Central is a big church...
...and Community Groups are meant to help it seem a little smaller. To put it another way, Community Groups are the "dinner table of the church"--the place where the family gathers to share life, and the place where hospitality is experienced. These gatherings of typically 6-12 people meet in someone's home once during the week for fellowship, discussion, and prayer.
For more details, contact our Pastor of Community Formation, .
Frequently Asked Questions:
What happens at a typical Community Group meeting?
Who leads Community Groups?
Who goes to Community Groups?
Are Community Groups “Bible studies”?
Are Community Groups gatherings for Christian community or are they “outreach”?
Can I visit a Community Group without committing to it?
Do Community Groups provide childcare?
What happens at a typical Community Group meeting?
A typical Community Group meeting lasts for 2 hours. The time begins with 30-40 minutes of fellowship (usually including snacks). Next there is a 30-40 minute discussion that is usually based on a scripture text, but may also be based on a sermon, an article, a video clip, or a short piece of literature. Finally, the group ends with a time of prayer and more fellowship. That being said, the groups are not identical, and groups are encouraged to occasionally do away with this agenda and simply share a meal together for an evening.
Who leads Community Groups?
Community Groups are led by people who are members of Central, who have received training, and who are receiving ongoing coaching and oversight.
Who goes to Community Groups?
Anyone goes to Community Groups. They are for people who are part of Central, people who are interested in coming to Central, and people who are simply investigating Christianity but may have no immediate interest in Central. Community Groups are not divided by age or stage of life, but are meant to be places of intergenerational/life-stage interaction.
Are Community Groups “Bible studies”?
Community Groups are not Bible studies. Though Community Groups include discussion which is often based on scripture texts, the primary purpose of the discussion is NOT a systematic examination of scripture in order to arrive at a comprehensive and precise interpretation. Instead, the primary purpose of the discussion is that participants would share their honest reactions, their questions, their sorrows, their joys, and their thoughts on the “so what?” questions of Christianity. Obviously, these two purposes are not mutually exclusive, but because Central is a strong teaching church which offers many venues for Bible study, this emphasis of Community Groups is designed to be distinct from (though complementary to) a traditional Bible study.
Are Community Groups gatherings for Christian community or are they “outreach”?
Community Groups are both. Christians gathering together to share life and Christians reaching out to our neighbors are not mutually exclusive things. One of the best ways for a person to get to know Jesus is to be in community with those who already know Him. Community Groups are designed to foster fellowship among Christians that is sensitive and welcoming to those who do not yet follow Christ. You may wonder if this means that you won't be able to "go deep" in this group and talk honestly about your struggles. The truth is, however, that a Christian's struggling is a vital picture of the Gospel. The Gospel is for broken and sinful people after all, not for perfect people who have it all together and don't need God's grace (Luke 15).
Can I visit a Community Group without committing to it?
Of course you may visit a Community Group without committing to it. Eventually, one needs to commit to a group, but you’re free to visit for a few weeks, or even visit a couple of different groups before you make a decision.
Do Community Groups provide childcare?
Yes and no. There is no official childcare service provided for Community Groups. Instead, Community Groups follow the “it takes a village to raise a child” model in which participants work out among themselves how to help each other care for their children during a meeting. , Pastor of Community Formation, can help you find a child friendly group.
