If you have spent some time at City Church, you have probably heard about the Support Groups we offer. These groups are designed to address specific spiritual and emotional topics. We want to make sure that everyone who attends City Church has not only heard about these groups but also knows how participation happens. First, let's take a look at the design of these groups and then talk about how someone expresses their desire to join into them.
Our Support Groups currently have rounds that begin the last week of January and the first week of September. Groups consist of two lay leaders and between seven and nine participants. They meet one evening a week for about an hour and a half. Finally, they run for twelve meetings.
These groups are focused on a specific topic like Divorce, Anxiety or Chronic Pain. The leaders for these groups first participated in our Lay Counselor training course and were then invited to lead one of our Support Groups. The topics are selected based upon expressed needs. This information is gathered through a few sources. As the season for support groups approaches, we update our plan for the topics we are going to run. This list is printed on the back of the worship folder and is available on the church website. The Support Groups page of the website contains interest forms for each group.
So, what does that mean for you? It means that we want you to familiarize yourself with the groups that we offer. Currently, September will see a group on Divorce, Anxiety, Grief, Story and Difficult Relationships. We are also looking at running a group on Chronic Pain and Urban Transitions. However, in order for the group to run, we need to know if there is a need. So, if you know anyone- that is anyone in the city- who might benefit from one of these groups, have them send in an interest form.