The six practices
Faith is more than a static list of beliefs.
It is also actively living your life in a way that will help your faith grow and evolve.
At The Gathering, we commit to six spiritual practices to help us pursue a deeper relationship with Jesus.

Grow
In Groups With Others
God does not call us to remain stagnant - and forms us best when we grow in faith together, not alone. Through Wellness and CoreGroups, God opens us to experience transformation and helps us shape deep friendships and relationships with one another.
Start
- Attend Explore
- Participate in a Wellness group
- Meet with a Site Pastor about joining a CoreGroup
Grow
- Attend a Group weekly
- Attend worship with your Group
- Serve with your Group
Stretch
- Lead a Core or Wellness Group
- Invite someone to your Group
- Be a CoreGroup coach to help other leaders
Pray
Pause & Get to Know Jesus
In the midst of a busy world, God speaks to us in still, small moments. Prayer help us slow down and remain open to Holy moments within our souls. There are hundreds of ways to pray, and maintaining a regular practice makes us more available to the dreams of God and attuned to the needs of the world.
Start
- Offer a morning gratitude prayer
- Read the Lord's Prayer
- Pray: "Help! Thanks! Wow!" by Anne Lamont
Grow
- Say grace at meals at home & in public
- Learn the Lord's Prayer
- Pray before bed
Stretch
- Pray for someone
- Pray out loud weekly
- Google & learn the Wesley Covenant Prayer
Serve
Inside & Outside the Church
Time and again, Jesus teaches that if we want to know him, we must be in relationship with the poor, the alienated, and those marginalized by society. As a church, we understand serving is not a one way street; us helping people. Rather, it helps us form relationships with those we might otherwise not know and and experience Christ in a powerful way.
Start
- Complete the SERVE form
- Shadow a serving area
- Do a random act of kindness
Grow
- Serve on a Sunday Hospitality or Kids team
- Invite someone to serve with you
- Lead a community service opportunity
Stretch
- Lead a team
- Try a new way to serve
- Go on a mission trip or serve locally at least monthly
Give
Commit & Grow in Generosity
God calls us to be the body of Christ in the world, and that includes how we spend and share our money. We believe consistency is more important than the amount given. It's not about how much we give, but the choice to live a generous life.
Start
- Give your first gift
- Give on Christmas Even & Easter
- Create a budget
Grow
- Set up a recurring gift
- Offer a giving testimony
- Participate in Saving Grace
Stretch
- Structure lifestyle to give 10% or more of your income
- Create a Will
- Consider including the Gathering in your estate plans
WORSHIP
Find Power as One Body
Worship is more than an obligation. It's a weekly opportunity for us to participate in the body of Christ. Through worship, we find authentic community, offer thanks to God, learn from his word, experience the power of new life through Communion, and receive a blessing to go forth to live changed lives and inspire change in others.
Start
- Fill out a Connect Card
- Sing & receive Communion
- Attend an entire sermon series
Grow
- Prioritize weekly worship
- Attend NEXT
- Download or bring a Bible
Stretch
- Take notes or serve in worship
- Meet someone new
- Do the challenge from the sermon
INVITE
Jesus is Worth Sharing
We believe that life with Jesus is better, so why wouldn’t we share that with as many people as possible? Most people end up at The Gathering because someone invites them. Think about who in your life should be sitting in worship next to you and make sure they know they are welcome. It could change someone's life!
Start
- Invite a friend
- Share a social post
- Hand out invitation cards
Grow
- Invite a coworker
- Share the message online
- Bring a friend to your Core or Wellness Group
- Tell your story of Jesus & the Gathering
Stretch
- Invite a stranger or large group
- Lead a Summer Hang or a Group
- Help someone else share their story
Practices artwork created by Sarah Anne Loving.