HOME GROUPS
The rest of the week happens in living rooms.
Home groups have been part of this church from the beginning and they are a good deal of what it is. They meet through the week in members’ houses, for study and prayer. Nobody has to be in one, and being in one is not a measure of anybody’s spiritual maturity.
We do not do them because we think the Bible commands home groups. They are a habit we propose rather than impose, and they sit downstream of the Friday gathering rather than replacing it. The aim is not to run successful home groups; it is for people to be formed in faith, hope and love, and this is one of the ways that happens.
We do encourage it, and not so as to add a name to a roll. Most of what this church is like from the inside happens in those rooms, so somebody who only comes on a Friday misses a good deal of it and will probably not feel very connected. We say that out loud rather than leaving it implied, because we want that good for them.
Which evenings they meet on changes as the groups do, so rather than print a list that goes stale we would rather point you to the one nearest you.
A group around a kitchen table.
WHAT IT IS
A dozen people in somebody’s front room
Not a class and not a committee. A few songs around the guitar, the week’s teaching talked over by everyone in the room, then praying for one another by name. It is also where burdens get carried and where plans get made to serve people outside the church.
People talking, mid-conversation.
WHO GOES
People not much like you
Groups are mixed on purpose: different ages, different personalities, different giftings. Most communities sort people by how alike they are, and this one deliberately does not. Closeness is invited and never demanded. A home group is not a best friends club, and forcing it has never worked.
A front porch in the evening.
HOW TO COME
Email, and we will point you to one
Tell us roughly where you live and what your week looks like. Nobody is signing you up, and you can come to a group once and not come back. Often what comes first is an invitation to dinner.
What an evening looks like
A few minutes to arrive and talk.
A few songs, around the guitar.
The past week’s teaching, talked through together.
Praying for one another, and thanks for prayers answered.
A small snack, and more time to talk before the night ends.
Some of it will be awkward. Anything involving people is, and that is a normal part of church rather than a sign that something has gone wrong.
Not sure which one to try?
Tell us roughly where you live and what your week looks like, and we will point you to the one nearest you.