We have learned that "small groups", "home groups", "connect groups" will look and work differently in every church. Our small groups have been organized and marketed in every different way you can possibly think. We have executed big small group launch events, different small group leader recruitment strategies, organizing groups in different ways including meeting in homes verses meeting in parks or coffee shops. You name it. We have tried it!
Currently, we believe we have found a rhythm that seems to work best for the culture of our church. The Word and our content never changes, however, we are never afraid to switch up our marketing strategy. For example, some churches will have an overwhelmingly great response to pushing groups such as, Ultimate Frisbee and devotional or Game night with other couples! Although, we do have some response to activity/fellowship based groups we have found that content based groups are more successful for us.
The number one reason people are coming to The Seed Church is that they are desperate for God. They want to be equipped! Yes, having community (the new buzz word) with other believers is extremely important, however, it is not the MOST important thing for our people. Therefore, when we are marketing our groups we are putting more of an emphasis on growing in their knowledge of God and in the process they begin connecting with other believers. Through the use of weekly classes, weekly corporate prayer, monthly groups, and quarterly events we are constantly creating opportunities for people to grow and connect. We have also learned to keep it moving and transitioning so that people do not become stagnant.
Our current solution
- Monthly Fellowship Groups: Women's Breakfast (3rd Saturdays), Men's Breakfast (1st Saturdays)
- Weekly Corporate Prayer: Tuesdays 7pm
- Weekly Classes: We offer semester based weekly classes for the Spring and Fall Click here to see our Spring classes ; Spring Semester: Feb. - April & Fall Semester: Aug.-Oct.
We encourage people to start with our - L.I.F.E Course (Living in Freedom Everyday)
this curriculum was created by Church of The Highlands. Instead of breaking the curriculum up into smaller groups we offer one large class each semester with our ministerial staff teaching the classes. For more information you can visit Freedom Classes. Or for more in-depth information you can get all of their resources as a part of Grow - Church of The Highlands Resources for Churches
Feel free to ask us any questions about this!
- Family Nights: To bring together both fellowship and teaching for 4 Weeks
(Wednesdays in January and June)
- Church family dinner 6:00pm
- Teaching at 7pm
- Children's Ministry Activities
If you have any questions on how we are making "groups" works for our church please comment below! We would be happy to share any of our resources with you.