Resources for Small Groups: Taking the Pulse of Small Groups
|
|
|
|
Our Leadership Structure
Pastoral Team consists of two pastors, two pastoral elders, and one or two pastoral interns. Pastoral elders are full members of the pastoral team, and serve as volunteers, without administrative responsibility. Each year we also appoint one or two pastoral interns who serve for a one-year term under the supervision of Pastoral Team, as they explore pastoral gifts and interest.
Church decisions are made by the congregation as a whole during open business sessions, and by a Church Council consisting of Congregational Chair, Vice-Chair, Pastors sitting ex officio and Commissioners representing the following areas of church life: administration, community life, outreach, worship and youth. Commissions are composed of persons representing committees of tasks in an area of church life. All 
members are selected through a gift discernment process. The major task of commissions is to develop and implement a vision for the church's life in their designated area.
We at Community Mennonite Church are Christians seeking to know Christ and to follow Christ in daily life. Since our beginning in 1972, we have followed a two-fold vision for church life, symbolized by our name Community. Our inward vision is to have a quality of congregational life that makes us a true community of God's people sharing, learning, and serving together. Our outward vision is to show God's presence in this community through evangelism and outreach ministries. We also try to understand our role as God's people in the broader global community. Though we have many programs and activities, all have a common goal. That goal is to call people to a personal faith in Christ and to inspire persons to live in a way that gives evidence to that faith. Both individually and as a church family, we strive to be the living presence of Christ in the world
We believe God is present whenever God's people gather. That is why we worship together each week. And that is why we encourage everyone to participate in worship. Services are led by a variety of persons, while the whole congregation participates in readings, prayers, songs, and sharing. We give opportunity for children and youth to participate in ways that are meaningful to them. We try to keep our services informal but well-planned, innovative yet appreciative of our traditions, and inspirational while urging practical, personal responses to God's call.
All of us need to study, regardless of age or experience. At Community Mennonite we strive to learn more about ourselves, about the Scriptures, about God, and about the world. The children and youth use Sunday School materials produced by the Mennonite Church. The adults choose from various Sunday School classes offered each quarter. Visitors are always welcome
We believe the Christian life should be lived along side others, not in isolation. At Community our small groups provide settings for deeper relationships. Many of the activities of the congregation happen in the small group setting: fellowship, study, personal encouragement, counsel, practical support, outreach, and of course, fun. Small groups are made up of 6-12 adults, plus children, who meet weekly or bi-weekly. Their activities vary. Small group members may discuss issues and personal concerns, conduct Bible or book studies, provide support for one another, and plan social outings and service projects. They meet the children's needs in different ways, sometimes including them in the meetings, sometimes making child care arrangements. While early fall is a typical time to form or re-form small groups, a person may also join or start a small group at other times. Community expects members to participate in small group life, but non-members are also welcome to join a small group.