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 As they evaluated the vision for their small group last January, Terri and Ginny, who lead a Covenant Group for women, felt the call to begin looking into Covenant Group outreaches. Both of the women felt that there was too much focus on the inward vision for the group and not enough focus on what the group could do to serve outwardly, so they formed a new vision.
It started small. Ginny and Terri brought some ideas before the group and together they decided on an initial project- tying blankets for The Dwelling Place. The idea was to get the group working together toward ministering to others. As they eased into the new role, walls began to break down between group members. The act of serving others was actually bringing the group closer together.
The next steps involved meeting with all the group members and establishing what kind of ministries they wanted to do and narrowing the parameters. This enabled each group member to be invested and involved in the decision making process and ultimately in ministering. This meeting also allowed the group to decide how to balance group time and outreach time. Their December outreach is to ring bells for the Salvation Army and to shop for Christmas gifts for a family in need.
There have been some challenges, however. For instance, it can be tough finding a task for everyone to do and encouraging everyone to be present at the outreach events. One aspect that Terri and Ginny emphasize is the idea of relationship. Even if there are not enough tasks for everyone, part of outreach is growing relationships with the people that are being ministered to. Terri and Ginny encourage group members to strike up conversations with people attending the outreach and to focus on building relationships in addition to serving through tasks.
 Despite these setbacks, both Terri and Ginny agreed that there have been several benefits that have come out of their Covenant Group outreaches. In addition to being able to serve others, both women say that it has helped group members to see each other’s personal gifts and talents. Also, as the group has ministered together they have become more willing to step outside of their comfort zone to minister in ways they may not have been willing to do before. Serving together has also helped the group to learn to work better together and to become more "other" oriented. Overall, Terri and Ginny’s group has become more unified through the process of ministering to others through outreach.
Their advice for beginning outreach in a Covenant Group? Go slow, set realistic goals and have a heart that is willing to serve. This month bell ringing, next month, who knows? They can’t wait to see how God will use this Covenant Group for His Kingdom.
poem by Lauren Taggart
e-mail him at laurentaggart@hotmail.com | 
