Last Saturday about 120 men came to Christ the Rock Church’s Reaching Farther Breakfast. The quarterly breakfast event is put on by HIScommunity, CTR’s new name for our growing men’s ministry. Kudos to the 20 leaders who put this event together!

Here’s what HIScommunity super-volunteer John Dwiggins reports:

MEN REACHING FARTHER

By John Dwiggins

After some great fellowship and worship time, guest speaker Greg Bourgond, founder of the Heart of a Warrior ministry, inspired us with a message on how to leave a lasting and pleasing legacy in the lives of people we are called to serve. Greg also urged us to have a laser-like focus in life, serving God and others with the gifts, calling and abilities that He has blessed us with

After Greg’s message, three men shared their testimonies of how God is helping them reach farther by mentoring younger men, leading men in a Heart of a Warrior bible study and by witnessing to others and praying for them in their work environment.

CTR’s new  Global Executive Director Norm Leatherwood shared how we can reach farther globally by meeting the physical needs of the hungry in the world, having compassion on others and by committing ourselves to have a real and sustained impact.

And Pastor John Slotten shared how in our local community, we can proclaim the gospel in our homes and neighborhoods, comfort others and meet physical needs through the OAKS ministry and the CTR food pantry.

Praise God for how He deeply impacted the men by all that happened at the breakfast! Eight men even signed up for a year-long commitment to learn how to become warriors after God’s own heart by completing the Heart of a Warrior training program.

We hope and pray that all that came will follow through on the “reaching farther” ideas the Lord gave them at the breakfast and that more men can be blessed by future HIScommunity activities in 2009.

When we think of the traditional small group, we think of a neighborhood fellowship group where people gather to do a Bible study. But we think small groups are broader than that.

Small Groups are Community!

Redefined, A small group is a gathering of 3 to 12 people who regularly meet together for a common purpose.

Community is where you live, work, go to school, shop, or play.

(And it can be y0ur very own family! See related story:  Could your family be a “Small Group?” )

Geographically we define community as a thirty mile radius around the Christ The Rock Campus. Community is the neighborhood, village, city or area you live in. Community is more importantly the people you do life with; your family, friends, associates, acquaintances and/or circle of influence. Community is when people share something in common.We should ALL be in community!  Here’s why:

• There is a great need we all have to feel connected and included.
• If you aren’t in some sort of community group, it’s easy to get connected.
• Most of us don’t realize that we’re already in a community group, so we need specific examples of what community really is. It’s not just a home fellowship group!
• Of course reaching farther can be done individually, but we can and should do it together, in the “community” that we are in.

When Jesus was asked, “who is my neighbor?” He told the story of the Good Samaritan. Your community is your neighbor, anyone you may come across in the course of your life whom you can show care and compassion.

Biblical community is seen in the early church when they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers. The word fellowship means partnership; sharing all things in common.

What’s a common purpose? Work, school, service, tasks, growth, life transformation, accountability, mentoring, study of God’s Word, instruction, intimacy, fellowship, friendship, prayer, encouragement, care, and support.

When you gather your family for a common purpose like Bible study or doing the 5-Day Hunger Challenge together, you are in a community–a Small Group!

Just like with our traditional fellowship groups, Christ The Rock is coming alongside families to support and encourage their journey together.Beginning this month we’re distributing Family Small Group Devotionals and other materials to those who register as Family Groups.

Why register?

By becoming a registered family small group, CTR can provide the devotionals and materials that support what we as a church are doing together.

The designated family group facilitator does not need to be a CTR small group leader, but will receive the same resources and guidance that our home fellowship leaders get.

Want to register now? Click here!