about Small Groups

Small Groups have one, simple purpose: to bring people together. We believe God created us to live in relationship with others and only then can we live the full life He intends for us. Sharing life through community is part of our design, but meaningful relationships aren’t always easy to find. That’s why Small Groups exist—to make these life-changing relationships relevant and accessible to you.

You’ve probably seen Small Groups meeting and not even realized it. A small group looks like friends at lunch, teams playing basketball, or people studying a book or topic of interest. At its core, a small group is a small gathering of people, and it is less about what you do and more about who you do it with. By participating in Small Groups, you can expect to connect with others through a common activity, engage in life giving conversation and request prayer.

Our Small Groups meet for three semesters a year—winter/spring, summer and fall. Each semester is typically 12 weeks, however the semester is broken into 6 week segments with a 2 week break in between.  During the semester, most groups meet once a week. Small Groups are meant to bring meaning and community into the flow of your life, so even if you can’t attend every meeting, there is still great value in joining a group.

Small Groups meet at the EMCC North Campus while some are hosted at the home of the individual group leader. The idea is to create a comfortable and safe environment that encourages sharing and fosters growth.

Most Small Groups meet for a semester. This way, new people can join groups easily and regularly. Also, the semester format allows you to try multiple groups each year. As relationships form, some groups choose to stay together for consecutive semesters, but new members are always welcome.

Childcare is available for some of the groups that meet at the North Campus. If you require child care, be sure to choose a group that meets at the times/days that child care is available.

The truth is, not everyone will find the best fit with the first group they try. This is why we encourage you to select a few groups that interest you, contact the leaders and try out a couple different groups before choosing the best one for you. The simple strategy to finding success in Small Groups is to not give up. We believe there is a group that is right for everyone—including you!