Community Groups

Our Community Groups are small groups that meet throughout the week. We believe these connections are very valuable in our growth and development as followers of Christ. Please contact the church office or see the display in the lobby for the times and locations of various groups. Continue reading below for the vision for Community Groups.

Cornerstone

Foundation

Our salvation in Jesus Christ is the foundation of our faith.

Acts 4:11-12 – “This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

I Corinthians 3:11 – “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

Construction

Meeting in Homes

We encourage groups to meet in homes  While some groups cannot, we strive to meet this way whenever possible. Gathering at the church on a Sunday is not enough; the weekly community groups are a complement to larger Sunday celebrations (Acts 2:46-47 and 5:42). 

We believe that a home is a more welcoming environment to those outside of the church and not yet attending Sunday morning gatherings. Also, meeting in homes prepares the church for a future when public gatherings may no longer be allowed.

Columns

Acts 2:42 – “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.”

Acts 4:31 – “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God.”

The following four columns or "pillars" outline important guidelines for Community Groups.

Scripture-based

We strongly encourage groups to not select a book to read together unless it is The Book. We want the primary intake to be the pure Word rather than the commentary of others. There is nothing wrong with book studies, but they can become a “middle man” to a direct connection with scripture.

We desire to work through sections of scripture together as believers whenever possible. While group leaders may facilitate community groups, they are not required to teach because everyone should come with something to share as we seek the truth of God’s Word together.

Prayer-motivated

We believe that corporate prayer times should include adoration, praise, and worship. Through prayer coupled with scripture, we are able to hear from God. Prayer motivates our personal holiness, illuminates the scriptures, guides our fellowship, and prompts evangelism by the Spirit.

We encourage groups to go deeper than just quick prayer requests for each other. Prayer for specific needs is healthy and necessary but should not be the majority of our prayer time. We should also spend time together listening and waiting on God.

Fellowship-focused

We contend that the heart of the Church is believers sharing life together. Genuine community occurs through regular and intentional interaction with each other throughout the week, and intentional conversation breeds intimacy and fellowship. We encourage families, couples, and individuals to regularly gather around the table for a meal.

We believe that Holy Communion, a remembrance of the sacrifice of Jesus, can be incorporated in our fellowship. Sharing a meal together, while incorporating elements of the sacrament just as Jesus did, can be a powerful way to unite us with each other and to Him.

Message-driven

We strive to share the gospel not only with those in our group but also those around us in our community. When we meet in public places, those around us will be drawn to the message of the cross by the Spirit. Meeting in homes reminds us of those around us who need the gospel.

We commit ourselves to Jesus’ commission to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).

Catalyst

Spirit-empowered

We believe that the Holy Spirit was given to empower and to encourage us.

John 14:26 – “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

John 20:22 – “And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’“

Acts 2:2 – “Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.”

Both in the Old Testament Hebrew and in the New Testament Greek, the word for Spirit also means “breath” and is sometimes translated as “wind”. As such, the Holy Spirit should breathe life into everything we do and say:

a.    The Holy Spirit will illuminate the scriptures.

b.    The Holy Spirit will prompt our prayers.

c.     The Holy Spirit will unify us in fellowship.

d.    The Holy Spirit will motivate us to share the message.