GROW
If you're in the "Deepen" season, it doesn't mean you've arrived -- none of us is perfect, after all. Instead, you're looking to expand your influence, share your faith, motivate others in their next-steps, and continue growing to be more and more of the person God intends. You already engage in regular spiritual practices which help you keep in step with God's Spirit moment-by-moment, but there are still areas of life that you haven't fully surrendered. You know what you believe and why, but you still have questions about how theology works in the real world. You are able to understand much of what you read in the Bible, but there are still new insights to learn. The three GROW opportunities listed here are suggestions for ways that you can be involved at Gateway in this season -- that build on the strengths you have and help you grow even more. Choose one to participate in, alongside the many spiritual practices you already do on your own.
Starting Gate:
Starting Gate is a 4-week experience on Sunday mornings, making it easy to attend and a great opportunity for people who are new to Gateway, as well as those who aren't able to make a longer-term commitment to a Small Group right now. While the content of Starting Gate will probably be a review for you in the "Deepen" season, you also know that it never hurts to be reminded about what and why you believe! And, through Starting Gate, you'll better understand what Gateway is all about. The next round starts soon, so click here for more info or to sign up.
Small Groups:
If you're looking to develop more authentic & supportive relationships that truly motivate you to continue going deeper in your faith, joining a Small Group would be the right next-step for you. "Deepen" Small Groups often have the kind of in-depth study that you may be craving, in addition to being great places to meet others who you can encourage and serve alongside. Many existing grousp are looking to welcome new members. Click here to better understand what Small Groups are all about. Why they're vital to connecting, growing, and serving at Gateway; and how you can easily get involved.
Ascending Leaders:
Ascending Leaders groups have a goal of life-change – helping people grow more like Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit. These groups are highly-intentional, asking for a solid committment from each participant. Whether you're in a small group already or not, Ascending Leaders groups can help you grow even deeper in your faith. Click here for more info.
SERVE
If you're in the "Deepen" season, you are motivated by thinking of how you can help others discover, develop, or deepen their own walk with Christ. You're considering the impact your life can have on others, both nearby and around the world. Imagine where you would be if someone hadn't invited you in, encouraged you, picked you up when you fell, and motivated you to grow? At the "Deepen" season, serving takes on new characteristics of leading and encouraging others, and doing so according to your own unique gifts and passions.
At the "Deepen" season there are countless ways to serve (whether at Gateway or in the world around us) than we could ever list. That's because people in this season seek to respond to God out of the ways He has gifted and called them. Therefore, the lists below will never fully capture all the ways you can serve -- but we hope they give you a starting point and examples of how you can use your God-given gifts, passions, and interests to have a lasting impact.
At Gateway:
Serving at Gateway in the "Deepen" season tends to involve leadership. Leadership means many things of course -- at times for some people it means being a teacher, an organizer, or a facilitator. At all times, though, leadership is about influence. Imagine the impact you could have as you influence others to discover, develop, or deepen their own walk with Christ. Click here for more info.
As You Do Life:
Did you know that some of the most powerful ministries at Gateway have grown out of a single person or group who had a passion for an area or a cause and started something that caught on fire? In the “Develop” season, these are the opportunities you’re looking for – ways to continue to grow and invest your life in others. Many of these happen “as you do life” – they develop out of the passions you have and the situations and people you interact with each day.
For Small Groups:
Use the Small Groups Mobilization equipping seminar info, then take it to the next level – don’t serve just once, but develop your own service projects that have a transforming effect on your community and share the results with the Gateway community at the blog. (If you're not in a Small Group, find info here.)
For Individuals:
Lead others informally by sharing your experiences about serving “As You Do Life” with the Gateway family on the blog – how has serving impacted you and others? Leading this way empowers others to serve, also.
Or, more formally influence others by being trained to facilitate the Small Groups Mobilization equipping seminar for other groups.
In our city & world:
If you read the "Discover" or "Develop" pages, you'll see many great one-time or short-term ways to make a difference. The list below is a little different, because at the "Deepen" season, you may be in a position to lead or organize other volunteers as they serve. You're welcome; of course, to sign up for the one-time or short-term events listed on those other pages, too, but please consider these opportunities.