Small Groups
Small groups are both the front door and the living room of WCAC. Here is where we invite friends, neighbors, coworkers and schoolmates to step inside and experience firsthand the kingdom of God. Outsiders come in and see us eating together, caring for each other, listening to God's voice, and praying for each other.
WCAC has more than 20 such small groups meeting on a regular basis, mostly twice a month. Each group is unique in composition, languages used, and focus. Some groups focus more on prayer, others more on Bible study. But all the groups have certain emphases in common. One emphasis is mutual caring. We regard small groups as the primary place in which caring takes place. When people are hurting, it is the small group members who are there to listen and support those who are suffering. When someone shares their deepest concern and the group members gather around to pray with passion for that person, calling on the Lord to be present in that person's need, it is both moving and powerful. Pastors, elders and counselors are additions to this kind of community caring, but not replacements for it. A healthy small group sees and responds to peoples' tears.
Another emphasis of all our small groups is that we view each group as an open front door to the Jesus community where those who are seeking Jesus or curious about Him can find a warm welcome. The informal and somewhat unstructured nature of the groups is a form of transparency to outsiders, allowing them to see us at our best and worst. They are in effect living rooms where seekers can see for themselves whether the kingdom of God is real or not. Our failures and imperfections are not hindrances to the Gospel when they are visible to others, as long as the Holy Spirit's healing and works of love are also visible. Our small groups give outsiders access to seeing that with their own eyes.
Small group members are putting into practice the biblical gift of hospitality, opening their living rooms – even when they're messy and it's inconvenient – to show love to brothers and sisters and strangers, just as was done by the early Christians: “They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.” (Acts 2)
If you are interested in visiting a small group, please speak with one of the elders who will assist you in finding a small group in your geographical area and language.
Contact: Fred Hickernell
Email: eldersboard@wcac-cma.org
