Small Groups

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An authentic community. 

An authentic community is what we call “a biblically functioning community” or “BFC.”  A small group is a community of people who share certain common desires, interests and experiences. A small group usually consists of 5 to 10 people and, when it matures, becomes a BFC where people can safely share their most intimate needs, hurts and desires.  Small groups usually meet on a weekly basis at a time and place convenient to all members.  

Common characteristics of mature small groups:

1.    Emergence of an accepted leader
2.    Environment of open and safe sharing
3.    Engaging the gospel through personal testimonies
4.    Engaging in the study of the Bible
5.    Encouraging each other through prayer
6.    Establish goals to grow together
7.    Engaging with each other outside of the regular
       small group meetings
8.    Establishing a new leader
9.    Establish a time table to reproduce itself

Purpose of Our Small Groups:

1.   A Conduit to the Larger Church Community.  

       Building an authentic community is not an end in itself.  It is a beginning of the whole church experience.  We believe that those who experience our small groups will naturally be attracted to the larger church community. Anyone who feels uneasy about plunging into the larger church community should begin by joining one of our small groups.

2.    Small Groups Offer Unlimited Leadership 
       Opportunities.

       There is no limit to the number of small groups that can be formed.  A goal of any small group is to give practical leadership training in ministry. Trained leaders can form and lead new small groups.

Small Group Guides

1.    All Small Groups should be small (usually no more
       than 10 individuals)
2.    All Small Groups must meet weekly (as much as
       possible during the week)
3.    All Small Groups must be aligned with our Mission
       and Vision.
4.    All Small Groups must be led by CLC trained SG 
       Leaders.
5.    All Small Groups must provide Biblical and
       Christian relationship experiences.
6.    All Small Groups must exhibit the following
       elements:
       a.    A particular focus (such as Bible Study, 
              exercise, etc.);
       b.    Conduct Bible Study;
       c.    Open sharing and fellowship; 
       d.    Praying Time; 
       e.    Caring of others in the Small Group; and
       f.    Training, as needed;
7.    All Small Groups are expected to help each
       member become more devoted to worshipers 
       of God and followers of Jesus Christ.
8.    All Small Groups are expected to help each other 
       in all Biblical and spiritual disciplines.
9.    All Small Group members are prohibited from
       lending or borrowing money from each other.
10.  All offerings received by Small Groups must be
       handled through the church.
11.  All Small Groups must terminate at the end of 10 
       months from the beginning to allow for new Small
       Groups can be formed with others.
12   All Small Group Leaders are required to submit 
       periodic reports to the church.

Small Group Leader Training

All Small Group leaders are required to receive a 13 session training before they form and lead a Small Group. Small Group leader training is offered from time to time.