Steve and Mary started a Bible study for a small group of interested friends meeting in their suburban house. They didn't seeing themselves as a church at that stage, had no real plans to establish one. They never imagined that their group would become Oak Valley Community Church. Steve and Mary thought of themselves as ordinary people with no special talent. He worked as an accountant in the city, and she worked several days each week as a nurse in a small suburban hospital. Like their friends, they had mortgages to pay and kindergartners to bring up.

The group made time to have fun together, taking the kids to the zoo and barbecues in the park. They borrowed each other's lawnmowers and learnt about each other's hobbies. When Emma, another member of the group, was sick for two weeks with a mysterious virus, the others babysat her three children and did some cooking for her.

Not everything was easy; minor disputes occasionally flooded the whole group with disillusionment and whispered the thought that they might as well disband.

Steve and Mary ran the group informally, usually by telephone. At first there were no elections but most group members could point to them as ``the people who usually organize things.'' Later on, though, they were officially chosen by consensus in discussion, mainly as a measure to stave off chaos.

Many churches start like Steve and Mary's group. It's an exciting time that nobody forgets. Being part of a little nucleus church is an emotionally intense experience; those who learn its lessons well are wise people.

Much of what they do is personal and happens outside their group meetings. They talk about what is real and important to them, and it's helpful that they can relate it to what the Bible is talking about. The problems discussed in the New Testament are much the same as those that they face. They perceive very clearly the intensity and vitality of Paul's letters, and understand his struggles to overcome continual obstacles and disappointments.

A little later on, the members realized that they are pioneering a new church, and they make big sacrifices of time, energy, and money. Growth is slow; being a small group, they feel they don't know many people and they continually look for ways to connect with community around them. They have few resources other than their own vision and enthusiasm.

Tips:

• Find out what it will take to start growing. Plug into people around you to find who is open to the Gospel.
• Learn from your strengths. The warm interpersonal dynamics are something that old, tired churches only dream about.
• Keep your vision in front of you; don't give in to discouragement.