Catch The Vision by Gateway Church

Connecting People to Our Story and Family

CATCH THE VISION Connecting People to Our Story and Family Copyright © 2017, 2000 Gateway Church Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked ESV are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 2011, 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or any other—without prior permission of Gateway Church. Printed in the United States of America.

CONTENTS Welcome Welcome to the Gateway Family! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Our Vision and Mission. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Our Story.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 The History of Gateway Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Your Role in the Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 You Belong . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Handling Church Transitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Five Guidelines to Follow When Transitioning to a New Church. . . . . . . . . . . 11 Purpose and Priority. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Gateway’s Core Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 The Blessed Model of Ministry.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Models of Ministry.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Gateway Church Government.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Gateway’s Ministry Structure .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Gateway’s Senior Pastor and Leadership Team .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Elder Board and Structure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Deacon Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Method of Correction and Discipline. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Appropriation of Authority.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Statement of Faith and Position Papers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Believe in Jesus Inspecting Your Foundations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Have You Been Just Born or Born Again? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 The Importance of Water Baptism. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 The Baptism in the Holy Spirit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 John’s Prophecy Concerning Jesus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 The Day of Pentecost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 The Person of the Holy Spirit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Who Is the Holy Spirit? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 How Do We Receive the Baptism in The Holy Spirit? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Belong to Family Gateway Groups. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 How Does Gateway Groups Fit at Gateway Church?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 How Do I Find a Group? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Become a Follower The Spirit/Word Focus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Worship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Prayer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Discipleship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Build God’s Kingdom

Time, Talent & Treasure: Giving Your Life Away to Help Others. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Serving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Gateway Jewish Ministry.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Evangelism.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Local Outreach. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 International Outreach. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Giving to God and Christian Stewardship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Why Membership?.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Appendices Appendix A—Statement of Faith. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Appendix B—Position Papers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Note Pages (Blank).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

WELCOME

WELCOME TO THE GATEWAY FAMILY! Every family has its own unique history and stories. At holidays and family gatherings, we all share our favorite stories that define who we are. Gateway Church is no exception. We want to tell you about our history and some of the stories that capture who we are as a church, because becoming a member of Gateway Church means you are a part of the Gateway story too!

Our Vision “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” Luke 4:18–19 Gateway’s Vision is to see people saved, healed, set free, discipled, equipped, empowered, and serving.

Our Mission Gateway’s Mission is to help each person at Gateway believe in Jesus, belong to family, become a follower, and build God’s kingdom. Believe in Jesus Believing in Jesus means placing your hope and trust in Him by surrendering to His lordship in every area of your life. Belong to Family Belonging to family means developing meaningful friendships with others who love Jesus and walking through life together by loving, helping, and protecting each other. Become a Follower Becoming a follower means shifting the focus of your life from self-centered to Christ-centered by doing what Jesus would do and loving as He would love. Build God’s Kingdom Building God’s kingdom means submitting to God and being His hands and feet to those around us by giving of ourselves and serving others. mission.gatewaypeople.com

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OUR STORY The History of Gateway Church September 1999 The Lord placed a desire in the heart of Pastor Robert Morris to start a Bible-based, evangelistic, Spirit-empowered church in Southlake, Texas, that would impact the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and beyond. He developed a working relationship with the pastors at Trinity Fellowship Church in Amarillo, Texas, asking them for wisdom and guidance. February 2000 Pastor Robert began meeting with a group of 30 people in his living room to pray for direction for the ministry, worship the Lord, and study the Word. The following year, this group became the founding members of Gateway Church. April 2000 Pastor Jimmy Evans and the elders of Trinity Fellowship Church in Amarillo, Texas, prayed for and released Pastor Robert and Gatewayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s founding elders to start the new church. On Easter Sunday, April 23, Gateway held our first service at the Hilton Hotel in Grapevine for 180 people. May 2000 Three weeks later we moved our meetings to Saturday nights at Christ Our King Church in Southlake. July 2001 Gateway began meeting at A World of Learning, a 300-seat training facility and daycare center in Grapevine. While there, the church quickly grew to five services with over 2,000 people attending weekly. May 2002 We broke ground on a 64,000 square-foot facility at 2121 East Southlake Boulevard, our original campus in Southlake. Services began before the new building was completed, and continued growth resulted in crowded services. June 2003 We hosted the first services at the completed Southlake Campus building. Shortly after moving into the 600-seat auditorium, five weekend services were once again needed to accommodate growth. November 2007 We opened our first extension campus on nine acres in North Richland Hills (NRH). The weekend services at the extension campuses mirror those in Southlake with live worship, personal ministry, and a live simulcast of the message from Southlake. January 2009 Weekly average attendance reached 10,500. July 2010 We added a second extension campus in Frisco to support the North Dallas area. Like NRH, the services mirror those at Southlake with a live simulcast message.

