Hightower Publications direct to church Reading program

Building a Connected Church Through Life Groups

Building a connected church requires meaningful relationships, and Life Groups have proved an invaluable way to foster those connections. Through our Reading Life Groups program, we aim to help create deeper fellowship while sharing Christian fiction that is both fun and educational. Here’s how Life Groups can benefit your church:

Purpose of Reading Life Groups

1. Foster Fellowship and Communion
   Life Groups provide opportunities for members to connect on a deeper level, cultivating fellowship and a sense of community through shared reading experiences.
2. Promote Fun, Educational Engagement
   By reading Christian fiction rooted in biblical principles, members gain insights into spiritual truths in a non-preachy, relatable way. These stories inspire reflection while keeping readers entertained.
3. Offer Enjoyable Recreational Opportunities
   Everyone seeks some form of entertainment, and Life Groups allow members to enjoy stories that reinforce Christian values while sharing the joy of reading in a group setting.
4. Support Church Activities
   Life Groups also raise funds for church activities, all while helping participants build stronger relationships with one another.
5. Provide Social and Educational Benefits
   Through group discussions and shared reading experiences, members grow socially, emotionally, and spiritually. These groups offer a unique balance of recreation, education, and fellowship.

Developing Fellowship

Reading an enjoyable Christian novel together allows members to stir each other up in their faith, discussing both the story and the biblical scripture the author uses. Often, group discussions lead to members referencing even more verses, expanding their biblical knowledge.

Life Groups consist of two key meetings:

• First Meeting: Members pick up their signed copy of the novel, enjoy a brief meet-and-greet (possibly with the author via video conference), and begin their reading journey.
• Second Meeting: This is a discussion-based gathering where the group reflects on the book, using author-provided questions to guide conversation. Light refreshments are recommended to create a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.

Groups may decide to meet more frequently based on their preferences. Typically, the reading period between the first and second meetings is around two months.

Fun and Educational Experience

Through engaging with Christian fiction, members will explore how biblical principles influence the lives of characters in the novels—whether through their triumphs or failures. These stories help believers see how decisions, both Christ-centered and not, impact daily life. The characters’ experiences offer relatable lessons on standing up for one’s faith and moral beliefs.

Better Recreation for All

Everyone needs a break from the demands of work and daily life. Life Groups provide a chance to unwind and escape into a world of Christian fiction, where members can enjoy meaningful fellowship and spiritual growth in a recreational environment. This balance of entertainment and faith reinforcement helps members naturally strengthen their beliefs.

Raising Funds for Church Activities

Participation in the Life Group is secured by purchasing a ticket, which demonstrates the reader’s commitment to joining the group for the duration of the session. Each ticket, priced at $30, includes:

• A signed Deluxe Edition of the selected novel.
• A Christian-themed bookmark.
• The meet-and-greet sessions, with an opportunity to interact with the author (in person or virtually).

A portion of the ticket price—30%—is donated to the church, providing valuable funds for its ongoing activities and ministries. This portion normally goes to the retailer, but through Life Groups, it directly benefits the church.

Meeting the Entertainment Needs of Children and Adults

It’s essential for pastors and church administrators to recognize that both young children and adults are constantly seeking entertainment in today’s world. If the church and parents don’t actively provide enriching, faith-affirming options, people may turn to entertainment that doesn’t reinforce Christian values. This can lead to influences that pull them away from their faith.

By offering Reading Life Groups and other Christian-based activities, the church can create positive environments where entertainment and spiritual growth go hand in hand. Christian fiction, for example, serves as a fun yet meaningful way to engage people of all ages, encouraging reflection on biblical truths while enjoying captivating stories.

Ensuring that the entertainment needs of your congregation are met within a faith-centered framework not only supports spiritual growth but also helps protect the hearts and minds of both children and adults from worldly influences that may conflict with their Christian beliefs. Life Groups are a valuable tool in fostering this kind of holistic, Christ-centered engagement.

The cost of Lee’s program is comparable to the ticket prices of bookstore signings, and covers the authors cost while providing funds to the church. Other authors will soon be added.

For more information please email Lee at Lee@Leewimmer.net