A Brief history of groups . . .

Small groups go all the way back to the New Testament:
The 12 disciples were a small group.
The early church met as small groups in homes. (Acts 2:42)
New churches were always started by a small group.

They continued to be important in Church History:
Most Canadian Presbyterian Congregations began as a small group gathering in a home.
Mission churches always began as small groups meeting in the missionary’s home

Today, those churches reaching the most people are the ones using some form of small group ministry.

Small groups are Biblical . . .

If Christians are to be…
- transformed by the renewing of their minds (Rom 12:1), being made increasingly like Jesus Christ (2 Cor.3:17), and
- transformed through interaction with each other, (Prov. 27:17), and
- exercising the talents God has given them to continue Christ’s work and make others’ lives better (Eph 4:12), and
- regularly getting together (Heb.10:25), and looking for opportunities to show care for each other & for those who have never experienced the love of Jesus Christ (John 13:35), and
- experiencing the fulfillment of finding their place in Christ, His work and His Church (Eph.1:13-14)

Then Christians should be Growing spiritually, building Relationships, Operating their talents in the world, Understanding community as God meant it and finding their Place in Christ. GROUPs are environments where this can take place!

Our Philosophy . . .

“Enjoying  L - I - F - E  together!”
Here are four facets needed in daily Christian living. All can be provided by a group in your life.

Love;
Love is not the same as compassion, empathy or mercy. While those require action, love requires relationships. Relationships are the best and most natural way to express & receive God’s love to and from each other. 

Groups are the best way we know of to build relationships with other Christians; they are great ways to give and receive God’s love. By regularly spending time together, we discover the kind of community Christ intended. We discover love. In that environment all our needs for community, understanding and belonging can be satisfied.

Instruction;
Like Jesus did with his disciples, small discussion groups are used in the most successful learning environments. They are the perfect size for us to engage a topic, experience it, and move it from knowledge to belief.

We also learn as we experience life together. By listening to each other, hearing another perspective or a story of God’s work in our lives, our faith is strengthened and our knowledge increased.

Groups allow genuine learning to take place in the life of Christians. 


Fun/food/fellowship;
There’s more than one word to describe this necessity. But Proverbs 17:22 sums it up, “A happy heart is like good medicine.” If we are to stay healthy spiritually, physically and emotionally, we need people around us to have fun with – to be happy with! Having fun together helps build strong relationships, restores fellowship and can break down the barriers of hurt and offence. When we are having fun, we’re enjoying each others’ company. It is medicine to us and our community.

Small groups are places to have fun together; to enjoy the fellowship of other believers. 

Evangelism;
Don’t stop reading now! We’re not talking about handing tracts out on the street corner, or knocking from door to door. It can be an uncomfortable subject, but living Christ’s good news is what the Church exists to do. Thankfully, it happens every day as Christ lives through us. Just being a Christian in today’s world will cause many to notice, and some to question. When they do, we can offer them a Christian experience – getting together with a community where they will feel welcomed, accepted and loved; where they will experience the love of God through us.

Groups are places we can invite our friends and family to. Many feel uncomfortable attending a church, but studies tell us 50% of those asked to attend a group say “yes”. It’s a painless way to live up to our namesake: St. Andrew – the disciple who introduced his friends to Jesus.

Our Goal . . .

Our goal is for St. A’s sense of community to be expressed in three broad ways; these reflect the Trinity we worship:

Connecting Events 
Jesus, the Word made flesh, came to earth and connected with us, inviting us to follow Him. In the same way, ‘Net’ events are our opportunities to connect friends and neighbours; for us to be "bridge builders" between those we know and Christ’s Church at St. Andrew’s.
These events can include:
Breakfasts, Fun Nights, Seminars 
Cantatas, Pageants, ‘Teas’
Christmas Lunches, Alpha Dinners
Picnics, Ministry Fairs . . .and many others.

Celebrative Worship
For about an hour a week, we join in the activity of Heaven, gathering as a community to worship our God, celebrate His goodness, remember Christ’s sacrifice & resurrection and give ourselves again to His work. 

Small Group events
As the Holy Spirit comforts, equips and unites us, these are times of growing in our relationships with each other, exercising our talents and finding our place in God’s community here at St. Andrew’s. 

Frequently asked questions . . .

So which is it: care, growth or small group? 
Care, growth and small groups are interchangeable terms: ‘Care’ describes their function, ‘Growth’ describes their purpose & ‘Small’ describes their size.

How big does the group have to be?
Most often the group is between 4 and 12, but ideally it’s about 10.

How often does the group meet?
Ideally, every one or two weeks, but it can meet less frequently. It always meets for a set length of time, whether the duration of a course or a number of weeks, etc.

What does a group do?
It varies. Some groups meet to learn together, other to do some activity, and others to simply build relationships. In choosing the group that’s right for you, ask yourself what you would like to get out of it. Then, choose a group that meets that goal.

So how is group based ministry different from what we’ve done before?
Some of the groups are very similar, but in forming all ministries into groups we are making a point of including two things in all groups:
Conversational prayer – the opportunity to share with each other and talk to God as friends.
Promoting a safe environment

What is a safe environment?
One where each individual is respected and valued. 

Study Groups . . . .

Tuesday Night Bible Study – Tuesdays, 7:30pm
Come join us each week in the Church Parlor.

Prayer and Bible Study, Wednesdays at 9:30am
Now studying the book of Revelation
Our times together are filled with study, care and prayer. You’re welcome to join us in the Church Parlor every week.

Stephen Minister Training
This group is for those who are gifted in caring and nurturing others. Upon full training, Stephen Ministers will be involved in the ongoing care of people in our community. Click here for the Stephen Ministry page.

Activity Groups . . . .

Choir – Thursdays, 7:00 pm
The place for those who love to sing and are able to serve each Sunday in congregational worship.
We meet in the St. Andrew’s Sanctuary

Joyful Noise, Fridays, 7:30pm
For those who love to sing, but can’t make a weekly commitment. We meet every two weeks at the Burnett Home.

 Liturgical Dance – 
-options to choose from;
Anointed Joy, Tuesdays, 8 - 9:30pm for dancers and would-be dancers aged teen to adult
Raise the Praise,  Tuesdays, 7 - 8pm grade 5-8
Click here for the Liturgical Dance page.