The Reseda Church of Christ is a church of small groups. By this we mean that small groups are our ministry operating system. It is the means by which we carry out the purposes for which we exist. Being a church of small groups it is essential for every member to connect relationally with a group ministry to experience fully the life of the church body.
Member Development Process: The structure of our Small Group Ministry corresponds to our strategic plan of Church Development, which is a Member Development Process. The church exist for the purposes of facilitating the translation of sinners into the state of being the Saved; then to facilitate the transformation of the Saved into the state of being Spiritual; and then to transition the spiritually mature saints into being Servants; and then to transfer the Servants of the Ministry back into the community for Missions of outreach to the lost world. This process of spiritual development occurs through encounter with each of the five purposes of the Church. Our spiritual development corresponds to the extent to which we experience the five purposes for which we were created, which is also the five purposes for which the Church was divinely established. Thus, our Member Development Process consists of the following five Phases:
Phase 1: The Community Phase – The first phase of spiritual development that generally takes place in the context of the community before becoming committed to attending church. In this phase, one encounters the message of the Good News through the Mission purpose of the church.
Phase 2: The Connect Phase – The second phase of spiritual development occurs when prospective believers become connected relationally with the congregation through experiencing the Fellowship purpose of the Church. This phase is complete when the prospective member(s) discovers Membership in the Church and began to experience true community which fosters spiritual growth.
Phase 3: The Commitment Phase – The third phase of spiritual development occurs when the connected believer learns and begins to practice the habits of spiritual maturity—grasping the Word, and spiritual tithing of time, talents, and treasure. Practicing these habits prepares the connected and committed believer for the works of the Ministry.
Phase 4: The Commission Phase – The fourth phase of spiritual development occurs when the connected and committed believer discovers their spiritual S.H.A.P.E. and then begins to use their spiritual gifts in the Ministry of L.I.F.E. within the Church.
Phase 5: The Communication Phase – The final phase of spiritual development occurs when the spiritually mature believer returns to the community in a relationship with others to engage in Missions that communicate the Good News; thus, initiating this five level process of making disciples.
THE SMALL GROUP DIVISIONS
Our Small Group Ministry consists of five Purpose-related Divisions. The mission of each Small Group Division relates to one of the five Purposes of the Church;
Worship Group Division: To celebrate God in Worship;
- Care Group Division: To connect people relationally for Fellowship;
- Nurture Group Division: To commit members to Discipleship;
- L.I.F.E. Group Division: To Commission servants to the Ministry;
- P.E.A.C.E. Group Division: To communicate the Gospel in Missions.
Overall, these Small Group Divisions correspond to the Membership Development Process of the Reseda congregation. Each Small Group Division is positioned within the Member Development Process and offers progressively deeper experiences of community care and support.
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