P.C.statement regarding small groups Small groups April 2008

Original concept:

Small groups, as we know them today, were first organized about 7 or 8 years ago. The concept grew out of two somewhat related concerns the P.C. was facing at the time. One was an ongoing sense that we were not making enough visits to members of Fellowship, and that therefore we were not as effective as we wanted to be in meeting the pastoral needs of our members. In other words, P.C. members were always feeling a bit guilty.

Secondly, we were looking for ways to be more effective and concrete in working out our longstanding commitment to the concept of “Office of all Believers”. We were looking for ways to facilitate members ministering to each other. It was felt that the establishment of small groups would, at least to some extent, address both issues.

Original Structure

Groups were structured along pastoral district lines, with responsibility for giving leadership as required, resting with the PC members of each district. It was expected that the groups would be involved in caring for each other, supporting those in need and celebrating each others happiness together. While membership in the groups was optional, it was expected that each group would, as much as possible, keep abreast of needs within the entire district and that those district members not actively involved in group meetings, would nonetheless be involved when needs arose, and could, in turn, themselves count on the support of the group if/when needed. In this way it was hoped to have members of Fellowship actively involved in ministering to each other in a more or less structured way.

Pastoral Committee members would be responsible for the functioning of the groups, but would see their work load reduced because they could count on the involvement of others in meeting the needs of members in their districts.

During the past year, the Pastoral Committee spent a lot of time studying and discussing the way small groups were functioning, and reflecting on what improvements could be made. At it’s meeting of Dec. 13, 2007, the committee came to the conclusion that the original concept is still a valid one, but that more flexibility was needed with respect to the following:

-#1 It was felt that, since groups are presently tied to Pastoral districts, there is not sufficient opportunity for members to change groups if they want to. It was decided that opportunity will be provided annually ( preferably in September) for members to change groups and/or Pastoral Districts if they so wish. This would provide the desired flexibility while maintaining the close link between small groups and pastoral districts.

-#2 That the P.C. be intentional about establishing small groups that would address specific topics and/or situations of mutual interest (e.g. Bible study, inner city project, environmental issues). Such groups would not be directly linked to any specific district.

The P.C. Feels strongly that groups should be open and welcoming to all who wish to join. If groups become too large, the P.C. will facilitate the formation of an additional group.

Duties of P.C members relative to small groups:

-Annually, preferably in September, district lists should be made available to all

members, along with a listing of existing small groups and a short description of the

main focus of each group along with the name of the contact person. All members are

invited to join the group of their choice. District lists should be adjusted to match

members’ wishes

-Each group should have a contact person with whom the P.C. member will regularly

keep in touch about the groups functioning and particular needs or situations in their

district that group members should be aware of

-Discuss with groups, especially groups structured around pastoral districts, their

ability/willingness to assume a meaningful role in keeping in touch with non-group

members in their districts, especially those members who are on the fringes of our

church community

-Personally invite new members to participate in a small group

-Encourage groups to be more than just a social gathering. Our working definition is: A

small group is an intentional, face-to-face gathering, varying in size, meeting regularly to

accomplish an agreed on Christian purpose

-Encourage and assist groups to split if and when they become too large.

-The functioning of small groups shall become a regular agenda item at P.C. meetings

under Member Care