Home Groups
A large proportion of the people at St Andrew's meet during the week in one of our 8 Home Groups. These meet in homes in the area and are overseen by Debbie Vine our Home Group Co-ordinator.
Each group has a leader, although members are encouraged to take turns leading, or helping to lead. All church members are encouraged to be a part of a home group.
Each group works through different studies seeking to learn more about their faith. Group members are strongly encouraged to support each other in prayer.
The various groups meet at different times of the day and evening to accomodate different groups, which include mums and toddlers, workers, retired people, amongst others.
Home Groups are an essential and important part of the church’s life. There are different levels, or stages, of home group and the various groups will often be studying different parts of the Bible which they feel relevant to their growth in faith.
Home Groups are about people growing in faith, learning what it means to be a Christian disciple in the 21st century, sharing our faith with others and growing in the gifts God gives to His people.
There are 4 levels of group:
Level 1: Knowing and making known the God of love
These groups will be for people new to the Christian faith, new to St Andrew's, or looking to explore the Christian faith more. Members will explore some of the basics of Christian belief and practice and begin to learn how to speak to others about what they believe.
Level 2: Equipping the saints
In these groups members will be encouraged to mature in their faith as well as beginning to explore the ways God can work through them, in the group, within church, and in their daily lives. There will be a growing understanding of the Holy Spirit and how He works in us and through us.
Level 3: Reaching people for Christ Jesus
We all have a part to play in the mission of God in the world in growing His Kingdom. As well as continuing to explore and mature in faith these groups will also have their own project which will be evangelistic in nature. Each month or so these groups will actively seek to share the Good News of Jesus and draw new people to faith as disciples.
Level 4: Growing leaders
As well as having a general call on our lives to be disciples and grow the Kingdom the Lord also calls many of His people to be leaders. These groups will continue all the went before in the previous levels as well as seeking to discern particular callings to leadership and ministry, within St Andrew's but also the wider Church. Already we have people training to be Readers at St Andrew's as well as two people who will be leaving next year to train for ministry elsewhere in the Church of England. Of course the Lord will also be calling people to other leadership roles: home group leaders, children's and youth leaders, churchwardens, preaching and leading worship etc.
It is hoped that as group members grow as disciples the groups they are in will grow through these four stages.
New members are always welcome. Please contact Debbie Vine, Home Group Co-ordinator on 724 0088 to find out more about groups and when and where they meet.
Below are the links to the study material "Growing as Disciples" that all groups will study from September to December. The first file also includes and introduction to the course. The files can be opened in a word processor so that group leaders can format each week's material in a way suitable for their group, or print out the different sections for group members to lead.
Enjoy the course. There will be feedback and response forms added in December.
"Growing as Disciples": Introduction and weeks 1-4
"Growing as Disciples": Weeks 5-8
"Growing as Disciples": Weeks 9-12
"Growing as Disciples": Weeks 13-15