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November 2010 We held the first weekend services at our current Southlake Campus off Highway 114. The new building has an Auditorium that seats 4,000; a wing devoted to our ever-growing children’s ministry; and classrooms set aside for ministry, prayer, healing, and equipping purposes. July 2012 Gateway launched our monthly magazine, Gateway Life. Filled with pictures and stories that inspire and encourage readers to grow deeper in their relationship with God, it’s a one-stop source for behind-the-scenes information and inside scoop on the ministries, people, and events of the church. August 2012 Responding to an unmet need for ministry in the North Fort Worth area, the third extension campus, Gateway North Fort Worth, began in a temporary space, the Fossil Ridge High School Auditorium. August 2012 Under the leadership of Pastor Robert and Jack Hayford, The King’s University at Gateway opened and started having classes at a temporary facility in Southlake, which now houses Gateway’s technology offices. September 2012 Gateway launched our first church plant in Scottsdale, Arizona. The goal has been to take what God is doing through Gateway Church to Scottsdale and the Phoenix metropolitan area under the vision and leadership of Senior Pastor Preston Morrison. December 2012 More than 40,000 people attended the Christmas production, It’s a Life ... and It’s Wonderful. There were 545 salvations that weekend. February 2013 Average weekly attendance across four campuses reached 17,000. March 2013 Shady Grove Church in Grand Prairie, Texas, joined the Gateway family as our fourth extension site and became the Grand Prairie Campus. Each Gateway campus has its own distinct feel and community, and that tradition continues at the Grand Prairie Campus. July 2013 Gateway North Fort Worth moved from its temporary space to a newly-completed campus building at Beach and Basswood. August 2013 Average weekly attendance across five campuses reached 24,000. August 2013 The King’s University began having classes at their permanent campus at 2121 E Southlake Blvd (our original Southlake Campus). April 2014 Average weekly attendance reached 30,000. December 2014 42,000 people attended Gateway’s Christmas musical, Truthical. April 2015 Gateway celebrated 15 years of ministry with 43 Easter services across five campuses with 52,000 people in attendance.

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March 2016 Gateway expanded our reach by opening the Dallas Campus—our first campus in Dallas County. With many Dallas residents attending our overflowing Frisco Campus, it became clear we needed a campus in the North Dallas area. October 2016 Gateway Network, our apostolic ministry that comes alongside other churches to mentor them and provide resources, launched at Gateway Conference. Where Gateway Church is today and where we are going all began with a single step of faith that started a journey to see people saved, healed, set free, discipled, equipped, empowered, and serving. We are now one church with more than 39,000 active members meeting in multiple locations seeking the Lord’s direction for our future and watching God’s plans for us unfold as we plant and oversee multiple campuses throughout the Metroplex and across the United States.

Your Role in the Story Gateway Church is one of the fastest-growing churches in the country. Many new and dynamic ministries have been—and continue to be—created to help minister to individuals and families. But in the midst of all this exciting activity, we recognize that church health is more important than numerical growth and creating new church programs. At Gateway, we recognize that God has a specific plan and purpose for each person’s life … for you. That’s why “we’re all about people.” The broad scope and variety of our ministries are simply a reflection of our heart to help people like you from every economic, social, and ethnic background across the Metroplex and around the world!

You Belong How do our stories come together?

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HANDLING CHURCH TRANSITIONS Leaving an old church and joining a new one is an important time of transition. At some point in our lives, all of us are faced with leaving a relationship, a responsibility, or a geographic region. Transitioning from an old church to a new one affects ... •

God’s blessings on our lives.

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Our ability to reconnect with the people of God.

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The hearts of those we leave behind.

Your decision to join Gateway Church is very important to God. After all, He doesn’t call us just to attend the church of our choice, but to discover and embrace the church of His choice. This decision will impact your ability to ... •

Reflect God and His kingdom in your generation.

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Be an influential voice in society on moral and spiritual matters.

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Grow in love and in service to God.

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Connect to God’s purpose and place for you.

Five Guidelines to Follow When Transitioning to a New Church 1. A healthy transition is planned. •

It takes place in a timely manner.

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It is properly communicated.

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It happens in plain sight.

2. A healthy transition is prayerful. •

It takes place with God’s leading.

3. A healthy transition is pure. •

Honestly deal with personal sin issues.

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Are you in right relationship with those in authority?

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How you leave is as important as why you leave.

4. A healthy transition is peaceable. •

Are you motivated by your love for God and your desire to obey Him?

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Has God given you peace to bless the leaders of your last church?

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Could you ever return without guilt?

WELCOME

5. A healthy transition is positive.

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Are you looking to the future?

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Are you ready to leave the past behind?

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PURPOSE AND PRIORITY Gateway’s Purpose is to help people develop an intimate relationship with God. Gateway’s Priority is to show “we’re all about people.” We’re all about people because God is all about people. One of the ways we express our love for Him is through our love for people, and we do that by helping each person who comes to Gateway grow in their relationship with the Lord.

Gateway’s Core Values COMPASSION Philippians 4:5; Ephesians 2:8–9 We express an attitude and spirit of compassion to everyone, and we relate to each other with mercy and grace balanced with truth. We’re focused outside the walls of the church with a patient heart of longsuffering and a desire to reach the lost and to heal and restore the hurting.

EQUITY Jeremiah 22:13–16; James 2:1–4 We’re committed to justice and treating everyone right, showing impartiality to any individual or group, and striving to remain above reproach in dealing with people.

EXCELLENCE Matthew 5:16 In every area of ministry and administration we bear the standard for the glory of God. Every individual and ministry carries a spirit of excellence (not perfectionism) by embracing a continuous effort to do better.

FAITH Hebrews 11:6 Faith creates a positive, grateful atmosphere. We are decisive and proactive based on God’s revealed direction and plans. We aren’t arrogant or overconfident; but we aren’t driven or hindered by fear based on circumstances or the unknown.

GENEROSITY 2 Corinthians 9:6 We seek opportunities to generously share our resources so others can benefit from what God has done at Gateway Church.

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HUMILITY James 4:6 The spirit of leadership is a servant spirit. The higher a person ascends in the organizational structure, the more their rights decrease, and their responsibilities increase.

INTEGRITY Philippians 2:15 We uphold all biblical standards of conduct and reputation for personal, family, business, financial, and community involvement. We strive to remain above reproach in all areas, realizing that we represent Christ to the world as His ambassadors.

KINGDOM CENTERED 1 Corinthians 12:14–27 We are committed to advancing the work of the kingdom in the body of Christ by recognizing and supporting other churches and ministries as God gives us the opportunity to collaborate.

