Growth Pathway: Santa Monica
Group Leader / Helper Info
Introduction
Discipleship is the Great Commission and the heart of all we do at Vintage.
We want to grow as a church family in following Jesus together, experiencing the fullness of life in him. And to reflect this counter-cultural, not-to-be-missed life of Jesus to our city.
Growing as a disciple of Jesus is a lifelong journey, but as we continue to walk together, we need to go deeper in discipleship. To establish what it means to follow Jesus in Los Angeles, to lean into what we believe and why. To learn to live fully in Christ, in our cultural moment and to find our people – those who will walk with us along the way.
So, we developed the Growth Pathway. so that everyone can keep growing, no matter if they’re exploring faith for the first time, or have been following Jesus for many years.
For some, growth might look like helping others to grow. Group leading or helping others on our growth pathway.
Vintage Growth Pathway
An invitation to explore, dive deeper and find community.
The graphic below shows our full Discipleship Pathway. A series of intentional ministries to fuel growth wherever people are at. From exploring faith (Alpha), to Rooted for new Christians, and those wanting a refresher, to find out what it means to follow Jesus – and then School of Discipleship and Vintage Communities for all who want to go deeper and find community.
Leading at Vintage School of Discipleship
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*This year, School of Discipleship will take place on Thursday evenings from 7:00-9:00PM.
As a leader, you only need to sign up for one term, and then you can decide if you want to continue or not
Term 1: September 17th - November 5th 2026
Term 2: January 28th - March 18th 2027
Term 3: April 15th - June 3rd 2027
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Come early for leader training at 6:30pm, then lead a School of Discipleship group from 7: 00-9:00pm
The commitment is for eight weeks (one term). Leaders sign up per term and are assigned a co-leader per term.
If you want to continue as a leader in Term 2, you just sign up at the time, no obligation.
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VSOD Leaders are the heartbeat of this ministry. Leaders walk with a small group of people through each term. The role of the leader is to facilitate honest conversation, care for your group, and guide them back to Jesus. Leaders are not the experts with answers, but individuals who prayerfully steward the space and guide participants to the available resources.
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Care for the individuals in your group, not just the material.
Guide: point people back to Jesus, especially in the hard or unclear moments.
Facilitate: steward the conversation rather than play the expert — keep it honest, shared, and safe.
Engage in all the assigned reading, content, and practices.
Attend Leader Training every week (6:30-7:00 PM).
Be an example of discipleship to the people in your group.
Align with our beliefs (vintagechurchla.com/beliefs) and live out the ethic of Jesus.
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To help people go deeper in belief, practice, and friendship, not just learning about following Jesus, but walking it out together.
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6:00–6:30 pm, Prayer House (optional): worship and prayer, open to anyone.
6:30–7:00 pm, Leader Training (mandatory): you and the other leaders pray and preview the night
7:00 pm Main Session together, then 8:00–9:00 pm Group Discussion (conversation questions/prompts will be provided)
Questions? Reach out any time: discipleship@vintagechurchla.com
APPLY TODAY! APPLICATION DEADLINE AUG 16
Leading a Group at Rooted
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Rooted runs on nine Tuesday evenings from 7-9pm from Sep 22 - Nov 17.
Plus a Retreat in Ojai on Nov 7-8. -
Rooted runs on nine Tuesday evenings from 7-9pm from Sep 22 - Nov 17. Leaders will need to arrive early for leader training at 6pm.
There is a Retreat in Ojai on Nov 7-8, which is a key part of the guest experience..
There is also a leader training on either Sep 8, at 7–8:30pm OR Sep 13, 2026, 1:30–3pm. -
To facilitate the group through active listening, asking the given questions and creating a positive group experience.
You’re not expected to teach or have all the answers. You only need to create a safe and friendly presence.
You will also need to do the weekly reading and homework in your own time which takes around 30-40 mins per week. -
Care for the individuals in your group, not just the material.
Guide: point people back to Jesus, especially in the hard or unclear moments.
Facilitate: steward the conversation rather than play the expert — keep it honest, shared, and safe.
Engage in all the assigned reading, content, and practices.
Attend Leader Training every week (6:00-7:00 PM).
Align with our beliefs (vintagechurchla.com/beliefs) and live out the ethic of Jesus.
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To help people gain a better understanding of what it means to follow Jesus whether they are new to faith or just need a refresher of the basics.
Not just learning about following Jesus, but reflecting on how we can walk it out together.
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6:00–7 00 pm, Leader Training (mandatory): you and the other leaders pray and preview the night
7:00 pm –9:00 pm - dinner and group time (conversation questions/prompts will be provided).
Questions? Reach out any time: discipleship@vintagechurchla.com
APPLY TODAY! APPLICATION DEADLINE AUG 16
Hosting or Helping at Alpha
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This year, Alpha will take place on nine Tuesday evenings from 7-9pm – Sep 22 - Nov 17.
Hosts and Helpers come early for training at 6pm.
It also includes the Alpha Retreat in Ojai on Nov 7-8.
There is also one mandatory Alpha training on either Sep 8, at 7–8:30pm OR Sep 13, 2026, 1:30–3pm. -
Come early for Alpha training at 6pm, then host or help with a group from 7: 00-9:00pm
The commitment is nine Tuesdays 6-9pm from Sep 22 - Nov 17. Weekly Host and Helper Training is from 6-7pm.
Plus the Alpha Retreat in Ojai on Nov 7-8.*
And one Alpha training on either Sep 8, at 7–8:30pm OR Sep 13, 2026, 1:30–3pm.
* The Alpha Retreat is a key part of the Alpha experience. If you’re unable to attend or would like more information, apply anyway, but please let us know. -
Hosts are currently being recruited and trained by invitation only. They’re the key facilitator of the group. They create a safe, enjoyable and fun experience. They listen, ask questions and protect the group dynamics, ensuring that everyone gets to particpate. They’re not there to give their views, but to actively listen, so that guests can share what they think about the talks.
Alpha Helpers support the host through listening and helping to include everyone in the group. They encourage guests to share their thoughts and reflections and track group attendance. -
To create a safe and fun space for people to explore Jesus and ask questions without judgement or other people trying to fix them or preach at them.
To give people an opportunity to have great conversations with others with have different beliefs and experiences.
To create opportunities for guests to hear the talks, engage in the Q&R with Ger or receive access to resources (not to give answers!) – so that they can make up their own minds without any pressure.
To ensure people feel safe and loved so they have a positive experience of Christians and Jesus. -
6:00– Prayer and Alpha Host / Helper Training (mandatory): you and the other leaders pray and preview the night
7:00 pm Main Session together
8:00–9:00 pm Group Discussion (conversation questions/prompts will be provided)
9pm – Go to the Alpha pub to continue the conversation.
Questions? Reach out any time: info@alphala.org
APPLY TODAY! APPLICATION DEADLINE AUG 16