Ministries
Policy on Small Groups
By AncMC Board of Elders
Sep 10, 2007, 15:05

The Elders of the Church are charged with the spiritual care and oversight of the entire congregation.  This includes oversight over all programs and small groups formally sponsored by the Anchorage Moravian Church congregation.  Programs the Church Elders have oversight for include Sunday School, Wednesday Night Bible Study, AA Groups, Women & Men's Fellowship groups, as well as Young People and Children's Ministries.  Other small groups include Choir groups, music ministries, membership classes, or any other small group sponsored by and supported by the Moravian Church.

The Anchorage Moravian Church is fortunate to have a number of small groups that are Spirit-led and lead by volunteers fulfilling the mission of our Lord Jesus Christ to "go ye into all the world"�.   These groups are a "powerful ministry for richer Bible Studies, sweeter fellowship and even explosive outreach".

In order to have a prayer umbrella, input for planning, and support by the Anchorage Moravian Church leadership and congregation, each recognized group much either be functioning already or have requested of the Elders Board recognition for its respective mission and reason for existence.  By seeking recognition each Small Group secures the love, understanding, and full prayerful support of the Church. 

Groups are encouraged in the life of the Church, since they contribute to the growth of the Church.  They assure that new members have an opportunity to become involved in any number of small group processes which always points to the general assembly of the local Church. 

From the New Testament someone has said, "we know several things about groups, and especially those that met in homes:  They met often (Acts 2:46-47); They met for teaching (Acts 5:42); These groups were evangelistic (Acts 20:20); People enjoyed meeting (Acts 2:46); They prayed for special needs".

The Elders would like to clarify expectations for any small group that is sponsored by the Anchorage Moravian Church: 

1.  Each group is like a family. When someone is not there it is just not the same and everyone misses them. When group members are gone it demoralizes a group.  Each group must be aware of work schedules and other potential conflicts. If there are holidays that fall within the weeks that your group will meet discuss what the group will do about them. What are you going to do about the week of Thanksgiving? Christmas? Easter?

2.  Each small group exists to assure that everyone has a role to play to give and receive the kind of care and encouragement that they need. In a congregation, even a loving friendly congregation, it is difficult to get into the lives of fellow members. With a small group meeting regularly it is much easier to know and be known.   It is an opportunity to show care and encouragement.

3.  Each group that is sponsored by the Moravian Church must assure that it maintains communication with the local Church pastor as to its weekly, monthly and yearly schedule (and changes to its schedule) so that the pastor can assure that small groups events are publicized publically through its regular worship services, through the bulletin or website media.

4.  When a Moravian Church small group travels to a village or city to do outreaches or church and/or civic organizations throughout Anchorage and the South Central region, the leader of the group must notify the pastor (or an Elder), who then informs the Elders of any new outreaches by the small Group.  Each activity must have the Elders Board approval in advance.   In effect, upon Elders approval, each small group can actively serve on behalf of and represent the life of the Anchorage Moravian congregation.

5.  Each sponsored program or small group within the life of the Anchorage Moravian Church is encouraged to submit a yearly report of its activities, outreaches, its accomplishments, etc. to the Church Council, which meets annually in January of each year.

Again, the purposes of this policy is to assure ongoing organizational church structure, good communication, and "good will" important to the life of a growing and thriving Church.  This policy is written to assure that the local Church leadership has a better grasp of what God is doing in our midst, thus fulfilling their "oversight" charge stipulated by the Anchorage Moravian Church Constitution and Bylaws.   As our small groups continue regularly and from time-to-time do specific outreaches in line with our Church mission, they richly represent what God is doing through our faith group in this age. 

So too, through the elected Elders Board, the entire Moravian congregational membership has opportunity not only to support small groups of the church, but to celebrate it's accomplishments on behalf of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Note:  Policy adopted December 3, 2006 by Board of Elders with periodic review from time-to-time.  If any group has any concerns about this policy they are encouraged to contact Pastor William H. Nicholson.