Small Groups

I. People need community

We are a culture, craving relationship. In the midst of our crowded existence, many of us are living lonely lives. We live and work in a sea of humanity, but we end up missing out on the benefits of regular, meaningful relationships. “Americans are among the loneliest people in the world.” George Gallup

We were created with a deep need for rich and meaningful connection with other people. Without it we lose perspective, fear intimacy, become selfish and our health suffers. “God created us with a hunger for relationship – for relationship with Him and with people. At our very core we are relational beings. The soul cannot prosper without being connected to others.” Henry Cloud

Casual connections aren't life-giving. The kind of connections we need are more than casual. They can't provide the kind of oneness with God or oneness with each other that transforms lives. Only spiritual community can display that kind of relational oneness. Relational, transforming spiritual communities are where people experience oneness with God and oneness with one another. “The development of meaningful relationships where every member carries a significant sense of belonging is central to what it means to be the church.” Randy Frazee

Why small groups? Sustained spiritual growth is not well nurtured by simply sitting and listening to a message in anonymity. It takes place where people are personally challenged and encouraged in their relationships with God and others. This is especially true when the challenges of life occur.

Decentralize leadership and care. Within each group there are people who can lead, host, and coordinate care. Since the size of the group is small it ensures that no one slips through the cracks. If someone does not show up it is noticed.

Why closed groups? To providing a predictable small-group environment where participants experience authentic community and spiritual growth. Benefits of closed groups include:

a. Predictable: Disruptions/interruptions compromise the momentum of a small group's promise. Closing groups means that no new additions will be made to a group unless the whole group signs off on it. Relationships take time to form. Having a predictable group, gives the group a strong relational foundation. Clarifying the standards for relating to one another and the location/time/frequency of the group also adds a predictable environment that adds momentum. “You cannot just throw a random group of people together for a 12 week study of some kind and expect them to become intimate allies.” – John Eldredge

b. Provide the ABCs of group life

Accountability: you invite others into your life to challenge you in your priorities and in your relationships with God, others in the church and those outside the church.

Belonging, feeling accepted, connected and comfortable: People need to know they matter and that they will be missed if they don't show up.

Care: People who are accountable to one another and who are experiencing a sense of belonging, naturally care for one another.

c. Spiritual Growth: At the end of the group (6-18 months) members can look back and see how God has used that time to encourage them, challenge them and take them places in their relationships with God and others that they would not have gone on their own. The group understands how best to support, and keep one another moving, because of their long history together.

d. Closed, but fresh: Like every living thing, every group has a life cycle. Closed groups become stagnant and inwardly focused over time. A group can plan to end and have something to show for it, or they can let their group die a long, slow death. Groups are challenged to multiply after their commitment period of 6-18 months. This allows new people to bring new vitality to the group experience and it gives more people the opportunity to grow in a healthy community.

Small groups change people's minds about their priorities. Through the activity of God and the influence of their group, their priorities and God's priorities will line up, and their lives will change.

Begin with a “try before you buy” guarantee with the ‘8 week date'. Groups are starter groups for 8 weeks before they covenant for 6 months. Group leaders set clear expectations about is expected from each group member. Successful groups make clear from the beginning that they expect active and consistent participation.