Welcome

To
QuickTimeª and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.

A Leadership Training Guide

What Fusion Is
The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. –
Galatians 5:6
Fusion is a community ministry of Bay Church that uses relational principles to create an
environment to allow people to grow intellectually, spiritually and actively in their faith in Jesus
Christ. It is founded on the idea that God often builds, heals,
encourages and communicates to his people through
relationships: relationships with him, with others, and even our QuickTimeª and a
BMP decompressor
relationship with our self. The goal of Fusion is to enrich and are needed to see this picture.

fortify these relationships through community so that they will

bring out the glory, freedom, hope, and love of Christ to each
other and the world around us.

What Fusion Does

+Discussion+
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing,
but let us encourage one another. –Hebrews 10:25
Like a small group, Fusion is a weekly gathering of people for the purpose of exploring the depths
of God’s Word and each other’s lives in an environment more personal than the larger Sunday
gathering. Each week leaders will guide a group discussion based on the lesson from the previous
Sunday service. This will contribute to a unity in the teaching and direction of the church body as
a whole as well as help cement the lesson from Sunday in the lives of the people. The Connections
Pastor will provide a discussion guide each week for the leader’s convenience, but the structure
and content of each meeting will be the responsibility of the group leader. This will also be the
time for us as brothers and sisters through Christ to share our lives with each other and to create a
support network for one another. It is almost needless to say that solid fellowship is a vital part of
the Christian life, and this is the time to allow that to happen.

+Outreach+
“Why do call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say” –Luke 6:46
Unlike a small group, Fusion will be intentional about putting
into practice the principles it preaches. Fusion groups will have The greatest proof of Christianity
regular times of service and community outreach, especially in for others is not how far a man
its immediate neighborhoods. This is a crucial part of what it can logically analyze his reasons
means to be a Christian community. It is important to for believing, but how far in
remember that we are not starting a Christian academy. We are practice he will stake his life on
starting a Christian community to Fuse with and influence the his belief. –T.S. Eliot
secular community around us. If we are not willing and able to
impact the world the way Jesus and the early apostles
did, then our faith, beyond our personal salvation, is
useless in this world. What good is it to learn and
discuss the living powerful truth of Christ if we never
share it with the hurting, broken, bonded people outside
QuickTimeª and a
the door? With this in mind, Fusion groups will be a BMP decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
major arm of outreach and public service for Bay
Church. This is not just beneficial for those around us

*From Alan Hirsch

but also for the group itself. Few things prove to us the truth of the Word like seeing it work in the
real world and few things create solid trusting relationships like shared service and difficulty. And
this will include difficulty. Christianity is a difficult, even scary, thing to put into practice. But if
we as leaders are willing to do this with our groups, the Bible promises us that incredible things
will happen.

+Discipleship+
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord
of three strands is not quickly broken. -Ecclesiastes 4:12
The final thing Fusion groups will do on a regular basis is discipleship. Each group will take one
week each month to allow its members to gather in groups of 2-3 people (ideally of similar
affinity) for even more personal interaction focusing on accountability and encouragement for a
personal relationship with God. Plan a shorter group discussion this week and excuse the group
early so that they can meet for discipleship. For leaders, be looking for people that hit it off
naturally and suggest that they meet as discipleship partners during these times. You may also may
want to start a discipleship group for new people that may need to learn the basics such as personal
devotions, prayer, accountability, ect. This will also be a great time for you to spend time training
a person that you identify as a possible future Fusion leader.

What a Fusion Leader Is

Biblical leadership is a servant-leadership model. Think of yourselves as a support for those in
your group. Rather than a top-down, corporate model of leadership we exist as a bottom-up,
support-based leadership. Be looking for ways to encourage growth in the people of your group.
You will lead discussions, answer questions, be available for counseling (or direct someone to the
pastoral staff for counseling), and be leading by example in regards to outreach. But this
relationship to your group will be more like a rudder to a ship than a boss to employees.
Remember that everything we do as Christians is to bring glory to God and not to ourselves. Our
leadership mentality should be that of John the Baptist: “[Jesus] must become greater, I must
become less.” It is also important to remember that you are the spiritual covering for your group.
So be aware of where the Spirit is leading you to steer your group. And most important of all, you
should regularly be covering each person in your group in prayer and devotion.

What a Fusion Leader Does

In everything set an example by doing what is good. In your teaching
show integrity, seriousness, and soundness of speech. -Titus
2:7

+Organizing Your Group+

The following is a list of things to consider for your group. How and why will you implement
these matters? Have a solid understanding of why your group does what it does. Take into
consideration the people in your group and how best to accommodate them. But be willing to
make revisions as your group changes and grows. Be creative. Just because you’ve always seen
something done one way doesn’t mean you can’t branch out, try new things, and have fun with it!
And please remember that the Connections Pastor is available to discuss any of these items. Space
has been provided for you to jot down ideas, notes, and thoughts on each.

 When and where to hold your group each week

  Hospitality: Food/Drinks; Fellowship; Creating a Safe/Comfortable Atmosphere

 Worship: Explore creative ways to express worship ie. music, poetry, art, reflection, ect.

 Prayer: Use the power of prayer in the lives of your people.

 Discussion: Learn to involve your group dynamically. Find a healthy balance between
teaching and discussion.

 Outreach: Be constantly looking for creative ways to impact your immediate community.
New people in your group shouldn’t just come from the church.

 Discipleship: Make sure people know the how and why.

 Communion: This should be done on a regular basis since fellowship is a vital part of
communion. Again, be creative!

 Involving your group: Allow people to be a part of the process. Remember that you are
not entertaining people, you are encouraging their growth.

 Children: How will you provide childcare? How will children benefit from this time?

 Creating Trust: People are dynamic, complicated and imperfect. Be sure to regularly
communicate a spirit of acceptance, freedom, and love as opposed to judgment,
condemnation, and legalism.

+Expectations for Fusion Leaders+

 Be ready to devote at least 2 hours/week (on top of the group’s meeting time) including:
 lesson prep, prayer, contacting members, set-up.
 You will meet with the Connections Pastor for accountability, discipleship, and support on
a regular basis.
 You will be sent occasional training videos from the Connections Pastor. Please watch
these and reply to the adjacent questions.
 Each week you will receive a discussion guide for your group that you can modify and
structure for discussion during your group’s meeting.
 It will be your responsibility to multiply your group. You will identify and develop an
apprentice leader who will be sent off to lead another small group.
 The small groups will be one of the vehicles for service and outreach for Bay Church. You
will be in charge of regular service and outreach events with your group.
 Each group’s purpose and vision must align with that of Bay Church: Transformed Lives,
Impacting Culture. You will renew that vision for your group on a regular basis
 You must be comfortable with the Biblical principles of spiritual leadership: teaching,
correcting, rebuking, training, encouraging, and evangelism (2 Tim 3:16 – 4:2, 4:5)
 You are responsible for the leadership and guidance of the people in your group, as such
your personal relationship with God must be flourishing and growing. If you are not
connected to the Spirit you will not be an effective Small Group leader, if you are not
growing, neither will your group. As a result, we ask that you be accountable for daily
personal devotions with the Connections Pastor as you meet each month.

+Reflection Questions+
Finally, please take time to ponder these questions on your own time to prepare your heart for
this role. Remember that your group will be a reflection of your heart.

 Why do you wish to lead a Fusion group?

 What part will your group play in the larger Bay Church body?
 What will be your foundation and your source(s) of encouragement for this role?
 Where do you want to take the people in your group?
 How will God be a part of this group?
 Six months from now, what do you want people to say your group is all about?