Our Small Groups Are Called Shepherd Groups

Assurance of Salvation Is a Community Project

At Bethlehem we call small groups Shepherd Groups. Shepherd Groups are the basic units for Christian community at Bethlehem. We believe they are gifts of God given so that we might "exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today,' that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin" (Hebrews 3:12-13).

Shepherd Groups are also our primary "delivery system" for pastoral care. We therefore encourage every attendee, and all but require our covenant members, to pursue Christ together in a Shepherd Group.

Anywhere from 3 to 15 people (varying in age, interests, location, and ministry focus) meet regularly in a non-church setting to live out Bethlehem's vision & mission for "body-life."

Which Way Is In?
There are four ways into a Bethlehem Shepherd Group:

• Get in touch with a leader of an open group, either by using our Small Group Finder or by checking our published directory of open Shepherd Groups, and start participating.
• Be invited into an existing group by its leaders or members.
• Be assigned by one's overseeing elders if you are a covenant member and have not decided on your own.
• Lead one, following training and approval by the pastoral overseer.

Shepherd Group Leaders
Shepherd Group leaders receive ongoing training with the aim of continuity in doctrinal instruction and practical discipleship regardless of which group people join. So, depending on where the group ordinarily meets, its leaders belong to a Regional Care Team overseen by a portion of the church's Elder Council and pastoral staff.

We are constantly on the look-out for potential gifted leaders to train and commission. Though thousands of people come to our worship services, we want our "span of care" of leaders to covenant members never to exceed the ideal of 1 to 10. If you're leading a shepherd group, submit your group's information using this form, click here.

Whether God is prompting you to lead or you're still on the outside wanting in, please contact Amy Anderson (612.746.2651/email). The door is open . . . help us open it wider!

Group Manager

Shepherd Group Leaders: Click here to access the Group Manager in Fellowship One.