Next week is the last week of our Spring Community Group trimester.
Normally we'd be heading into our summer break encouraging groups to occasionally gather for BBQ's, picnics, beach days, baseball games, movie nights, or sitting together at a Night of Worship service.
But this summer isn't normal.
While we usually encourage groups to take a break from weekly meetings over the summer, what about this summer?
Here are our thoughts at this point:
1. Take A Break From Weekly Meetings
Many of our groups have been meeting every week since January 13th. Usually by this time of year, everyone is looking forward to a break.
While COVID-19 has left us all feeling more isolated and craving community, virtual group meetings week-after-week can get old. For many, if not most groups, the summer break is much needed.
2. Keep Pursuing Community
We often say, the purpose of Community Groups isn't meetings, it's to provide Biblical Community.
Weekly meetings are only one avenue to develop community.
Call each other, share pics on social media or via text messages, use an app like Marco Polo to share quick videos together, or do a shared Bible reading plan on YouVersion. These are just a few of countless ways to stay connected and experience community.
Just because you aren't meeting, it doesn't mean your relationships need to stop.
3. Try A Summer Semester
Every group has unique needs and different capacities. For some, taking a break from weekly meetings until the fall may be best. But for others, that is too long, especially with our Stay-At-Home guidelines.
If your group would be interested in meeting for a 3 or 4 week summer trimester, let us know. We'd love to resource you and potentially pass people along to your group who are looking for community.
Northridge will also be offering several new Summer Groups for people who have not been part of a group. This helps us make sure anyone new to Northridge doesn't have to wait too long to connect into Biblical community.
Interest in a Summer Trimester? Please email me and let me know.
4. Can We Meet In-Person???
With a lot of talk about re-opening in our nation and community, there are so many questions about what that will look like, including how this might impact Community Groups.
Can we still do BBQ's together? Can we go to a park together? Can we have some kind of in-person gathering?
Honestly, there is still a lot of uncertainty at this point. Our staff team is continually monitoring the recommendations of our state and local authorities and strategizing next steps for our church as we learn more.
At this point, we would encourage groups to follow the suggested federal, state, and regional guidelines.
While this may allow for some groups to gather for some kind of in-person gatherings, we would encourage you to exercise caution and do what is most loving and caring for those in your group.
5. Follow What Is Certain
Though much of our future is uncertain, we can be certain of our calling as Christ followers.
We were created know God and make Him known. We were created to make disciples!
That calling is still true.
While this summer may look different, let's make the most of it by continuing to pursue Christ ourselves in addition to helping our group members feel loved, cared for, and grow to look like Jesus.
