Small Groups

Want to get connected with other people in the church? Join a small group! A church can't do any better for its people than to connect them to one another in this way. Pretty much everyone who has joined a small group will tell you the same thing:

1. "I was so nervous the first time I went."
2. "I can't imagine not being in a group now."

We hope you'll consider getting connected.
 

Note: We need to start more groups, and that means we need more group leaders! If you are interested in exploring whether this might be a good fit for you, click to go to our Ministries page and request more information.

Regarding child care: Wildwind has made a decision as a church to not provide child care for our events and programs.  We believe this is best left to parents to handle.  Small groups often cooperate to make sure all children are cared for.  Please contact the leader of your group if you think you will need assistance or ideas with this.
Category:

Name Category City Time Focus Details
McLaughlin Small Group  Couples Davison  6:30PM Every Thursday  Married couples  View »
Abdella Small Group  Women Davison  6:00PM Every Tuesday  College, Post-college, and adults  View »
Christy Flowers Small Group  Couples Davison  6:00PM Every Wednesday  Couples  View »
Jason Kotarski Small Group  Men Flint  6:00PM Every Wednesday  Married and Single  View »
Lisa Kotarski Small Group  Women Flint  5:30PM Every Wednesday  Married and Single Mother's and Children Under Age 4  View »
Hendricks Small Group  Men Grand Blanc  7:00PM Every Tuesday  Adults  View »
Derusha Small Group  Women Grand Blanc  6:00PM Every Tuesday  Adults  View »
Stevenson Group  Mixed Groups Grand Blanc  6:30PM Every Tuesday  Married and Single  View »

Small Groups

Q. My last church didn't teach anything about being in a small group.  Why does Wildwind encourage it so much?
A. Wildwind encourages all our people to be in a small group because people can be impressed from a distance, but they can only be impacted from up close.  The Sunday morning service can inspire you, get you pumped up, and teach you some important things, but it cannot replace a network of personal relationships.

As Wildwind gets larger it will naturally become more difficult to connect with others and build relationships.  Small group participation will assure that every person has the opportunity to have a network of friends to share life's journey with.

If after this explanation you still do not understand why it is so important, that is because you have probably never been part of an effective small group before.  All we ask is that you give it a try.  Everyone who has ever joined a group has been nervous at first -- that is a natural feeling.  But everyone who has ever done it has also understood very quickly why we encourage it so much!

Get information on small groups here.

Q. What if I never join a small group?
A. We cannot make you, and even if we could that would be missing the point!  But we will consistently encourage all of our people to connect in this way.

Q. What if I've been too nervous to join a small group?
A.

Believe me, we’ve all been there. Stepping out of our comfort zone is never easy, yet God reward’s that kind of by-faith action step. You’ll be glad to know that our small group leaders have gone through specific training in the area of helping new comers to feel comfortable and at ease.

Q. What if I don’t like so and so in my group?
A.

E.G.R.(extra grace required) people are often times not fun to be around. Have you ever considered that “so and so” may be just the reason that God has placed you in the group? One of the best ways to grow in Jesus is through the buffering of those who rub us the wrong way.

Q. What about when new people come into my group and it isn’t the same?
A.

New people can change the dynamics of a group. Change by nature rocks the boat, yet in the end new blood can create added depth to a group. Also, remember Rick Warren’s words on day one of the 40 days of purpose…”It’s not about you.” There are times when we need to willingly let the focus shift to the needs of the new member(s) of the group.

Q. What if I am not growing spiritually?
A.

All of us experience seasons of decelerated spiritual growth. That’s how the Christian life works. It’s while going through those chapters in your life that you need the support and accountability of your small group more than ever.

Q. What do I do if group just doesn’t seem to be working for me any more?
A.

Being a part of a small group can be compared to being in a marriage. There will be times of great celebration as well as times when it might seem easy to just bale on the commitment. We believe that when it come to the relationships in our lives, God wants us to ride out those low times, realizing that better days may be just around the corner.  This quality of relational consistency is called faithfulness.

Q. What if I don’t like the material we’re doing?
A.

We all have topics that don’t get us all that excited. When the material in your group isn't "doing it" for you, remember that the main reason you are in the group is the relationships, not the resources!  Always be positive about the material your group is doing, realizing that God may be using it to change the life of another person.  We just cannot always know what the needs are of other people.

Q. What if I couldn’t get into a group with so and so?
A.

It’s only human to want to be placed in a group with friends we know well. Although that seems like the best route, it can create cliques that end up leaving other people out in the cold. The developing of new relationships is a good thing for you as well as for the overall health of the church.  Our small groups are arranged to make it likely that close friends can get into groups together.  But also each group will be likely to have newcomers.

Q. I am upset that my group has to multiply and start a new group. What if I want to keep it the way it is?
A.

As members of a small group, we can relate to your sentiment. It’s difficult to multiply a group and have to separate from those individuals with whom you’ve invested deeply. The fact is that when groups don’t multiply they inevitably begin to deteriorate and eventually become toxic. We acknowledge that multiplication is not easy, yet it is essential for the overall health of our small group ministry. Wildwind MUST remain focused on continuin to offer opportunities for everyone to be in a group, and we can only do that as our people remain committed to offering to others what has been offered to them.

Q. What do I do when the time commitment has started to get to me?
A.

We agree that it’s not always easy to carve out time for small group participation. Yet no worthwhile activity comes without a price.  Please remember that for many people growth happens primarily within the small group setting and not one of us can risk not investing needed time in this valuable asset.  We have structured our groups on a "semester" system, so breaks up to a month long are built right into the schedule and from there you small group leader will work with your group to set a schedule that is right for the group.

Q. What is the biggest difference being in a small group will make in my life?
A. If you go back and read all the FAQ's in the small group section, you'll notice that, naturally, they are all questions about "me."  Small group helps us get over ourselves!  But even small group is just a step in that direction.  Groups will plan service projects and other things that will help us contniue growing to become less about ourselves and more about  God and others.

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