Dinner Group Guidelines

Show up. Join in. Be real.

Put words to it early. Shared values and expectations are what keep unspoken agendas and unmet expectations from piling up. Walk through these with your group in the first couple of weeks, and again any time somebody new joins.

Show up

Make group a priority. A big part of community is prioritizing specific relationships. That takes a willingness to be available to each other, so we make group meetings a priority in busy schedules.

Be present. For the hours we are together, be with us. That means silencing whatever is going to pull your attention away.

Welcome newcomers. We invite friends who would get something out of being part of our group, and we give a warm welcome to anyone new.

Join in

Shared ownership. Take a part in making group happen each week. Healthy groups spread the responsibilities around.

Contribute to conversation. We contribute by sharing, or by holding back, whichever the moment calls for. We stay away from conversation that derails the night.

Safe environment. We work to make this a place where people are heard and loved. That means quick to listen and slow to speak. No snap judgments, no quick answers, no simple fixes.

Be real

Authenticity. The atmosphere of a dinner group should encourage openness and transparency. This is a place where people are free to be themselves.

Confidentiality. Authenticity only happens when members can trust that what is said in group stays in group. Whatever is said gets treated with respect and does not get repeated outside the group. Gossip is not tolerated in any form.

Conflict resolution. We handle concerns right away, following the principles in Matthew 18:15-17. It is how we keep gossip from ever starting.