Fellowship Circles
In today’s world, people are looking for community and meaning, and in their searching they often turn to churches. How can we respond to the needs of both long-term members and newcomers in our congregations? The development of covenant groups is one response. A covenant group is a type of small relational group. It is a voluntary gathering of people who come together for a common purpose. What unites the members is a desire for connection with others and a deeper spiritual connection in their lives. They are committed to a shared responsibility to make the group work. Many people in congregations are discovering the power and joy of covenant groups. In a covenant group, people talk, learn, work, play, laugh and cry together. The central concern in a covenant group is the depth and quality of human contacts among members. Members of the covenant groups minister to each other through their relationships in their groups. They support each other through the ups and downs, life transitions, challenges, and joys which life brings. In fact, what transpires in a covenant group is lay ministry. -- Rev. M’ellen Kennedy (adapted) |
