Connections
Welcome home, Connections Team
Sunday Rundown
Everything you need to know on a Sunday
Step 2 · Pick your role
WelcomeA note to the team
Take a moment to think of the most welcoming place you've ever been. Maybe it was a dinner party, a family reunion, a birthday, or someone's home. Different settings, but the feeling was the same: you were wanted there. Not just politely acknowledged. Wanted. That is a glimpse of the heart of God.
Below, we want to make clear the vision and expectations of serving on the Connections Team, so that together we can help our church say to every saint, seeker, skeptic, and guest who walks through our doors: You are wanted here.
VisionOur vision, mission, aim, and how we serve
Our Vision
We exist, as a church and a team, to see the fame and deeds of God renewed and known in our time (Habakkuk 3:2).
Our Mission
Our mission is to see lost New Yorkers, far from God, transformed into compelling missional disciples.
Our Aim
On the Connections Team, we contribute to this mission and vision by guiding people into God's presence, partnering in His work of transformation in their lives, and helping them go from attending to belonging in our church.
One Church · Three Locations
Upper West Side · Upper East Side · Downtown
Greet · Meet · Seat
One team, three crews. Greeting welcomes people before they enter the gathering. Meeting answers questions, starts conversations, and points people toward community. Seating guides people to seats and stays attentive to the room.
Attitude: We Serve with Faith
At Church of the City New York, our mantra is "God comes where He's wanted." The gospel also tells us that God wants us.
Joy > Boredom
We do not serve with dead hands and bored hearts. We serve with joy because our serving is worship, just like our singing is worship.
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." — Colossians 3:23
Humility > Importance
We do not serve to look important. We serve with humility because Jesus came low, took the form of a servant, and gave Himself for others.
"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus… taking the form of a servant." — Philippians 2:5–7
Small Acts > Small Tasks
We do not serve like small tasks are small to God. We serve believing Jesus can use a smile, a greeting, a seat, a conversation, or a simple act of care to do real work in someone's life.
"Through love serve one another." — Galatians 5:13
Faith > Sight
We do not serve only by what we can see in the moment. We serve in faith, trusting that our love for one another becomes part of our witness to the city.
"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." — John 13:35
TheologyA brief theology of welcome
- EdenGenesis 2
- The tabernacleExodus 25:8
- The temple1 Kings 8
- Jesus among usJohn 1:14
- The Spirit in the churchActs 2
- God's home foreverRevelation 21:3
From Eden, to the tabernacle, to the temple, to Jesus putting on flesh and dwelling among us, to the Spirit filling the church, to the day when God makes His home with His people forever, the story is consistent: God wants to be with His people. When you show up, look someone in the eye, learn a name, give direction, answer a question, make a path, or warmly embrace someone as they enter the house of God, you are doing something deeply spiritual. You are communicating the very heart of God and making His desire tangible.
Team InfoScheduling, ROCK, commitment, and Sunday times
Serving Twice a Month
We ask every Connections volunteer to serve at least two Sundays a month, and to take at least one Sunday a month to fully attend and invite a friend.
An email is sent when new serving opportunities are available. From there, you choose the Sundays, locations, and roles that work for you:
- Open the email from ROCK
- Click "View Signup Sheet"
- Review the available dates, locations, and roles
- Choose the serving opportunities that work for you
- Confirm your signup in ROCK
If you sign up and later realize you can't make it, update your availability as soon as possible and communicate early. Last-minute changes make it harder for the team to serve guests well.
ROCK
Download the ROCK app. It's the easiest way to see open serving roles, sign up, view your schedule, check who your coach is, and stay connected to team communication.
ROCK Chat
Stay attentive to ROCK and team communication during the week. In the chat you'll read stories of what God is doing on our team, get special Sunday details or changes to the normal rhythm, and get updates on events. Turn notifications on so you don't miss a message.
Length of Commitment
We ask every Connections volunteer to commit to an initial four-month serving stint. That gives you time to grow in the role, build trust with the team, and help create a consistent experience for guests and congregants. After that, we invite you to continue serving for as long as you'd like, and just let us know if you feel led to step off or join another team.
Sunday Times
| Location | Team huddle | Role huddle | In position | Doors open | Service |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upper West Side | 9:00am | 9:20am | 9:30am | 9:45am | 10:00am |
| Upper East Side | 10:00am | 10:20am | 10:30am | 10:45am | 11:00am |
| Downtown | 5:00pm | 5:20pm | 5:30pm | 5:45pm | 6:00pm |
Every location runs on the same rhythm: team huddle an hour before service, role huddle 20 minutes later, in position 30 minutes before service, and doors open 15 minutes before service. Greeters and ushers stay in position until about 25 minutes into the service, then sit in service. Ushers stay alert at the doors for late arrivals.
