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The Street City Church

9 Hania Street
PO Box 6218, Marion Square,
Wellington
Tel +64 4 385 7315
Fax +64 4 385 7309
Email office@thestreet.org.nz

You are here > Home / Groups / Lifegroups / Lifegroup news / Lifegroup Testimonies

Lifegroup Testimonies

“It’s been really challenging to me on a number of levels. Firstly because most of my mates at church are not involved in a life group … The numbers were really struggling earlier this year so we tried a few new things and now we are getting 10+ guys every two weeks rather than 5 or 6 if we were lucky! One of the ways we get people to come is by offering rides and by texting and reminding the guys weekly on the morning of the night. Another thing we do is ask people to join us who we meet on Sundays and introduce them to other group members where possible so they know some of the guys before turning up by themselves. We usually try and offer them a ride so they don’t even have to turn up alone, which I think has really been useful.

Now we try and do something social on the off weeks, which has been an awesome way to invite guys to start coming along. I don’t know why, but the fortnightly meeting thing wasn’t working for us (maybe its a guy thing). We needed something more regular and doing something weekly is really working. Rob organises the studies and Thomas organises the social stuff. It’s been awesome getting to know more uni aged guys and connecting with them regularly. I’ve developed some real strong friendships through our group and it’s more than just a weekly group - alot of us do stuff outside of life group too. The community is awesome, everyone feels welcome and contributes. It’s so much fun to be around the guys and everyone seems to be really enjoying it. It’s so great being able to meet heaps of different people with the common interest of Christ, and just hang out.

The thing I appreciate most about lifegroup is now I am involved with the youth group, I have something I can encourage the guys leaving the youth group to join. It’s great having the opportunity to invite guys to step up from youth group and to come to a welcoming environment of solid Christian guys - bridging the gap that is so often missed, meaning solid youth group guys are able to make the leap to the next level.”

 

And from a leader…

“Our lifegroup has really rounded a corner this year, particularly the sense of community and fellowship - they are such an amazing group of people to hang out with in the way that they include and care for one another. As all lifegroup leaders know, that’s not always the case, but often the group members are fellowshipping with one another outside of the official group time of Wednesday night.

I remember that in one particular instance a group member was sick, living in one of the outlying suburbs over the motorway. So a couple of other group members got together, jumped in a car, and drove out to deliver chicken soup, fruit juice, and other food to the afflicted individual. Even just the action of showing up to visit them was of great encouragement.

However, with the middle of the year fast approaching, the group had only been using the ‘off-weeks’ for social activities, meeting in cafes, shared meals, etc. I really saw these off-weeks as the group’s weeks, where they get to do what they want, and I really wanted what they wanted to reflect ownership of their faith, and their Christian walk.

After much consideration and counsel with my great co-leader, we decided that one night I’d make an announcement to the group, so I did. I told them that the way they’d used their off-weeks so far had been no different to the way non-Christians would have used them, and said that while they were all a huge encouragement to me, they were very capable and able to do a whole lot more! With that I put $20 on the table telling them that it would go to the first person to either take a study or lead the group in some other form of ministry or service.

It was a nerve-wracking thing to do because I was well aware that I was sticking my boot up their backsides with that action! Still, we are lifegroup leaders and while it’s real nice to be chummy and friends with everyone in our lifegroups, our chief role is to spur them on towards Christ and his likeness in their own lives… We can’t let our desire to be liked get in the way of that!

Our group has responded to the challenge in kind! Many people have stepped forth offering to take studies, and taking us through some very good ones! Every weekend we’ve had people helping out at charities, collections, serving, and not as part of a lifegroup activity but of their own accord. It is such an amazing thing to see our group growing in maturity as it has, they are without doubt the single most encouraging thing in my life right now besides Christ! But so clearly it’s because of Him that they are!

By the way - I still have my $20.”