GETTING CONNECTED IN OUR COMMUNITY

Perhaps as someone new to our community (or to this website), you know the overwhelming feeling of walking into a party where you may know next to no one and wondering what happens next. Chances are, you came to the party because you wanted to connect with someone and it was worth the initial awkwardness to seek what you were looking for. Coming to a spiritual community like a church really isn't all that different. You may have many questions about God and life and you wonder how to enter into this community to pursue these questions. Where do I start? How should I plug in? What am I supposed to do?

Getting connected at City Church Eastside will involve your willingness to participate in Christianity Explored, Missional Communities, and/or our mercy and justice work. Anyone and everyone is welcome to come and attend Sunday services but community is born out of much more than an hour or two together, once a week. We live in a world of God-shoppers and church-hoppers. Even in church, we seem to have an infinite capacity for consumption. Getting connected with God and other people is possible and desirable, but it will require a sacrifice of time, energy, and resources as you involve yourself in the mission and life of our community. Simply put, there is nothing more deeply satisfying than doing "life together."

CONVERSATIONS

Trying on Christianity to see if it fits can be a dressing-room experience, and sometimes this requires privacy. Conversations offers a safe and welcoming environment in a small group format to converse over the most salient questions asked of Christianity today. If you generally consider yourself a skeptic or are brand new to Christianity, this is an excellent starting point. Conversations is offered 1-2 times a year, lasting 8 weeks (2 four-week sessions; the second builds on the first, but is optional). For more information, contact Scott Armstrong.

MISSIONAL COMMUNITIES

We live in a fragmented and hurried city amidst a rootless and transient culture. Thus, Missional Communities are of utmost value at City Church-Eastside. In fact, we do not have Missional Communities, our church is Missional Communities. These are groups of 6 to 12 people meeting in residences throughout Atlanta's Eastside during the week, and are 1) the primary place for pastoral care in our church, and 2) the chief opportunity to develop meaningful, supportive, and loving relationships in our church. These groups consist of Bible and spiritual exploration, sharing, prayer, and social service projects and are facilitated by trained leaders that are given continued oversight and support.

Don't be afraid to ask people at City Church Eastside about their Missional Communities, remembering that every person in one was, at one point, uninvolved and perhaps as hesitant to get connected as you may be. We would encourage you to seek out a community group that is close to your home because geographical proximity is the primary way that extensive community gets forged. However, the most important value is getting involved. Each group sets up its own childcare so it is best to check with the leader of each group about your children.

SIGN UP ONLINE

We've made it easy for you to find a group and get involved.

We encourage you to sign up for one group at a time and attend that group 2-4 times before trying out another on. It usually takes that long to determine if a group is a good fit for you.

Our groups take one week off per month to serve together with a social service partner. If you are planning to attend a group for the first time, please email the group leader before showing up at the usual meeting place and time to make sure that the group is not involved in a service project that week. If you have further questions, please email us.

CONNECTION AT CITY CHURCH EASTSIDE

Connection at City Church-Eastside is the first step towards involvement in City Church Eastside. Here you will learn how to best participate in the life and ministry of our church. Connection at City Church Eastside is a Saturday evening dinner occurring quarterly at the home of Scott and Kerstin Armstrong.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Anyone and everyone who is a regular attender at City Church Eastside. Perhaps you have just started attending City Church Eastside and would like an overview of the church or you have spent a little time in a Missional Community and wonder, "What might come next in the membership process?"

COMMITMENT TO CITY CHURCH EASTSIDE

Commitment to City Church-Eastside is for those who are considering membership and who have attended Connection at City Church-Eastside. Here, our philosophy, theology, organization, and practice will be discussed. By the end of this seminar you will able to proceed with official membership at City Church-Eastside or will be able to make a more informed decision as to why you may decide not to join.

Commitment to City Church-Eastside meets two to three times per year, usually on Friday evening. To express interest, contact Scott Armstrong.