So, What is a C-Group Anyway?

“Being new to Christ Church last fall, we easily integrated into the life of the church through Sunday morning worship, attending Sunday School, and joining in Wednesday night meals and prayer. But when we were invited to join in the fellowship of a C-Group and began to forge deeper relationships with our Christ Church brothers and sisters, our place in our new church family became richer and fuller. Meeting regularly and sharing in the joys and sorrows of life with a smaller group of trusted friends is an invaluable blessing that continually points us toward our eternal family life that is to come in heaven.” - Elizabeth Whitley

There’s that term, “C-Group.” A ministry that has varied throughout the years but has nonetheless retained a committed core of caring folks. I’ve tried to use as many “Cs” as possible if you can’t tell. So, what is a C-Group, and what do they look like? Maybe you’ve considered on more than one occasion, how do I join one? Finally, what does the “C” stand for? I asked this question of a few dozen members of the church, including those who have been at the church nearly since her inception in 1965. Answers initially seemed as varied as each individual snowflake on a gray winter day. Take your pick of ____ Group: Christ, cell, connection, care, church, community. Nonetheless, a pattern emerged.

To put it simply, C-Groups are the next step for cultivating deeper fellowship with others at Christ Church. The defining characteristic of the early church in Acts 2:42 is twofold: devoting themselves to 1) the apostle’s teaching (i.e., the Gospel) and 2) fellowship (breaking of bread, praying). In short, the early church was defined by union with Christ and proclamation thereof, as well as the practical ramifications of union with Christ, union with one another in his body (1 Cor 10: 16-17). In this way, C-Groups exist to apply the all-encompassing truth of the Gospel to everyday life through friendship, prayer, care, and spiritual encouragement. 

Last year, many different interviews were conducted concerning the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to the church. High on the list of opportunities was C-Groups, characterized in the summary statement that there was a need within our midst for “meaningful connection and care,” something paramount for a church that has increased rapidly over the last decade.

This is where that pattern comes back in. Connection, community, and care. C-Groups are a wonderful way to make lasting connections with others outside of a Sunday morning. As this happens, the Lord by his grace knits together a community created by connection. Coupling these two is where the rubber meets the road: care. Care is the heart of passages such as Ephesians 4:1-6 wherein we are called to “bear with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit.” Connection→ Community→ Care. Maybe it’s best that the “C” can be patterned but nonetheless varied. 

But how does this happen? Three ways: Invocation, involvement, and invitation. Throughout the past year as I have met with others, we have continually invoked the Lord’s Spirit to be with and bear fruit in this ministry for the sake of his church. I invite you to join in this, both that the Lord would increase members and leaders. We also are hoping for greater involvement, and we want to make C-Groups accessible by providing 1) a link in this email and 2) an information packet and physical form on Sunday at the Welcome Center, and 3) providing training to interested leaders. Finally, invitation: The most common reason someone becomes involved in a C-Group is this: personal invitation. Elizabeth indicated as much in her story, so I say to you this Friday afternoon: Would you consider joining a C-Group?