Life Groups

The word used in the New Testament for “fellowship” is the Greek word “koinonia” which literally means “sharing our lives in common”, “intimacy”, “joint contribution”, “joint participation”.  The word means so much more than having a cup of tea every so often or saying hello at a meeting every week.  It is our understanding that the only way that we can really have koinonia with people is if we really know them and care about them.

The fact is that it is very hard to know more than about a dozen people well. Obviously, our life groups do not all have exactly twelve people in them but they are all around that number.  The reason for this is that this number of people can look after each other and care for each other and know each other far better than a larger group of people where it can be difficult to be much more than superficial in our relationships.

It is our desire to develop a church where people really love and care for each other and can learn and grow together in their faith.  At this time it is our belief that life groups provide the best means for this.  The meetings are a place where it is safe to try to be open without fear of making a fool of yourself.

It is also a place where we can learn to do the works of the kingdom – compassion ministry to the poor, and outreach.  It is also a place where it is safe to learn how to prophecy, give words of knowledge and minister in the power of the Spirit, without making a fool of yourself.  It is a group of people learning how to be family.