| Importance of a Small Faith Community |
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For a list of suggested study materials for Small Faith Communities, click here.
Why a Small Faith Community is Important
“Small communities are powerful vehicles for adult faith formation providing
opportunities for learning, prayer, mutual support, and the shared experience of Christian living and service to Church and society.” (OHWB, USCCB,106) “Adults do not grow in faith primarily by learning concepts, but by sharing the life of the Christian community” (OHWB, USCCB, 83) The parish is to be the first church community, the basic setting for building connections and communion of people (koinonia) and the first line of pastoral care of souls. This is easier within small groups of 10-12 individuals who meet on a regular basis. It is only by getting to know and trust others over a period of time, that sharing of our faith, our lives, our questions, and ourselves at a deeper level is possible. A Small Faith Community….. • commits their lives to each other and walk together through life’s ups and downs. • meets together weekly to grow closer to each other and Christ, to carry out the mission of His Church. • grows together in unity, building up and strengthening the body in love. (Eph.4) • communicates and shares what it is to be human, Christian, spiritual, material, religious, social, as well as eternal. • strives TO BE not TO DO. They listen to each other’s individual’s story and history, valuing each person’s situation, vocation and mission NOT just what they do or how they function. • consists of evangelized people who are centered in the Lord Jesus and led by the Holy Spirit. They are responsible in mutual love, service and caring for one another. A Small Faith Community is and is not:
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