Life on Mars ContentCommunity group FAQ
Mars Hill Community Groups: Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is a Community Group?
A. The purpose of Community Groups is to connect and grow authentic relationships with God, our brothers and sisters, and our neighbors. Community Groups function as the main way for the church body to become like family. In Community Groups, people talk through life issues, eat together, pray together, laugh together, serve others together, etc.
Q. Why are Community Groups so important to Mars Hill?
A. We intentionally say that getting connected means participating in both the Sunday gatherings and a Community Group. Sundays are a time for celebrating in worship together, hearing the preaching of the Word, and sharing in Communion. Smaller Groups are preferred for building relationships with one another and living life together. Both types of gatherings meet different needs in the spiritual health of the Church as well as individually, which is why we emphasize both.
Q. Is a Community Group like a Bible Study?
A. Community Groups are an environment for building relationships with one another which strongly emphasizes challenging one another to drive God’s Word deeply into our lives. Most Groups follow the Sunday sermon series; some choose to work through another book of the Bible. In all cases, Bible reading and discussion is geared toward personal life application and transformation rather than intensive Bible teaching.
Q. What does a typical Community Group meeting involve?
A. A typical meeting involves time for food, conversation, prayer, and discussion for applying the Bible to practical living. Many Community Groups have periodic special events such as barbeques or parties.
Q. Do I have to be a member of Mars Hill to attend a Community Group?
A. No. If you consider Mars Hill your church home, you are welcome to join a Community Group before becoming a member. However, we do stress the importance of completing your membership, since Community Groups are intended for those who call Mars Hill home and for the friends and neighbors we are trying to reach. Community Groups are not intended for those who consider Mars Hill Group involvement a supplement to their attendance at other churches. Membership is required to be a Community Group Leader or Host.
Q. I’m not/don’t know if I’m a Christian. Can I attend a Community Group?
A. Definitely. Joining a Community Group is a great way to find out more about Jesus and see what Christians are like. If you have questions, we can help you process through them.
Q. Are my children welcome to attend the Group?
A. We love the idea of families attending a Group together. Plans for accomodating children vary from Group to Group. Feel free to either inquire with the Group directly, or email Community@marshillchurch.org for a recommendation.
Q. How can I find a Community Group for college age/singles/young married/married with children/empty nesters?
A. Mars Hill appreciates the value of relationships between people in various life stages, so connecting people by neighborhood or region is our goal. For practical reasons, Community Groups in neighborhoods within the city tend to be younger with more singles, while Community Groups in suburban areas typically have a higher percentage of married couples and families with children. We encourage you pursue relationships both with those who are in a similar life stage as you, and those in different stages. Ideally, you’d find a Group with a blend of both.
Q. Are there various kinds of Community Groups - bible study focused, service focused, etc?
A. Our vision is for each Group to be active in diverse ways, as an overall sign of Group health. God-given passions and areas of gifting are reflected through individual Group members. Here is how the Apostle Paul put the idea:
If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. (1 Corinthians 12:17-20)
Q. How big is each Community Group?
A. Community Groups are designed to be small enough for members to get to know each other well. When a Group grows to a size of approximately 12 people, they are strongly encouraged to focus on planting a new Group out of the original Group.
Q. What if I cannot attend a Group regularly?
A. Consistent participation is very important for the stability of Groups, and not all Groups are equally able to accommodate irregular attendees. Due to the effect on the Group as a whole, a minimum expectation is that individuals should attend more than half of the meetings. Individuals with challenging schedules are encouraged to email community@marshillchurch.org for assistance in looking for a Group that may be an appropriate fit.
Q. What if there isn’t a Group that works with my schedule?
A. Each Community Group meets at the time and location that works for the majority of people in the Group. In time, it is possible that a Group could form that would be a better match for those with less common schedules.
Q. What if I’ve tried a Community Group and it wasn’t a good fit?
A. We recognize that you may need to visit a few Community Groups before you find the right fit. Our goal is to help you minimize the number of Groups you might visit, and help you settle into a Group you can call home as quickly as possible. If you’d like help finding a good fit, please contact us for assistance by emailing Community@marshillchurch.org.
Q. Why isn’t there a Group located near me?
A. Community Groups expand into new areas when and where we have a Mars Hill member who desires to host a Group. Our ability to plant Groups in new areas is influenced by the number of people in a given area who attend Mars Hill. If the next closest Group is too far away to attend, check back periodically to see if a Group has planted in an area closer to you. We recommend that you to join the nearest Group to you so that you can be plugged into the Community in the meantime.
Q. Do I have to attend the Community Group closest to where I live?
A. Not necessarily, but location is an important consideration. Much of the actual Community that exists in a Community Group may take place informally outside of the Community Group gatherings. This is a great disadvantage for someone who does not already live or work near the area where the Group meets.