Community Christian Church (Naperville, IL) believes that life change happens best in small groups. They believe small groups offer you the chance to: 1.) Grow deeper in your relationship with God 2.) Connect with others in the church community 3.) Expand your vision of what God can through and in your life.  

They encourage their members to find biblical community by joining an adult small group of 8-16 people to connect weekly for encouragement and interaction. These small groups meet 1-2 hours a week typically at a home, church facility or restaurant.  

They realize that some people are interested in connecting with people who live close to them, are in the same stage in life, or at the same stage in their spiritual journey, so they offer a variety of connecting options:      

* Open/mixed adult groups: include multi-cultural, inter-generational    
* Men’s and women’s groups   
* Couples    
* Singles or the “spiritually” single groups    
* Support and recovery groups    
* Beginning Christ followers  

CCC focuses on an apprentice model and multiplying future leaders within their body. Because CCC has multi-site campuses, they have seen the importance of having small groups when launching a new location. Because of the need to grow God’s kingdom, they have created what they call Turbo groups- as they saw a great need for them initially.  

For 6-12 weeks, they equip, challenge and nurture people into new leaders of small groups, ministries, and/or other initiatives through Turbo groups. These are the advantages they see to having Turbo Groups: 1. They are a place where potential leaders receive encouragement. People are able to see themselves as potential leaders as they receive encouragement from their group leader.  

2. They are a great place for high-capacity leaders to emerge. When they start turbo groups, they look for apprentice coaches to work along side in developing new leaders. The coaches meet with the leaders one on one as they’re being developed.  

3. They help equip leaders with the skills, perspective, and confidence to lead small groups. Turbo groups give practical training and help. Leaders think through issues before they begin their small group.  

4. They provide a small group experience in the midst of learning. They allow attenders to experience various small group dynamics.  

CCC would say that if you’re considering launching a new location, and you want biblical community to be at the DNA of your new site, then turbo groups might be the most important thing you do. It will allow you to explore leadership in the context of a small group.  

CCC’s time commitment and qualifications for small group leaders are:  

·       weekly facilitation of small group meeting is 8 hrs/month.
·       weekly planning and preparation with apprentice leader (4 hrs./month)
·       monthly meeting with coach (1 hr./month)
·       monthly participation in leadership community (3 hrs./month)
·       connection with small group and invites (2 hrs/month)
·       participating in grouping events (occasionally)
·       leaders must have a Jesus-centered life
·       Humble/teachable
·       committed to the mission of helping people find their way back to God through small groups  

The above case study is a brief overview into the way CCC does small groups. The Editorial Team at Small Group Trader will be adding a more in-depth study in the months to come.