Home Groups. Missional Community. House Church. Small Groups. Bible Study. There is no shortage of terms to describe communities of individuals gathering around the word of God in small groups. Depending on who you talk to, all these terms have multiple meanings depending on the person saying them. For the sake of understanding, we need to clarify the definition of Home Groups.
Home Groups are the communities where discipleship and relationship take root. They are located in the homes of our members and at their core, are the context where the heart of the church is most vibrant.
Many people confuse the Church with being the Sunday corporate gathering, but the truth is that if you cannot do it under a shade tree in Africa, then Jesus didn’t die for it. Corporate worship gatherings too often rely on pomp, dramatic lighting, and are too dependent on a few skilled individuals instead of celebrating the diversity and participation of all its members. Furthermore, they are restricted by the square footage of a church building and the technological capacity to pull off a highly choreographed worship service. These elements can all be good things, but at their core, they are not necessary to make much of Christ in the lives of his followers.
Jesus is just as much in our home gatherings as He is in our corporate gatherings.
The first century was so prolific in spreading the Gospel because it went forward in the homes and back rooms of the businesses of the first believers. We seek to restore that dynamic where we see God moving in mighty ways in our families and communities, in addition to our weekly corporate gatherings.
BARTLETT HOME GROUP:
As indicated previously, our first Home Group meeting will be Thursday March 10 at 6:30 PM at the Steward Residence in Bartlett, TN. The main audience for this group is individuals who seek to be a part of a vibrant community of faith who 1) live in the Bartlett and surrounding areas, and 2) want to gather with other like-minded individuals and live life together and reach our neighbors and communities.
DOWNTOWN HOME GROUP:
The first downtown Home Group will meet on Sunday March 13 at 10:30 AM. The main audience for this group is individuals who seek to be a part of a vibrant community of faith who 1) live in the downtown and surrounding area (all the way north to Millington), and 2) want to gather with other like-minded individuals and live life together to reach our neighbors and communities. This Home Group will also have a missional expression to reach to the downtown area, so if you have a heart to reach the Edge District, this would be the perfect group for you.
Update (12.01.16) – The Downtown Home Group now meets o Sunday afternoon at 2:30 in our church building at 627 Monroe Ave. We would love for you to join us as we gather for growth and encouragement in our faith.
CHILDREN: Children are welcome to attend. Part of being a community is helping to raise each others kids and being another friendly face and smile for them to call family while we come around the Word of God together. Faith is one of those unique intangibles that is both CAUGHT and TAUGHT. We want our kids to see a faith that is worth wrestling with even when areas of our own life (both public and private) don’t line up with it at the moment.
Please consider joining us for this next season. Bring some friends along with you for the ride also.