Community Groups

The purpose of LHC Community Groups is to help members encounter Christ, to grow in relationship with one another and to workout mission into our local communities.

Community Groups provide a context for effective pastoral care and accountability, and function as the main way for the church body to be family together. In Community Groups, people talk through life issues, eat together, pray together, laugh together, serve together and do mission together. Community Groups usually consist of between 15-25 people with various backgrounds and stories.

FAQ’s

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Are my children welcome to attend the Community Group?
We love the idea of families attending Community Groups together. Plans for accommodating children vary from group to group, but we do have a number of family-oriented groups operating across the city.
Do I have to be a member to attend a Community Group?
No. If you consider LHC to be your home church, you are welcome to join a Community Group before becoming a member. However, we do stress the importance of membership, since Community Groups are intended for those who call LHC home and are wiling to come under the pastoral care of the elders and others. Community Groups are not intended for those who consider LHC Community Group involvement a supplement to their attendance at other churches.
How can I join a Community Group?
We recognize that careful thought should be given when choosing a Community Group that meets your stage of life. Our goal is to help you settle into one that you can call home as quickly as possible. Please email us with your interest in joining a group so we can recommend one that could be a good fit for you.
I’m not/don’t know if I’m a Christian. Can I still attend a Community Group?
Definitely. Joining a Community Group is a great way to find out more about Jesus and see what Christians are like. Our best advice would be for you to join a group that is attached to an Alpha Course Special Interest Group. In any case, if you have questions, we want to help.
What is a Community Group like?
Community Groups are an environment for building relationships with one another, which involves challenging one another to apply the Bible to our everyday lives. Most groups will attempt to follow on from the Sunday sermon; and others may choose to work through another book of the Bible. In all cases, time and discussion together is geared toward personal life application and transformation.

A typical meeting could involve a time for food, conversation, prayer, worship, communion, and discussion for applying biblical principles to practical living. Many groups have periodic special events such as BBQ’s, family times or other social gatherings. Serving with one another is also a significant feature of group life, and this may mean helping out in mission-focused church programs together.

What is the teaching like at LHC?
Bible Teaching.
Believe it or not, the Bible is still relevant today. We believe that God's Word radically changes our lives when we teach it thoroughly and apply it to our daily living. We submit fully to the Word of God and theologically we adopt the Nicene Creed.
Why are Community Groups important to LHC?
It’s vital that being a member of LHC means participating in both the Sunday gatherings and a Community Group. Sundays are a time for celebrating in worship together, hearing preaching/teaching from the Bible and connecting missionally with newcomers amongst us.

Community Groups are preferred for building relationships with one another and living life together. Both types of gatherings meet different needs in the spiritual health and growth of the Church as well as individually which is why we emphasize both.