SERVICE Matthew 20:28; John 13:1–17 God has called us to demonstrate the heart of a servant. Our administrative arm both facilitates and serves ministry.

SUBMISSION Romans 13:1 We embrace God’s ultimate position of authority and His plan for local, delegated authority. We adhere to the principles of submission and honor authority at all levels of the organization. We operate within the integrity of our structure. Appeals of decisions are sometimes warranted and are allowed with a right spirit and within the boundaries of our established structure.

TRUTH AND SPIRIT CENTERED John 1, 14, 16 We are committed to being grounded in scriptural truth and empowered by the Holy Spirit. The Bible is our final authority, and the Holy Spirit is our guide to reach God’s destiny for us as a church.

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UNITY Psalm 133 Unity requires us to focus on our visionâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;our purpose, mission, and principlesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; and the efforts of every individual must be harnessed to it. A team approach to ministry, problem solving, decision making, and operating within the integrity of our structure are the norm. Relationships come first when addressing issues. All disagreements and offenses are dealt with in a timely and biblical manner.

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THE BLESSED MODEL OF MINISTRY The blessed model of ministry guides how all decisions are made. It influences how we choose ministries to offer, what to focus and spend energy on, and how to direct our resources. To better understand why we use this method, let’s first look at the four-fold purpose of the church. 1. To host the presence of God and encounter Him together. 2. To create an atmosphere for God’s work in people’s lives. 3. To demonstrate our love for God through service to people. 4. To equip believers in their service to God and people. Scripture references: Exodus 20:4–6 (ESV), Proverbs 4:23–27 (ESV), Ephesians 5:1–4 (ESV)

Models of Ministry Focus of Ministry: The person or thing being served by our work. Field of Ministry: The person or thing benefiting from the results of ministry. Facilitator of Ministry: The person or thing that produces the results of ministry.

REJECTED MODEL

Focus of Ministry: Program Field of Ministry: God Facilitator of Ministry: People When the program is the focus, the form of ministry is more important than the substance of ministry, personal qualifications for ministry are ignored to facilitate the program and God is presumed to be pleased because He is the beneficiary of what is produced. Ezekiel 44:6–10 (ESV)

ACCEPTED MODEL Focus of Ministry: People Field of Ministry: Program Facilitator of Ministry: God When people are the focus, substance is more important than form. Governing our church becomes political in response to the people, and people feel that proper priorities and order can be violated because the call is being fulfilled and that because we are doing the right thing, God’s blessing will be on it. God is presumed to be pleased since the people are taken care of. Ezekiel 44:10–14

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BLESSED MODEL

Focus of Ministry: God Field of Ministry: People Facilitator of Ministry: Program When God is the focus, order and substance are in balance, which results in intimate relationships with God and others. He is sought and obeyed, and the governing of our church is theocratic. People are ministered to, cared for, trained, and equipped. Programs are simply tools that facilitate ministry and care for people and exist only if they facilitate ministry; they do not have a life of their own. Ezekiel 44:15–19 Dangers to avoid if we’re going to operate in a blessed model of ministry: •

Elevating systems above people.

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Tuning an ear to the demands of people.

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Becoming distant and professional in our relationship with God.

Why is this perspective important, and how does it affect what we do at Gateway? Our goal is always to make God the focus of everything we do. We want people to be the beneficiaries of ministry and we see methodologies, resources, and programs as tools to make that happen. This means that as our church grows and our needs change, programs and methodologies may change as well to continue benefiting people and keeping God as our focus.

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GATEWAY CHURCH GOVERNMENT Gateway’s Ministry Structure Gateway Church is a congregation-owned, elder-governed, senior pastor–led, volunteer- and staff-run church. We update the congregation with ministry operations and financial details annually.

Gateway’s Senior Pastor and Leadership Team Robert Morris is our founding senior pastor and serves as the head of our leadership team. He is focused on leading Gateway Church through inspired vision, direction, and preaching. Todd Lane serves as the lead executive senior pastor and is responsible for implementing the vision of the church through the anointed team of men and women whom God has assembled to conduct ministry here. Together, our team is focused on God, and we’re committed to serving you and your family as our primary work. Gateway is a nondenominational, Spirit-empowered church. As a nondenominational church, we are evangelical, and we focus on biblical teaching and preaching more than church tradition. Being nondenominational allows our leadership to govern the church based on sensitivity to God’s leading and direction regarding vision, budgets, policies, formal standards, and needsbased ministry. Another nondenominational characteristic of Gateway is the way we control church assets. Unlike a centralized denomination, Gateway assets are owned by the congregation and administered by the staff and elders. Vision and direction as well as standards for leadership, membership, and the Statement of Faith are determined by the elders. We might be nondenominational, but there is one universal Church—the body of Christ—and we are a part of that body. God’s work through the Church happens through all congregations and denominations that are committed to Him. We openly embrace everyone who loves Christ and works for His kingdom. We partner with other congregations and organizations who operate in the same faith and commitment for the benefit of God’s kingdom in our community and around the world. While we believe in the importance of self-government, we also believe in the importance of accountability. We have established accountability relationships with other churches and ministries to serve as an important source of wisdom and perspective as we seek God’s direction for our church.

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Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 1 Corinthians 1:10

Elder Board and Structure The Elder Board is the governing body of Gateway. Vision and direction for our ministries are confirmed through elder prayer and oversight.

STRUCTURE •

Structure is based on a model of singular headship by the senior pastor along with input from the plurality of elders (following the model established in Exodus 18).

