Community

Authentic relationships leading to spiritual transformation

Life is better together

Community groups play a vital role in helping relationships flourish in the life of the church. In community we are known, loved, cared for, pursued, encouraged, and challenged to be more like Christ.

At Onward, we have married and men’s/women’s groups who meet regularly to connect relationally, study God’s Word, and hold each other accountable. Our goal in community is to live out the six core values.

First Step to Join Community
Families spending time and having fun together through Onward Community Church

Community Core Values

  • Devote daily to a personal relationship with Jesus

    “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

  • Live authentically, sharing our struggles.

    “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” James 5:16

  • Offer and receive biblical counsel in all areas of life.

    “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

  • Pursue deep relationships with one another based on love and acceptance.

    “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor.” Romans 12:10

  • Encourage and admonish one another faithfully towards maturity.

    “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16

  • Engage intentionally with our communities and the world to make disciples.

    “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

A community group spendign quality time together from onward Community Church

Frequently Asked Questions

  • We’d love to have you and we are ready to get you in a group quickly.

    Your first place to start is our Enjoy Jesus class where we’ll help you get going!

  • Sometimes we launch new groups out of membership based on geography and availability. More often, though, an existing Community Group near your house will be the best fit and we’ll make that happen!

  • Groups meet weekly. Often they’ll meet as a large group twice a month and separate genders twice a month.

  • The goal of group time is to give a safe space to be known authentically, encouraged from scripture, and spurred on in your walk with God. Practically, that looks like sermon discussion questions, sharing what God taught you in your time with Him that week, where you might be struggling, and how you lived out your faith. It takes time to grow in comfort with groups, so don’t worry, we don’t expect all this overnight!

  • Yes! One that we encourage new groups to go through is our Launch Curriculum. Check out our Community Group Resource page for more.

  • Groups are the primary way we shepherd members. Out of Exodus 18, we see the call for leaders of tens, hundreds, and thousands. Practically, each group is led by Community Group Leaders. Each Community Group Leader has a Community Shepherd that they meet with regularly for help and accountability. Shepherds meet regularly with staff who meet with elders. it might sound complicated, but the vision is to make sure everyone is known and cared for as the elders will be called to give an account.