Harambee Groups

Harambee Groups are small groups of people that join together to love God, to love each other like family, and to join in God’s mission to South Seattle together. The majority of Harambee’s everyday fellowship, friendship, counseling, and mission occurs in Harambee Groups.

Distinctives of Harambee Groups

• Harambee Groups are gatherings of believers dedicated to one another and the gospel
• Harambee Groups are expected to be places of deep fellowship as,
• Each Harambee Group has a unique mission, and
• The majority of Harambee pastoral care occurs in a Harambee Group

What happens in a Harambee group?

• People come together to know God in Jesus together
• People come together to worship God together
• People come together to celebrate and enjoy Christ together
• People come together to join God in His mission together

How is this accomplished?

• Knowing God: The word is opened, questioned, discussed, and celebrated in Harambee Groups. Specific attention is given to questions of how the gospel is worked out in each of our hearts. Note: In 2007-8 we will be primarily using the “How People Change” material to facilitate this discussion.
• Worshipping God: Believers join in prayers of thanksgiving, encouragement of each other, serving each other (by watching kids, paying for a meal in the city for the group, serving the group food), If desired, Harambee groups can also sing together, read poems and psalms, etc.
• Celebrating and Enjoying God: People in Harambee groups cannot help but talk about their joy in Christ. This naturally leads to Christ-centered encouragement and building up of those in need.
• Joining In God's Mission: Harambee Groups are committed to pushing forward for the gospel by being incarnate, subversive, justice-giving, Gospel communities.
o Harambee Groups each have a specific, defined mission or set of missions that the group participates in.
o Harambee Groups speak God’s truth to each other and to the outside world.
o Harambee Groups join together in practical service of their communities
o Harambee groups regularly and sacrificially care for each other's needs both gathered together and throughout the week.
o Harambee groups regularly and frequently join in prayer for their own needs, for the kingdom's advancement in their local or vocational setting, both gathered together and throughout the week. Harambee groups reach out and invite outside participation and dialogue.

What are the expectations of Harambee Group leaders?

• They are demonstrably committed to knowing, worshipping, enjoying and joining God in Christ.
• They are demonstrably committed to and passionate about God's mission in their local or vocational setting.
• They are demonstrably committed to the overall mission of Harambee Church and the leaders of Harambee Church.
• They are committed to train at least one other Harambee group leader in their group.

Other Notes:

• Attendance of a local Harambee group will be necessary for personal growth and health at Harambee.
• Harambee groups should shoot for a weekly meeting.
• Harambee church leaders should be able to get a spiritual barometer reading of the overall health of the church from Harambee Group leaders.
• Words you should be able to associate Harambee Groups with, and words that Harambee Groups will be evaluated by: Jesus, Knowing, Worshipping, Enjoying, Joining, Light, Warmth, Joy, Health, Fellowship, Mission, Sacrifice, Service,

FAQ

Q: I want to start a group that is more focused on a specific counseling / fellowship need in the body. Would that be considered a Harambee Group?
A: If the group does not have a specific, externally-facing mission (i.e., bringing the gospel in proclamation and service to specific non-believers) it would not be considered a Harambee Group. This would not mean that the group could not exist, but it would mean that the elders and leaders of Harambee would want the groups members to commit to it in addition to committing to a Harambee Group.

Q: I’m having a difficult time working through the concept of “mission”. Should I still go to a Harambee Group?

A: Yes! Obedience to God’s call on our lives to His mission is difficult, and we anticipate questions, struggles, and failures along the way. Indeed, we believe that mission without real heart change birthed from love and knowledge of Christ is bankrupt. Please join us and a Harambee Group regardless of your level of understanding or passion for mission, and we will work together on this calling.

Q: What should I do if I want to start a Harambee Group?

A: We will always be looking for new Group leaders and new inroads for the gospel in South Seattle. If you are feeling called to start a Harambee Group, please contact Aaron Youngren. Be prepared to speak to your involvement in your current Harambee Group, to your passion for the mission God is calling to, and to the ways that God has prepared you for this calling.

Q: Are Harambee Groups for believers only? Or can we invite non-believers too?

A: While Harambee Groups can be open to non-believers, there are several essential ingredients in a Harambee Group that may make it not the most comfortable place for non-believers. For instance it is essential that the believers in a Harambee Group
1. Talk to one another openly about dialogue between the scriptures and their lives
2. Talk to one another openly about the mission that God has called them to
3. Pray for one another
As such, the missional focus of the Harambee Group will probably require its members to participate both by attending a regular meeting of the members of the group and participating in the mission of the group throughout the week. An example of this would be a group meeting on a Wednesday to read the word, pray, and plan for a Saturday night party that the group will host. In this example, the most appropriate place for missional relationship between the group and the non-believer will probably be the S
aturday night party.

Q: Why are Harambee Groups asked to identify specific areas of mission?

A: Identifying of specific areas of mission has many benefits. A few might be:
1. Harambee Church is able to better evaluate whether our call to mission is being practically lived out.
2. Mission as a biblical lifestyle becomes less abstract and more approachable as groups discuss what it means in their context.