local
collectives
handbook

Hey Collective Leader,

While salvation happens in a moment, we believe that genuine and lasting life change happens in the context of relationships over time. No person is an island. We need each other!

Thank you for taking on the responsibility of leading a Collective at Local Church.

Your leadership is creating an opportunity for those around you not only to encounter God but also to form authentic relationships with other people on the journey of faith. A Collective turns a crowd into a community!

We can’t thank you enough for your commitment to investing in others and building the Church.

The best is ahead!

We love you,

Abe & Crystal


Jesus is our message

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people are our heart

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excellence is our evangelism

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generosity is our privilege

Jesus is our message · people are our heart · excellence is our evangelism · generosity is our privilege

Local Church Covenant

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    #1 I will protect the unity of my church.

    By acting in love toward other members. By refusing to gossip.
    By following the leaders.

    “So let us concentrate on the things which make for harmony, and on the growth of our fellowship together.” Romans 14:19 (Ph)

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    #2 I will share the responsibility of our church.

    By praying for its growth.
    By inviting the unchurched to attend. 
    By warmly welcoming those who visit.

    “Go out into the country...and urge anyone you find to come in, so that the house will be full.”
    Luke 14:23 (LB)

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    #3 I will serve the ministry of our church.

    By discovering my gifts and talents.
    By being equipped to serve by my pastors.
    By developing a servant’s heart.

    “God gave...some to be pastors and teachers to prepare God’s people for works of ministry, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” Ephesians 4:11-12

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    #4 I will support the testimony of our church.

    By attending church and Collectives faithfully. 
    By living a Godly life.
    By giving regularly.

    “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
    Acts 2:42

what is a collective

Local Collectives are small gatherings of 10-15 people who meet at different cafes, restaurants, and lounges all over Miami and beyond to hang, eat, and talk about life.

They’re where we pray for each other and support one another. God designed us for relationship! We believe it is through the connections made in small groups that God will help us to grow.

FREEDOM IS FOUND IN THE CONTEXT OF COMMUNITY

Real life change happens in the context of authentic relationships, which is why we are a church made up of small groups. In the Bible, they worshiped in the temple, but personal ministry happened “house to house.”

“You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.” Acts 20:20



why are collectives so important?

they create an opportunities for…

  • I need people to strengthen and balance the Word of God in my life.

  • I need people who really know me.

  • I need people to pray for me personally.

  • I need people who will protect me.

  • I need people with whom I can share my story.

we are better together

collectives provide 3 things

01
A place to connect.

“...yes, whatever a person is like, I try to find common ground with him so he will let me tell him about Christ and let Christ save him.” 1 Corinthians 9:22 (LB)

02
A place to protect.

“We know what real love is because Christ gave up His life for us. And so we also ought to give up our lives for our Christian brothers and sisters.” 1 John 3:16 (NLT)

03
A place to grow.

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17

6 things every collective leader should do:

#1 Pray for your Collective.

One of the most powerful things you can do for the people in your Collective is to pray for them consistently. Pray for the health of your Collective. Pray for your Collective members and leaders in your Collective. We believe that, as we pray, our Collectives will remain healthy and continue to grow.

#2 Create memorable moments.

Collective gatherings shouldn’t be formulaic or repetitive.
Stick to the structure, but create opportunities for fun and spontaneity. Create moments during Collective, and be intentional about getting to know people in your Collective and spending time with them outside of Collective.

#3 Contact your Collective weekly.

Maintaining weekly contact as a Collective leader is essential as we are continuously pastoring and discipling people. Making calls, sending texts, and setting aside time to connect with people outside of Collective is when real discipleship and growth take place.

#4 Encourage spiritual growth.

Part of our role as Collective leaders is to constantly encourage spiritual growth. Healthy things tend to grow and the way that we remain healthy is by ensuring that we are spiritually fed and that we are exercising our faith. As leaders, we must model and bring others along on the journey of spiritual growth.

#5 Celebrate special occasions.

Everyone likes to be celebrated! Take some time out
of Collective to celebrate special moments like birthdays, anniversaries, engagements, new jobs, new babies, first- time attenders. There’s always a reason to celebrate! As we celebrate people, we show that we value those around us.

#6 Connect them to church life.

From Growth Track to baptism to serving and everything in between, it is our vision to see each individual in a Local Collective connected to the life of church. As a Collective leader, continue to guide, lead, and model how this looks for those in your Collective.

the building blocks of a collective

Collective Reports
In​ ​order​ ​to​ ​determine​ ​if​ ​your​ ​Collective​ ​is​ ​making​ ​the​ ​appropriate​ ​strides,​ evaluation​​ ​must​ ​take​ ​place. Collective​ leaders ​are responsible to report ​all​ ​numbers​ ​and​ ​data.​ ​​​Having​ ​the​ ​appropriate​ ​data​ ​will​ ​tell​ ​us​ ​if​ ​what we​ ​are​ ​doing​ ​is​ ​working.​ ​​​Collecting​ ​names,​ ​phone​ ​numbers,​ ​email​ ​address​ ​and​ ​attendance​ ​for the​ ​night​ ​and​ ​reporting it​ ​in​ ​real​ ​time​ ​(Collective​ ​night)​ ​goes​ ​a​ ​long​ ​way​ ​in​ ​our​ e​​valuation process.

