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What is a Growth Group?
A Growth Group is a home fellowship made up of 4-16 people who meet weekly to share, study and support one another. A leader and support leader lead each group. An average meeting lasts for an hour and a half, followed by light refreshments.
How important are Growth Groups?
Here at Covenant, Growth Groups are the hub of our ministry. They’re the place where the real ministry of the church takes place as we study God’s Word, while supporting and sharing our lives with one another. We believe that meeting together on a regular basis is time well spent. Our goal each year is to have at least 80% of our adults involved on a weekly basis.
When and Where do they meet?
Growth Groups meet on various nights of the week in homes throughout The Dalles and beyond. Most evening groups meet 6:30 to 8:00 pm.
How long do they last?
Each Growth Group session is a ten week commitment to attend weekly meetings and do the homework. Obviously, allowances are made for sickness, vacation, work conflicts and other special events, but not much more. This commitment is the key to a strong Growth Group. You have the first three weeks to attend the group to make sure it’s a good fit for you.
What will we study?
Most of the studies are based on the previous weekend’s message. These “sermon-based” Growth Groups are built on what we call a “lecture-lab” model. Imagine the weekend message as the teaching on Christian living, and the Growth Group as a lab where you get to roll up your sleeves and discuss how the weekend’s message works in real life. Each week there will be a series of Bible passages and questions on the back of the sermon note sheet to study before the meeting. It will usually take 15-20 minutes per week to complete the homework.
What does it cost?
Few things in life are free and Growth Groups are no exception! The cost of Growth Groups is the cost of commitment. (There are some costs for materials for certain specialty groups). During the first meeting, each group will complete a “covenant” together. This simple form helps each group discuss their priorities and commitment. Part of that commitment is the promise to attend each week and to complete the homework as well as to attend the quarterly social and do one service project. You have the first three weeks to decide if your group is a good fit for you.
When you join a Growth Group, you’re promising to attend and be prepared each week. It’s this commitment that makes Growth Groups work. We realize it’s a big commitment, but it only lasts for 10 weeks. At the end of each quarter, you have the choice of recommitting for another quarter, trying a new group, or taking a break from Growth Groups altogether.
What about child care?
Growth Groups are for adults only. (Exceptions can be made for nursing newborns, up to six months.) We leave it up to each family to work out their own child care. Sometimes, it works best for families to share a sitter or to swap child care with another family whose Growth Group meets on a different evening. If your group is on a Wednesday, we encourage you to have your kids in our Children and Youth Ministry, which is at the church from 6:30 - 8:00 pm,
How do I choose a group?
When selecting a group, we strongly recommend you choose a group based on the leadership team rather than its location. Over the years, we’ve found that groups do best when members share a common station-in-life and other interests with their leaders, support leaders, and other group members. In the end, you’ll find it’s worth the drive!
We feel so strongly about this that our website is organized to help guide you into groups where you will find other people in a similar station-in-life. For instance, you will find sections for Young Families, Intergenerational groups (General), etc. Remember, these station-in-life groupings are intentionally kept fuzzy and are meant to help you self-select an appropriate group for you. They are not intended to box you in.
If you have any questions , please don’t hesitate to call the church and we will gladly assist you. Keep in mind that it might take two or three groups before you find the perfect fit, but don’t worry, you’ll find it!
How do I sign for up a Growth Group?
You can enroll by signing up in the foyer during the weekend services of December 13th, 20th, & 27th. Or if you prefer, call Bobbi Clear at (541) 298-5551. You can also easily sign-up online by going to www.covenantccc.org. Most groups have a brief biography for their group on the web-site.
A word of advice: If you know today which group you want, we suggest you not delay. The groups fill up fast and the sooner you register, the more likely it is that you will get your first choice.
Prior to your Growth Groups start, you will receive a call from your leader or support leader with information about your first meeting and the potluck.