Small Groups

For more information about Small Groups, call the church at (503) 635-3443, or by email. Newcomers are welcome to participate in any Small Group opportunity.

COMMUNITY GROUPS SUMMER ELECTIVES

Groups will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., followed by church service from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  All electives will meet in the Family Center building.  Fellowship/snack time will continue to take place from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in the main gym area.)  As usual, everyone will be free to choose the class that seems to best fit their area of interest; or, move from one class to the other based on the particular topic offered for a given week.

Following is a description of the classes that will be offered:

THE THEOLOGY AND LIFE OF THE CHURCH
June 20 - July 25

Dr. Brad Harper will be teaching a series on “The Theology and Life of the Church” June 20 through all of July. His topics include: The church as a worshipping community as a witnessing community; as a serving community; as a sacramental community and the church in a postmodern world.

Dr. Harper, holds a PhD in Historical Theology. Before coming to Multnomah University, he served for thirteen years as associate pastor and church planting pastor at two Evangelical Free churches. His published work includes articles on the church's role in social ethics, history of American Evangelicalism, theology of culture, and Roman Catholic/Evangelical dialogue.

JESUS: THE MINISTRY YEARS OF POPULARITY
June 20 - September 12

Dr. Joseph Zichterman will teach "Jesus: The Ministry Years of Popularity" (Matthew 5-14), June 20 through September 12 (except for July 4 and August 30). This series explores the life and teachings of Jesus from the time His public ministry began until the beginning of His final year of opposition, answering the following questions:

1. In what sense was the "Sermon on the Mount" Jesus' 95-theses for first-century Judaism?
2. For what purposes did the Gospel writers select the specific material they included in their books?
3. How can we properly interpret Jesus' parables and statements about the kingdom of God?
4. How can we understand Jesus' continual conflict with the religious leaders in transitioning from the Old to the New Covenant?
5. What practical life-lessons can we learn from Jesus' teaching about anger, sex, divorce, prayer, human relationships, money,  practical legalism and demonic possession?

Dr. Zichterman earned a PhD in Biblical Studies and is currently finishing a PhD in Historical Theology. He served as a senior pastor in Wisconsin for 8 years and a full-time undergraduate professor of Bible and Theology for 11 years, currently at  Multnomah University.

IN THE WORLD BUT NOT OF THE WORLD - REDEMPTION WITHOUT ACCOMMODATION, FOLLOWING CHRIST IN CONTEMPORARY CULTURE
August 1 - September 12

Our Senior Pastor Gregg Borror will be teaching a class on how to follow Christ in contemporary culture in a way that is redemptive, rather than combative.  This class will start in August and end on September 12. His topic is: IN the World but not OF the World - Redemption Without Accommodation, Following Christ in Contemporary Culture. This class will look at various cultural markers, exploring their Idea-olatry-pseudo-gods, Theological pitfalls, Words of Redemption, and comparing these to the Biblical Perspective.  Cultural Markers: Philosophical; Technological; Political; Scientific; Economic; Artistic; Religious; and Ecological.

DISCOVERING MOUNTAIN PARK CHURCH

Are you new to Mountain Park Church? If you have been worshipping with us for some time, you may have questions about who we are, what we believe, and how you can become part of our church family. Keep your eye out for the next upcoming Discovering Mountain Park Church class, led by Pastor Gregg. These regularly scheduled events also include lunch and childcare.

Community Groups Community building is one of our primary purposes at Mountain Park Church. Community Groups are designed to do just that – provide fellowship around the Word. We want to provide a place everyone can call their own. Community Groups are on summer schedule now through September 12. See the class options above. Sundays, 9:30 a.m. Fellowship InC (stands for In-Christ): approx. ages 25-50. Legacy Builders: approx. ages 25-45. Sojourners: approx. ages 55-65. Ambassadors (65+)

Home Groups Home Groups meet regularly for closer fellowship and deeper study, learning to apply the truths of Christian living in their every day lives. These Groups meet on different evenings during the week, in home settings. Topics vary, and can range from current events, social issues, and faith development, all from a Christian viewpoint. Books by various authors are often featured, or even sermons from Pastor Gregg's sermon series. A brochure is in the works with the current schedule. Keep an eye out here for that information!

Celebrate Recovery Meets Fridays, 6:30 p.m. at the church. This ministry is for people with hurts, hang-ups, and habits who want to grow in self-awareness and spirituality by working through a Christ-centered 12 step program. Check out Celebrate Recovery’s national website: www.celebraterecovery.com

ELL (English Language Learners) Meets at the church on Thursdays, 6:30-8:15 p.m. to help those that are new to the English language.