Parish Communities are a formative rhythm of discipleship at Oaks Parish that help our church abide in Christ Jesus for the renewal of all things. Each gathering expresses our core values: shared meals cultivate extended family, the regular rhythm of formative discussions deepen our walk with God, and serving one another activates a spirit of faithful presence.

Parish Communities will meet every other week starting the week of September 21. Gatherings will last around two hours and can take place on any evening of the week (excluding Thursdays, which are reserved so our many music volunteers can attend rehearsal without missing out on other OP events). Each meeting includes a shared meal, a time of discussion, and opportunities to serve through prayer, care for one another, and meeting the needs of neighbors. 

Discipleship groups have played a meaningful role at Oaks Parish, particularly in fostering spiritual formation and relational depth. Yet in our current season, this model presents two significant challenges. First, members often live in different parts of the city, making it difficult to share everyday life and build the kind of organic relationships we hope to cultivate. Second, once groups are formed, they tend to develop strong relational rhythms that can unintentionally make it harder for newcomers to join and feel fully integrated. For now, we’re pressing pause on discipleship groups and inviting everyone to fully invest in Parish Communities. Once these are established, we anticipate reintroducing men’s and women’s discipleship groups as part of the Parish Community structure. 

Eight Parish Communities will launch across the city the week of September 21. Group locations, hosts, and leaders were chosen through a demographic analysis of our members and regular attenders. To foster continuity and discipleship, we encourage everyone to join the group closest to their home. That said, people are welcome to join any group they prefer. All group details will be announced (and available here) starting September 7. Groups will remain open and visible year-round to help newcomers connect.

As we seek to help people find a parish community closest to where they live, group sizes will vary. We’re seeking the “goldilocks-zone” - a parish community size that feels “just right” and allows for connection and life-on-life discipleship. That being said, groups that are smaller leave room for growth and the inclusion of newcomers. We’ve intentionally made efforts to keep groups at that vibrant and healthy size. And if they do become too large, we can always create additional parish communities.

We believe the best group experience comes from faithful attendance and active participation. However, there is no formal commitment—life happens, and we understand that members will miss from time to time.

Each group is supported by two roles: a leader and a host. Leaders oversee the group schedule, communication, and discussion facilitation. Hosts prepare their homes and assist with hospitality and clean-up. Leaders and hosts are selected based on spiritual maturity, gifting, geography, and other practical factors. Both roles will receive initial training in September and ongoing support from Oaks Parish staff.

As an expression of extended family, children are a welcome part of Parish Communities. We hope these gatherings form joyful memories of life in Christ. Each group will discern how to involve children in meaningful ways. Our annual budget includes funds to help support childcare where needed.

Each meeting will include a formative discipleship discussion. Group leaders will choose a discussion guide that fits their context. Options include sermon-based reflections, Daily Lectionary readings (such as Evening Compline), or short Christian readings. All materials will be accessible to newcomers and rooted in Scripture and gospel-centered theology.

Absolutely. Parish Communities are a place where people can belong before they believe. Through friendships, honest discussion, and shared life, the curious can experience the love of Christ and the beauty of Christian community. We encourage participants to invite neighbors and friends.

As we seek to help people find a parish community closest to where they live, group sizes will vary. We’re seeking the “goldilocks-zone” - a parish community size that feels “just right” and allows for connection and life-on-life discipleship. That being said, groups that are smaller leave room for growth and the inclusion of newcomers. We’ve intentionally made efforts to keep groups at that vibrant and healthy size. And if they do become too large, we can always create additional parish communities.

Certainly! We want to encourage every person at Oaks Parish to pursue spiritual growth and meaningful relationships in ways that are life-giving and faithful. At the same time, if you’re a member or regular attender, we ask that you prioritize participating in a Parish Community. These groups are designed to be the primary context for relational discipleship at Oaks—where our core values come to life through shared meals, prayer, gospel-centered discussion, and intentional presence. We believe this shared rhythm will offer a robust and accessible path for growing in Christ together.

Yes. Parish Communities will pause for  major holidays and during the summer. The group calendar will be communicated in advance so you can plan accordingly.

Absolutely–and please do! Parish Communities are open to friends, neighbors, and coworkers—especially those exploring faith or looking for meaningful connection. These gatherings are a natural space for gospel hospitality.

Sunday worship is the center of our life together as a church, and Parish Communities flow out of that shared life. They provide a space to live out what we hear and receive on Sundays in deeper community, through shared meals, formative discussion and prayer, and service to one another and our neighbors. 

We welcome your feedback—it’s essential to helping us grow and strengthen our ministry. If you have questions, concerns, or reflections about your experience in a Parish Community, please speak directly with your group leader. For logistical questions, contact Martha Van Houten (martha@oaksparish.org). For deeper concerns or broader feedback about the vision or direction of the ministry, reach out to Karen Howells (karen@oaksparish.org).