QUALIFICATIONS (1 TIMOTHY 3:1–7; TITUS 1:5) •

Men Only

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Character

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Commitment to God

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Service

APPOINTMENT AND RECOGNITION •

Biblical Qualifications

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Personal Interest

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Ministry Service and Relationship

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One Year in Congregation

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Appointment for Life or Disqualification

This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.” So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. 1 Timothy 3:1–2 (NLT)

WELCOME

BIBLICAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR ELDERS In 1 Peter 5, Peter gives us the biblical qualifications for being an elder: The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. 1 Peter 5:1–4

AREAS OF OVERSIGHT RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ELDERS We believe Scripture defines the role of an elder as an overseer of the church with a gift to govern. The role of a deacon is a servant in the church who models to the congregation how they can meet practical needs by serving. The elders are responsible for giving spiritual oversight to the members of the church through relationships and holding them accountable to biblical standards for character and conduct. These apply to the following three areas: 1. Open and Blatant Sin It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife! And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who had done this deed might be taken away from among you. 1 Corinthians 5:1–2 2. Issues Involving Doctrinal Error But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. 2 Peter 2:1–3

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3. Divisive and Contentious Behavior Within the Congregation But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned. Titus 3:9–11

Deacon Service In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money. They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience. Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons. In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do. A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well. Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 3:8–13 (NLT) Deacons, by gifting and calling, fulfill a service responsibility to the congregation. They are servants first. Deacon service is not intended to be a training ground for elder service. As described in Scripture, service requires spiritually mature, servant-minded believers and carries its own rewards.

QUALIFICATIONS (1 TIMOTHY 3:8–13) •

Well-Respected

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Integrity

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Not a Heavy Drinker

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Honest with Money

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Spouse Must Be Respected and Not Slander Others

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Exercises Self-Control

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Faithful in Everything They Do and to Their Spouse

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Manages Their Children and Household Well

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RESPONSIBILITIES •

Manage the Weekend Volunteer Teams

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Handle and Count the Offering

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Prepare and Coordinate Communion

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Oversee Water Baptisms

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Serve in Other Various Ministries

APPOINTMENT AND RECOGNITION •

Appointed by the Elders

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Renewable Three-Year Commitment

Method of Correction and Discipline “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear you, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.” Matthew 18:15–17

CORRECTION AND DISCIPLINE •

Begin with personal confrontation.

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Expand to committee confrontation.

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Broaden to group confrontation.

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End in removal of membership privileges from the church.

THE PURPOSE IS REDEMPTION

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The attitude is humility.

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The result is accountability.

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The relationship is more important than the issue.

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The result is restoration.

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Appropriation of Authority The authority delegated to you as a member of Gateway is directly related to your submission to the existing authority in your life. •

This authority operates under relational accountability.

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Any authority exercised is confirming and supportive, not directive.

Gateway cultivates relationships with other churches from across the nation for relational accountability and we are open to their wisdom and counsel.

Statement of Faith and Position Papers We have communicated our Statement of Faith and our stand on relevant topics in our position papers. The Statement of Faith is available in Appendix A. We ask our new members to read this statement and agree with its tenets. Our position papers are also available for your review in Appendix B. If you would like Gateway’s leadership to clarify anything in the position papers, please feel free to make an appointment with one of our pastors by calling the church office at 817.328.1000.

WELCOME

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BELIEVE IN JESUS WELCOME

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INSPECTING YOUR FOUNDATIONS The Bible tells us to examine ourselves to make sure that we are in the faith. Every believer has a foundation in their relationship with God—the salvation experience. Jesus referred to the act of salvation as the new birth. He explained that when a person gives their heart to the Lord, they are “born again,” or you might say “born from above” (John 3:3). This spiritual reality, along with water baptism and the act of being filled with the Spirit of God, constitutes our spiritual foundation. In this section, we’ll touch on the spiritual foundations of salvation, water baptism, and the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Prayerfully ask the Holy Spirit to show you any areas in your foundation where He wants to strengthen your walk with Him. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps. 1 Peter 2:21

Have You Been Just Born or Born Again? MATTHEW 7:13–23; LUKE 6:46; LUKE 13:25 In John 3, Jesus explained to a man named Nicodemus that he, like everyone else, must be “born again” (John 3:1–21). Nicodemus was a strict law keeper and a strongly conservative theologian. He was a leader of the Pharisees. In that day and age, Pharisees weren’t viewed as “the bad guys.” They were men who believed, taught, and practiced the Scriptures. And just like all the other Pharisees, Nicodemus also believed, taught, and practiced the Scriptures. In fact, he memorized the first five books of the Bible, attended religious services, prayed, and read his Bible every day. He also fasted according to Scripture and was a strict tither. He believed in God, and John 3 says that he even believed in Jesus. But something in Nicodemus’s life was missing. Jesus identified this “something” as the new birth. What does it mean to be born again? It’s not just an evangelical term. It’s a term Jesus used. In John 3:3, He told Nicodemus, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” So how are we born again? The act of receiving Jesus into our heart results in our spirit’s rebirth through God’s life. This spiritual rebirth is the new birth. To be born again means to be born of the Spirit. It’s when the Spirit comes to live in you. Man has a free will, and God doesn’t override man’s will. We must choose to follow God and receive His gift of eternal life (1 Peter 1:3–5).

