For 25 years, I have met with six guys every 3-4 weeks for a book study, but it is so much more. Not only have we covered topics from theology to spirituality to politics to psychology to history with some fascinating books, but we have done life together. We have experienced the death of parents, the marriages of children, the gift of grandchildren and the heartache of cancer. These guys know me better than anyone else, and we have leaned heavily on one another to celebrate the good times and to endure the difficult ones.

For 20 years, Gretchen and I have enjoyed doing life together with three other couples. It’s not a Bible study or a prayer group or a book study. We eat. . .well! Someone hosts a monthly gathering, with everyone chipping in. We laugh, we cry, we give updates, we share our lives with one another. We’ve gone to our children’s weddings together and attended funerals of loved ones. We love these people and call one another friends.

You can easily get lost in a large church. No one is taking attendance. If you want to slip in after the announcements and sneak out during the closing hymn, no one will notice. Some prefer it that way. But in an ever-increasing impersonal world that is dominated by a quick text or a Zoom meeting, Americans are quickly becoming the loneliest people on the planet. Most live far away from family, don’t even know their neighbors and work remotely, apart from the human touch of their colleagues.

I don’t want to live that way, do you?

The secret to an intimate large church is small groups. We certainly have many for you to join but let me give you a better offer. Start one of your own!

Starting on Wednesday, July 30, we are launching a four-week training session for those who would like to lead and start a small group. Beginning with a light dinner at 6:00, we will then go from 6:30 to 7:30 to cover topics such as:

·      The dynamics of a small group

·      Facilitating a healthy discussion

·      The gift of hospitality

·      Logistics of location/time/frequency

·      Resources

My small groups are my lifeline to deep, lasting Christian friendships, and I want to encourage you to sign up for this training so you can experience that same intimacy. You can make that happen by going to this link and sign up to join me on July 30 for this training. Don’t worry if you can’t make all four. We will figure out a way to get you all prepared for a congregational small group sign up in September.

Peace,
Pastor Scott