Vision

Why do we want to have small groups become an ingrained fabric within PPC? There are two major reasons.

One, we believe it's Scriptural. A significant part of Jesus' ministry involved a small group - His twelve Apostles. Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV) says, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Eph. 4:11-12 states, "It was he who gave some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up..." In Acts 2:47, "...praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." Acts 20:20 says, "You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house." I Thessalonians 2:7-8 states, "...but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us."

Two, we believe it's essential to achieving PPC's overall vision, "Building Believers to Become Ministers." For believers to become Christ's disciples (which will result in them becoming ministers), they must have an environment in which to safely grow. Large forums promote anonymity and the ability to become lost in the crowd; they're intimidating, and lack the necessary intimate relationships that folks want and need. Small groups provide a safe environment in which to study and explore God's Word; develop loving, caring, serving, accountable relationships; and learning the share our faith with others.

Criteria

PPC small groups will concentrate on four major areas: God's Word; Prayer; Fellowship; and Witnessing. The overriding emphasis will be on developing deeper relationships. Within these, certain skills should be emphasized (such as Scripture memorization, how to share your faith, how to study the Bible, how to lead others in doing the same, etc.) These skills will not be done in isolation, but as part of a concerted effort PPC-wide, emphasized by PPC leadership throughout all PPC ministries/settings. A balance will be maintained to ensure growth in each area while affording each group the flexibility to grow and emphasize certain areas, depending on the "personality" or "mission" of the group; i.e., there may be a group for divorced folks; college; singles; the choir/orchestra; etc. (See "Growing Together in Relationship," at the end of this paper.)

Covenant

This is the means by which PPC will ensure consistency among the groups; accountability by both group members to each other, as well as group leaders and PPC leadership; and compliance with the overarching criteria noted above; will be via a covenant. This covenant will detail the group's primary purpose; who leads; who apprentices; group size; when/where to meet; childcare; multiplication/birthing; whether the group is open/closed, and will be provided to each small group member. Again, while the four major areas will be covered, flexibility is a given in PPC's small group initiative. The covenant will also address administration issues such as: how often and where the group meets, how long the group will meet before "multiplying" into two or more small groups, the specific curriculum to be covered, etc.