Forming a Cairn

A Cairn is a place to pause together to check your path in your journey as a disciple of Jesus. It is a point of support and encouragement as well as a place of challenge and accountability. The basic structure is to pray, eat and study together. There will be a focus on wellbeing with a further emphasis on growing as missional disciples together. How you do this will depend upon you. We will point you to resources, but you shape the way you do things.

What is the expectation?

The commitment that we are looking for is a regular monthly meeting that will be between an hour to an hour-and-a-half long. This gives time to pray for one another, eat a meal, whether that’s breakfast, lunch or dinner, and then look together at something that helps you in your journey of discipleship. The study could be a book that you read together or a practice that helps you to follow Jesus. We hope that some Cairns will be places where each member defines a rule or rhythm of life.

Getting Going

Cairns are made up of three to six people, often of the same gender as this can help us to be more open. You don’t need to be best friends already. The key ingredients in a group are a willingness to be honest and vulnerable with each other and to pray for one another, along with a shared desire to follow the way of Jesus.

Think of the people that you would like to spend time with. Asking someone to be in a Cairn with you can be intimidating. Be bold in stepping out and asking. It can take time to find the right people. Forging life-shaping community to help us follow Jesus in this diocese is worth it.

Group Dynamics

In any group it takes time to build trust and work out patterns of doing things. Cairns will take time to establish and grow. Be patient with one another and commit to the process. Remember you are not alone in doing this. All across our diocese these groups are being formed.

We will be learning with you as we take this step and celebrating the new life that Cairns bring.