| The Small Group Vision of Redeemer Church |
We desire to glorify God through the proclamation and demonstration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.Our prayer is to see one another...
What are Care Groups?
Redeemer Church's Care Group Ministry identifies itself with our purpose statement of "equipping God's people to delight in His glory and declare that glory to our neighbors and the nations!" These Care Groups regularly gather in homes to pursue this purpose on a very personal and practical level. We seek to...1Encourage one another day after day in our battle against attitudes of unbelief that arise in our hearts to steal our joy in God (cf., Hebrews 3:12-13; 10:23-25); 2Build up one another in faith through the use of spiritual gifts that God freely distributes to His body as He wills for the purpose of edification, so that we might become mature in Christ (cf., Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 14: 12, 26; Hebrews 2:4); and 3Pursue our joy in God through the multiplication of worshipers for the glory of God in our community and beyond. Groups may vary according to age, special needs/interests, geographical location, family orientation, etc., but they seek to make the above three areas the goal of their existence. How Do Care Groups Function?
Care groups are the basic units for Christian community at Redeemer Church. These groups are made up of 10-20 people in which the body-life of the church is lived out through the development of intimate relationships, the discovery and use of spiritual gifts, the discipline of discipleship, the going "outside the camp" (cf., Hebrews 13:13) to bring others to Jesus, and through making Christ supreme in every part of our lives. It is within a small group such as this that the ministry of Redeemer Church and the Body of Christ becomes most effective in our lives.
These small groups meet every other week for about two hours. Every group is unique due to the blend of gifts, interests and personalities of group leaders and members. Why Should We Have Small Groups Like These?
The biblical basis for these small groups is very strong. The early church had them (cf., Acts 2:46; 12:12; 20:8; 20:20; Romans 16:4-5; 1 Corinthians 16:19; Philemon 2). Many biblical commands given to the church seem to require them. These especially include commands for Christians to minister to one another (cf., Hebrews 3:13; 10:24-25; Galatians 6:2; Colossians 3:16; James 5:16; 1 Peter 4:8-9; Ephesians 4:32).
The very "one anotherness" of these commands necessitates Christian fellowship contexts small enough for our ministry to one another to be truly mutual. Combining this strong biblical basis with our own experiences in the effectiveness of small group ministry (and with the experience of countless other Christians throughout the world) gives a very strong rationale for Redeemer Church to pursue the "Small Group Vision." Our prayer is that every able member and regular attender of Redeemer Church will view participation in a care group as an integral part of their privilege and responsibility that comes with being a part of the Body of Christ. In this way, God desires to satisfy our deepest needs in Himself and empower us to help meet the needs of others. |
