Mission Statement

The mission of groups at Valley Church is individual spiritual formation, increasing the effectiveness of each disciple and the effectiveness of the church as a whole to fulfill the great commission.

Key Elements to Each Group

Colossians 1:28–29

 We proclaim him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. I labor for this, striving with his strength that works powerfully in me.

Individually, groups aim to promote spiritual formation (Col. 1:28–29; Heb. 5:11–6:1) 

Spiritually Mature Christians...

• Effectively share the gospel (Rom. 10:14-17)

• Have a diverse Biblical knowledge (Heb. 4:12, 2 Tim. 3:26)

• Show the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-26)

Effective Disciples...

• Understand the cost of following Jesus (Mat. 16:24-28)

• Are fully committed to Christ (Luke 16:13)

• Are willing to leave behind earthly possessions (Mat. 19:16-26)

• Accept God as the changer (2 Cor. 3:17-18)

• Love the mission of Christ (John 21:15-17)

When individuals grow in faith, the Church benefits. The effectiveness of the Body is dependent on the individuals

• People are people, not ideas

• Focusing on the individual person, the church becomes less theoretical and more practical

• Strengthening each body part will make the body stronger

• When Valley Church is effective and strong, church planting becomes possible

Practical Ways to Accomplish the Mission

We want the disciple making process to be clear

• Believer becomes Disciple becomes Disciple Maker 

• There should be an appropriate ratio in each group

• Key disciple makers should be the bulk of group leaders

Groups should be organic

• Foster openness and encouragement

• Group direction and activity should be dependent on what the members need to spiritually mature

• Group leaders should be open and aware to what the group needs

• Group members should come into the group mostly by invitation and friendship, not signups

We should be a church “of” groups, not “with” groups

• The body should exist in the community

• “Church” is simply where groups come to gather and learn overall teachings

• Takes the emphasis off Sunday morning and moves the groups to togetherness and action

• Members are not a blip in the congregation, they have specific jobs in a group

• Everyone in the body should strive to take part, not an optional elective

Leadership training and encouragement is the key to success

• Leaders should be disciple-makers

• Leaders should be servant leaders

• Leaders should have clear expectations from church leadership

• Leaders should be all-in toward the vision and submit to leadership (1 Thess. 5:12–13; Heb. 13:17)

Groups should be aligned enough to promote unity, yet flexible enough to meet people where they are

• Some groups may spend more time in prayer, others in deep Biblical discussion, others in evangelism, and others in encouragement

• Groups should be encouraged to break out of the “norm” occasionally (for example, the group goes on a mission or service trip)

• Understanding the core teaching is important so the church is aligned with leadership

• However, certain groups may have spiritual gifts that can bless others, such as group outreach to the community

Groups should have consistent themes. All groups will ideally embody:

• Bible study to understand God through His own revealed truth (Psalm 1:2, 1 John 2:3,7)

• Prayer as a response to God, both a gift and a command/task (1 Thes. 5:16-18, Eph. 6:18)

• Evangelism as the core purpose of a disciple (Mat. 28:18-20, Acts 1:8)

• Shepherding as the driver of creating more effective disciples, understanding that we are not shepherding our own flock, but tending to Jesus’ sheep (John 21:15-17, John 10:11-16)

How to Know the Mission is Successful

• Group members are regularly moving from believer to disciple

• Believers and disciples are asking probing questions and becoming involved 

• An increase of believers as there will be more disciple makers

• The need for group creation

• Less emphasis on “coming to church” and more on “going out from church”

• More stories of personal evangelism and transformation

• Church planting becomes a viable option

Valley Church Strives to be Unified in the Mission of Christ