When you’re a congregation of over 600 families, how do you create community? One small group at a time.
Hope Lutheran in Wake Forest, N.C., offers more than 30 small groups. The groups are either Bible-based or activity-based, and run the gamut from women who come together for devotions and wine tasting (“Cork Sisters”) to parents with young children who hang out on Friday nights (“Refreshed”) to experienced and amateur woodworkers (“A Cut Above”).
“I have not had a request that I say is too crazy for me, said Wesley Spottiswood, Hope’s Director of Christian Education. “As long as it’s not breaking God’s Word, then it can be a small group.”
Spottiswood says they do not start a small group unless there is an expressed interest. Part of discovering that interest happens twice a year during the time they welcome new members. New members have breakfast, meet the Hope staff, and are asked the following question: “If you were to start a new small group at Hope, what would it be?”
From there, ideas are gathered and leaders are assembled to facilitate the groups that are created. Hope’s list of groups include some for women, some for men, and some for both. The leaders, which Hope calls “hosts,” are asked if they’re willing to facilitate group communication and lead a devotion. The length of host training ranges from two to five hours per person depending on what kind of small group they are leading.
Depending on the small group, part of that training may cover Lutheran doctrine and how to approach non-Lutheran curriculum from a Lutheran perspective. That aspect of training can come in handy as some of Hope’s small-group participants are from outside the congregation. These are the groups that Spottiswood works with the closest so that he can be available to answer questions.
But mostly, Hope’s small groups are about creating community for its congregants. Said Spottiswood: “Our congregation is a huge congregation, and you could easily get lost. Small groups are the people who are there for you, praying for you, looking after each other. They are there to support you in life and get you through it.”
These witness spotlights are designed to encourage congregations to serve and love those in and among their community. Got a story to share about what God is doing through your congregation? Please email Robin Domeier.