How to start a GriefShare ministry

People who have experienced the death of a loved one are feeling lost, broken, and confused about which way is forward. These people are in your community and church—and they are often silent in their pain, unsure about how to seek help or from whom. But you can provide support, hope, and relief by offering GriefShare.

GriefShare is a 13-week, Christ-centered support group that’s hosted at local churches by leaders just like you. Through video teaching and small-group discussions, a GriefShare group helps grieving people find comfort, God’s love, and healing. To learn more about how GriefShare works, check out this article. 

Who Should Lead a GriefShare Group?

Wondering what makes an effective GriefShare leader? You might think that you need special training or experience to lead a GriefShare group, but this isn’t true! 

GriefShare is designed to be lay-led by individuals just like you (or your church members), and the program kit comes with everything you need to lead. If you have a heart to serve the hurting, or if you have personal experience with loss, God can use you through GriefShare. 

Here’s more about what makes a successful GriefShare leader: 

• A heart to help others: You understand what grieving people are going through, whether because of your own experience with loss or empathy from witnessing others in pain. Your heart aches for those who have lost a loved one, and you want to help ease their burden. You truly understand Jesus’ words: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). 
• A willingness to serve: You want to serve others, and you are willing to commit a few hours each week to minister to those who are grieving a loved one’s death.

“Leading GriefShare requires no formal training—just a compassionate heart.” – GriefShare leader

How to get started in hosting a GriefShare ministry

Hosting a GriefShare ministry is simpler than you might think. Here’s how to get started:

Step 1: Get information

Your first step is to learn more about this ministry. If you’re considering hosting a GriefShare group at your church, check out this page, where you can preview sample videos and materials to get a feel for how the program operates and how it can fit into your church’s ministries.

Step 2: Tell your pastor about the program

Your pastor may or may not be familiar with GriefShare. So, you’ll want to schedule a meeting with your pastor to share what GriefShare is all about and why you are excited to offer it in your church. It’s important to have your church’s support and approval. 

Be reassured, most pastors are thrilled when church members take the lead to meet specific needs in the church and community. If you’d like a brief agenda and some tips on what to say when you meet with your pastor, download the Let’s Do This Guide.

Step 3: Order a kit 

A GriefShare kit comes with everything you need to host a 13-week support group, including:

• Video sessions – You don’t need to teach or “know all the answers.” The pastors and counselors in each video provide the teaching. 
• Leader’s guide – No need to write a lesson plan; just pull out a weekly agenda and follow along. The discussion questions we provide will jump-start the sharing time and keep it on track. 
• Promotional materials – We help you get the word out about your group: you’ll have access to promo videos, social media posts, fully designed ads and posters (both digital and in print), a free online search tool listing, and more. 
• Participant guide – Your group members will find personal help between weekly meetings with this workbook, which is intended to help them go deeper into what they’re learning during the group each week.
• Reflections journal – This guided journal is a companion resource for your group members. Use the sample in your kit to show your group and encourage them to purchase for further healing (or buy for your members as a gift). 

Step 4: Find volunteers

Volunteers are an essential part of hosting GriefShare. To recruit volunteers, look for individuals in your congregation who have a passion for helping others, perhaps those who have experienced grief themselves and are ready to help others on their journey. People who are good listeners make excellent facilitators!

One major way to find volunteers is to show these recruitment videos before your church service, during a ministry fair, or on your church website. Some other ideas include:

• Ask within existing ministries: Look to leaders of small groups, pastoral care teams, or those who serve in ministries like counseling, prayer, or visitation. Often, these individuals have the heart needed to lead a GriefShare group.
• Talk to your congregation: Some people may feel called to lead in this area but haven’t stepped forward yet. You can make an announcement or offer an invitation for those interested in starting a grief ministry.
• Seek out someone who understands grief: Someone who has personally experienced grief, has gone through GriefShare themselves, or is already familiar with providing emotional and spiritual support will be a great candidate.

When choosing people to help with the ministry, ask these questions: Does this person display empathy and patience? Will they be able to manage group dynamics effectively? Do they have a genuine desire to walk with people through difficult seasons? Most importantly, are they committed to the biblical foundation of the GriefShare program?

Step 5: Promote & host your group

Once you’ve ordered your GriefShare kit, it’s time to spread the word! Promote your group both within your church and community by using the free promotional materials (social media ads, flyers, brochures, email announcements, videos, newspaper ads, etc.) that were included with your kit. And don’t forget to include your group on our online search tool (Find a Group) so people searching for help can find your group. (Plus, your church will receive a dedicated, personal GriefShare web page with your church group’s details that you can link to on your church website, social media, in newsletters, etc.

When you host your GriefShare group, it will include three essential parts:

• Watching a video: Each week you’ll show a 30-minute GriefShare video to your group. The videos (accessible online and on DVD) feature respected Christian counselors and pastors who will teach and counsel your group—so you don’t have to be an expert.

• Connecting during small-group discussion: After the video comes the group discussion! Discussion questions are provided in each leader’s guide—you simply facilitate the small-group sharing time.
• Going deeper with the Participant Guide: During group, every participant will be given a workbook to take home. This vital part of the program includes Bible studies, journaling space, and exercises to help your group members delve deeper into what they’re learning. 

Step 6: Pray and seek the Lord’s wisdom

Throughout every step, it’s essential to pray and let the Lord’s wisdom guide your actions. Specifically, pray for your volunteers and future participants and that your ministry will flourish as a space for God’s healing in your community and congregation.

Free personal coaching for GriefShare leaders

Our full-time GriefShare ministry coaches are available to provide ongoing support for you and your GriefShare volunteers every step of the way. They can help you recruit and train volunteers, as well as promote, launch, facilitate, and grow your church’s ministry.  

Become a beacon of hope in your community

When you start a GriefShare group, your church will become known as the place to go for hope and healing—and it’s a sustainable way to care for your congregation and community throughout the future. The program provides ongoing support, with groups running multiple times a year, and helps build a community of people who understand each other’s pain and are committed to helping one another heal.

Extend your church’s reach beyond Sunday services by providing real, practical support to those in their most difficult seasons of life. By doing so, you will help build trust and relationships, drawing people closer to Christ as they find healing in a safe, caring environment.

Take the first step

If you’re ready to start a GriefShare ministry in your church, the next step is easy. Download the Take the Next Step guide, which provides step-by-step instructions on how to get started, along with tips for success. This free resource will walk you through everything from setting up the group to promoting it within your community.Have questions? 

Contact a coach to learn more about how to start a group in your church. Or visit the GriefShare website to preview sample session videos and get an overview of the program.