Community Group Guidelines
Updated June 2026
Q Christian Fellowship (QCF) Values
Following QCF’s Centered Values & Community Ethos, Community Group leaders and participants are expected to strive toward the following values:
Model radical belonging
Show up as our true selves
Practice hospitality
Connect beyond disagreement
Protect differences
Strive for relational justice
Pursue anti-racist outcomes
Work towards equity
Practices of our Values
As part of a diverse community that values protecting differences, intentionality of practices within a Community Group are important. Community Group Leaders & Participants are expected to work toward:
Creating an environment of hospitality, kindness, self-awareness, empowerment, and courage.
Valuing one another during discussions by listening to what is being shared, incorporating practices like restating what is said by others before responding.
Holding a posture of curiosity and learning.
Seeking to understand and empathize with the experiences and challenges of others, without judgment or assumptions.
Seeing others the way God sees them, recognizing and affirming that no one is disposable—even our enemies bear the image of God!
Assuming good intentions of fellow group members.
Acknowledging that everyone plays a part in both liberating our communities and maintaining parts of the oppressions that disadvantage us.
Practicing honesty with self and with each other.
Striving for communal excellence rather than perfection.
Taking accountability for our own intentions and impact.
Acknowledging when we make mistakes or cause harm; and apologize.
Resolving conflict with grace and compassion.
Alert QCF staff contact of all conflicts whether resolved or unresolved.
If a conflict continues without resolution, leaders or participants should always consult with a QCF staff member for help facilitating a conversation or determining the best course of action.
Additionally, Community Group members are expected to:
Avoid attacking the beliefs and convictions of others.
QCF is made up of a diverse population with vastly different cultural backgrounds, identities, political affiliations, and theologies. Leaders or participants who attack the beliefs and convictions of other participants in a disrespectful manner may be asked to leave the group.
Avoid offering unsolicited advice or attempting to “fix” others or their current circumstances.
Responses such as “Everything happens for a reason” or “God is in control” may not be encouraging for those who have suffered depression, trauma, or who have had to deconstruct/reconstruct their faith.
QCF encourages Community Groups to discuss and add their own norms to their own group practices. Any additional group norms must align with QCF’s mission,vision, and values.
The following will not be tolerated in QCF Community Groups:
Racism, sexism, classism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, religious intolerance, ageism, and all other forms of discrimination.
Physical, verbal, mental or any other form of abuse towards or harassment of a participant or leader.
Sexual harassment, inappropriate/unwelcome comments and behaviors.
Disruptive or disrespectful behavior that derails conversation in the group, such as:
Intentionally or repeatedly talking over people in conversations.
Unsolicited comments on people’s appearance (or choice to not use camera on zoom).
Use of music or loud sounds that are audible to others in the group.
Having other people in the room with you who are: 1) not registered attendees of that community group and 2) can see and/or hear the people in the group.
Misgendering: Participants and leaders will respect the names and pronouns of other participants and leaders.
Informal counseling or unsolicited advice.
Any activity which harms or disrupts an environment of radical welcome or is in violation of the Community Group guidelines may result in loss of access to Community Groups. This includes, but is not limited to the following:
Sharing or sending nude, illegal, obscene, profane, defamatory, or threatening content via public or private forums.
Sharing or sending spam or unsolicited advertisements for goods or services.
Impersonating another individual.
Using the community groups to make sexual advances toward participants/volunteers/staff via public or private forums.
Violating participant privacy (posting private communications, participant information, etc.).
Sharing or sending references—either specific statements or innuendos—to recreational drugs and/or alcohol use.
Attacking QCF’s mission, policies, direction, or belief statements.
Promoting Ex-gay/Side X/conversion therapy ideologies or organizations over public or private forums.
Sharing or sending sexual and/or sexually suggestive content, including nudes, to community group participants, leaders, and/or QCF staff.
Safety Practices
Safe Community Guidelines
QCF cultivates spaces where people can experience the freedom to be their authentic self, to pursue spiritual connection with others, and to grow in an environment that celebrates differences and diversity.
One of the core values of our Centered Set of Sexual Ethics at QCF is mutuality. We intentionally seek to share power where everyone feels empowered to make a difference in the community. We recognize, however, that individuals affiliated with or directly employed by QCF may be perceived and/or granted a sense of authority that inevitably impacts how we cultivate a sense of safety together.
