You want to start a Tend group. You really do.
You have the idea. You have the heart for it. You might even have a few names in mind of people who would be great in the group. But you are not quite sure when the best time is to begin.
So it sits on the shelf.
Weeks turn into months. Another season comes and goes. You tell yourself you will circle back to it when things slow down a bit. And somehow, it never quite happens.
If that sounds familiar, you are not alone. Starting something good often needs more than good intentions. Like anything worth doing, it helps to have a few key things in place.
A start date.
Support.
Community.
That is exactly why we created the Tend Spring Cohort.
Why April is a great time to start
Early April is a surprisingly sweet spot for starting a Tend group.
Winter is loosening its grip. People are more open to gathering again. The land is waking up, which makes Earthcare activities feel natural and hopeful instead of forced. There is energy in the air and a sense that something new can begin.
Starting in April also gives your group room to grow before summer schedules get scattered. You can build trust, rhythms, and momentum while people are still relatively rooted in their weekly routines.
The challenge, of course, is actually getting started.
What the Spring Cohort gives you
That’s why we’re hosting a free Spring Cohort, designed to give you the three things most people need in order to actually start a Tend group.
1. A Start Date
When you decide that your Tend group will start the first full week of April along with everyone else, the idea moves from someday to a real date on the calendar.
The Spring Cohort creates a clear runway. You know when you are starting. You know when preparation happens. You know that your 10-week experience will finish before people head off to summer vacation.
Deadlines can be kind. They help us stop overthinking and start moving.
2. Support
You do not have to figure out leading a Tend group on your own.
When you join the Spring Cohort, you will be connected with other Tend group leaders. You will meet weekly on Zoom for group coaching, prayer, and practical guidance.
These calls are a place to ask real questions, name real challenges, and get real encouragement from co-creator of Tend, Brendan McClenahan, who has coached dozens of leaders of groups just like yours. During the Spring Cohort, you’ll be able to get the coaching and leadership help you need.
3. Community
There is something powerful about knowing that other people are leading at the same time you are.
In the Spring Cohort, you will be walking alongside other leaders who are also starting or relaunching Tend groups. They are navigating similar fears, logistics, and hopes. You will learn from each other, pray for each other, and remind each other why this work matters.
Community keeps you from quitting when things feel confusing or slow.
The problem with waiting for the perfect moment
You might be hesitating on starting your group because you want to do it well. That is a good instinct. But it can quietly turn into perfectionism or isolation.
You might be thinking things like:
- I just need to figure out one more detail.
- I will do it when I’m less busy.
- I need to find the right co-leader first.
- I am not sure which Earthcare Activity makes sense here.
- I do not want to lead this alone.
Those are wise insights that are worth discerning. They are also easier to discern with help.
March is the month to plan your Tend group
If you’re interested in leading a Tend group this spring, March is the month to begin planning it.
Yikes! How do I do that?
Don’t worry, we’ll walk you through every step. During March, those who have a Tend account will receive emails weekly walking them through the four steps of starting a Tend group:
- How to pick a co-leader who can lighten the load
- How to choose an Earthcare Activity that fits your context
- How to pick times and dates that work for real people
- How to gather a core team in a way that primes real community
If you haven’t already done so, create your account, and we will help you start your Tend group with clarity, next steps, and a sense that this is actually doable.
For first-time and returning leaders
Whether this is your first time leading a Tend group or you have done it before, the Spring Cohort meets you where you are.
If you are new, it offers structure and guidance so you are not guessing your way through it. If you are experienced, it offers accountability and fresh perspective so you are not carrying everything alone.
And it is free.
A simple invitation
If you have been carrying the idea of starting a Tend group for a while, consider this your nudge.
April 2026 can be the season it actually happens.
Here’s how to join the Spring Cohort:
- Make sure you have an active Tend account. It’s free.
- Follow the steps to plan your Tend group in March.
- Before April 8, set up your first Tend group on your portal.
- Everyone who has an active Tend group will receive email invitations to weekly Zoom calls for support and coaching.
You do not need to have everything figured out today. You just need a starting point, a few companions, and a willingness to take the next step.
If you want to lead a Tend group this spring, join the Spring Cohort so you can have a start date, support, and community to lead your Tend group well.
