HOME GROUP REPORT
Lake Cities United Methodist Church just launched its second Home Group, following the success of another Home Group that was formulated last year. Home Groups serve the church well in that they provide a setting for new members to become better integrated into the larger church. They also provide a learning environment for those who do not belong to a traditional Sunday School class.
Each group is bounded together by similar interests or stations in life. Lake Cities first Home Group is made up of younger families and individuals who have similar interests and needs. Likewise, the church’s second group is made up of older families who have similar needs.
Home Groups are launched at the home of the pastor. After matching new families with established families, the pastor sends out an invitation for interested individuals to attend a first meeting. At the first meeting, a model is presented for future gatherings which include a meal and a time for study. Participants are then asked if they would like to continue to meet and vote accordingly.
Each meeting starts with a meal. After a time of fellowship everyone gathers for a spiritual lesson. Each meeting lasts no longer than two hours. All family members are encouraged to attend, including children. At the end of the meeting, participants set the date and place for the next meeting. It is encouraged that families meet in private homes to develop personal relationships in a Christian setting. It is also encouraged that these groups meet at least once a month. The structure and setting of these meetings are designed to be simple and non-intrusive.
Oversight of these groups fall under the staff of the church. Study material is provided by the church or is endorsed by the church. Costs for materials are shared by the participants.What makes Home Groups different from Supper Clubs? While each group hosts a meal, Home Groups have a different focus. Home Groups are support gatherings for the whole family. They devote time at each meeting for religious study. They are composed of the same group over their lifetime and work similar to a Sunday School class. Supper Clubs, on the other hand, are groups designed to promote fellowship opportunities with the various members within the church. They do not have lessons and change in participants from meeting to meeting.
What makes Home Groups different from Emmaus Reunion Groups? While each group meets as a small gathering, Home Groups are different than Reunion Groups in that they are open for everyone to attend, not just those who have been on an Emmaus retreat. Another area of difference lies in that Reunion Groups are more concentrated on spiritual support, while Home Groups focus on relational support.
Home Groups, while seemingly new, are actually historical in the United Methodist Church. Author Julie Gorman in her book Community That Is Christian notes:
"Outstanding in the history of small group influence is the name of John Wesley . . . For Wesley, the small cell was central to the church . . . These small groups promoted unity, quality, control, and fellowship and became sites for progress reports, praying . . . and enabling members to grow. Methodism brought this small group network across the ocean to the New World.”
Reverend Dave Browning notes in his book, Hybrid Church, “Small groups are a side door into the church . . . some people are attracted by the small fellowships and then find their way into the public worship service.”
In comparison to Sunday School, Home Groups is yet another option to discover a safe and alternative way for fellowship and religious study within the church. Like Browning, Lake Cities UMC view these groups as yet another way to help people become more involved in the church.
If you are interested in joining a Home Group, please email Pastor Rene’ Lawson at rlawson@lakecitiesumc.org. If you are interested in joining a Supper Club group, please email Pastor Dyan Dietz at dyan@lakecitiesumc.org.