In line with QCF’s values and Safe Community Guidelines, Community Group leaders and participants are expected to keep to the following practices:
Due to the power dynamics between leaders and participants, leader/participant relationships, unless preexisting, are not allowed during the course of the Community Group. Leaders will not reach out to participants in a romantic or sexually suggestive manner, (explicitly or implicitly), in person or through electronic means. If a leader has done so, participants should contact a QCF staff member immediately.
Participants, similarly, may not reach out to leaders in a romantic or sexually suggestive manner, (explicitly or implicitly), in person or through electronic means. If a participant has done so, leaders should contact a QCF staff member immediately.
Leaders and participants will not solicit funds or recruit members of the group to participate in MLM (multi-level marketing) organizations or personal product/project/authorship promotion. Leaders will not use their email lists for any purposes other than group related communications.
Confidentiality
What is said in the group stays in the group, except as shared with QCF staff members for purposes of managing the groups and ensuring that these guidelines are followed. The identities and personal information of participants are not to be shared publicly or privately, in person or electronically, with anyone outside of the group other than QCF staff members. The safety of those who may not be publicly out of the closet is our utmost priority. Participants are not required to reveal their name or use their camera function if they do not feel comfortable doing so. Leaders or participants who compromise the identity of other participants may be asked to leave the Community Group.
Crisis Situations
If someone in the group is experiencing suicidal ideation or thoughts of self harm, leaders are required to immediately direct them to Crisis Resources and to notify a QCF staff member. QCF Staff will attempt to help direct the individual to available resources and/or mental health professionals in their area.
Accommodations
Community Group leaders and participants are encouraged to request any needed accommodations to engage in the group, such as closed captioning, ASL interpreting services, etc. We have a limited budget each fiscal year to assist with securing these services and cannot guarantee funding provisions to aid in these services. If you would like to request accommodations, please do so at the time of registration for your Community Group. Either your group leader(s) or a member of the QCF Staff will be in touch with you about coordinating these services.
Reporting a Community Group Guidelines Violation
If you witness or experience a participant or QCF representative violating Community Group guidelines, please report it by emailing the below information to report@qchristian.org. Identifying yourself is not required to make a report.
If reporting a board or staff member for a guidelines violation, please send the report to the Chair of the Board and the Executive Director at boardchair@qchristian.org and exec-team@qchristian.org.
Include the name and role, if known, (board, staff, contractor, Community Group leader, volunteer, participant, etc.) of the person you are reporting.
Include the event, day, and time you witnessed or experienced the guideline violation.
Please note what element(s) of the guidelines were violated by the person you are reporting.
If you wish to share your name and contact information with Q Christian Fellowship for further assistance with your report, please do so.
QCF values your commitment to co-creating an environment of safety with us, and we seek to honor the pursuit of accountability, honesty, and reconciliation. If you have violated event guidelines and seek to repair any harm you have caused, please reach out to report@qchristian.org.
Include your name and role (board, staff, contractor, Community Group leader, volunteer, participant, etc.).
Include the event, day, and time you violated the Community Group guidelines.
Include the names of any person(s) you acknowledge that you harmed.
Please note what element(s) of the Community Group guidelines you acknowledge that you violated.
Please indicate if you are open to a reconciliatory process if initiated by the person(s) you have harmed (and if you are willing for us to share with them about that openness).
QCF is committed to ensuring that reporting processes are accessible to all community members, including those with disabilities. Accommodations for reporting are available upon request.
Additional Expectations for Leaders
All new leaders must have attended at least one QCF Community Group (6 or more sessions) before leading a group.
All new leaders must have an initial discussion with QCF Staff and attend a leader onboarding session before leading a group.
All leaders must sign the above guidelines and additionally sign the Attachment A/B/C Guidelines, which include the Safe Community Guidelines, on creating safe space within QCF groups and events.
All leaders must attend a once-a-year continuing education hour led by QCF staff. This 90-minute workshop is required for continued leadership within groups and will be offered at multiple points throughout the year.
All leaders are expected to complete their Leader check-in survey after leading their group, including attendance numbers and details about any material discussed.
All leaders are expected to remain in regular contact with the programming team at QCF. If a team leader has not responded to direct QCF staff contact after 3 reachout attempts, QCF staff reserves the right to cancel the group or change to a different leader.
If someone in the group is experiencing suicidal ideation or thoughts of self harm, leaders are required to immediately direct them to Crisis Resources and notify a QCF staff member. QCF Staff will attempt to help direct the individual to available resources and/or mental health professionals in their area.