CU Impact Groups have proven a wonderful means of nourishing Christians, inspiring mission and welcoming a range of friends on campus. There are around 5,000 students nationally meeting in more than 800 CU Impact Groups. They share the same values – to be ambitious, welcoming, intentional and missional.
You have been asked to lead one of these groups. Not only will you be equipped with valuable life and ministry skills, you will play a part in inspiring everyday mission on your campus and engaging a whole generation of friends who don’t yet know Jesus.
The Bible teaches us that Christian leadership is not primarily about what you can do. Christian leadership is mainly about who you are. Are you growing in these areas?
Christians who are growing have a desire to see the fruit of the Spirit in their lives. Christians who are suitable leaders know that they are imperfect and struggle with sin, but are also amazed by God’s grace and are growing in their passion to serve Him and make Him known. Are you heading in the right direction?
The gospel that the CU offers to the university is summarised in the UCCF Doctrinal Basis. The CU unites on these truths, bringing together Christians from different church backgrounds into missional community. We love these truths – they are life giving! It is essential that CU leaders believe and celebrate these truths.
Take a read of the Doctrinal Basis and ask if it’s something you can sign up to and celebrate. If you have questions, bring them to a current CU leader or CU Staff Worker.
By saying “Yes” to being an Impact Group leader, you are committing to running a weekly group meeting and attending local training to support you. This time commitment will likely be around three hours a week.
Impact Group leaders are provided with ready-to-use material – so you won’t need to pore over ancient Greek or Hebrew as you prepare a Bible study! However, you will need to put prayer and thought into making the sessions your own, and in how your Impact Group can be ambitious, welcoming, intentional and missional in your particular setting.
So be honest with yourself. Are you able to joyfully commit a few hours a week to this exciting role?
A teachable spirit and Christian humility are qualifying characteristics for all Christian leaders. Are you excited to know God better? Is applying the gospel to all of life a foundational attitude? Are you to willing to trust Jesus and you step out of your comfort zone?
Christian leadership is almost always a step into the unknown. You might feel daunted about what’s ahead. Becoming an Impact Group leader will provide you with plenty of opportunities to learn new things about yourself and your God – if you are willing to be taught and to rely on Him.
CU leaders should be committed to a local church in their city, even in this season of not necessarily being able to gather physically. You should look to your local church to support you in your leadership role. Perhaps there’s someone at your uni church who you can ask to watch out for you and help you keep your eyes fixed in the term ahead.
If you’re still looking around for a church to settle in, then it’s probably not the right time for you to step into CU leadership.
Your local Staff or Relay Worker will provide regular sessions for you and other Impact Group leaders in your CU – training you, encouraging you and praying with you. Leadership is a team game and it’s very important you’re willing to create space for these relationships.
After prayerful consideration of what you’ve read here, and having chatted it through with others, you may decide that it’s wise to say ‘no’ to being an Impact Group leader. Let the current CU leaders know when you’ve made your decision. Whoever pointed you to this page should also have given you some way to get in touch with them.
If you’re willing to serve as a CU Impact Group leader, follow these simple steps:
Can we set cookies? We use necessary cookies to make our site work. We’d also like to set analytics cookies that help us make improvements by measuring how you use the site. More about cookies.
By clicking the Accept button below you are giving your consent for us to set cookies.