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For where two or three are gathered in My name, I am there in the midst of them. Matt 18:19
Small Groups allow for the New Testament partnership and body ministry to develop and grow! Jesus in our midst is the path of health for our spirit, soul, and body. Here is a list and a brief description of the current small groups that meet weekly.
Sunday:
Dave & Diane Hufford (529-4319)
6PM at 2249 Roberts Place in Walla Walla
Ron & Jill Becker (529-4485)
6PM at 1904 Howard in Walla Walla
Monday:
Nancy Dover's Ladies Group (525-4911)
1PM at 343 Catherine St in Walla Walla
Jeff & Debbie Bruce (525-1903)
7PM at 3030 Brisbane in Walla Walla
Pete & Kathy Rohde (529-5989)
7PM at 701 Wauna Vist Dr in Walla Walla
Serior High Group (526-7598)
7PM at 1435 Shelton Rd in Walla Walla
Tuesday:
Pastor Jim's Mens' Group (525-3128)
6AM at Merchants in Walla Walla
Wednesday:
Jill Becker's Ladies Group (529-4485)
9:30AM to 11:00 at 1904 Howard St in Walla Walla
Dave & Mikki's Home Group (529-1090)
7PM at 915 Harvest Drive in College Place
Ron & Connie Fauver and Tom & Candy Whittaker's Home Group (529-0107)
7PM at 57 Tallon Lp in Walla Walla
In a desire to live out our motto of "Loving God and Loving People", we as a church have made certain choices. Every church must decide how it will be organized, who will be the leaders, and what they hope the intended outcome will be. Most churches are organized around the capacity of their building. The building's size and location often determines the scope of the church's ministry. The pastor or pastors are usually perceived as the people who are paid to do the ministry. The intended outcome in the typical American church is that the church will be stable, manageable, and available for the needs of the members.
We have chosen to organize around people instead of a building. We have decided that the best way to gather is in small groups. These small groups are the primary organizational building block at New Life Assembly. Small groups can meet together in a living room on a regular basis for mutual care and support. We have as many living rooms as we have families. A surplus of space! The most important and "strategic leaders" are those people who will take the responsibility to get these small groups together on a regular basis and facilitate them.
These gatherings give people a place to belong and build meaningful relationships. They are caring places. When we gather together in Jesus name we can expect the Holy Spirit to be present and to minister to the needs of those present.
In this way, gathering in small groups, the church can reach an unlimited number of people without disrupting the quality of care that those within the church already receive. Our mission is to create an authentic Christian community that effectively reaches out to unchurched people in love, acceptance, and forgiveness so that they may experience the joy of salvation and a life of purpose.
I long for the day when we have Care Groups in every geographical location of this valley. Also, Support and Recovery groups that cover every gamut of potential problems and needs that people may experience. The church is called to be a place where people can come and experience love, acceptance, forgiveness, and healing (wholeness). Oh God, let us be a people where the world can come to and experience You and taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8).
Why Groups of Ten?
Groups of this size are small enough to give genuine care to each member of the group.
Groups of ten are big enough for building meaningful relationship.
When groups grow larger than ten it is difficult for everyone to have a chance to share.
Some people will become spectators instead of participants.
When groups grow larger than ten the leader will become overburdened.
When this happens, primary (one-way) care replaces mutual (two-way) care.
When groups grow larger than ten they tend to become "leader centered" instead of "one-another" centered.
In groups of ten, the level of manageability is within reach of most people and situations.
As a group grows bigger, previously manageable problems get out of hand.
These problems typically include child care, parking, seating, general wear and tear, etc.
In groups of ten we maintain a high quality of "one-another" care and at the same time
insure ongoing growth can take place through group multiplication.
Groups of ten provide a network of family type relationships that make our lives
more meaningful because they are shared with others.
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