Small Groups

The Big Picture

To sign up click here.

Our mission is to proclaim the good news and make disciples. One primary characteristic of being a disciple is “one who is committed to Christ’s church and known in community.” Accordingly, Scripture and church history teach us that this is difficult without some kind of involvement in small groups. For this reason, we are launching a series of time-bound and experimental small groups this Fall, of 2012, for eight to ten weeks, in October and November (some may be a bit longer due to the structure, such as the Seek Course, or ongoing, such as our men’s and women’s groups). At the end we will debrief.

What kind of groups? All kinds of groups are encouraged. For example, some groups might want to form and debrief Sunday teaching together. Questionnaires will be provided with weekly bulletins for this. Other possibilities include a group that meets to intentionally focus on being a presence in a particular neighbourhood – praying, loving and serving that locale with the eventual launch of a Seek Course (a “Vineyardized” form of Alpha.) Other kinds of groups include Book Study Groups, Topical Study Groups, continuation of Men’s and Women’s Groups, Family Support Groups (with shared childcare, etc.), Recovery Groups, etc.

How do I get involved? Please indicate your interest on the form provided. We are asking all who are part of our church to fill this form out, whether or not you will be signing up for small groups. If you’d like to launch a group, we encourage you to find one or two others to team up with. So, for example, if you wanted to start a Bible Study on Life Together, by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, you’d find others who were interested. Or, alternatively, you may not want to lead but can host a group, or support a leader in some other form of hospitality, teaching, or other practical ways. Let us know of your interest to get the conversation going.

Who can lead? If you indicate so on the registration, you will be contacted by pastoral staff to go over your proposal. All leaders are asked to be members of VEV in good standing, including faithfulness in attendance and tithes and offerings. They should also have completed a discipleship training course or equivalent such as Passport, and a training session for small group leaders that will be offered prior to October. Leaders will then be asked to attend a quarterly time of resourcing and encouragement, sponsored by the pastoral staff and our oversight team. Coaches and mentors will be assigned so no one is left on their own. This will provide covering, support and equipping for leaders.