Welcome to The Journey West County

About Community Groups

While we do gather on Sunday for corporate worship, one of the primary ways we connect and “do life” together is through our Community Groups. As his church, our mission is to grow in personal devotion to Christ, deepen in Gospel Community and declare the work of Jesus Christ to the world around us. Community Groups at The Journey are about discipleship.

Where and when do Community Groups meet?

Our groups meet Sunday through Friday nights in homes throughout the West County area (Visit the Welcome Center for a geographic listing of Community Groups). Most groups meet weekly and begin meeting the week after Labor Day in September and end in the month of May. While many groups still connect over the summer, our groups adjust their regular meeting schedules in June, July and August.

What do Community Groups do when theY meet?

Each week, our groups participate in fellowship, worship, bible study and prayer. As the group begins, there is usually a time of light food and fellowship. Each week, the Community Group leader sends out lesson based on the passage and sermon from the previous Sunday. The lessons are broken down into three parts. First, the “Enter” part of the lesson stimulates thought that points us to the interaction of the sermon/scripture and the world around us. Second, the “Exploration” part of the lesson allows each person to interact with and investigate the details of the passage. Third, the “Engage” part of lesson contains Christ-centered questions about sin, grace and mission. Community Groups also set aside time each week to pray one another and the church.

Who leads the individual Community Groups?

Individual Community Groups are led by members and staff people from the West County congregation. Most groups have “co-leaders” which allows for the distribution of weight and gifting within each group. Co-leading also lends itself to multiplication.

How do I join a community group?

Each year, we have a Community Group kick-off on a Sunday evening in mid-August. It is a chance to meet Community Group leaders and see what group would be the best relational and geographic fit for you. The kick-off is also the first chance to sign for a group. If you miss the initial Community Group signup in the fall or winter, stop by the Welcome Center and fill out a Community Group Inquiry card.

community group RESOURCES

Click below for additional Community Group Resources, forms, leader guides and more:

resources

We believe baptism is an outward sign of an inward change. It’s a public commitment of belonging to the people of God and the global Church expressed through local congregations. Baptism shows others that you’ve decided to follow Jesus and allows the congregation to affirm the promises and blessings fulfilled in Christ’s life, death, and resurrection and encourage you in the return of Jesus and the benefits of eternal unity with him.

Baptism Stories

Hear from a few people in our West County community about their journey to baptism!