Where, on a Monday night, do you find a fifty-five year old and a twenty year old hanging out and sharing what is going on in their lives? Where, on a Thursday night, do you find lots of laughs and, at times, tears between college students? Where, on a Tuesday night, do single moms and couples that have been married for twenty years sit together and talk about Dean's sermon?  Where, on a Wednesday night, do you find the engaged couple and the married couple talking about married life? The answer to all these questions is the same, and that answer is in a City Church community group!

City Church community groups started meeting a few weeks ago and have been off to a great start. As someone who is still relatively new to City Church and the staff, my group has become such a great place to get to know people beyond the typical and empty "How are you doing?" exchange.  The group I lead has taught me what it really means to be "In community, not alone." Many people are looking for a place to belong before ever believing. Just this week I had an honest conversation with a group member who is "working his way back into Christianity." This member comes to group every week and pays close attention to all that is said. Five  weeks in, he has found a group that he feels comfortable enough in to share his doubts and struggles like many of us in the group have.

Sunday services are certainly a highlight of my week, the community group is a unique and powerful facet of the church where people come together around to converse about what Dean preached on Sunday. When I sit and listen to the sermon on Sunday, there are always portions that challenge me and as well as parts that leave me with lots of questions. In community group, I have been able to share the things God is using on Sundays to challenge me and allow God to use the group to help me through my questions and my struggles. This family that has begun to grow in my living room is becoming a place where people are real and the discussions move beyond the temporary and shallow.