LifeGroups - Frequently Asked Questions
What are LifeGroups?
LifeGroups are the place, beyond Sunday worship, where we actively engage in the life and purpose of our church: to connect, grow, and reach. A LifeGroup is never intended to replace the corporate times of worship and teaching on Sundays, but rather LifeGroups enhance the connectedness that is shared when we all come together in one place.
LifeGroups are ongoing, small group communities, guided by trained leaders, in which we can more intimately connect with God and others through prayer and fellowship, grow in our faith through God’s Word, and reach others through service and outreach opportunities.
Like a family, each LifeGroup is made up of individuals with their own history, personality, traditions and quirks, and just like the individuals that make up a family, no two LifeGroups are the same. Each is special and unique… like you!
Who are the LifeGroup Leaders?
LifeGroup leaders are committed followers of Christ who desire to lead others to know, love and serve God. They may serve in a variety of roles: moderator, mentor, prayer leader, teacher, host or shepherd. LifeGroups may have more than one leader but all leaders are members, have completed a volunteer leadership application and fully support the doctrinal statement and leadership of Calvary Church.
When are LifeGroups offered?
LifeGroups meet at a variety of times and locations and are sometimes distinct based on life stage, interest, and need.
LifeGroups are offered on weekdays and weekends, in homes, restaurants, on the streets, and on-campus at Calvary Church. LifeGroups can meet in the early or late morning, on a lunch break, in the evening or any time in between.
New LifeGroups are launched in October and usually meet for the following twelve months. Some LifeGroups are ongoing and do not have a start or end date, but all LifeGroups have the freedom to take a summer or winter break as needed. LifeGroups meet weekly, bimonthly, or monthly.
Do children attend LifeGroups?
Some LifeGroups invite children to attend with their parents, while other groups are adults only. A children’s program is offered at some home groups and is often offered for on-campus groups. All of the LifeGroups offered on-campus Sunday mornings provide a free children’s program for children 0-18 years of age.
Are LifeGroups available for my student?
LifeGroups for students are formed in September for each school year and are available to those in 4th thru 6th grade, junior high, high school and college.
When can I join a LifeGroup?
Now! You can join an open LifeGroup at any time. If your questions have been answered, use our LifeGroup Finder to begin searching now for the LifeGroup that best fits you and your needs. If you have questions, email LCopeland@calvarylife.org or call 714-550-2398.
What if I heard about a LifeGroup but I can’t find it on this site?
Some LifeGroups are closed to new members for a period of time. Its size may have grown beyond its location’s capacity or it may be at a tipping point for healthy participation if the size continues to increase.
When a LifeGroup gets too big for its location or is unable to provide participants appropriate time to share, LifeGroup leaders are encouraged to identify and train a new leader, form a second group and reopen to new participants. Multiplying LifeGroups in this way is healthy and encouraged.
What can I expect when I attend a LifeGroup?
All LifeGroups provide real people with whom you can connect: welcoming, kind, honest people who are not perfect, but willing to share about themselves as they grow to be more like Jesus.
All LifeGroups provide a curriculum or study to help facilitate growth in your faith. Some LifeGroups study books of the Bible, practical themes, or use Pastor Dave’s Digging Deeper study guide. Some LifeGroups are more speaker-oriented, others are more discussion-oriented and some have a combination of both. All of the teaching should be filled with love, grace and truth as we seek to know God and His Word and apply it to our lives.
All LifeGroups provide opportunities for you to reach out to one another and to those in your community. Whether as an individual or a group, opportunities abound to serve one another. For 100+ reach ideas, click here.
Who will be at my LifeGroup?
A LifeGroup Leader and other participants. They may be single or married, widowed, divorced, men or women, depending on your LifeGroup preference. But most importantly, they will be people who love the Lord and want to grow in their love and obedience to Him.
When do LifeGroups start?
Many LifeGroups are ongoing and don’t have an official start date. However, new LifeGroups are launched during the month of September and officially begin in October. If you have missed the LifeGroup launch, it’s not too late to find a LifeGroup that fits your needs. Click here to get started or email me at lcopeland@calvarylife.org.
How do I find a LifeGroup that’s right for me?
Our LifeGroup Finder is a great tool to get you started! Use the various sorting options to learn what groups are open today. Once you have located a group that you’d like to visit, register online and we’ll make contact with you shortly.
It may take a little while to see if a LifeGroup is right for you. We recommend visiting the LifeGroup you have chosen at least three times. If after three visits you’d like to make that LifeGroup your new extended family, do nothing but get more involved.
If, however, you’d like to visit another group, let us know. Email lcopeland@calvarylife.org so we can help you find a different group. We promise not to take your move personally because we want you to find the right LifeGroup for you.
What if I can’t find the right group to meet my needs?
Let us know. Email lcopeland@calvarylife.org and let us know what type of group you are looking for. New groups may be in the early stages of formation though details may not yet be public.