Elevation Community Groups
Our community groups are here to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and with His church by creating a dynamic, life-changing environment where they can explore the Christian faith and experience community. Whether you are a college or graduate student, single or married, young or older, there is a community group here for you at EPC. Take a look through this page and see how you can join a group today.
Elevation Community Groups are missional in nature. The goal of each group is to multiply in 18 months. They have a strategic mission and vision for reaching our community and making disciples of Jesus Christ.
For the Spring of 2012, our Elevation Community Groups will be meeting 8 times between February 6 and May 14 studying a series on John connected to our morning worship service, praying for one another and reaching out to friends and family. We are following the sermon series on John. The discussion guides for John 14 and 15 are here: John 14 Guide, John 15 Guide. Hard copy booklets are available from an Elevation Community Group Leader.
If you are interested in being apart of a Community Group for the Winter/Spring fill out the form below. If you are interested in more information, below this form are a list of FAQ’s.
FAQ’s on Elevation Community Groups at Evangelical Presbyterian Church
Q: How does Evangelical Presbyterian Church define a community group?
A: Community groups are small groups of approximately five married couples or six to eight individuals of the same gender that meet weekly in some-one’s home for fellowship, Bible study, prayer, and accountability. They are for adults of all ages, stages of life, and spiritual maturity.
Q: Why does Evangelical Presbyterian Church do community groups?
A: We believe that it is in the context of intentional and biblical relationships where significant life change takes place best. This is the environment to celebrate the successes and good times of life and comfort one another in the tough and disappointing times. It is a place to reflect on the corporate worship service and preaching that is taking place on Sundays. It is a place to be encouraged, equipped and challenged to grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ. We are able to serve each other and learn how to serve our church and our community through what we learn in Community Groups.
Q: When do Community Groups meet?
A: Each Community Group decides when and where it wants to meet. Most groups meet at least 3 times a month. As individuals seek to join a Community Group, we help them find people that are meeting on a particular night, and to a geographic area near where they live. All of our Community Groups meet in group members’ homes.
Q: How long does a community group last?
A: Initially, all of the groups begin in eight week segments. Community Groups may then commit to meet for an additional twelve to twenty-four months. Each group determines the duration of time that they will meet. It is expected that other groups will be formed as leaders are developed in each group.
Q: What is EPC’s process for connecting people into community groups?
A: Cards are available at any information table for people to fill out when they inquire about joining a group. Those who complete a card are contacted by a staff member or volunteer to answer any questions they may have about the community group process. Individuals can also join groups throughout the year as they are connected to groups they would like to join.
Q: What different type of community groups do you make available?
A: In selecting the group that is right for them, people select a Married, Single (male or female), Women’s (single or married), Men’s (single and married), Graduate Student or College (male or female) group, depending upon their stage of life.
Q: What criteria does Evangelical Presbyterian Church use to place people in community groups?
A: Typically people looking to connect to a new community group for the first time use the following criteria:
- Stage of life (married with kids, married with no kids, married empty nesters, single males or single females, men’s groups or women’s groups)
- Area of town
- Day/night of the week
Q: Evangelical Presbyterian Church places people in groups according to marital and/or gender status (single/married/men/women). Does Evangelical Presbyterian Church offer other group opportunities for people in special situations, such as divorce, deceased spouse, unbelieving spouse, etc.?
A: Group seekers are able to choose a group that best fits their desires and stage of life. Their options are married groups, singles groups, men’s groups (with married and single men) or women’s groups (with married and single women). However, if we created multiple, affinity-based choices for groups, it would require us to find leaders for these different types of groups. We believe those multiple options would actually be more challenging to manage and more confusing for the average unconnected person.
Q: Why doesn’t EPC have mixed-gender, single adult community groups?
A: The purpose of a community group is to provide a predictable environment where participants can experience authentic community and spiritual growth. We believe that this happens best with single adults when they are connected with members of the same gender. It is inherently more difficult for a leader to create a predictable environment with single men and women together in the same group. The relational dynamics created by a mixed environment limit the accountability that is possible or appropriate. As a result, we do not believe mixed-gender single adult groups experience the same level of community that is possible in same-gender groups.
Q: How do groups choose curriculum?
A: The first source of tension for new groups can often be around curriculum. Leaders work with a Community Group staff person to choose curriculum. During the Community Group time, the worship service for the upcoming Sunday is explored, prayed for and applied.
Q: If a member drops out of a group, does that group add additional members?
A: During the first six months of the group’s twelve to twenty-four month life cycle, members are added to fill the group to capacity. If the group is planning to multiply within six months, we recommend they don’t add new people.
Q: How do groups add additional group members?
A: We encourage group members to look at their existing relationships first (friends, neighbors, etc.) or contact a Community Group staff person to help.
Q: What is the purpose of the covenant and is it really necessary?
A: The Community Group Covenant is a tool used by the group members to establish expectations and manage the group for the duration of its life cycle. Its use is essential because most problems that groups face are due to unmet expectations.
Q: What is EPC’s process for recruiting and approving leaders?
A: Our primary means to identify potential leaders is our apprenticing process. Part of the responsibility of leading a group is executing the leader essential ‘Replace Yourself’ by identifying a leader apprentice within the first 6-9 months of a group. Once the apprentice is identified, he or she still must be approved to lead by a Community Group staff director. The approval process for group leaders includes:
- Completing a group leader application
- Be an apprentice in an existing and active community group
- Completing the process to become a member of the church
- Meeting with a staff director for an interview
- Committing to ongoing development and attending leader orientation before starting a new group
When making the decision whether or not to approve someone for leadership, the candidates are evaluated in five key areas:
- Character – Is this person in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ?
- Competence – Does this person have the skills and experience to lead a group?
- Culture – Does this person embrace the mission, vision and strategy of the church?
- Connected – Is this person connected to the church through membership?
- Chemistry – Is this someone with whom you’d like to be in a group?
Q: How do leaders choose and prepare an apprentice?
A: Leaders should choose people who could replace them. The best way to prepare apprentices is to include them in every aspect of facilitating and leading the group. In looking for an apprentice, we ask leaders to look for those who have the four C’s (character, competency, culture, and chemistry) to lead a group.
Q: How does EPC get groups to multiply?
A: We get groups to multiply by continually casting vision to our leaders, who in turn continually cast it to their groups. We also encourage leaders to identify and equip apprentices. The apprentices will take half of the group and start a new group, while the leader keeps the other half and starts another new group.
Q: How does EPC train leaders?
A: Leadership training largely occurs in the apprenticing of new leaders, leader orientation and training, Leader Huddles and Leadership Summits.
Q: Who do leaders contact if a problem or question arises that they can’t answer?
A: Group leaders have a staff director assigned to them who helps them walk through any challenges their group may experience.
Q: Does EPC have a website where I can learn more about EPC’s philosophy and opportunities for small groups?
A: We are constantly adding information to our website.