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Our Vision for Neighbor Groups

Neighbor Groups are LifeGroups dedicated to serving God and the people in their city through tangible action. Neighbor Groups may serve with one of Life.Church’s Local Partners, alongside another organization in their community, or on their own.

Getting Started

One of the most important things you can do as a Neighbor Group Leader is to pinpoint a strong vision for your group. When you’re able to communicate the heart behind your group and the specific ways you serve your community, people will be drawn to join in and help.

We’ve created three resources to help you identify your vision and take your next steps.

• • Practical Advice for Leading Your Neighbor Group video: As you consider your vision, start by watching this video. www.go2.lc/NGLeader
  • Neighbor Groups Overview guide: Find out practical ways Neighbor Groups can serve others. www.go2.lc/NGOverview
  • Your Neighbor Group Vision and Plan PDF: Use this guide to establish your vision and create a plan for your group. www.go2.lc/NGPlan

Creating a Welcoming and Safe Environment

As a Neighbor Group Leader, it’s your responsibility to ensure participants feel welcomed and safe when serving. A few practical ways you can do this include:

• • Selecting “Volunteering” as the focus of your group while registering. This ensures your group is both promoted accurately and tracked correctly.
  • Setting clear expectations on where you’ll meet, how long the group will last, and any supplies or equipment participants will need to bring.
  • Consistently sharing safety guidelines, especially for activities that involve physical labor or interacting with specific groups or individuals in your community.
  • Reiterating that the goal of your group is to serve God and your community, and that following the guidance and safety practices helps everyone do that well.

LifeGroup Activity Release Form

Every Neighbor Group participant must complete a LifeGroup Activity Release Form, a form designed for groups involving physical activity. Please bookmark the form for easy access. This will make it easy for you to help new participants fill out the form. www.go2.lc/LGRelease

Additional Requirements for Independent Serving Opportunities

If your Neighbor Group is not serving under a Local Partner or another established nonprofit, please follow the additional requirements below when serving on private property.

Participant Background Checks

Any Neighbor Group participant serving on private property must complete a Life.Church background check prior to serving. This applies to projects like home repair, yard work, car care and maintenance, and any other hands-on work performed at a personal residence or on personal property. www.life.church/backgroundcheck

Service Project Recipient Agreement

For service projects taking place on private property, a Service Project Recipient Agreement is required to be completed with the property owner to clarify expectations, scope of work, and permission before the project begins. www.go2.lc/projectagreement

Since your Neighbor Group will be volunteering in your community, it’s important for you to stay in contact with your Community Pastor and coach. As you keep them up to date with where you’re serving and how things are going, they’ll be able to help your group get established and navigate any issues you face. 

Additional Resources

Check out the following resources to learn more about what a Neighbor Group is, explore common causes, and search for content you can discuss with your group.

• • Local Missions Bible Plan: Learn how you can care for your community in this five-day Bible Plan. www.go2.lc/LocalBiblePlan
  • Local Missions website: Find a Local Partner, give to Local Missions, and more. www.life.church/local
  • You’ve Heard It Said podcast, Season 9: Listen or watch to learn more about common causes you can support in your community, then download the Conversation Guides to discuss what you hear with your Neighbor Group. www.go2.lc/YHIS9Playlist