This Christian church group meets once per month on a range, either official or just one we have developed in a rural area or at somebody’s house. I am the Group Leader and plan where and when we will shoot. I have to make sure that the group is inclusive (it is family friendly-women and kids welcome), and safe. Since we began the group activities about 7 months ago (now August 2007) we have had about a dozen inexperienced shooters join us. That means that safety is absolutely paramount and takes first place in the list of priorities when we go out to shoot.

Before going into the particulars of the activities of this church group, I want to be sure to point out the value of Small Groups in a Christian church. Our church has a real congregation of around 3500 people. Small Groups are the primary connection point for many people who are anchored in the church by developing close relationships within the groups that they attend. Harvest Time has Community Small Groups which are general in their scope of activity, S.I.G.H.T. Groups (Shared Interest Groups at Harvest Time), and Leadership Groups which operate within the individual ministries to care for, develop and recruit people for those ministries.

Right on Target is a S.I.G.H.T. Group which is a great type of group, for not only connection, but for outreach to people who will not attend church. Many times, people who have rejected Christianity and consequently church, have been convinced by their association with Christians in a Small Group that Christians are the real deal and church is a vital and enjoyable part of the Christian life.

This Christian church group is operating because of the openness to innovation and trust of the Pastor and Elders of Harvest Time. The reward for that openness and progressive thinking is the continual forward movement of the church in attracting new people. These type Small Groups get out where people live and play and provide an inclusive environment.

To operate this group or one where some degree of risk is present, a church must take precautions to avoid litigation in case of an accident. Our precautions start at the group level, requiring each group that undertakes physical activity to have a set of written rules to be adhered to absolutely during the group activity meetings. Right on Target shooters get a “new shooter’s packet” that consists of a set of NRA Safety Rules, the Right On Target Range Rules, and Harvest Time medical waivers that are signed by each person before participating in the group shoots. Added to that is a Range Officer who watches to see that the Right on Target range rules are adhered to absolutely. The result of those safety steps is 8 months of shooting with people at all skill levels without injury.

As to the operation of the group meetings, I pretty much carry a complete, portable range setup in my van. This includes, bowling pins, target backing, colored paper targets, potatoes, clay pigeons, balloons,and a portable trap machine. At each meeting it takes about 30 minutes for a dozen people to unload and set up whatever range we meet on. But the beauty of this portable way of doing things is that whether it is a National Forrest Range, or a setup behind somebody’s house, we have a colorful, challenging range for all types of shooting.

Check out this melon vaporized by a 50 caliber jacketed hollow point. The melon didn't just explode when shot, it vaporized. Melons, cans of shaving cream, plastic bottles full of ice, potatoes are all good, satisfying exploding targets that are great for letting off a little steam.

What kind of guns can people bring to the group? That’s a question we get often. The answer is anything legal from air guns to elephant guns. We can set up for any type of shooting except for the super long range type of low caliber, high power rifles favored by some people. We always have challenging pistol, rifle and shotgun targets available from 25 feet out to about 125 yards.

The key to a successful Christian church group like this is to make it inclusive for as many ages as possible and keep safety primary. Be always be willing and encouraging to reach out to those who have not yet embraced Christ, but are excited about joining in on the activity. The reality about Christianity is that it is not truly lived out in Church. It is lived out where we live, work and play. These small church groups give us opportunities in the best of both worlds.

For more detailed information or to discuss developing a small group like Right on Target, or developing a Small Group ministry for your church contact me here.

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