Champions Centre

Champions Centre is a church of small groups. As simple as it sounds, this has been a key statement for us throughout our journey of establishing small groups. Small groups are essential to the life and future of the Church. We saw, in our minds, a day when the people of our church would meet together in small groups throughout our region every month. We realized that our weekend services were great, but they weren't the right setting for people to really connect and build relationships with each other. So, we imagined what it would be like to have small groups operating every day of the week, in every city of the Puget Sound area-then, we took action. I have continually asked myself one question: why small groups? Why do I so passionately believe in small groups, and why should anyone in our church join a small group? For the past 18 months, my wife and I have hosted our own small group. Through this experience, I have come to find the answers to my question. It is part of God's plan for our lives that we establish and grow healthy relationships within the Church. I strongly believe that it is actually part of our DNA to desire and crave relationships. One morning, I began my day in the same way I begin most days-with a trip to Starbucks. As I was preparing to order my drink, it surprised me when the barista called me by name and knew my drink order before I said it. It occurred to me that almost every day of the week, I visit the same Starbucks store and interact with the same people, while I order the same drink. It has silently become a part of my everyday routine. To be honest, it is actually a part of my day that I look forward to. There are not many places I go that are more inviting and welcoming than Starbucks. The funny thing is that I also used to work for Starbucks. Having been "behind the scenes" of the company, I know that the Starbucks culture doesn't come by accident-it is very intentional. This company has become successful because they have identified a desire in people to go someplace where they experience friendliness and relationships. "The LORD God said, "It is not good for man to be alone. (Genesis 2:18, NIV). In the beginning, God looked at what he had created and saw an isolated man. His response to this is very simple: "It is not good. In other words, something would have been missing from Adam's life if he remained alone. Adam was designed with a desire for relationships-both with God and with others. So it is with us-we were created for community and relationships. In fact, psychologists tell us that the number one need of any human is unconditional love and acceptance. I have come to call this the "Cheers" principle. You remember the song: "Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came. There is an instinct within us that desires to be with people who we know and can experience life with. I have seen people walk in the doors of our church without the trace of a smile on their faces. They don't talk to anyone throughout their entire visit, and they leave quickly when service is done. These people never experience the benefits of community found within church. They don't allow an opportunity for relationships to begin, let alone grow and flourish. I have also seen people take time to stop and talk to others after the service has finished. These people make an effort to build relationships. They join small groups and volunteer on teams. These are the people I have seen thrive and grow. In fact, one such person is a member of my small group. Greg started coming to our church in 2006. He is a pretty quiet guy, but was determined to meet people and make new friends at church. He decided one day that he would not leave the building until at least 15 minutes after the service had dismissed. Even though it would be uncomfortable for him at first, he forced himself to talk to other people and stay in an atmosphere that encouraged friendship. As a result, Greg is now a vital member of our small group, serves on a volunteer team and has more relationships at church than ever before. In fact, one of the first tasks Jesus accomplished in ministry was to go and recruit His own personal small group. He approached twelve men from various walks of life-and issued an invitation for them to come live in community with Him. These men would spend the next three years of their lives in the closest proximity to Jesus. They ate with Him, traveled with Him, listened to Him teach and assisted in His ministry. Eventually, these men all became leaders in their own spheres of influence-and the Kingdom of God was advanced through people who began in relationship together. Jesus lived his life as a pattern for us to follow. I believe we should ask ourselves this question: If Jesus modeled living in community with a small group of people, shouldn't it be a model for our lives as well? "They continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:46-47, NIV). In scripture, we see the early church committed to two things: they met together corporately as a large group, and they met together in their homes (small groups). As a result, they enjoyed favor and God caused the group to grow. The early church provided a clear picture for effective church growth: be big and small at the same time. They recognized the advantages and disadvantages that lay in being a large church, but they also saw the power in being small. They realized that when a church is large and growing, it as the ability to impact an entire community and region. However, they also realized that when a church is small, people know each other and experience a depth of community. They had the formula right-and as a result, the church grew and people were reached with the gospel in a new way. "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another," (John 13:34-35, NIV). The life and community found in small groups is essential to the growth and future of the Church. The strength of our churches will be directly related to the strength of our families and communities, as well as to us as individuals. When we become connected to other people, we all benefit. It is for this reason that we should be passionately committed to the cause of small groups-that the Church would grow to its full potential and that we as individuals would fulfill God's good plan for our lives.