It has been our church's regular schedule to have a midweek service on Thursday nights, but with the shifting culture of people commuting long distances and working odd schedules we have been talking about transitioning from Thursday meetings to mid-week community groups where we can gather on a couple different days of the week at different locations in a member's home. The focus would be on fellowship and prayer with each centered on a small group Bible study curriculum. Beginning in mid-May we will launch this ministry for the first time.
What we see in the book of Acts over and over again is a corporate gathering (usually at the temple) and then a small group gathering in homes. In our Baptist churches, we have been so accustomed to corporate meetings, we have neglected the smaller gatherings that foster real fellowship and community among the members of the church. It is also a great opportunity to introduce someone to the Lord through a community group who might be apprehensive about visiting the church. The setting is casual, conversational and non-threatening. We'll be releasing more information about where to meet and when as we get closer to launching our first community groups!
