The Small Group Covenant

Creating a safe place for one another to share, build trust and nurture personal spiritual growth is not an easy feat.  Many have been church-burned or crucified by fellow Christians.  We all have degrees of woundedness, some people have excessive personalities, unusual ideas and just plain annoying habits.  Through community we must protect and bear burdens for one another with all the love we can muster.  I want to share a sample covenant agreement you can consider for everyone that comes to your group.  I suggest you renew this covenant every year and have individuals sign this agreement.  This is just a sample and the group can and will adjust the covenant language as they see fit.  There are many versions available on the internet for you to copy, so don't feel you have to re-invent the wheel.


The Purpose of [Name of the Small Group] is to lead people to a life-changing connection with Jesus Christ by building a healthy small-group community. We agree to the following expectations:
This group will normally meet every __________________________________ Actual meeting time is to begin at _____________ and end at _____________
We will meet at __________________________________________________ Refreshments or meals will be handled in the following manner: ____________ _______________________________________________________________
Childcare will be handled in the following manner: _______________________ _______________________________________________________________

We agree to the following values:
1. Priority. Because we believe in the value of community, we agree to give priority to our group meetings. If we are running late, we will call ahead.
2. Confidentiality. We agree that whatever is shared here stays here. This includes what is shared through phone calls, e-mails, etc. We want this group to be a safe place to grow.
3. Participation. We agree to encourage, support, and stand behind one another, choosing to see ourselves linked together.
4. Accessibility. We agree to give one another the right to call in times of need—even in the middle of the night.
5. Openness. We will seek to be open and honest with each other. Our small group is a place where we can take off our masks, be ourselves, and be accepted for who we are.
6. Respect. We agree to communicate in ways that are respectful, and to give advice only when it is requested. We will strive to be available to one another and listen, encourage, support, and tell the truth in loving ways.
7. Open Chair. We agree to keep an empty chair for others and seek to reach out to people like us who need this place of caring and growth.

__________________________________________ __________________ Signature/ Date