Posterous theme by Cory Watilo

Filed under: k-groups

The Caston/Turk K-Group (Photo)

This is a photo from our "Tacky Christmas" K-Group gathering on Sunday, Nov. 27, at the Turk's house. When I look at this picture, I can't help but smile—not because of Jesse's outfit or Nixon's (which were classic!), but because this group of folks didn't know each other not too long ago. Now, we gather to eat, study, share and pray together in the context of gospel community. I just love it, and am grateful. NOTE: For those of you not pictured, know that you were missed!

K-group_photo

 

A Dream Come True

Typically, Tuesday (today) is one of my weekly "focus on the Sunday sermon" days. However, this week Creekstone is not having a Sunday morning service. So time for some golf, right?! For starters, I don't really play golf (because I don't like to cuss in public). I like to hike or run trails. Second, it's raining. Third, we are launching our K-Groups Sunday evening, and I am planning to take time to prepare a discussion guide that will prime the pump for what we hope these groups will be, which in my mind is something along the lines of Acts 2:42-47,

"42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." 

What if Creekstone were a worshipping community that was radically devoted to sound doctrine and to caring sacrificially for each other? What if we were a community where the power of God was manifest in ways that would only be explained by the miraculous presence of God? What if we were a community that was so alive to the wonder of God's grace in the gospel that we drew unbelievers in to the fellowship by the attractiveness of our joy? That would be a dream come true! But is it really possible? Absolutely.

It does not take a rocket scientist to understand the key to this kind of community. Essentially, the members of this early Christian community (1) believed the gospel with repentant faith and (2) were filled with the Holy Spirit (see verses 37-41 for context). Acts 2 teaches us that the kind of spiritual-community we long to experience cannot be created by a program or by principles. It must be the overflow of the Spirit Himself in the lives of grace-dependent people who are actively affirming the gospel motto, "Jesus is my righteousness." K-Groups can be gospel kindling, but the Spirit must set the fire.

In light of the potential for such a faith community, I want to invite you to sign up for a K-Group and be devoted to it. They meet twice a month, on the second and fourth Sunday nights of each month (Sept-Nov. and Jan-April) from 5:30-7:00 p.m.  For more information and to sign up, go to this link on the Creekstone website. Also, be sure to email Andy Woznicki (ajwoznicki@gmail.com) with the group number you plan to attend (1, 2, 3, or 4).  

New K-Group Plan

As we have mentioned already, after much discussion and prayer, the staff team has decided to redesign our K-Groups (K is for koinonia, the Greek word for fellowship). Rather than base these groups on age and stage, we are going to encourage groups to gather geographically.  This means that we likely will have groups representing the north, central, and south regions of our area, and maybe several of each where necessary.  The plan is for these groups, beginning in September, to meet on the 1st and 3rd Sunday evenings of each month. With each having a host home in which to meet and at least two equipped facilitators, the structure of the gatherings will be loose and flexible, yet probably will include a time of connecting, discussing the morning's message, sharing needs and prayer.  Our long range goal for these groups is that they will serve as churches within the larger church with pastor/elders overseeing the shepherding care for the folks in each K-Group Community and be the context where assimilation takes place naturally for new folks at Creekstone.  Thinking that this new model will serve our community well, we plan to unveil more exciting details at our Vision Banquet following the service on Sunday, Aug. 21. We hope you will plan to be there!

Introducing Creekstone's New Staff and K-Group Reps


After serving in a volunteer status for the past year doing groundwork for our morning launch, three guys are now serving Creekstone as part-time staff: Matt Stephenson, Jesse Turk and Elijah Merrett. Below are their positions and general ministry descriptions, in addition to attending a weekly staff team meeting and other miscellaneous ministry "opportunities" that come up from time to time.

Matt Stephenson serves as my Pastoral Assistant.

  • Makes financial deposits & keeps records
  • Processes reimbursements for purchases
  • Processes Keeping in Touch forms
  • Checks voicemail and distributes messages
  • Oversees the church and office calendar
  • Maintains office supplies
  • Other administrative tasks: phone calls, promotion, conference & retreat details, etc.
  • Spearheads the Creekstone Art Gallery development and promotion
  • Study Center development and promotion (future)
  • Frees McKay to study / prepare the Sunday banquet

Jesse Turk is our Worship Arts Coordinator.

  • Plans weekly worship service music
  • Works with lead pastor on other elements of the service
  • Recruits, equips and assigns vocalists and instrumentalists
  • Oversees audio/visual ministry volunteers
  • Oversees worship set up/break down team
  • Oversees transportation and storage of equipment
  • Researches new songs and equipment

Elijah Merrett is Coordinator of Ministry Teams and Assimilation.

  • Recruits, equips and oversees Ministry Team Leaders

               - Children’s Minsitry Coordinator
               - Nursery Coordinator
               - Facilities Coordinator
               - Trailer Coordinator
               - Cafe’ Coordinator
               - Greeter Coordinator
               - Usher Coordinator
               - Youth Ministry Coordinator (future)

  • Oversees the assimilation process

              - Follows up with visitors each week 
              - Connects regulars / members to K-Groups
              - Recruits, equips and oversees K-Group ministry representatives
              - Informs K-Group leaders about specials needs in their groups

Thanks, guys, for serving so well, and often "above and beyond" the call. You make my life great as Lead Pastor!   


Meet Your K-Group Representatives
As you can tell, we have remamed the groups, since the Latin was too hard to remember. And yes, there is group overlap. Just choose your group without fear of the K-Group police. By the way, these groups are social in focus, and typically will gather once a month for a special event (as well as occasionally doing lunch together on Sundays). These are not "study" groups. They are designed for fellowship and mission. Our DiG Groups are our "study" groups.

  • College K-Group- TBA
  • 20s & 30s K-Group (without kids / formerly veritas)- Mallory and Thomas Odom
  • 20s & 30s K-Group (with kids / formerly Agape)- Kristin and Scott Perry
  • 30s & 40s K-Group (formerly Sola Gratia)- Beth and Doug Minnear
  • Empty Nesters (50+, formerly Fides)- Joanne and Oliver Sale

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