What is a Care Group?
Our mission statement at MRBC is that we “…exist to magnify God and spread a passion for His glory by making disciples and shepherding them to value Jesus Christ above all else, in every dimension of life, as regulated by the Word of God.” Care Groups are a primary method chosen for carrying out the shepherding aspect of this statement. As such, a Care Group at MRBC is a small group of our church body who interact on a regular basis for the sake of fellowship and the corporate pursuit of sanctification. The elders, Care Group leaders, and indeed every member of the church are called to be involved in this co-shepherding process. Jesus Christ, who designed it as a primary means of growing in grace, has put this process into place and intends for it to be a top priority for his redeemed people. (See Jn. 13:34-35; Ac. 2:41-42; Heb. 12:14; Rom. 12:1-13; 1 Cor. 12:12-26; Gal. 6:8-10; 1 Thess. 5:14-15.)
Why does a Care Group exist?
The core reason Care Groups exist at MRBC is the understanding that the corporate gathering on Sunday can be a difficult time to develop relationships characterized by biblical fellowship and discipleship. Due to the size of Sunday services, depth of relationship is difficult to attain only in that context. Thus, all are also encouraged to be involved with smaller segments of the church body: Care Groups. These groups are designed to be a relational network focused on applying scriptural truths to one another’s lives; such truths can be gleaned from a study of a biblical passage, review of the Sunday sermon, or a book the group is reading through. As such, relationships are built within the meeting contexts to encourage open and honest conversation about the struggles and triumphs being experienced by individual members and how God’s Word impacts those experiences. These relationships and conversations facilitate the practice of the many scriptural “one anothers”, also serving as a springboard into the deeper levels of accountability and discipleship relationships. The intended result is for group members to have opportunities to encourage, exhort, teach, help, bear with, pray for, rebuke, and love one another through all the shared experiences. (See Rom. 12:16; 15:14; Gal. 5:13; 6:2; Eph. 4:2; 4:32; Col. 3:13, 16; 1 Thess. 5:11; Heb. 3:13; 10:24; Jam. 5:16; 1 Pet. 4:8-10; 1 Jn. 4:7; Titus 2:1-8.)
Who can join a Care Group?
Care Groups are open to anyone associated with MRBC and out of high school. Church members have the greatest priority of care and involvement, but regular attenders and visitors to MRBC as well as unbelievers from outside the church are welcome to attend. This allows the experience of biblical fellowship to be had or witnessed by all, which is a great testimony to the work of Jesus Christ in our church. The encouragement is for all group members to move towards membership in the church as well since ultimately we are all one church body. For the believer, attendance at MRBC on Sundays is necessary for ongoing participation in care groups, and those associated with other churches are asked to connect with their own church and not allowed at MRBC groups. (See Jn. 13:35; Gal. 6:10; 1 Cor. 14:24-25; Heb. 13:17; Ac. 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2.)
How are Care Groups kept accountable?
The leaders of the individual Care Groups are either elders of the church or men who have been selected by the elder board for the responsibility. A Care Group leader will be a man of strong, Christ-like character and have a life oriented around the Savior. He will also typically have demonstrated leadership, integrity and a heart for shepherding people while involved with a Care Group not under his leadership. A Care Group leader is not primarily a teacher, but is instead a shepherd working alongside the elders to care for the church body members in their various walks of life. These individual Care Group leaders are under the supervision and accountability of the church elders. Structures are in place to allow for constant elder awareness of the content and direction of Care Group meetings and relationships.
When are Care Group meetings?
Care Groups meet throughout the KC Metro area in member homes on the 2nd and 4th Sunday nights of a month. In addition, Care Group members are encouraged to be spurring one another on in life and faith throughout the course of their days.
More information (time/location) on the formal meetings can be obtained by emailing mrbc@mrbckc.org or calling 913-648-2233.