Questions on the Fall Life Group Campaign?

Here are a few answers to some of the questions you or your Life Group may be having about our Fall Church-Wide Life Group Study of The Me I Want to Be for 6 weeks September 12-October 21.

Why are we doing a Church Wide Life Groups Campaign?
We decided to do a Church-wide groups study for several reasons. First we have sensed an increasing desire for unity in our Life Group Community. In our 18 year history we have never all studied the same thing together at the same time in smaller groups. This is something Pastor Steve and our ministry leaders have been been thinking and praying about for several years so we decided to do it!

Secondly we want to help more people in our community get involved in a Life Group. In the past 2 years, our groups involvement has grown tremendously with an increased effort to bring attention to the importance of being a part of a smaller community.  Our hope is that by communicating for 6 weeks that we are all studying the same thing as a church, and emphasizing that if you’re not yet in a group we encourage you to get in one and join us, we will help the not yet connected 40%-50% to join a group.

What is the "Me I Want to Be" about? Why did we choose this study?
We chose the Me I Want to Be because it is a great study on how God transforms us and how we grow in Christ. It directly relates to the core vision of our Church of making disciples and apprentices of Jesus. What your group will learn together is that God wants to redeem each of us, and that the me we actually want to be, is the me that God has intended for us all along. We will explore how God changes us by his Holy Spirit into the best "version of me" there can be: a me that looks like Jesus. You can read more about it here.

Why do a DVD based study?
As a church we are promoting the Me I Want to Be DVD and a Bible Study Guide that some of our pastors wrote to go along with it. Reading the Me I Want to Be book is not a required part of doing the study. We recommend it because it is a great book, and you will get a lot out of it, but the study itself can be done without reading the book also. If you want to read the book as a group you can use the suggested reading plan here. Also, we wanted to create a format where new people can easily join a group, even after the study has started. With this DVD study a new unconnected person can jump in at any point in the 6 weeks and not feel lost or left behind.

Is the "Me I Want to Be" going to be tied into the Cornerstone Weekend Services?
Yes. Our hope is bring some different elements that tie what we are learning from the study into our weekend services together. That might include video, interviews, application in the teaching message, etc. During the Fall Church-wide Study the Cornerstone Weekly Study Guide will be replaced by the Me I Want to Be Study Guide.

Why 6 weeks?
We chose a 6 week study because it is an easy commitment for those who aren't sure about joining a group. We also want to respect the fact that many existing groups already have a regular schedule and plan for what they do as a group and we didn't want to interfere with that for 10-12 or more weeks.

What happens after the 6 week study ends?
After the 6 weeks our hope is that your Life Group will continue meeting together and study what you would normally study as a group. Whether it is a Bible Study, following the Cornerstone Weekly Study Guide, or doing another DVD or book study. If you don't know what to study the next 6 weeks until the Fall Groups session ends in December don't worry! We will be making some next study recommendations for you and your group.

Hopefully this answers any questions you or your group might have.  We hope you and your group won't miss out on the spiritual growth and the unity we will experience as we go through this study as one Body!

If you aren't in a group yet you can find one on our online group finder here.

If you have any other questions or your group hasn't yet committed to doing this study, and would like to please email Colby Phelps at colbyp@cornerstoneweb.org

Church-Wide Fall Life Group Campaign

The Me I Want to Be by John Ortberg
Sept 12 – Oct 21 (6 weeks)

The study will include The Me I Want to Be DVD preview here along with a Study Guide written by Cornerstone Staff.

You can download or print a copy of the Me I Want to Be Bible Study Guide here.

Individuals or groups can also purchase a copy of the book The Me I Want to Be to read along with the study, this is recommended but not required to participate. If you want to read the book along with the DVD Study you can find a suggested reading plan here.

A Copy of the DVD and printed copies of the Study Guide are free for each group and can be picked up at the Life Group Counter at any weekend service between now and September 12.

Please be in prayer for our Life Group Campaign this Fall. I believe God is going to do some amazing things in transforming us together!

If you have any questions or need any help with your group or this study please contact Colby Phelps at colbyp@cornerstoneweb.org 

Converge 8.21.11 - Main Session mp3

Adrian's main session talk from Converge on 8.21.11 is available for download here.

Service Opportunities

We are in need of volunteers for two different opportunities:

1) Serve The City is having a Back-To-School BBQ on August 20th at Serve The City Center. We are inviting the in-need families of Vineyard church and the surrounding areas for a Family BBQ with games and a free raffle – prizes will be school supplies. Not only are they in need of volunteers, but are also looking for school supplies. If you are able to help, please email Nikki at nicoleb@cornerstoneweb.org

2) We need more volunteers for the Life Groups counter during the weekend services! It is so rewarding to meet people and help them get plugged into groups. If you would like to help, click here to let me know when you are available to help.

Converge: A Leadership Gathering 8.21.11

Mark your calendars for Converge: A Leadership Gathering on Sunday 8/21 from 1-3pm!

We will talk about our Fall Life Groups, fellowship together, and enjoy lunch.

Register here