Community Groups Best Practices - June 1, 2020

Thank you once again for your leadership during these uncertain times. As an extension of our church and in your roles as shepherds of your community groups, your task has not been an easy one. Even as we move forward and the virus becomes less of a threat, we may find that the way we gather and fellowship could look quite different in the coming months. Zoom calls and Google Meets may become a regular part of our meetings in the future. 

As Lancaster County will soon be transitioning to the yellow phase, some of you have reached out to me to inquire how that will be impacting CFC and more specifically your ministry as community group leaders. 

Here are some guidelines we encourage you to follow: 

• Even as restrictions on gatherings are being lifted, we want to make sure that we follow the CDC guidelines and government authorities. As believers and followers of Christ we seek to strive to be good examples for our neighbors. (Romans 13:1-5) 

• Some of our group members may be hesitant to meet in person. Please communicate with everyone in your group individually and make certain nobody is left out. For those still concerned, offer them an online connection to your gatherings and make them feel welcome and loved. (Philippians 2:3-4) 

• Avoid conversations about politics as they can have a tendency to divide your group and may cause distrust. By keeping our focus on Christ and our communications revolving around the message we are studying, we can lead our group past our differences and towards a deeper understanding of God’s word. (Ephesians 4:29) 

It may be a while before we may all once again be able to meet for services at CFC. We can’t wait and are excited to see all of you soon. Our goal is to take that step when it is safe and prudent to do so and that may be a while. 

Until then, would you consider using your home as a place of worship? Would you be willing to invite your community group (once it’s safe to do so) to come and watch the services from your home or backyard? You can find services online on our vimeo channel watch the live version on Facebook. 

Once again, we want to thank you for your leadership and your commitment to your community group. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if we can provide you with any resources to support you. May God continue to bless you and keep you safe. 

Sincerely, Patrick