Q: What is Life Lessons Over Lunch?
A: Life Lessons Over Lunch is an employee driven, volunteer group whose mission is to facilitate the spiritual growth of those employees who choose to participate. Life Lessons Over Lunch groups take practical, Biblical teaching about everyday challenges and introduces those concepts to employees in a non-threatening environment. There are five guiding principles for all groups:
• Positive focus: We do not disparage any other religion or spiritual belief.
• Employee owned: All activities are conducted during non-company time (i.e. lunch hour) at no incremental cost to the company.
• Open Environment: It is non-denominational and anyone can attend.
• Self-sustaining: No costs can be passed on to any church or religious organization.
• Volunteer driven: Groups are directed by volunteers, executed by volunteers, and attendance is voluntary.
Q: What is the purpose of Life Lessons Over Lunch?
A: The purpose of Life Lessons Over Lunch is to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ, by encouraging people to leverage their influence in the marketplace and equipping them to create relevant and safe environments for participants to explore Biblical principles and consider faith.
Q: How does Life Lessons Over Lunch work?
A: A Life Lessons Over Lunch meeting consists of two things: a DVD containing a message series, and lunch. As the group shares lunch they will watch a DVD message.
Q: What additional equipment is needed?
A: Based on the set-up of the room, either a laptop computer or a DVD player is needed to show the message. If a laptop is used with a larger group, a projector will be necessary. Some smaller groups have gathered around a laptop, but this would be a challenging option for groups larger than 4 or 5. If using a DVD player, a television or a connection to a projector will be needed.
Q: Should Life Lessons groups provide free lunches?
A: We have seen that the provision of free lunches for participants is the best way to attract and retain participants. We do not recommend asking for public donations for lunch. However, some groups have had private benefactors who have volunteered to provide lunch.
Q: How do L2/L groups provide free lunches?
A: There are a variety of strategies for providing lunches, such as:
• Restaurants will donate or discount the lunches.
• Companies, mainly private companies, donate money towards the purchase of the lunches.
• The group’s steering team funds the lunches.
Q: Does North Point sponsor or fund lunches?
A: No.
Q: Does North Point provide DVD resources?
A: Yes. North Point provides DVD message media at no cost to the leader.
Q: What other media resources does North Point provide?
A: North Point provides an audio .mp3 of all DVD messages. North Point has waived copyright restrictions in order that the leader may duplicate audio .mp3s of the message.
Q: When do Life Lessons meetings occur?
A: It is important that Life Lessons meetings do not occur on company time, but rather on personal time. Lunch is the ideal time for these meetings to occur, as lunch is considered personal time.
Q: Where do Life Lessons groups meet?
A: Groups typically meet in a common area, such as a conference room or a break room, at the office.
Q: How long is a typical meeting?
A: Each meeting is designed to last an hour or less.
Q: Do L2/L organizers have to speak or teach at the meetings?
A: No. As a matter of fact, we would discourage anyone from turning this into a teaching time. Potentially, the leader might make a brief introduction as to what the message is and what the next series is going to be, but this is strictly an informational time. Most group leaders will open or close in prayer, but again, that is up to the leader and optional.
Q: How often do groups meet?
A: Typically, groups will meet every other week. Meeting weekly makes it difficult for some people’s calendars. It is also difficult to gain momentum if you are only meeting monthly. We’ve found that an every other week rotation is the best practice to employ.
Q: Is there a time for discussion following the DVD message?
A: Typically, time is not allowed for discussion and the group is not designed for this. We do provide a template for each series, which will layout the big idea of the message and give participants an opportunity to reflect on how the message personally applies to his/her situation.
Q: Do I need approval from the company in order to launch a group?
A: Yes. Most companies encourage approval in order to secure meeting space.
Q: How difficult is it to get approval?
A: Typically, approval is just a matter of red tape. Life Lessons typically will fall under the umbrella of corporate diversity. There are typically two different types of employee-initiated groups:
1. Employee Affinity Groups, which are not-for-profit, employee-initiated organizations that support dimensions of diversity, purposes and activities that are not in conflict with Company policies or local, state, and federal laws.
2. Special Interest Organizations, which are not-for-profit employee-initiated organizations that primarily provide social, educational, recreational or hobby opportunities for employees and with purposes and activities that are not in conflict with Company policies or local, state, and federal laws.
Q: How many people are needed to launch a Life Lessons group?
A: There is no numerical determinant.
Q: Can anyone attend a Life Lessons group?
A: Yes. Life Lessons, by design, does not exclude on the basis of religious preference, race or gender. Everyone is welcome to attend. Some companies have OPEN groups that allow outsiders to attend. Other companies are closed to only include employees of that company. If you are interested in visiting an existing group, contact the Life Lessons staff. We can be reached via email at lifelessonsoverlunch@northpoint.org.
Q: Can anyone launch and lead a Life Lessons group?
A: No. There is an application process that all potential leaders must complete in order to receive support and resources.
Q: Does North Point provide training for Life Lessons Leaders?
A: Yes. North Point provides an initial orientation prior to launching a group. Once the group is launched, the coordinator will have direct staff support for 90 days. Following the 90 days, a coach will be assigned to the group for assistance. Additionally, North Point offers multiple opportunities for continuing education.
Q: How do L2/L leaders obtain resources for their groups?
A: Resources can be ordered online at lifelessonsoverlunch.com.
Q: Who determines which message series to use in launching the group?
A: The leader and steering team of each group ultimately determines which series to watch, but North Point provides some suggestions.
Q: What is the best way to select which message to use once L2/L is launched?
A: We advise that groups first map out their year for each of the group meetings. They then pick two core messages for the year (every other year we suggest showing “Evidence That Demands a Verdict” and on the off years, show sessions 1, 3, & 6 of “Taking Care of Business.” At the end of every year show a Christmas series.) After those two core messages are placed on the calendar, then it will be obvious how many sessions will need to be filled for the remainder of the year, as well as two of the subjects that will be covered.
Q: How do leaders promote Life Lessons groups?
A: We don’t recommend posting flyers or other means of broadcast promotion. The most effective method of promotion is by word of mouth.
Q: How does North Point suggest handling the various tasks of a launch?
A: We strongly recommend building a steering team prior to launching a L2/L group. This group would consist of three to five individuals who share the same vision for the company. Ideally, this team would have a senior officer on board. In addition, we suggest building a team of volunteers.
Q: What are the volunteer roles and responsibilities?
A: There are lots of opportunities for others to get involved. Having a team of volunteers will also create a shared sense of ownership. The following is a list of volunteer roles:
• Facilities – This group handles booking the room, laying out any needed handouts, and setting up the equipment.
• Food – This group identifies a source for lunch, secures food for the meeting, and then sets up the food as well.
• Promotion – This group collaborates on new initiatives. Tasks associated with promotion include coordinating the email invitation list, sending out email invites, hanging signs for the meeting, and handling announcements.
• Resources – As groups grow, the demand for additional resources also grows. It’s necessary to have a team that handles resource requests such as .mp3s, books, etc.
• Greeters – While not a necessity, greeters are a nice way of welcoming new attendees. Again, the focus is to make the environment non-threatening.
• Cleaning Up – This group is in charge of returning the meeting room to the condition in which it was found.
• Coordinator – Lastly, someone will need to be in charge of coordinating all of the volunteers.
Q: If someone is a sole proprietor, with no employees, how can they be involved?
A: There are many options for service, including partnering with another company and coaching.
For further information, contact the Life Lessons Over Lunch staff. They can be reached via email lifelessonsoverlunch@northpoint.org.