Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Community Group?
Community Groups are small groups of six married couples or eight individuals of the same gender that meet weekly in someone’s home for fellowship, Bible study, and prayer. They are for adults of all ages, stages of life, and spiritual maturity.
What kinds of community groups are there?
Married Couples
Community groups comprised of married couples in the same stage of life (couples without children, with children, and empty nesters) and area of town.
Men’s and Women’s
Men and women can join same-gender, singles-only groups or various stages of life groups (married, single, divorced, widowed).
Starting Point
Starting Point is a 10-week conversational small group where people can explore faith and experience community. These groups are comprised of men and women of all ages and stages of life (single, married, divorced, and widowed). Click here for more information about Starting Point groups.
Are there groups that have married couples and singles together?
Starting Point groups are our only groups that contain both singles and married couples together.
Are there co-ed groups?
Our only co-ed groups are the married couples and Starting Point groups.
Is childcare provided for each group meeting?
Childcare is not provided, but we do reimburse (at a predetermined rate) for babysitters needed for each group meeting. Click here for a childcare reimbursement form.
When and where do groups meet?
Our groups generally meet Monday through Thursday evenings, with some meeting on Sundays. While most groups meet in a consistent location (the home of a group member), some groups prefer to take turns meeting in different members’ homes.
How often do community groups meet?
Most groups meet weekly. Some groups meet for three weeks out of the month and either take off the fourth week or do a social activity together. Groups can elect to continue to meet through the summer, but most groups break and meet socially each month during July and August.
How long does a community group last?
Community Groups initially commit to meet for eight weeks as a Starter Group. After those first eight weeks, the group members decide if they want to continue meeting together for an additional 16 - 22 months. Therefore, the total duration of a typical Community Group is between one and a half to two years.
How long does each group meeting last?
Each Community Group picks the length of time they will meet. Usually groups meet for an hour and a half to two hours.
What goes on at a group meeting?
Though each group differs in how they do things, many groups have a social time in the beginning, then they transition to a time where they discuss the evening’s study and pray for each other. At the very beginning of the group, the whole group decides how much time they will spend on social, discussion, and prayer time (as well as the order in which they take place).
What does it mean when a group "launch" or "multiplies"?
During the term of the group, the group leader will train an apprentice(ies) to be the leader of the next group(s). There are various ways a group can launch or multiply itself. The group will decide which the best way to launch a new group is and when it should take place. The goal is to have two or more groups to add more members, therefore allowing others to join groups with seasoned leaders.
What do groups study?
Each group picks their own curriculum to study from a recommended resource catalog developed by the pastoral staff. New groups (members that are new to groups) are encourage to use a starter study designed to build healthy community within the group and to prepare them for selecting their next study.
What kinds of studies are used?
Community groups are purposely design to be the environment where spiritual learning and maturity are developed. Therefore, the studies that are recommended are discussion oriented Bible focused materials. They are targeted to build intimacy with God, community with Christ-followers, and influence with non-Christ followers.
How do I join a community group?
Click here to email someone about joining a Community Group. Click here to find out how to join a Starting Point group.