Small Groups at PCC


We believe sustained life change happens best in our Small Group Ministry. Small Groups are made up of 5-15 individuals who meet together throughout the week in homes in our community, classrooms on the church campus, or scheduled meeting places throughout Pinellas County. It's in a Small Group where you study God's Word together and are in a setting in which you can tackle the tough questions and challenges of life. You will find Small Groups to be a comfortable place where you can connect with and share life with like-minded people.

Three times a year (Fall, Winter, and Spring) we help people get connected in a Small Group. We offer a wide variety of groups from Bible study groups with a 6 or 8 week curriculum, ministry groups serving others, fellowship groups which participate in a specific activity, and much more.

Why are Small Groups so important? Small Groups improve interpersonal relationships and help us move from being a facility-based church to a community-based church. We already have seen people who would never attend church get involved in off-campus Small Groups. Some of those people are in the process of becoming church members. We also are concerned about the spiritual growth of people who are serving in others areas of ministry. By having Small Groups available throughout the week, those people can serve without having to sacrifice their personal growth. We use both on-campus and off-campus Small Groups to meet the spiritual growth needs in our church and community. How much of my time is this going to take? Small Group meetings last approximately 1.5 hours each -- thirty minutes for snacking, eating, and hanging out; one hour for Bible study. What are we going to do with our children during Small Group? During the first half hour of the meeting they hang out with the entire group. During Bible study, groups have various childcare solutions -- hire a sitter for the group, have another home near the host home with a parent keeping them, adults rotate keeping the kids in a bonus room, use childcare provided during regular activities at the church, etc. Each group has the flexibility to decide what works best for them. Will there be homework? Most Small Group studies will not have mandatory homework. Occasionally there will be optional support resources such as devotions, podcasts, online lessons, and so forth. Am I going to have to talk or can I just sit and listen during meetings? Small Groups are like family -- sometimes you talk, sometimes you listen. No one is forced to talk or to lead the group. As the group develops, people become much more comfortable. We have discovered that people who seldom speak up in large groups will talk in Small Groups. Will I have to pray out loud? No. Again, you are allowed to move and grow at your own pace. When you want to share a prayer concern or pray out loud, you will be encouraged to do so. Who else is going to be in the group? Small Groups are formed by the leader inviting friends, neighbors, or acquaintances to be a part of a Small Group for six weeks. At the end of the six weeks, each person can choose to continue with the group or not. This allows you time to try a Small Group, but you also have the assurance that there is a comfortable way out. How much do I need to know about the Bible? None. Small Groups are all about learning the Bible not debating it or being tested on it. There will be seasons when all Small Groups will study curriculum that coincides with the sermon series. This is when the greatest personal spiritual growth happens. This is reason enough to want to be in a Small Groups. How many weeks or months is this group going to last? Initially, Small Groups agree to meet for six to eight weeks. Some of them last for years; others multiply and start new groups in 12 to 18 months. We expect all Small Groups to have a leader and an apprentice leader. As the group grows, it will be the apprentice leader who begins a new group. If I don't like it, can I leave without people being mad at me? Yes, but most people build such community that they do not want to stop being part of a Small Group. What are we going to be doing during the meetings? Most meetings last about 1.5 hours. There is 30 minutes for social, fellowship, eating, snacking time (building relationships). Then there is an hour of Bible study where the group learns from the Bible and discusses the lesson. There is always time for prayer and sharing of life issues where others in your group can help you walk through life and not be alone. Are there Small Group options available on-campus? Yes. You can contact Adamadia Vartsakis to find out more about the Small Groups that meet at the church. Is this something in addition to Sunday morning groups? No. Small Groups can meet any day of the week...even on Sundays. Meeting times depend on what day and time your group decides to meet. However, Small Groups do not take the place of corporate worship. We ask that all group members who meet on Sunday to attend either of our three identical services that same day.