Glenstone Chapel

The Community Group ministry is a vital part of the life of this church.

Members and others desire to contribute to and benefit from this ministry.
All church members along, with regular attenders, are encouraged to become involved in a Community Group.

Groups are safe places.
Safe places are where group members have reasonable confidences kept, where grace is regularly given and received, and where open conflict resolution is practiced.

Groups aim to be much more than home Bible studies.
In line with our Glenstone Chapel vision of Connect, Grow, Serve, a well-balanced group is marked by these characteristics: share, care, pray, and study the Word. 

Diversity is a goal in the formation of groups.
Given the reality of people's fragmented lives, however, the norm is community/geographic based groups.

The gifts in each group are developed for the benefit of all.
Leaders encourage both the identification of gifts within the group, and celebrate little and big ways that these gifts are used.

Mixed groups are ideally led by a man and supported by his wife.
Since there is a clear shepherding role for the group leadership, this arrangement is in line with the scriptural norm.  

Community Groups operate in harmony with the Glenstone Chapel Mission and Vision Statements

Flexibility is encouraged.
Leaders have freedom to adjust their programs to address current and pressing needs of the group.  Groups strive to be flexible enough to integrate new people, especially non-churched friends, at any time there is room.

Groups do not aim or expect to be permanent.
Though painful, groups seek to “birth” new groups as numbers increase and gifts are developed.  Regular attendance of twelve in a group is a recommended maximum size.

Glenstone Chapel Community Groups are formed by Glenstone Chapel when a suitable leader is identified and appointed.
Suitable leaders are given training, and supported once active. 

Groups meet at least every two weeks.