Dear Friends,
This fall we are trying an experiment in home fellowship, and we want to invite you to join us.
Over the past several years we have worked together as a church to establish several healthy small group ministries. Through our women’s groups, men’s group, Blawnox Bible study, monthly forum, and youth group we have come a long way toward establishing an authentic and God-centered culture. As these ministries continue to grow, we believe that it is time to take another bold step.
In the New Testament we see that worship, discipleship, and evangelism happen most frequently around the dinner table:
…breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved (Acts 2:46-47, ESV, emphasis added).
This fall we are experimenting with this Biblical pattern of home fellowship, will you join us?
Our initial goal is to establish three healthy home groups meeting monthly from October until next June.
We want groups to display the following values:
Welcoming: It should be easy to invite your non-Christian neighbors. Anyone can attend any group. Just give the leaders a heads-up so they can prepare enough food.
Gospel-centered: These are not academic Bible studies. We will read Scripture together and invite God to apply the Gospel to our lives.
Intergenerational: We want to have single and married people, retired folks, kids, empty-nesters, and young professionals all together.
Informal: Wear what you like. Bring your kids. We are aiming for genuine hospitality, not showy “entertaining.” Meals will be simple and potluck-style.
We would love for you to join us in this experiment, even if you can’t commit to every month. Be on the lookout for a special announcement early next week with more details on how to sign up.
Grace & Peace,
Ben
