Getting the Right Support For Group Members

As you encounter various care needs within your Growth Group, it is helpful  to triage each case depending on the ‘sort‘ of need, ‘severity’ and ‘sensitivity’. Concerns may range from someone’s absence from Growth Group, to serious health concerns, or mental health problems. 

The majority of concerns can be managed within the general discipleship and care of the Growth Group, drawing on the natural pastoral conversations and encouragement that occurs as we meet together weekly and share about our lives. 

However some care needs may benefit from escalation and there are various avenues for support. You can ask:

• What SORT of need is this? Does this concern require pastoral/discipleship help? Or practical/referral help (to a counsellor, psychologist etc)?
• What’s the SEVERITY of this need? Does this concern require escalation to higher levels of pastoral care? This may mean a concern is raised with staff. Or is it more appropriate to discuss with my CL and receive advice there (less urgent)?
• What’s the SENSITIVITY of this need? Is this a sensitive concern? Should I keep the growth group member anonymous? It may be important to ask permission from the individual before disclosing sensitive information to other leaders. 

This will then guide who you choose to contact for further support, whether that be experienced pastoral staff, a leader within the Growth Group network, or the Care team. 

The Care team may be able to help with practical needs, connect people to professional counselling, as well as offer prayer support. You can use this website to contact the Care team, or alternatively you can get in touch one of the people listed there.

We really care that Group Group members feel loved and supported, but there are also support systems available for you as a leader! You are welcome to reach out to your CL with any care related questions.

How can you be best prepared to manage care as a leader?

1. Have a look at the different avenues of care in the flow chart below
2. Watch the video above to hear about some specific examples, including how to care for someone…
   • who isn’t coming to the growth group regularly (1:52)
   • suffering from depression (3:28)
   • whose marriage is breaking down (6:17)
   • sleeping with their boyfriend or girlfriend (8:28)
   • with a cancer diagnosis or serious illness (11:12)
   • with an addiction (13:31)
   • As well as some serious reportable scenarios (15:45)