College Park Church

Community is God’s idea. It began with the Trinity, was established in the garden of Eden with Adam and Eve and has been God’s desire for His people ever since.  Community that is intentional, purposeful and invasive is what we seek here at College Park.

This community which is modeled after the Trinity, is not perfect nor is it comprised of perfect people, but it’s deliberately engaging and redemptively focused.  It’s a place where broken people can come and find other broken people who are pursuing God, standing on the Truth of God’s Word and seeking to live their lives empowered by the Holy Spirit.  Community is the vehicle through which God causes us to grow, connects our hearts to one another and positions us to be poured out for God’s Glory. 

Community is woven throughout the fabric of Scripture starting with Adam and Eve and ending with the portrait of Heaven painted in the book of Revelation.  In the book of Acts we see a beautiful picture of community when Luke writes this in Acts 2:42-44: “And they devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.  And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.  And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 

The mission of College Park is 'Igniting a passion to follow Jesus' and one of our strategies for personal growth and development comes when we experience community together. 

Small groups are where we get to live life alongside one another: bearing one another’s burdens through the trials and challenges of life, celebrating the victories and joys of the journey, serving together in ways that stretch and bless one another and pointing each other towards Jesus each step of the way.  Community is where we come together to engage with each other as broken Christ followers desiring and longing to know and be known and seeking to live life as Jesus has designed for us to live.

What Do You Do in a Small Group?

Here’s what you may find:

• Some groups use books or study guides on issues such as forgiveness, marriage, stewardship or godly decision making while others use our sermon application study guide.  Each group can choose what to study based on the needs and desires of the group.
• Some groups meet in the same location each week while others change locations and meet in different group member’s homes each week.
• Many groups meet every other week, while some find meeting weekly is most desirable.  Groups meet all over the city and all throughout the week.
• Groups incorporate fellowship, food, intentionally invasive conversations, prayer and FUN!  Each group is a little different and that’s what makes community life what it is.   Everyone bringing their own unique gifts and personalities to form the culture of each small group. 
• Many groups serve together at locations such as Kids Church, Midwest Food Bank, the Ronald McDonald house, and a whole variety of other locations.
• Most groups incorporate food into every meeting: Coffee and dessert, dinner or lunch, sometimes a light snack and from time to time even a breakfast or brunch. 
• Groups meet to engage with each other over the Word, spend time in fellowship, and pray together.
• More often than not, groups form strong friendships and end up meeting outside the normal group meeting times, living life alongside one another through all the activities and events of the week.

How to Join a Small Group

1. We need to know you’re interested.  The first step is to decide that you want to join a small group and be a part of a community of Christ followers. Small groups are not just simply a place to consume, so it’s important to know your own heart and to know that you really want to be a participant and want to contribute to the health and growth of the group.
2. Once you’ve decided you want to join and group, sign up on-line on the small groups page of the church website. This will let us know you’re ready to get plugged in and will give us the information we need to help you get connected to a small group.
3. Helping you find the right small group might take a little time.  Our commitment to shepherding and caring for small groups is helping people find the right group, not just any group.  Your preferences will help us help you find just the right group.
4. You can quickly get plugged in by attending the Bridge and beginning to meet others who are also looking to get involved in community life.  The Bridge meets biweekly, in two month sessions, five times a year.  (Jan/Feb, March/April, May/June, July/August, Sept./Oct.)
5. When you’re contacted by a small group leader, you’ll have the opportunity to go and check out a small group, or two, to make sure we’ve found the right fit.  It’s important to communicate clearly with the small group leaders and with us so that we know exactly what you’re thinking.
6. Now you’re experiencing the Christian life the way it was created to be: in community.  Have Fun!
7. Questions can be directed to Gary Meeks or Mark Schuitema.

Leading a Small Group

Small groups are where men and women, singles, couples and families come together to engage with the Word of God together, to live life together and to point one another towards depth with Jesus.  Our mission at College Park is to ignite a passion to follow Jesus.  Small groups are where people have their passion fanned into flame.  We need men who are willing to step in and lead small groups that are intentionally invasive and call people to obediently follow and apply the Word of God in their lives.  Small groups can be risky as people are messy; it’s in the midst of the mess and the brokenness where God can and does bring about restoration and redemption. 

Contact Gary or Mark if you want to learn more about leading within Community Life.