WORSHIP + 4
At Gateway Church, we desire to lead people into a growing and vibrant relationship with God that in turn will inspire them to join us in “serving together…transforming lives for Jesus.”
The reality is we all have a part to play in God’s incredible plan to redeem humanity. Our desire is to help people to connect and engage in the process so they can actively be a part of what God wants to do in them and through them.
Part of this process is leading people through a clear path of discovery. We call it “Worship + 4”. This clear path involves challenging and teaching people what it means to live a life of worship. The “4” represents 4 critical steps that we believe are important in the life of every believer. We believe that as people engage in this process it will lead them to a greater awareness of God’s plan for their life. They will experience fruitfulness and fulfillment in life.
WORSHIP
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1
In light of what God has done for us by lavishing his love on us and because of our new position in Christ, everything that we are and everything that we do is about pleasing Him. We don’t follow the current of culture, but instead we set our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2) We recognize that we were made to worship. We will worship something everyday. As followers of Jesus, we choose to worship Jesus by presenting our bodies as living sacrifices. Giving him our thoughts, our schedules, our money, our decisions, our conversations…everything.
And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5:15
STEP 1: BECOMING A PARTNER
We believe that the first step in our path to discovery is committing to be a part of the team. It’s saying, “I want to be a part of something bigger than me.” It’s recognizing that God never works in isolation but in mutual submission and connection with other believers. Partnership allows us to see who is on the team and who desires to move forward with us in transforming our world. It’s moving from the bench to the playing field as an active participant. It’s an acknowledgment that you are on board with the vision of our church and desire to do your part to see our vision become a reality!
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27
Step 1 Goal:
• To add 75 new partners at Gateway Church in 2011.
STEP 2: COMMIT TO GROWTH
The Christian life is about growth. It’s about moving forward. It’s about putting our self in a position where we can become more and more like Christ. Growth doesn’t happen by accident, or on it’s own. It happens when we become intentional about it. At Gateway Church we encourage every person to commit to growing spiritually. Growth happens at several different levels. It happens when we commit to personal & private time with God every day. Growth also happens as we are in an intentional relationship with other believers through a life group.
As newborn babies want milk, you should want the pure and simple teaching. By it you can mature in your salvation, because you have already examined and seen how good the Lord is. 1 Peter 2:2-3
All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Step 2 Goals:
• To see 10 new Life Groups started at Gateway Church in 2011.
• To see 100 new people commit to being in a Life Group.
• To see 200 people make a commitment to spend 15 minutes in God’s Word & prayer everyday.
STEP 3: SERVE TOGETHER
We are the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. He didn’t come to be served, but to serve. There is something very powerful that happens when we serve together…lives begin to be touched in tangible ways with the love of Jesus. We believe that we were saved to serve. We encourage everyone to serve in a ministry where they are passionate and gifted, so the body of Christ can be built up. Our desire is that every believer would serve in a ministry inside the local church as well as serve in our various community outreach events throughout the year.
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10
Step 3 Goals:
• To see 75 new people serving in an on-going ministry in 2011.
• To see 250 people serving in our community outreach events throughout the year.
STEP 4: TRANSFORM YOUR WORLD
Jesus came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). The eternal transformation of lives is the heartbeat of Jesus. Jesus commissioned us – his church – to go and make disciples. To be a change agent in the world in helping people cross the line from darkness to light. Since this is the heartbeat of Jesus, it is the heartbeat of Gateway Church. We encourage and challenge every believer at Gateway Church to being actively involved in sharing their faith and inviting people to experience life!
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
Step 4 Goals:
• To see 50 people give their heart to Jesus at Gateway Church in 2011.
• To see 50 people go public with their faith and get baptized at Gateway Church in 2011.
• To see 200 people commit to praying for the salvation of 3 lost people in 2011.