Collective​ ​Leaders
Each​ ​Collective​ ​will​ ​have​ ​2​ ​Collective​ ​leaders.​ ​​​Collective​ ​leaders​ ​will​ ​oversee​ ​the​ ​whole​ ​process​ ​of​ ​a​ ​Collective. From​ ​how​ ​the​ ​night​ ​of​ ​Collective​ ​should​ ​be​ ​ran​ ​to​ ​ensuring​ ​that​ ​everyone​ ​gets​ ​connected​ ​with​ ​during the​ ​off​ ​week.​ ​​​They​ ​will​ ​build​ ​and​ ​develop​ ​leaders​ ​within​ ​their​ ​Collective​ ​and​ ​encourage​ ​others​ ​to​ ​do the​ ​same

how to lead a successful collective

scroll to learn about the flow of a collective. how to prepare before, how to lead during and how to report after.

Pre Collective

-  Any​ ​new​ ​names​ ​that​ ​have​ ​been​ ​assigned​ ​to​ ​your​ Collective by admin team should be​ ​called​ ​between​ ​24-48​ ​hours​ ​of​ ​them​ ​being​ assigned​ ​to​ ​your​ ​Collective.
-  Send​ ​out​ ​an​ ​“Invite”​ ​through text ​minimum​ ​two​ ​days​ ​prior​ ​to​ ​your​ ​Local​ ​Collective​ ​night.
-  Every​ ​Collective​ ​week​ ​the​ ​discussion​ ​outlines​ ​will​ ​be​ ​texted​ ​out​ ​to​ ​Collective​ ​leaders.​ ​​​Carefully
prepare!​ ​Look​ ​up​ ​the​ ​scriptures.​ ​Answer​ ​the​ ​questions​ ​yourself​ ​first.​ ​Pray​ ​and​ ​ask​ ​the Holy​ ​Spirit​ ​to​ ​guide​ ​you.

The Collective

-  Be​ ​on​ ​time.
-  Allow​ ​the​ ​first​ ​10-15​ ​minutes​ ​to​ ​hang​ ​out​ ​and​ ​get​ ​to​ ​know​ ​each​ ​other.​ ​This​ ​time​ ​is
essential.​ ​Also​ ​food​ ​always​ ​helps​ ​socially​ ​to​ ​empower​ ​people​ ​to​ ​contribute!​ ​Be​ ​a​ ​good host​ ​and​ ​try​ ​to​ ​connect​ ​with​ ​every​ ​member.​ ​You​ ​know​ ​you​ ​have​ ​a​ ​healthy​ ​Collective​ ​when you​ ​have​ ​to​ ​curb​ ​conversations​ ​to​ ​begin​ ​the​ ​discussion!
-  Begin​ ​by​ ​explaining​ ​what​​ ​Collectives​ ​are.
-  Introduce​ ​new​ ​people.
-  Have​ ​someone ready to ​facilitate​ ​an​ ​ice-breaker.​ ​​​Let’s​ ​get​ ​to​ ​know​ ​each​ ​other!
-  In​ ​each​ ​Collective​ ​meeting,​ ​pray​ ​for​ ​each​ ​other’s​ ​needs.​ ​Take​ ​a​ ​moment​ ​and​ ​have​ ​people
celebrate​ ​the​ ​good​ ​things​ ​happening​ ​in​ ​their​ ​life.​ ​A​ ​healthy​ ​Collective​ ​always​ ​casts​ ​people’s
vision​ ​higher.​ ​Emphasize​ ​the​ ​good​ ​more than the bad.
-  Our​ ​Collectives​ ​all​ ​follow​ ​the​ ​same​ ​discussion​ ​outlines​ ​based​ ​on​ ​sermons​ ​by​ ​Pastor​ ​Abe.​ ​This​ ​means​ ​that​ ​the​ ​whole​ ​church​ ​is​ ​moving​ ​forward​ ​in​ ​one​ ​direction​ ​even​ ​if we​ ​do​ ​not​ ​all​ ​attend​ ​the​ ​same​ ​service.
-  ​​​Go​ ​over​ ​upcoming​ ​events​ ​in​ ​the​ ​life​ ​of​ ​our​ ​church​ ​(These​ ​will​ ​be​ texted ​to​ ​you​ ​along with​ ​the​ ​Collective​ ​discussion).
-  Say​ ​bye​ ​to​ ​everyone!
-  Collective​ ​meetings​ ​last​ ​60-75 ​minutes​.​ ​Please​ ​respect​ ​people’s​ ​time​ ​by
starting​ ​and​ ​finishing​ ​the​ ​meeting​ ​promptly.​ ​If​ ​some​ ​want​ ​to​ ​linger​ ​longer,​ ​make​ ​sure​ ​you officially​ ​close​ ​the​ ​meeting​ ​so​ ​that​ ​remaining​ ​members​ ​are​ ​free​ ​to​ ​leave.
-  Taking​ ​attendance​ ​at​ ​each​ ​Collective​ ​meeting​ ​is​ ​critical.​ ​In​ ​order​ ​to​ ​stay​ ​healthy​ ​we​ ​must
track​ ​attendance​ ​and​ ​follow​ ​up​ ​pastorally.​ ​Maintaining​ ​accurate​ ​contact​ ​details​ ​is​ ​helpful in​ ​the​ ​big​ ​picture​ ​of​ ​our​ ​church.​ ​Make​ ​sure​ ​to​ ​get​ ​new​ ​people’s​ ​contact​ ​information (name,​ ​phone​ ​and​ ​email).
-  Lastly,​ ​as​ ​Collective​ ​leaders​ ​let’s​ ​refrain​ ​from​ ​drinking​ ​at​ ​Collective.​ ​​​This​ ​is​ ​a​ ​standard​ ​that​ ​we​ ​set from​ ​the​ ​beginning​ ​and​ ​will​ ​continue​ ​to​ ​follow.

