First United Methodist Church of DeLand

Learning the LINGO……

You hear this “insider” lingo, but what does it all mean? If you are new to the church or to the concept of small groups ministry, this connection guide is for you! Let’s start with some of the terms used when speaking about NEXUS.

O.K. but what does it mean in the church?

Nexus is the name of the small groups ministry here at the First United Methodist Church of Deland. It has been developed in an attempt to bring together individuals from the congregation to form a more cohesive community.

What does a Nexus small group look like?
A Nexus group consists of 8-14 individuals who meet together in a home or other common location for fellowship, Bible study, prayer, accountability, and fun!

NEXUS Terms

To get better acquainted with the Nexus leaders and ministry, here are a few terms which will be used:

Key Leadership:
The church staff overseeing Nexus will be the Assistant Pastor and the Discipleship/Program Director. They will provide training, direction, and curriculum ideas as requested by the groups.

Nexus Lay Director: This position is a lay person under the Membership section of the H.O.M.E. team ( Hospitality, Outreach, Membership care, and Environment ministry teams). This key lay person will provide direct assistance to the group leaders and coaches. He/She will keep records of all Nexus groups and will help guide new persons into Nexus groups. He/She will find ways to help Nexus groups grow and reproduce additional small groups.

Nexus Coaches: Nexus coaches are key lay persons who will help oversee a small number of Nexus groups. They are not the leaders of the groups, but peothe support system for the Nexus group leaders. They assist groups who may be struggling to find their identity as a group, and support the leaders in discovering new ways to grow and multiply. They meet with each of their Nexus leaders for prayer, accountability, and support.

Nexus Group Leaders: These are hands-on leaders of individual Nexus group. They will organize and lead groups in all activities. They are the most important part of the Nexus ministry. They help plan the group meetings; they work with groups to help them find their own mission and vision; they lead in discovering the type of group the members hope to develop; and they report to their coaches regularly.

Nexus Apprentices: These are committed members of Nexus groups who are "leaders-in-training.” They will
learn the dynamics of small groups and will eventually lead a Nexus group of their own. They are there to assist the Nexus group leader and will participate in all group activities.

Nexus Hosts / Hostesses: These are the wonderful people who open their homes or some other place for the Nexus group to meet. They plan the refreshments when indicated, as well as other details, providing an atmosphere of fellowship for the group.

Some Nexus Key Values:

Empty Chair: The empty chair represents that there is always room for others to join the group.

Must Multiply: Each group will grow and birth additional groups. It is our prayer that many groups can be established from the original core group.

Mission Minded: Each group will reach out to their community, and participate in an on-going ministry at the First UMC.

Spiritual Growth: Each group will develop their own plan for spiritual growth. It can be a group discussion, a curriculum, or a simple devotional that fits the group’s interest. Each member shoul grow spiritually as a participant.

We / Us Mentality: As Rick Warren says in his Purpose Driven Life book, “it’s not about me.” We will maintain the “we/us” mentality. We will be there to support one another and the church, always building the Body of Christ as a community.

Upward: (with GOD - Growing in our relationship with Christ) We see small groups as an essential place where people can find Jesus Christ as their Savior and grow in their relationship with Him. We want to see people spiritually develop Christ-like attitudes and lifestyles that will glorify our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Eph. 5:1-2; I Thess. 1:6; Heb. 13:7-8; Phil. 3:8-14)

Inward: (with One Another within the Nexus group. Growing in our relationship with others) A place where FELLOWSHIP takes place, FRIENDSHIPS are built, and people are FOLDED into the church. (Heb. 10:24-25; Acts 2:43-47) We will seek to love and help each person to grow in Christ by using the spiritual gifts, talents, and abilities that God has given to us. (I Cor. 12-14)

Outward: (with Others – Growing by Reaching Out to Those Around Us) Because each person is important to God, the empty chair represents that we will invite others into our lives and our group. We will also work toward the goal of starting other small groups so that more people can be reached for Christ. (Mt. 28:18-20) Because we follow God’s Great Commission, each group will find ways to reach out and serve the community and support the outreach ministries of the First United Methodist Church.

Forward: (with Multiplying Leaders – Growing by Multiplying and Building Up God’s Church) We will seek to glorify God and to enhance the ministry of our local church by being accountable, supportive, and submissive to the leadership of the church. (Rom. 12, 16:17-18; Titus 3:1, 10-11; I Cor. 1:10; Heb. 13:17) We will also seek to multiply godly leaders and work toward the goal of fulfilling God’s Great Commission (Mt. 28:18-20).

All the Nexus groups will be supported by these healthy small group components: Committed attendance: To give priority to group meetings and let the leader or host know when we cannot attend.

Participation: To share responsibility of the group (this may include leading the group lesson, fellowship time, prayer, etc.).

Accountability: To give permission to group members to hold each other gently accountable for the goals they set for themselves.

Confidentiality: To keep anything that is said strictly among ourselves unless otherwise agreed upon.

Accessibility: To give permission to call upon one another in time of need.

Respect: To offer respect to others’ comments by active listening and not monopolizing conversation. Also, by accepting the right to “pass” on questions or activities by any member.

First UMC support: To give support through our prayers & our time to the ministries and staff of the First United Methodist Church of Deland.

Do you have questions about Nexus groups?
Please contact one of the following Nexus leaders.

Dan & Peggy Mault 386-734-1169
Nexus Lay Leader

Barbara Stricklin 386-734-5113, ext.18
Director of Discipleship & Christian Education
Nexus Curriculum and Promotions

Ann Necessary 386-734-2160
Nexus Youth Coordinator