LeadersStaff, location leads, and coaches
Volunteers → Coaches → Location Leads → Staff Team Leads
On Sunday, go to your coach. Coaches are led by location leads, and location leads are supported by our staff team. For anything else, email the team at connections@church.nyc.
Staff Team Leads
Oversee the Connections Team across all three locations.
Location Leads
Lead the coaches at each location.
Coaches
Your point person on Sunday.
Coaches lead each crew on Sunday: they lead the team huddle and role huddles, place you in your position, and support you throughout the service. Check the ROCK app to see who's coaching your Sunday.
ResourcesTeam expectations, joining the team, guides, and FAQs
Connections Resources
Team Expectations
- Serves at least two Sundays a month
- Takes at least one Sunday a month to fully attend and invite a friend
- Arrives on time for the team huddle
- Updates availability in ROCK early if plans change
- Wears their Connections nametag on Sundays
- Stays attentive to ROCK Chat during the week
- Serves with joy, humility, and faith
- Lives with a consistent ethic and faithful witness to Jesus
- Commits to an initial four-month serving stint
Attire: We Dress with Care
As volunteers, we represent Jesus and Church of the City New York to every guest who walks through our doors. Our appearance should communicate warmth, attentiveness, and care.
Wear clothing that is clean, modest, presentable, and not distracting. Avoid clothing with distracting language, graphics, cuts, or political messaging. We are not trying to be fancy. We are trying to remove distractions and serve people well.
Arriving + Checking In
Arrive for the team huddle, receive the day's updates and assignments, and pray together. Then gather with your crew and your coach.
Safety
If you see something concerning, tell your coach or church security. Know where the exits are and the emergency procedures for your venue.
Confidentiality
Keep personal conversations with guests private. Direct prayer requests to the appropriate team.
After Service
Thank guests for coming, then check in with your coach for feedback and updates.
Joining the Team
- Fill out the application to serve.
- Serve a First Look: a low-commitment Sunday alongside someone in your desired role, with a brief beforehand on what it means to join our team.
- Sign the Connections Team Serving Commitment.
- Get added to ROCK.
- Welcome to the Team!
Set-Up Guides
Calvary St. George set-up
Rodeph Sholom (UWS) set-up
Temple Israel (UES) set-up guide coming soon
Serving Commitment
Every volunteer signs the Connections Team Serving Commitment. It asks which location and crew you'd like to serve with most, and for one person you think would be an excellent addition to the team: someone warm, dependable, and teachable, who enjoys helping people feel seen and welcomed.
Invite Someone to Serve
Know someone who'd love this team? Point them to the application to serve.
Leadership
Coaches and location leads are invited personally rather than through an application. Speak with your coach if you'd like to take on more responsibility.
Taking a Break
Seasons change. If you're stepping back, moving to another team, or leaving the city, fill out the offboarding form so we can learn from your experience and care for you well.
FAQs
I don't know the answer to a guest's question
That's okay. Direct them to the Connections table or your coach.
Someone needs prayer
Offer to pray with them, or connect them with a pastor or prayer team member.
A guest has a complaint
Listen carefully and respond with kindness. Bring in your coach. If they can't help, bring in your location lead, then Tyler Jenkins or Maddie DePuy.
I can't make my Sunday
Update your availability in ROCK as soon as possible and communicate early. Last-minute changes make it harder for the team to serve guests well.
AlignmentLiving with a consistent ethic
We Live with a Consistent Ethic
As Connections volunteers, we wear a nametag on Sundays. That nametag communicates trust. It tells guests, congregants, parents, visitors, and seekers that we are here to help, guide, and represent the church.
Because of that, we want our lives to reflect a consistent ethic and a faithful witness to Jesus in New York City. We want to live in the way of Jesus and embrace His vision for faithfulness in our sexuality, generosity with our finances, and servanthood in our leadership.
Sexuality
I understand that Church of the City New York holds to the historic Christian vision of marriage as a whole-life covenant union between a man and a woman. I understand that this means pursuing sexual integrity, avoiding pornography and inappropriate relationships, and walking in life-giving holiness by the grace of God. I understand that my private life and public witness are connected.
Generosity
I understand that followers of Jesus are called to resist greed, practice contentment, and grow in generosity. I understand that this means stewarding what God has given me faithfully, prioritizing generosity toward the mission of God, and remaining open to discipleship and accountability in this area.
Servanthood
I understand that any authority I carry on Sundays is for service, not status. I understand that this means leading with humility, not seeking recognition or control, and using whatever trust I am given for the flourishing of others.