At Renaissance Church, we believe we were created to be in community. We believe we're called to care for each other. Our community life groups are a key way we provide opportunities for you to grow in your faith, to be known and cared for, and to grow in your relationships with other Jesus followers.
We're excited to launch a new season of groups for the spring 2023 season!
*Registration for Spring 2023 DNA Groups is now closed.*
DNA Groups (Discipleship - Nurturing - Accountability) provide an encouraging space to wrestle with who Jesus is and what it means to follow him. God made us to be in community, so we need others to help us apply the gospel to our lives. DNA Groups are also a key way that our church ensures you are known and cared for.
Each week, DNA groups meet to watch a short teaching video, discuss the previous week's sermon, discuss life, and to pray together. All of the content is designed to help us follow Jesus and renew our minds with the gospel.
DNA Groups consist of 8-10 participants, who come together via virtual video call (Zoom or Google Hangouts) or meet in person, based on preference.
While we hope--and certainly expect--you to form friendships with people in your group, DNA groups are not social clubs. We intentionally place everyone in groups where they'll interact with people who have different backgrounds. We believe these diverse perspectives help us get more out of our scripture reading and give us more opportunities to put our faith into action. The ultimate goal is for us all to grow in the way we follow Jesus.
DNA Groups will begin meeting the week of March 5, 2023 and will meet for eight consecutive weeks (with a break for Easter Week).
Yes.*
It's a yes with an asterisk, because we first want you to ensure you have the time and willingness to show up consistently. We often say, "You'll get out what you put in to your group." If we all show up consistently and honestly, we'll have really meaningful growth and connection. But when some of us say we'll be there and don't show up, others in our church experience hurt, which we want to avoid.
Also, if you do not live in New York City but call Renaissance home, you may sign up for a virtual group. Your consistency is just as important, and you will likely be placed in a group with other people who live outside of NYC.
When you register you will see space to indicate your preference for in-person meetings vs. virtual meetings.
We know many of you desire to meet with your group in person. At the same time, organizing in-person DNA Groups will be possible only to the extent that some of you register and indicate you’re open to having 8 people meet in your home. We’ll try to put 2-3 willing hosts in each group, so the hosting can be shared. But the number of in-person groups we’re able to organize will depend on the willingness of people to open their spaces. We say this not to place pressure on people to do something they aren’t comfortable with, but to set accurate expectations as you register for groups.
For spring 2023, we will offer groups in the following formats:
- Virtual men's groups
- Virtual women’s groups
- In-person men’s groups
- In-person women’s groups
- In-person co-ed groups.
*Registration for Spring 2023 DNA Groups is now closed.*