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The Importance of Water Baptism Once we choose to follow God and receive His gift of eternal life, Jesus commands us to be baptized by water. The best introduction to water baptism is the example set by Jesus. He told John the Baptist that He was to be baptized by John to fulfill all righteousness. Jesus was setting an example for all believers to follow (Matthew 3:13–17; 1 Peter 2:21). Notice that Jesus was baptized as an adult, not an infant; and that He was immersed in the Jordan, not sprinkled, by John the Baptist (Luke 3:21–22). Through this outward act of obedience, Jesus entered His life of ministry. This is also the first time in Scripture that the Trinity—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—are revealed together. God’s grace in a believer’s life results in a death and a new life. There’s a death to sin where “the old man,” the sinful nature, is crucified with Christ. As Christians, we are to reckon ourselves as dead to sin. What do you do with a dead man? You bury him. Baptism represents the burial of the old man that died at the cross when we gave our life to Jesus. After the burial, there is new life as we are raised up out of the waters of baptism with Christ in the likeness of His resurrection. First comes burial, then comes resurrection. First comes death to sin, then comes the new life of righteousness (Romans 6:1–7). Baptism, along with communion, serves as a covenant sign that we’re God’s people. We encourage every member of Gateway Church to inspect their spiritual foundation and make sure they’ve given their life to God and have been water baptized in obedience to the Scriptures. When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.” Luke 3:21–22

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit Once a believer has experienced the new birth and been water baptized, we encourage them to seek God for the baptism in the Holy Spirit. The word baptism is used throughout the Scriptures. Let’s look at three distinct baptisms in God’s Word (Hebrews 6:1–3). The First Baptism •

Baptism into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13).

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The Second Baptism •

Baptism in water (Matthew 28:19).

The Third Baptism •

Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16, 24:49; John 1:33; Acts 1:4–8).

The Holy Spirit brings God’s presence into our lives. He empowers us and leads us into all truth. He releases the power of God into our lives. These three baptisms are often explained together in Scripture (Acts 2:37–39; 8:12, 14–17; 19:1–6). “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19

John’s Prophecy Concerning Jesus John the Baptist, standing in the Jordan River, announced that the Messiah was at hand and then identified Jesus as the Messiah (John 1:29). John baptized with water. Jesus, as the Messiah, would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Matthew 3:11). But Jesus doesn’t only baptize the believer in the Holy Spirit, He also introduces us to the Person of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16–17).

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit On the night before His betrayal, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to His disciples. He was so excited about this, He said it would be better for His disciples to have the Holy Spirit with them than to have the person of Jesus Christ with them (John 16:7–14). He also warned them not to do anything after His ascension until they received the gift of the Holy Spirit. He signified that God, with the Holy Spirit, would also empower the Church to spread the gospel to every nation (Acts 1:8).

The Day of Pentecost When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Acts 2:1–2

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After Jesus was raised from the dead, He appeared to His disciples multiple times over a span of 40 days and then ascended into heaven. At that time, He told them to wait for the Holy Spirit. For exactly 10 days they waited. Then suddenly, during the Jewish feast of Pentecost, Jesus poured out the promised Holy Spirit on the disciples. That was the day the Church was born (Acts 2:1–2). What happened? God’s river of fire burst into their lives! They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues (different languages) as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:3–4). Fire appeared over their heads, and they began to worship and praise God. Peter stood up to preach and led 3,000 Jews to faith in their Messiah (Acts 2:36–41).

The Person of the Holy Spirit The Bible reveals that the Person of the Holy Spirit has been the primary agent in the effective ministry of God’s Word since the birth of the Church on the day of Pentecost (Acts 10:44–46). The Scriptures clearly state that the triune Godhead (God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit) operates co-equally, co-eternally, and co-existently as one unit. This is the revelation of the Trinity. The Person of the Holy Spirit—His attributes, His characteristics, and His work—has been sent to the earth to glorify Jesus (John 16:14). Our reception of Him in our lives as believers glorifies Jesus as well (Romans 8:11). The Holy Spirit is revealed to the believer through the experience of the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Who Is the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is God, the Lord and Giver of Life, who was active in the Old Testament (Genesis 1:2) and given to the Church in fullness at Pentecost. He empowers the saints for service and witness, cleanses us from the old nature, and conforms us to the image of Christ (Ephesians 1:13–14). The baptism in the Holy Spirit, subsequent to conversion, releases the fullness of the Spirit and is evidenced by speaking in tongues, fresh joy, praise, miracles, and the power to be a witness as well as other inward and outward manifestations and gifts. The Holy Spirit lifts the believer into the supernatural life of God (Ephesians 3:16–19).

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How Do We Receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit? When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:15–17 (NIV) It is God’s will for every Christian to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. Just like salvation, this baptism is a gift, and Jesus said that it’s our heavenly Father’s pleasure to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him (Luke 11:13). One way that the baptism in the Holy Spirit was received in the book of Acts was through the laying on of hands (Acts 8:15–17). At Gateway, we have a class on water baptism and a class on the baptism in the Holy Spirit. These classes help you to understand the biblical basis for these foundational events in your life.

BELIEVE

We are so excited about the decision you have just made. Giving Jesus your heart is the most important decision you can ever make; it’s the beginning of a lifetime of following Him. At Gateway Church, we want to celebrate this decision and walk alongside you through your next steps of faith. Your Next Steps 1. Let us know about your decision. newbelievers@gatewaypeople.com 2. Read your Bible. 3. Attend Freedom Basics 101–104. 4. Participate in water baptism. 4. Get in a Gateway Group. Contact Us email newbelievers@gatewaypeople.com visit newbelievers.gatewaypeople.com

WATER BAPTISM Through water baptism, we identify with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. As you are immersed under water, you bury your old, sinful nature. When you come up out of the water, you experience the new life and resurrection that belong to you through Jesus.

