mindful that your digital presence is an extension of your leadership. If your social media is marked by cynicism, political hostility, crude humor, or content that contradicts the values above, it will undermine the trust you're trying to build in your group.

Lead your online life the same way you'd lead your group — with grace, honesty, and an awareness that people are watching.

A Word on Imperfection

None of this is meant to produce leaders who have it all together. It's meant to produce leaders who are honest about where they are, walking in the right direction, and humble enough to keep growing.

If you read through these qualifications and feel disqualified — stop. Read them again, more slowly. The question isn't whether you've ever struggled. It's whether you're currently walking in integrity, actively pursuing Christ, and surrounded by people who can speak honestly into your life.

If you're unsure whether you meet the standard, talk to one of our pastors before you apply. That conversation is part of the process.

Commitment

By submitting a Community Group Leader Application, you are affirming that:

• You are a Covenant Family Member
• You have read and understood these qualifications
• You believe in good conscience that you meet them
• You are willing to be held accountable to them throughout your time as a leader
• You understand that Church at the Grove reserves the right to step you out of leadership if these standards are not upheld

"For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus." — 1 Timothy 3:13 (CSB)