Shepherd's Corner (September 3, 2025)
- Brian Lee
- Sep 3
- 3 min read
Dear Riverside Family,
As we step into a new season of ministry, I want to share my heart about one of the most essential parts of our life together as a church, also known as small groups.
By the way, to welcome those who are new to our community, we should avoid using acronyms that may feel like an unnecessary barrier. While names such as CREW, CLAY, and CG carry meaning and history, they can sometimes be confusing. Our goal is to be as welcoming and clear as possible, so that everyone who walks through our doors can immediately sense that they belong.
At Riverside, a small group is any gathering where people come together to live out their faith. This includes our Community Groups, the Special Choir, our Praise Team, Men’s Ministry, and even committees such as Missions and Compassion. Each of these is more than just a meeting or a program. They are vital parts of the body of Christ.
Why are small groups so important? Because our God Himself is community: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And as His people, created in His image, we cannot grow closer to God apart from belonging to His body. A Christ-centered and Gospel-driven church is not meant to be one large anonymous crowd, but a family of smaller communities where strangers become friends and friends become family.
This is why small group leaders matter so deeply. The role of a leader is not to be a Bible scholar or a perfect host. It is simply to be a facilitator—someone who makes space for others to connect, pray, share, and walk with God together. Leaders help create and maintain a safe and welcoming environment where trust can grow and faith can take root. One word to describe this is "Sanctification." We grow together into the headship of Christ Jesus.
To those who have led before, I would like to thank you. You’ve carried a sacred trust. And please consider stepping back in prayerfully. Your experience and love for God’s people are still needed. To those who have never led before, I want to encourage you to consider accepting the call. Leadership always begins with a willing heart. God often uses ordinary people in extraordinary ways when they simply say “yes.”
Our vision is simple yet powerful: that every person who walks through the doors of Riverside would find a place where they are known, prayed for, and encouraged to grow in faith. One word to describe this is "Connected." No one should walk the journey of faith alone. Through small groups, we live out the truth that in Christ, we are one body with many members, joined together and growing in maturity and unity in Him.
So, I invite you—whether you’ve led before or feel God nudging you to step forward for the first time—to consider becoming a small group leader. The harvest is plentiful, and the family of God needs you.
Let us continue to build a church where every person belongs, every voice is heard, and every gift is valued—for the glory of Christ and the joy of His people.
With gratitude and hope,
Pastor Brian Lee
P.S. You might already be a small group leader if…
You ever invited people into your home or shared a meal,
You enjoy listening and making space for others,
You can ask a simple question and let others talk,
you’re willing to pray—even with simple words,
Or you simply care about helping people feel welcome and connected.
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