Why does FCL Have Community Groups?

The mission of Fellowship Church Lubbock (FCL) is to bring glory to God through lives changes by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We do this by actively proclaiming the gospel to those around us who do not yet know Him, and by pursuing the sanctifying work of God through the grace found in the Gospel for our own lives. Community Groups are intentional efforts to create an atmosphere that fosters life change.

Community Groups at FCL seek to provide the fertile ground for the disciple of Christ to grow (Matthew 13:18-23) and to be a place where the Gospel is walked out for all to see. In the prayer that a church is created where no one stands alone, and through discipleship, the believer can firmly plant their roots in faith and not on stony ground or shallow soil. Our Community Groups see to foster an environment where Christ can be pursued with other believers, and community can be built through a biblical model or servant leadership, as well as a place where impact is made on both the local and international communities.

The vision for our Community Groups is to build relationship in community that encourage progressive growth toward Christ-likeness. Community Groups are more than Bible Study, they are welcoming, authentic, extended families where the Scripture are studied so that the truth of God can impact our lives, and where friends pray for friends, and neighbors bear each others burdens.

We achieve this mission by striving to meet these Community Groups objectives in the life of each of our members:

• Teaching the Word - We want to make the Gospel the epicenter of our faith. We must know it. (John 21:17)
• Love - Love for our Savior and God leads to a genuine love for those around us. We seek to be a place where mutual care is lived out. (John 13:1; Matthew 23:34-40)
• Prayer - Lifting up one another, praying for each other, having our foundation in prayer is vital to fostering true community. (Philippians 1:3-11)
• Service - Group members contribute to the body according to their spiritual giftedness. (John 13:12-17)
• Mission - Group members engage the lost for the sake of the Gospel.
• Perseverance - Pressing on even when things are difficult and human nature say to quit.