“I love the idea that you can sit down and get to know 6-12 people, or so, in an intimate setting. In an intimate way, that you would never get to do at church. At church you’re going to spend time afterward talking to a couple of other people and it stays relatively shallow, even if it goes deep, it is not going to go nearly as deep as a connect group. And so, you bond in way that not only makes a difference now but it builds relationships for the future, and connects relationships in a deeper and more profound way…Right now, especially during COVID, connect groups are really important because people aren’t able to come together at church, in some places, because of the virus. So, connect groups are vital now, but I think they are also very important once we open back up again.”
-Mike Rasmussen, GCI Superintendent of North American and the Caribbean

Main Points:

• Why are connect groups vital to the Faith Avenue and to the overall Healthy Church vision in GCI? (4:30)
• What does a typical connect group meeting look like in your context? (9:46)
• How can connect groups be an important space for someone who is new to your congregation? (17:51)
• What advice would you give to a pastor or church leader who are considering launching a new connect group? (20:00)
• How have you been personally blessed by participating in connect group ministry? (25:22)

Resources:

• Faith Avenue explainer video
• Faith Avenue Resource
• Facilitator Best Practices – a tool to assist leaders in the formation and facilitation of their Connect Group. It also explains the format of the curriculum within the series, as well as an appendix with icebreakers and other resources.
• Being a Neighbor Curriculum – a six-week series on Jesus’ call for his disciples to love our neighbors.

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