Relationships

At Grace, we believe that authentic, loving relationships should permeate every aspect of church life and that life change happens best in small groups (Communities of Grace). But truthfully, open and honest relationships are extremely difficult and can often become quite messy. So, instead, we settle for the superficial relationships that are easier and require much less time and energy. The ones that never stretch or challenge us because we are not forced to understand and subsequently share who it is that we really are. Throw into that mix people who come from different backgrounds, have different ideas about how things should be done, and at times you have a real challenge on your hands.

But at Grace Christian Church, it is our hope that we will rise up and embrace the relational challenges before us in order that we might become the kind of church that Christ himself gave shape to and longs to return for. We are convinced that God not only values authentic, loving relationships, but that these relationships are the foundation of the entire Christian faith.

>>Please select a group below for more information.

G.R.A.C.E. Groups

In and through His life, Christ showed us that value systems are created within the context of living, not studying. From His example, we at Grace have developed a Small Group ministry for the purpose of creating environments through which each participant is encouraged to establish deeper, more meaningful relationships with God and the people around them. Our GRACE Groups are interactive and inter relational, giving everyone a chance to participate and grow. In many ways, they help to put you in touch with people who, like you, are discovering who they are as individuals, how God made them, and the plan that He has for their lives.

Each Group meets weekly and consists of between 8 and 15 people who are committed to helping one another toward growth and life change. This might happen in any number of different ways, including bible study, worship, prayer, community service, fellowship, and a host of different shared experiences.

As we grow and develop the vision and purpose for these groups, we realize that they are only one of many different ways to encourage and foster kingdom relationships. However, we are convinced that each group will play a vital role in helping us to move towards becoming the kind of authentic, loving, biblical community we read about in the pages of the New Testament.

Our GRACE Groups require a commitment of 1 year, at the end of which time the participants are given a chance to evaluate whether or not they want to remain in the group or to explore other options. Each of our Groups have a basic DNA structure in which all of the individuals are pursuing a deper, more intimate relationship with God, a deeper, more intimate relationship with one another, and that have an intentional focus on serving others with needs outside of the group. All of these groups meet in different locations all over Monmouth County throughout the week. If you are interested in joining any one of our groups at Grace, please view our listing below:

Sunday
10:00am		*Youth* - Bill Asay - GCC Youth Room
12:00pm		Dave Kemp & Michael Keenan GCC Prayer Room
4:00pm		Jim & Lelia Armstrong (5 openings) Armstrong's House
5:30pm		Katinka Rife - GCC Prayer Room w/ Childcare (5:30pm-7:15pm)
		(To coordinate with Sunday evening Youth Group time.)

Monday
6:30pm		Reading Time - Dave Kemp GCC Conference Room
7:00pm		Small Group - Dave Kemp GCC Conference Room

Tuesday
7:00pm		Shelly Berghold/Carol Huggler GCC Prayer Room

Wednesday
1:00pm		Jen Castelo GCC Prayer Room
6:30pm		Paul Fisher (3-5 openings) GCC Conference Room
7:00pm		Darlene Zito/Janet Kluin GCC Prayer Room

Thursday
7:00pm		Men's Group - Fritz Bell/Bill Smith/Vincent Rife GCC Youth Room
7:30pm		Men's Group - Dave Kemp at Bill Brown's Home

Currently only childcare is being offered for the 5:30pm Sunday group

Connection Groups

A connection group is any sort of small group intended to be a regular point of connection for people at Grace. The groups can range from book clubs to prayer groups to dinner groups to biking groups. Groups are typically based around some sort of affinity and therefore are natural, informal ways to simply begin relationships with other people at Grace. The hope is that these groups will become a stepping stone for people to eventually move into a GRACE Group and/or ministry.

Our Connection Groups are time-bound groups, with clear beginning and ending dates (usually between 4-10 weeks in length). They are offered each Spring, Winter, and Fall, with a 1-month promotion/registration time leading up to their kick off. Each of our Groups offer a variety of different topics for the participants to choose from, focus on, and learn about. All of these groups meet in different locations all over Monmouth County throughout the week.

If you are interested in joining any one of our groups at Grace, please view our listing below:

Sunday
10:00am		*Youth* - Bill Asay - GCC Youth Room
12:00pm		Dave Kemp & Michael Keenan GCC Prayer Room
4:00pm		Jim & Lelia Armstrong (5 openings) Armstrong's House
5:300pm		Katinka Rife - GCC Prayer Room w/ Childcare (5:30pm-7:15pm)
		(To coordinate with Sunday evening Youth Group time.)

Monday
6:30pm		Reading Time - Dave Kemp GCC Conference Room
7:00pm		Small Group - Dave Kemp GCC Conference Room

Tuesday
7:00pm		Shelly Berghold/Carol Huggler GCC Prayer Room

Wednesday
1:00pm		Jen Castelo GCC Prayer Room
6:30pm		Paul Fisher (3-5 openings) GCC Conference Room
7:00pm		Darlene Zito/Janet Kluin GCC Prayer Room

Thursday
7:00pm		Men's Group - Fritz Bell/Bill Smith/Vincent Rife GCC Youth Room
7:30pm		Men's Group - Dave Kemp at Bill Brown's Home

Currently only childcare is being offered for the 5:30pm Sunday group

Prayer Group

The ministry of prayer exists to bring the power of God into people’s lives. At Grace, prayer is the most essential thing we do, as it precedes and under girds every ministry, activity, and program that we have or attempt to begin.

As a part of this ministry at Grace, we have a team of people who are intentionally committed to praying for others. Their desire is to be used by God to help people experience the love and power of Jesus Christ, and the healing, transformation, and freedom that He promises to give. The team members pray with the understanding that God’s concern for each person embraces every aspect of their beings and every area of their lives.

While all believers are called to pray, the prayer ministry team is an extension of the church’s formal pastoral ministry, guided by and accountable to the elders and pastoral staff. The team meets every Thursday night from 7:00-9:00PM and is also available to meet with you immediately following the Sunday morning worship service. If you would like to have someone pray for or with you personally or you are interested in serving in our prayer ministry in some way, please contact the church office at 732-542-7373.