Home Groups
In this installment of blogs, we will be looking at the “why” behind the ministries First Anna offers. If there is no “why” other than “We have this because we always have,” well, that ministry needs to be evaluated. Everything that Jesus did in life had a purpose to it. Everything we do in our life and in our church needs to have a purpose to it. We don’t do it just to do it; or at least we shouldn’t. Just like change- there needs to be a purpose for something to change; we don’t change just for the sake of it.
Today, we will look at why we do Home Groups. When I arrived at First Anna as the Life Stage Pastor in July of 2009, the first ministry I looked at was the small group ministry. At that time, our church had one type of group ministry- Sunday School (we can call it Life Groups, Cell Groups, whatever, but let’s face the facts- Sunday morning Bible study is Sunday School. In the next installment in the blog, we will look at the issue of Sunday School and why we do it).
I was looking at the demographics of or church and then comparing it to our Sunday School attendance and it wasn’t matching up. We are a fairly young church- upper 30’s-mid 40’s and that isn’t who was attending Sunday School. Keep in mind that Sunday School at this time was First Anna’s main source of discipleship. With such a small percentage of people attending a worship service and discipleship group, something needed to be done.
Facing reality- most young people- 40’s and younger, especially those new to the faith or new to church are hesitant to give up an extra hour of sleep or relaxation time. Add small kids to the mix at home and we saw why such a small percentage of our attendees participated in a small group. Rather than doing nothing, we added Home Groups.
Home Groups are not necessarily better or worse than Sunday School; it is simply a different option for discipleship. With the addition of Home Groups, attendance in small groups has greatly increased, as has the percentage of those attending a worship service and a small group.
That is why we do Home Groups; another option to Sunday School, where people can come together and do life. Each of us need other people to share life with and Home Groups is a great option for that to occur.
In the two short years of having Home Groups, they have changed to better reflect who we are as a church and better equip our members to impact our communities.
What Home Groups look like now: each Home Group leader chooses the topic of study for the semester, based on where the group is at this time of their life. As a church that is missional, we always look for ways in which we can impact our communities and have found that through Home Groups, we are able to do that. Each Home Group is tasked with finding a mission/service project in which they go into the community. This has been the best semester yet for Home Groups!
Why should you join a Home Group? If you are not involved in a Home Group, you are missing out- it’s as simple as that (Hebrews 10:24-25- And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.). You are missing out on doing life with other people. You are missing out on sharing your struggles with others, offering and receiving encouragement (1 Thessalonians 5:11- Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.), realizing you are not alone in this journey of life (Proverbs 27:17- Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.). You are missing out on growing closer to others. You are missing out on a blessing and being a blessing.
For more information about how to join a Home Group,
click here.