Transforming People Into Devoted Followers of Christ

What are Life Groups?

Life Groups are small group communities whose core is made up of six to eight Christian believers from the church. This group has made a commitment (covenant) to serve each other, the church, and the greater communities in which they live. Each group will live out all five purposes of the church as given to us in the Bible: Worship, Discipleship, Fellowship, Ministry and Evangelism. This means Life Group members will learn and fellowship together, be spiritually accountable to one another, care for one another, and reach outside the group together in an effort to minister to the world around them.

Each group is committed to growing by reaching those not currently following Jesus (those seeking Christ can, of course, attend the group without a long-term commitment). Existing Christians who wish to join a Life Group must (in most cases) form a new Life Group.

What is the goal?

The main goal of Life Groups is to transform people into devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

"And we ... are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory ..."
II Corinthians 4:18

Is a long-term commitment involved?

Yes! Each group forming will agree to a covenant that spells out the details of how and when their group will function. At that time, we ask each core Christian believer who begins a group to commit to the group mission for one to three years. If a group has grown in one year, the commitment to that group will end as an additional group is formed. In most cases, it will take longer than one year for groups to grow and form a second community.

The long-term goal is that all believers in the church will be asked to belong to a Life Group. Thus, even when a group grows through outreach and forms a second group, the existing members will be encouraged (not expected) to remain in a Life Group.

How will Life Groups be structured?

Size:  Groups will begin with 6-8 and grow to about 14 adults.

Leaders:  Life Group leaders will be approved by the Senior Pastor and Elders. A separate Host for each location will also be selected.

Children:  Children may or may not be part of the group Bible study and may or may not attend theses discipleship times. Each group will decide how to structure family involvement. However, all family members will be included in most fellowship and ministry experiences.

Time:  Most groups will formally meet at least twice per month. Informal meal times and outreach events will also occur as each group decides.

When will new groups be formed?

New Life Groups will form when existing groups reach their capacity, or when a core of at least six believers senses a call from God to form a new group. Individual Christians can also indicate they would like to be in a group when one is formed. Please speak to Pastor Phil if you are interested.

Why should I join a Life Group?

You should, in time, join a Life Group because the Bible describes life not as a solo act, but as that which is lived out in the context of family. Our church, as a whole, is a family, but it is impossible to connect, share, care and grow in Christ as needed when only in the context of the larger family. Jesus, Himself, was in a "Life Group." He focused on the needs and spiritual growth of the twelve disciples. They, in turn, took what they learned about Life and turned the world upside down! In short, biblical community, spiritual growth and true transformation into the image of Jesus Christ happens best in the context of a small community of believers who are committed to being well-rounded disciples. We must not only learn about Jesus and the Bible, we must learn to obey Him in all things and serve Him both inside and outside our Church walls. Jesus never called us to learn to follow Him as lone ranger Christians: He called us to connect and live in community so we can grow in knowledge and obedience to Him.