Post Collective` 

- Submit​ ​Collective​ ​report​ ​the​ ​night​ ​of​ ​Collective​.
- You can find the Collective report at the top of this page.

Leading​ ​the​ ​conversation

- The​ ​discussion​ ​time​ ​provides​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​discuss​ ​what​ ​we​ ​have​ ​learned​ ​in​ ​weekend​ ​services, ask​ ​questions​ ​and​ ​reflect​ ​on​ ​how​ ​we​ ​can​ ​apply​ ​biblical​ ​truth​ ​to​ ​our​ ​lives.
- The​ ​early​ ​church​ ​leader​ ​James​ ​wrote:​ ​Do​ ​not​ ​just​ ​read​ ​what​ ​the​ ​Word​ ​says;​ ​do​ ​it!​ ​(James 1:23-25)
- Be​ ​selective​ ​in​ ​your​ ​use​ ​of​ ​the​ ​discussion​ ​questions.​ ​If​ ​people​ ​are​ ​sharing​ ​from​ ​their​ ​hearts​ ​and the​ ​discussion​ ​is​ ​fruitful,​ ​do​ ​not​ ​feel​ ​locked​ ​into​ ​completing​ ​every​ ​question.
- Encourage​ ​people​ ​to​ ​read​ ​from​ ​their​ ​Bibles.​ ​Model​ ​good​ ​use​ ​of​ ​your​ ​Bible.
- Conclude​ ​the​ ​study​ ​with​ ​a​ ​challenge​ ​or​ ​an​ ​emphasis​ ​in​ ​on​ ​how​ ​we​ ​can​ ​apply​ ​what​ ​we​ ​have learned​ ​to​ ​our​ ​lives.

“People​ ​Counting”

The​ ​shepherd​ ​knew​ ​when​ ​one​ ​sheep​ ​was​ ​missing​ ​from​ ​his​ ​fold​ ​of​ ​100​ ​(Luke​ ​15:4).​ ​As​ ​one pastor​ ​said,​ ​“We​ ​count​ ​people​ ​because​ ​people​ ​count!”​ ​It​ ​is​ ​important​ ​that​ ​we​ ​are​ ​faithful​ ​with those​ ​who​ ​have​ ​been​ ​entrusted​ ​to​ ​us.​ ​Every​ ​person​ ​matters​ ​to​ ​God.

Good cultural moments

-  We​ ​Believe​ ​a​ ​Collective​ ​builds​ ​a​ ​Crowd
-  We’re​ ​not​ ​a​ ​church​ ​with​ ​small​ ​groups,​ ​we​ ​are​ ​a​ ​church​ ​of​ ​small​ ​groups
-  Collectives​ ​turn​ ​a​ ​Crowd​ ​into​ ​a​ ​community
-  We’re​ ​doing​ ​life​ ​together
-  More​ ​is​ ​caught​ ​than​ ​taught
-  We’re​ ​blessed​ ​to​ ​be​ ​a​ ​part
-  We​ ​don’t​ ​have​ ​to​ ​be​ ​here,​ ​we​ ​get​ ​to​ ​be​ ​here

Poor cultural moments

-  Don’t​ ​say...“Your​ ​Church.”​ ​It’s...​ ​“Our​ ​Church”
-  ​​“We​ ​don’t​ ​go​ ​deep​ ​enough.”​ ​(this​ ​is​ ​always​ ​a​ ​subjective​ ​statement​ ​that​ ​stems​ ​typically from​ ​a​ ​critical​ ​spirit)
-  Church​ ​takes​ ​up​ ​so​ ​much​ ​time
-  I​ ​have​ ​to​ ​be​ ​here​ ​otherwise​ ​I​ ​will​ ​get​ ​in​ ​trouble