email baptism@gatewaypeople.com visit baptism.gatewaypeople.com

BELONG TO FAMILY

GATEWAY GROUPS Many recent studies indicate that church attendees are more fulfilled, prosperous, and successful overall than those who aren’t involved in church. This isn’t surprising; God designed us for meaningful relationships—with Him and with others. We were made to belong, to be part of a community of people living life together, and a healthy church brings people together to do exactly that. At Gateway, we believe the best environment for lasting life change is within community. Besides faith in Jesus, nothing else reaps such rich rewards as being deeply and meaningfully connected with others. Community is one of the most powerful concepts in the Bible. Genesis begins with it, and Revelation closes with it. It is God’s people living together with God at their center. It is the way of life out of which evangelism and discipleship emerge. Community is where we learn the truth about ourselves, where we are deeply loved, where walls are broken down and where people who are usually excluded are included. ~ Nancy Ortberg Gateway Groups are small groups that help people grow, serve God, make friends, and live life together. The relaxed, comfortable environment of a Gateway Group is the perfect place to develop meaningful friendships with people who genuinely care about you while you grow together spiritually. In the process, you move from being one individual in a large congregation to a connected member within a smaller community. Over the years, we’ve heard countless stories about how involvement in a Gateway Group has changed people’s lives. Spouses have been found and marriages have been rescued. Children have been saved. Businesses have prospered. Year after year, people who are a part of Gateway Groups are experiencing incredible growth. No matter who you are or where you’re from, you belong in a Gateway Group.

BELONG

How Does Gateway Groups Fit at Gateway Church? The purpose of Gateway Groups is to create safe small group environments where people can engage in a lifestyle of spiritual growth and authentic community. Community is for belonging. Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. …” So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:26–27 (NLT) The desire for community is not contingent upon salvation. It’s a default setting by our Creator—it is part of our genetic makeup. Since community itself is neutral, as Christians, we need Christian community for accountability and spiritual growth. Belonging to a small group also creates an atmosphere to influence those who are not in community. The more genuine and deeper our community becomes, the more will everything else between us recede, the more clearly and purely will Jesus Christ and His work become the one and only thing that is vital between us. ~ D. Bonhoeffer, Life Together Is it possible to attend a great church on the weekend, enjoy wonderful worship full of God’s presence, hear a great message by an anointed communicator, then go home and be completely lonely and isolated? Yes, it is. He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. John 11:51–52 (NIV) People need to belong to a community that makes it easy and comfortable to connect with people at similar stages of life and with similar interests. There are groups all over Dallas/Fort Worth with different focuses from fishing to knitting to prayer, and they meet on any day of the week that suits your schedule.

How Do I Find a Group? Visit groups.gatewaypeople.com to find a group that fits your needs and season of life by searching for your campus or city. You can even search for a ministry or specific group focus. From creative arts to fishing to Bible studies and prayer to sports and crafting, there’s sure to be a group that’s right for you!

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Connect in a

Group! Gateway Groups provides a place for you to belong to a family and develop meaningful friendships with others who love Jesus and will walk through life with you. Groups can be Bible studies, gatherings of artists, adventurous excursions, or growing spiritually around a home-cooked meal—no matter what stage of life you are in, you belong in a Gateway Group.

Why Groups? •

To have a safe place to talk about life.

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To become a Christ-centered follower.

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To make new friends.

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To belong to a family.

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To build the kingdom by serving with friends.

We’re here to help you discover your strengths as a husband, father, businessman, and leader by becoming a Christlike man. We recognize that every man has an innate desire to be a part of something bigger than himself. Our vision is to see men “Seek God First” in every area of their lives by providing indirect environments and opportunities that bring men into a more direct relationship with God and each other. CONTACT US email men@gatewaypeople.com visit men.gatewaypeople.com

Connect · Train · Empower

Gateway Marriage & Family is here to help you cultivate a healthy and strong family. Our desire is to equip you with a solid foundation so your family can flourish and transform neighborhoods, communities, and future generations. Whether you’re preparing for marriage, blending a family, enriching your marriage, struggling through a crisis in your marriage, or trying to figure out how to raise godly kids, we have something for every season.

PrimeTime encompasses adults 50+ who are an important and ever-growing group of leaders and volunteers at Gateway. At PrimeTime, we choose to be young by getting involved in various and exciting activities. Our goal is tofun affirm and strengthen PrimeTime not your parents’ group … it’s all those inisthe second half of life about engaging the prime of your life!

by providing opportunities for

spiritualUS growth. We want to CONTACT call 817.552.3684 engage you in further pursuit of email primetime@gatewaypeople.com uncovering and embracing your visit primetime.gatewaypeople.com

identity in Christ as well as your passion. Fifty-Plus desires to help you blend experience and maturity with opportunities to grow and serve using Hebrews 6:1–2 as a guidepost. In maturity there is unity, reconciliation, healing and, of course, the manifestation of the love of Christ.

No matter what has brought you to life as a single parent, we have a place for you! Our heart is to minister to the whole family throughâ&#x20AC;¨an atmosphere of hope that releases healing, restoration, unconditional love, and acceptance. Our ultimate mission is to empower and equip single parent families to achieve wholeness in parenting, finances, and healthy relationships while creating an opportunity to establish friendships, serve God together, and go deeper in relationship with the Lord. Contact Us email singleparents@gatewaypeople.com visit singleparents.gatewaypeople.com

We believe one is a whole number and life starts now. Our desire is to challenge each other to grow in relationship with God and one another through authentic community. We have people from all walks of life, never married, formerly married, those who want to get married, those who want to remain single. In such a diverse group, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find people who can meet you right where you are in life.

Birthâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Sixth Grade

Have fun and learn about God! During weekend services, children experience a creative worship environment, ministry time, and exciting Bible lessons in a fun and unique atmosphere specially designed for kids.

email kids@gatewaypeople.com visit kids.gatewaypeople.com

Our vision is to see students (7thâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;12th grade) saved, healed, set free, discipled, equipped, empowered, and serving. Wednesday night services include dynamic worship and a powerful message followed by group discussion.

