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Life Groups
A Life Group is a smaller group of people within our church who meet regularly
to establish a sense of community to live out the reality of the Christian
life on a day-to-day basis. The mission of Life Groups is to grow
Christ-centered communities through loving relationships.
The benefits of participating in a Life Group are far reaching. In the
context of this smaller "spiritual family" you will be able to establish
deeper relationships in a warm and safe environment. You will be accepted
for who you are while at the same time encouraged to reach your full
potential in God. This small group will be a care-giving community as
well as a place to grow in areas of serving others. The Body will
learn how to grow up into the fullness of Christ as we see the Lord
at work in and through each other.
The Life Group is the primary relational cell for permanent connection
to the church body here at Mad City. Mad City ministries, special classes,
and various focus and interest groups are all meant to be a compliment to
Life Groups and not a substitute. Given the size of our church, it is
impossible for the full-time pastors to be available for the general
needs of the church. Life Groups will be the main provisional structure
for the multi-faceted needs of the body at large.
The Church is God's chosen vehicle for the operation of His love and grace
in the earth. The power and work of the Holy Spirit through a dynamic church
is how God gets things done - it's how He builds His kingdom. Though the
world does not see or know it yet, the Church has what the world is looking for.
Scripture and church history have taught us that the most effective model for
a dynamic church body, which consistently administers the love of God, comes
in the form of small groups. This interpersonal relationship model was the
basis for vibrant Christian life and growth in the New Testament Church.
The small group is the context that God has chosen to reveal Himself to the
world in His multi-faceted beauty. The small group is how the body of Christ
is "built up until we all reach the unity in the faith and in the knowledge
of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness
of Christ (Eph. 4:13)." If we are serious about making an impact in our
community as a truly dynamic force of Gods love, power and grace, we have
to take seriously the model of Church that the scripture presents.
The structure, frequency, and nature of what takes place within the groups
will vary depending upon the personality, availability and gifts of the
leaders. We need to respect and make room for the various ways in which the
Holy Spirit will work in each group. With that understanding, in order to
adequately provide for the needs of most people, the groups will meet at
least twice a month. Some groups may choose to meet weekly. The common
elements of a Life Group will be: fellowship over food, worship, group
discussion on a focused topic, personal sharing and prayer.
Although the purpose of the Life Group is to provide a context for developing
relationships, encouraging people in their faith, and assisting in the meeting
of needs, we must be careful not to allow the Life Groups to become "dependency"
groups (or clicks) that are exclusivistic in nature. Our focus should always be
outward, with reproduction and growth as main objectives. In fact, members of
the group should always be reaching out to new people and inviting them to the group.
As a church we strongly encourage people who regularly attend Mad City to
join a Life Group. Church membership is not a requirement for participation. Families
are encouraged to bring their children. Visitors and curiosity-seekers are always welcome.
There are over thirty Mad City Church Life Groups scattered around Dane County. Although it makes most
sense to attend a Life Group in your geographic location, you are welcome to
visit any of the groups to see which one would be a good "fit" for you and/or your family.
Feel free to pick up a Life Group brochure at the Info Center on Sunday morning which
provides information about all the groups, meeting times, and locations.
NOTE: If you are planning to attend a Life Group meeting for the first time, please
call first to confirm the day, time and location.
Mad City Church Office for Life Group times and
locations
(608) 210-8000
madcitychurch@madcitychurch.org
Joel Alberti with questions, concerns or input
(608) 210-8015
lifegroups@madcitychurch.org
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