A small group consists of an intentional gathering of 5 – 12 people who covenant to:
- Make every effort to attend group meetings;
- Pray regularly for the group and members of the group;
- Deepen the spirituality of each group member;
- Strengthen community within the group
Why have small groups?
CPCG needs ways for persons to connect with one another beyond Sunday school and morning worship. Small groups gather for study, support, and fellowship; they help to connect persons on a more personal level, providing the means of getting to know one another better.
How long does a small group session last?
1 ½ hours
How often do small groups meet?
They will meet every other week until a study is completed. Studies may last from 4 – 12 sessions. Then persons can continue for another study or they may opt out of the second study.
How personal does this get?
It is up to each person. Each person has permission to pass on sharing simply by saying, “I pass.” What is shared in the group of a personal nature stays in the group even when the group ends. In addition, there is no advice given unless counsel is requested.
When do small groups meet?
Generally, small groups will begin in September and continue until May, but that decision is up to the small group itself.
Presently we have two groups: a Men’s Group which meets twice a month on Mondays at 5:30 p.m. and a Women’s Group which meets every other Tuesday at 1:00.
Women’s Group is reading Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience by Brene Brown and will start meeting on September 19th at 1:00 p.m.
Men’s Group is reading Rethinking Life: Embracing the Sacredness of Every Person by Shane Claiborne and will start meeting on September 11th at 5:30 p.m.
Drawing on Scripture, church history, and his own story, Shane Claiborne explores how a passion for social justice issues surrounding life and death–such as war, gun ownership, the death penalty, racial injustice, abortion, poverty, and the environment–intersects with our faith as we advocate for life in its totality.
Many of us wonder how to think about and act on issues of life and death beyond abortion and the death penalty–yet the heated debates in our churches and the confusion of our own hearts sometimes feel overwhelming. What does a balanced, Christian view of what it means to be “pro-life” really look like?
Combining stories, theological reflection, and a little wit with a Southern accent, activist Shane Claiborne explores the battle between life and death that goes back to the Garden of Eden. Shane draws on his childhood growing up in the Bible Belt, his own change of perspective on how to advocate for life, and his years of working on behalf of all people to help us:
- Learn from the Bible and the early church about valuing life
- Deepen our understanding of what a pro-life stance can look like
- Discover ways to discuss topics that are dividing our culture and churches
- Find encouragement when we feel politically homeless
- Renew our hope that there is a good way forward, even in difficult times