The DNA of FCC Groups

DNA is something that everyone of us has.  It's your DNA that determines what you will look like and how you will function.  Our parents passed it on to us and we pass it on to our kids.

Groups here at FCC have a DNA too.  There are certain attributes that should be in every group and class.  Check out the list below and think about your own group.

Bible Study

• It’s through the living word that lives are changed
• We put too much pressure on ourselves to say the right thing as if it all depends on our words
• Life change happens from God’s word

Prayer

• Praying for one another gives each other a comfort
• Take the time and write them down
• Select someone as the prayer person
• Email them out so your group knows you expect them to be praying through the week

Leader Development

• We’re not looking to launch new groups, we want to launch new leaders
• One thing we won’t do is ask you to split your group, we will ask who in your group could lead their own
• It may be easiest for you to leave your group and leave it in the capable hands of a new leader so you can then go and lead a new group.
• Who in your group are you training up to lead?

Service

• Inward: Take care of each other
• Calling those who miss
• Help when there is a need
• Minister when they are in the hospital
• Line up meals when there is a new baby
• Outward: Look for opportunities to serve others together
• Once each season, your group needs to take on a service project

Outreach

• 3 times a year we’re going to feed people into groups during sign up months.
• But, don’t ever feel like you can’t invite others yourself

Fun

• Have fun together!
• Onsite groups, meet offsite once a month
• Go to a ball game
• Have a cookout
• I believe the earlier church did more than just listen to the apostles, pray, and eat.  I think they enjoyed being together.

What attribute does your group do great at?  

What attribute does your group need to work on?

Leader Lunch

It's good to gather our leaders together!
Join us this Sunday, April 25th after 2nd service for our annual Spring Leader Lunch.
You, your co-leader, and your families are all invited.
RSVP by clicking on the link below:

Leader Lunch RSVP

I hope you will make every effort to join us!

mt

Leader Update

Hey Leaders!
Our groups are rockin' it!  Even though our groups are "closed", which means we're not placing people in groups, you are still inviting people in.  We're seeing it in both groups and classes.  That's awesome!  Lives are being changed!  Keep shepherding your group.  If people are missing, be sure to make contact with them and let them know you missed them.
Our current season ends the week of May 2nd.  So plan accordingly.  If your study runs short, just use the sermon based studies for your final weeks.

Summer Season:
We are preparing for another season of groups for this summer.  The season will run from the week of June 6th to the week of July 25th.  This is our first try at a summer season and we're anxious to see what God does through it.  It's short (8 weeks), we know people are going everywhere during the summer, but let's give it a try! 

If you plan to lead a group this summer, please select the link below, fill out the form, and submit it for us.  We are also asking who will be attending the Stone Canyon Campus this fall.  Give that some thought and prayer.  We hope to see our Stone Canyon groups start forming during this Summer Season so we can hit it strong this fall.

LEADER FORM

Leader Lunch
Mark April 25th on your calendar for the next Leader Lunch.  You and your family are invited to join us right after 2nd service in the gathering area for lunch and time of appreciation, information, and prayer.  Make every effort to come join us. 


Serve Somewhere!
Serving together is an important part of Group Life! 
1. Easter:
Your group could serve as a team.  Parking crew, facility crew, greeters, ushers, shuttle drivers, cafe, etc.  We have holes in all areas.  Be a part of the biggest Sunday of the year by serving others along with the rest of your group.

2. Camp Work Day:
We are wanting to take a crew of volunteers to the Camp CYOKAMO work day on April 23 & 24.  Camp CYOKAMO is our church camp that all of our kids from 2nd grade and to Seniors will attend this summer. It's located just north of Joplin.  Transportation will be provided. You'll just need to cover 2 meals.  There are projects for everyone: Cleaning, painting, carpentry, roofing, cement, etc.  This can be a great time for a group to
get away and serve God together.  We'll head over Friday evening and return Saturday evening.  If your group is interested in going, let Matt T. know.

3. Pregnancy Resource Center of Owasso:
Current Needs:
- Infant Car Seats
- Newborn Girl Clothing
- Newborn Diapers
We are also looking for a volunteer to coordinate our silent auction for the fall banquet.  If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Jenny Rich at 272-6888.

4. Youth Quake Work Team
We are looking for a crew to join us at Youth Quake again this year to continue to the development of the campsites and to help around the camp.  This would be a great opportunity for a group to get away together to the mountains.  Serve together, have fun together, as well as connect with God together.  If you're interested or want more information, let Matt T. know.

5. Other service ideas

• Neighborhood cookout - Invite the neighbors over as a group just to rub shoulders with them and begin conversations
• Neighborhood Clean up
• Serve a senior - plant their spring flowers, mow their grass, clean their windows, etc.
• Adopt a family - know someone in need?  Adopt them as a group and show them God's love

Spirit Led Groups

As we've been studying in the book of Acts on Sundays, we can't help but to recognize the work of the Holy Spirit in the early church.  As group leaders, we need to rely on Him to guide us knowing that He is the one that changes lives.



What about you?  Are you doing it all on your own?  What do you do that helps you rely on the Holy Spirit?

Half Way Point

This week marks the halfway point for this season!  It's a great joy to me to hear stories from people attending groups.  Especially when they're bragging about their leader.  I appreciate each one of you for the time and effort you put in to leading your group.

In the next few weeks we'll start collecting information for the summer season.  So start planning now for what you plan to do.  It will be a short 8 week season running through June and July.

If you're an onsite group leader, be sure to plan some "Home Group" time.  It's important to get your group together once a month in someone's home to help grow your group stronger.  Our group set the 3rd Sunday of the month as our home Sunday. 

Save the Date: Sunday, April 25th - Leader Lunch after 2nd Service (for you and your family!)

Let me know if you need anything!

mt

Top 5 Reasons To (and not to!) Get An Apprentice

Great leaders create great leaders.  The following is taken from an article that speaks to this.  Check it out.  Who is your apprentice?

Carter Moss | CCC/NewThing Small Group Catalyst

I love developing new leaders, something we call "apprenticeship" around here. Last weekend I co-led a skill with all my campus leaders on the single most impactful thing we can do in ministry (which is invest in people, as in apprenticeship or discipleship).  So that got me thinking again about all the great reasons why to have an apprentice.

Let me start with the Top 5 Wrong Reasons To Get An Apprentice:
5)  Instant scapegoat at your side for whenever you get criticized
4)  No more looking for rides to the airport
3)  Finally someone to do all the hard work so you can catch up on sleep
2)  Gets you out of having to show up all the time
1)  Helps you become the next Donald Trump

Now let's get on with the Top 5 GREAT Reasons To Get An Apprentice:
5)  It accomplishes what God wants most--carrying out His mission (Matthew 28, 2 Tim 2:2)
4)  It accomplishes what we want most--leaving a legacy that carries on beyond us
3)  It allows us to reproduce and start new things (you can go start something new, or they can!)
2)  It makes you a better leader (less "making it up on the fly" and more intentionality)
1)  It's just a lot more fun to do ministry alongside someone

What do you think?

So, you really think you can do it alone...

Many Christians have this Lone Ranger mindset that says, "I can live out my Christian life alone."  They may attend church services, but they have no significant relationships.  They have no one that can ask them tough questions, challenge them, or even encourage them to grow in their faith.




Groups are vital to the spiritual health of believers.  That's why we hope to eventually get to 100% participation in groups.  This season we reached approx. 75% of the FCC membership involved in groups!  But we're not satisfied yet. 


Leader: Are you reproducing your self?  Are you raising up leaders in your group?  Great leaders raise up great leaders.  Who in your group can you start raising up?