We are a community of young adults and young professionals, ages 18 through 30s, that seeks to make a difference by serving Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s purposes faithfully in this generation. We gather on the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm to connect through community, worship, and teaching with others in a similar stage of life. No matter your story, background, or circumstance, we invite you to be part of the community at Gateway Young Adults.

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THE SPIRIT/WORD FOCUS Gateway members come from a variety of backgrounds. Some come from evangelical church backgrounds, some from denominational churches, and some come from Spirit-filled churches. Even our pastoral staff represents a broad spectrum of the body of Christ. How do we bring so many different backgrounds and experiences together to worship God? We believe God has given us a Spirit/Word focus that goes beyond denominational expectations, and that He uses our diversity as one of our greatest strengths as a church. Our weekend services reflect this same Spirit/Word focus. •

Open worship isn’t only a solemn event; it encourages people to connect with God in a personal and emotional way. However, liberty in corporate worship should not give an individual an excuse to distract from the worship experience and draw attention away from God and toward themselves. We encourage the free exercise of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit; however, the practical platform for exercising the gifts of the Holy Spirit for Gateway members is in small groups and not in most of the larger ministry venues.

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Our pastoral staff brings clear and practical messages that challenge us all to grow in Christ. We won’t focus our preaching on pet doctrines or controversial positions.

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WORSHIP Worship is our individual and corporate response of love and adoration toward God. It can be an emotional expression or a declaration of faith as we admire and honor our Creator (Psalms 7:17 and 9:1–2). While it can and should be a personal expression to God, worship can also be expressed in a corporate setting such as a worship service or small group. There are many ways we can express our love toward God (Psalms 66:1–4, 96:9, 138:1–2, and 150:1–6). We can enjoy singing praise songs, choruses, and hymns (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). We can lift or clap our hands (Psalms 47:1, 63:3–4, and 134:1–2; 1 Timothy 2:8). We can choose to stand to worship, bow, or kneel (Psalms 95:6 and 134:1). The Bible even talks about dancing (Psalm 150:4) and singing in the Spirit (Ephesians 5:19; 2 Corinthians 14:15). Open worship that impacts and transforms worshippers is a signature of Gateway Church. I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High. Psalm 7:17 When we get saved, our hearts are turned from serving and worshipping idols to serving and worshipping the true and living God. The Bible is a book about worship. The question isn’t, “Are you a worshipper?” The question is, “Whom or what do you worship?” We believe God inhabits the praises of His people so we desire to sense and experience His presence every time we gather together. We want to commune intimately with Him and hear His voice so more of His character and nature can be deposited in us. We are committed to expressing our love to our Lord and Savior with passion and extravagance because God is worthy of our highest and best praise. The desire of the worship ministry at Gateway Church is to compose and produce worship songs and CDs as well as musical and dramatic productions that strengthen the body of Christ and clearly present the gospel. We want to develop highly influential God-worshippers through music and the arts so people experience God in fresh and dynamic ways. Join us for our various worship experiences, including live recordings, Equip classes, nights of worship, and weekend services.

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PRAYER Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6 Prayer at Gateway isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just something we do; it defines who we areâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;we are a praying people. We know God has designed us not only for relationship with Him through prayer but also to cooperate with Him through prayer. It is our desire to model ourselves after the church in Acts 2. When the church prayed, there was power! As they partnered with Christ through prayer, people were saved, healed, delivered, and filled with the Holy Spirit. At Gateway, we encourage personal prayer and train, equip, and teach members how to partner with God. We also come together as a congregation to pray during seasons of thanksgiving and worship.

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DISCIPLESHIP Jesus lays out the mission for every believer: we’re to love God and love others. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:36–40 Jesus didn’t come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it, so through Him we can live out both of these responsibilities. Discipleship is a process of growing wider and deeper in our love of God and others. We are on a path of becoming complete in our relationship with God and our connection to others. So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11–13 (NIV, emphasis added) At Gateway, we want to help you become spiritually mature as you follow God. Our goal is to help you: 1. Love God’s Word When we talk about God’s Word, we mean the Bible. The written Word of God has been under assault for many years. While many appreciate its content, they may only view the Bible as a group of honorable fables and not as something that is to be taken literally. But according to God’s Word, there are specific instructions concerning its application. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV) The words in Scripture can be used to guide our lives in the twenty-first century. It shows us a picture of righteousness, corrects our thoughts, encourages our hearts, teaches our minds, and offers us hope.

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For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Romans 15:4 (ESV)

Living without Scripture, away from its words, leads to hopelessness and discouragement because the Bible is more than a literary masterpiece. The words of Scripture are alive, authored by a purposeful God to show how we can draw close to Him. Through Scripture we discover how to live in freedom, steward our resources, reach out to others, build and guide our families, worship, lead, pray, and relate to so many other aspects surrounding modern-day life. You can trust the Bible and interpret it properly so that it can guide your life! We want to help you learn how to interpret and apply Scripture in your life and show you how embracing God’s Word leads to deeper intimacy with Him. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (ESV) 2. Live According to God’s Voice Jesus says it’s natural to hear Him speak. Hearing God’s voice should be as normal for every believer as breathing is for every human. If you’re not breathing, you’ll die. If you’re not hearing God, you won’t live. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27 God’s voice creates a hunger and desire in us to follow Him, and as we hear Him, our faith grows. So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17 (ESV) The source of our faith is hearing the voice of God; it is structured around the framework of His voice. If we don’t live by hearing Him, the framework of our faith will eventually collapse. The Bible says believers already hear God speak because when we receive Christ’s salvation, we find our source of life and faith in God. Whoever is of God hears the words of God. John 8:47 (ESV)

BECOME

So as a believer, you have everything you need to hear God speak. As you grow comfortable hearing Him, you’ll discover fresh perspective and abundant life. “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”

John 6:63 (ESV)

When God speaks, He speaks to the spirit of man and infuses life. At Gateway, we want to help you learn what it is like to hear God, respond faithfully, and experience the transformation that comes from hearing His voice! 3. Listen to and Disciple God’s Children Discipleship doesn’t end at the door of learning; it is about relationship—with God and with others. The Bible calls believers to make disciples, but disciple-making is an often-missed aspect in the relationships of Christians today. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19 (ESV) Discipleship occurs in relationship with other believers, within the context of community, and concentrates on helping another person grow in spiritual maturity. Hebrews paints a nice picture of discipleship: And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24–25 (ESV) This Scripture teaches that a disciple-maker helps others grow in maturity by showing them how to: •

Love others.

