What have you downloaded recently? Podcasts, MP3 files, updates to applications, or maybe a virus? Downloading is the process by which we either update an outdated application or acquire brand new information. I have recently downloaded a new small group model that has revolutionized our purpose with Journey Groups to the point that I have been overwhelmed with upgrading all our leaders non-stop this Fall.
Essentially, we’ve take our core purposes as a church (REACH, CONNECT, GROW, SERVE, & REFLECT) and identified what ministry really OWNS these purposes. Which have the most influence on the church actually achieving these purposes, and came away with Groups owning 3 of the 5. Groups give us the unparalleled opportunities for connecting relationally, growing spiritually, and serving locally. The application we have been running was based on flexibility and support, but lacked direction & purpose in a way that left groups asking, “are we really being successful at this group thing?” While groups will remain varied, we have adopted some guidelines around these three areas (connect, grow, & serve) that we are hoping to see revolutionize our Journey Groups.
What have you downloaded lately? Is God showing up in your group time or are you still running outdated programs?
