Online Safety for Your LifeGroup

At Life.Church, we’re big enough to reach the world and small enough to care for the one. As a LifeGroup Leader, you get to create space for people to find life-giving community with God and each other. 

One of the main ways people discover your LifeGroup is through the online LifeGroup Search Tool. When someone finds your group there, they can submit an interest form, and you’ll receive a text and email when that happens. 

As you engage in conversations with individuals who are interested in your LifeGroup, it’s important to use wisdom and discernment, including setting clear boundaries when appropriate. 

We want you to feel confident in your ability to navigate online safety related to your group, while also knowing that your campus team is always there to help and support you.

Recognizing Unusual Requests

The LifeGroups Search Tool is a great way for people to find community and get connected to our church. Occasionally, you might receive a request from someone that seems unusual or raises concerns. While most people who reach out are genuinely looking for community, some requests might be spam or part of a scam. 

Here are a few indicators that a request might be suspicious:

• • Someone has an international phone number but wants to join a U.S.-based in-person LifeGroup.
  • The message includes requests for money, financial help, or gift cards.
  • The person shares a link for you to click.
  • The message feels generic, automated, or unrelated to joining a LifeGroup.

What to Do When Something Feels Off

If something feels off, even if you can’t quite put your finger on why, you’re not required to engage. It’s okay to ignore the message and block the number. Your safety and your group’s safety always come first.

If you receive a suspicious request, please report it to your Community Pastor. Documenting activity like this helps us respond quickly, keep accurate records, and protect our leaders, attenders, and groups. It also gives your Community Pastor a chance to follow up and care for the person directly. 

If you choose to respond, keep these things in mind:

• • Don’t share personal information. Avoid sharing your home address, personal phone number, meeting details, or any additional personal information beyond what’s already publicly visible in the group listing.
  • Redirect to Life.Church Online groups. Remember, you’re not required to reply to an international number. If you’d like to help someone get connected, keep your response brief and direct.

Respond With Kind Confidence

If you choose to respond to an international request, feel free to use this template as a starting point:

Hi, [Name]!

Thanks for your interest in joining our LifeGroup! Our group meets in person in the U.S., so it may not be the best fit based on your location. The good news is that Life.Church has online groups designed for people connecting from anywhere in the world.

We’re praying you find a group where you can grow in your faith and experience meaningful community.

Blessings,

[Your Name]