For more information, please explore one of our churches below.
DOWNTOWN | EAST SIDE | WEST SIDE | LINCOLN SQUARE
Community and Beta Groups
Community Groups (CGs) are places to both cultivate a relationship with God and friendships with others. We offer regular Community Groups, Questioning Christianity Groups for those who are skeptical or curious about Christianity, and Beta Groups, which are designed for those who want to try a group out with a short-term commitment.
Group options | Group Leaders | Frequently asked questions
If you want to learn more about how you can lead a group, please select the congregation you attend: Downtown, East Side or West Side. Learn more or sign up for our New Leader Basics Training. Or if you are currently a leader, see our leader resources.
Group options
Community Groups (CGs)
CGs are a place to cultivate a relationship with God and friendships with others. It is within these small communities that men and women can build personal relationships and practice applying the gospel to their lives. Each group expects to experience Jesus Christ in its midst, enabling participants to be transformed through mutual ministry and to experience life in the family of God.
Composed of 6 to 12 people, groups meet in homes and offices throughout the city. All groups are led by trained lay leaders from the congregation who receive continued oversight and support from pastoral staff. Groups generally meet two to four times a month for worship, Bible study, fellowship and prayer. Many groups also participate in monthly service projects or social events in place of one regular meeting.
These groups provide sanctuary from the pressures and anxieties of life in the city and facilitate the formation of new friendships. Community Groups are places where we can be revitalized and strengthened as we seek to reflect the love of Jesus Christ to our fellow New Yorkers. As God made us for community, we need others to help us apply the gospel to our lives. Our hope is that everyone who attends our church will be involved in a Community Group.
We have many groups that you are welcome to join at any time of the year. Find a group near you.
Beta Groups
We invite you to “beta test” community life by joining a Beta Group. Beta Groups are seven-week Community Groups that start in late September and are designed especially for those who are new to our church, new to Community Groups, or interested in exploring Christianity. Beta Groups feature the following:
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- New members: There is no need to be nervous about your first meeting! Everyone will be new to the group.
- Community life: It is easy to feel lost in a bustling city and disconnected in a large church. As a member of a Beta Group, you will be part of a smaller community, allowing you to build friendships with a group of people who grow to know and care about each other.
- Faith exploration: Have you ever had questions about the Christian faith or wondered about its relevance? In specialized Beta Groups called Questioning Christianity Groups, you can process these questions with like-minded people and learn how the claims of Christianity relate to everyday living.
Registration for Beta Groups occurs every fall. Find a group near you.