Online Attendance, Eager or Hesitant?

When tasked with taking attendance, Growth Group leaders tend to fall into one of two categories. Some thrive on organization and accurate data, and, therefore, are eager to enter online attendance. Others, though, drag their feet when taking attendance, finding it unnecessary or tedious. 

Growth Group leaders are either eager or hesitant to enter online attendance. Which one are you? 

The goal of this email is to add clarity to the Why, How, and When of online attendance. 

God calls us to shepherd people. We learn how best to shepherd those in our groups by following in the ways of the Good Shepherd. In the same way, Jesus knows and cares for His sheep individually and by name, we need to do so as well. Proverbs 27:23 says, “Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds.” 

Online attendance helps us know and care for people.

Thousands of people attend Highpoint Church. It is impossible to “know well” and “give attention” to that large a flock. So, a primary way we shepherd people is through Growth Groups. Taking attendance in Growth Groups reveals who is engaged, who is inconsistent, who needs more intentional care.

Attendance is not the goal; care is the goal. Attendance is the vehicle. 

Another hesitancy might be an unhealthy view that your Growth Group is your group and not a Highpoint group. Our Growth Groups are not apart from Highpoint, but a part of Highpoint. 

We desire to make this as simple as possible for you. 

We are grateful for all that you do to love and lead people. We do not want to create busy work for you. Our team has created a simple process to update rosters and enter online attendance. Please read and review this document.

Fifteen minutes before your Growth Group starts, you will receive a text reminder with a link for attendance from 630-864-6481. The process only takes a few seconds. It’s as easy as 1-2-3!

1 - Click the link in text

2 - Click “take attendance”

3 - Check the boxes of those in attendance 

There is no submit button. Simply checking boxes submits attendance. It’s easy- as easy as 1-2-3.

If you are not receiving a text before your Growth Group, if your group roster is inaccurate, or if you need assistance, please email Shayna at [email protected]. She will be glad to assist you.

Every time your Growth Group meets. Not just at the start of a semester. Not occasionally. Rather, every time your group meets. 

A best practice is to do so at group time or within an hour of your group time to make sure you don’t forget.

There are two types of Growth Group leaders related to online attendance - those who are eager and those who are hesitant. Which one are you? If you are hesitant, we hope you will be eager after reading this!

Please let us know if you have any questions or if we can better serve or support you.