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Live a life of good works.

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Meet with other believers regularly.

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Constantly encourage.

The Bible admonishes us to stay spiritually engaged with one another. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:4

CATCH THE VISION

Western society has taught us to live isolated lives and protect our own interests, but the Bible shows us this is a limited mindset. We are to reach out and help others grow in spiritual maturity. The Bible even indicates how we can measure our effectiveness in discipleship. And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV) According to 2 Timothy, effective disciples impact others. They invest into a person who then invests into another person. Making disciples who make disciples is part of disciple-making. At Gateway, we want to help you connect with other believers and grow together. We also want to help you establish a practice of building new disciples by encouraging, loving, and meeting regularly with others.

BECOME

Equipping People for Life Gateway Equip exists to help people walk in close relationship with Jesus and discover real answers for life questions. Our goal is to help people hear God’s voice, embrace God’s Word, and make more disciples. By unpacking Scripture, Equip helps you hear and understand God’s voice and experience long-lasting transformation. Gateway Equip offers semesters of classes throughout the year. Class times and days vary at each campus.

We All Need Freedom Gateway Freedom exists to help you become the person you were created and redeemed by God to be! Your first step is to attend Freedom Basics 101â&#x20AC;&#x201C;104, followed by KAIROS. You are also welcome to attend any of our Gateway Freedom topical classes offered through Equip. CONTACT US email freedom@gatewaypeople.com visit freedom.gatewaypeople.com

HEALING

For those in need of physical healing, our trained ministers are waiting to pray for you at our Healing Rooms. Visit our website for the locations and times our Healing Rooms are open. We also have ministers available to pray for you at the altar at the end of each weekend service. CONTACT US email healing@gatewaypeople.com visit healing.gatewaypeople.com

At Gateway Church, prayer is not just something we do; it defines who we are. Wherever you are in your personal prayer life, there’s a way for you to get involved.

The purpose of prophecy is to encourage, edify, and call out a person’s unique giftings. Our goal is for every person to be empowered to see their God-given gifts and fulfill the purposes God has for them. GET INVOLVED • Gateway Equip Prophetic Classes • Prophetic Leadership Training Classes

We believe that everyone at Gateway Church is called to live a life of worship, and we invite you to become a part of the worship family here! Our prayer is that we can help you grow in worship and experience life-changing encounters with God. Our vision is to help everyone experience God in the greatest way possible in all of our services. Contact Us email worshipconnection@gatewaypeople.com visit worship.gatewaypeople.com

THURSDAYS 9:00 pm cst on Daystar

SUNDAYS 9:30 am cst on Daystar 10:30 am cst on GEB (DirecTV 363) 6:00 pm cst on GOD TV 6:30 pm cst on TBN

BUILD GOD'S KINGDOM BUILDING

TIME, TALENT & TREASURE: GIVING YOUR LIFE AWAY TO HELP OTHERS For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 God so loved the world that He gave, and He is inviting us to do the same—love the world around us in practical ways. Building the kingdom is all about giving our time, talent, and treasure away to help other people. The practical ways we do that are through serving on volunteer teams (time and talent) and financial contributions (treasure).

Serving You are a unique masterpiece, created by God for a special purpose. At Gateway, we are passionate about helping you find your gifts and your destiny because no one on earth is designed to reveal the attributes of God in the same way you can. As each of us serves God in the role He intends, we can reveal Jesus to the world around us. There are hundreds of ways to serve at Gateway and we invite you to find the one that matches your unique design. Serving opportunities are divided into three categories: •

In the Church

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In the Community

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Internationally

At Gateway, we have three basic beliefs about serving: 1. Every person has a place of service by God’s design. But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 1 Corinthians 12:18–20 (NIV) First Corinthians 12 and Romans 12:3–8 tell us that God intended for the church to be like a physical body, where each person has a place and a function. Just as our bodies require each part to do its job for the whole to function correctly, the church also needs each member to find his or her place to function correctly and healthfully.

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2. Every person has a gift to use for service. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV) God has placed a gold mine within you through your spiritual gifts, and He wants you to use them to help others. When you serve others with the gifts He has given you, something supernatural happens—you experience a divine sense of fulfillment and purpose. At Gateway, we want you to serve in a way that uses these gifts and experience that divine fulfillment. Do you know your gifts or your place? If not, we can help you! Attend the ID: Your Destiny Revealed class and discover your unique destiny and purpose. To find the next class at your campus, visit id.gatewaypeople.com. To find opportunities to serve at your campus, visit serve.gatewaypeople.com. 3. Every person is more important than the task at hand. And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ .... Ephesians 4:11–13 Our goal is to equip you for works of service. We’re focused on your individual growth, not our needs and plans. There’s always a need for more people to serve, but we don’t recruit or place people in service based on our need. We recruit out of a desire to invite you to experience the complete plan God has for your life. Our interest is in who you are becoming more than it is about what you are doing.

Gateway Jewish Ministry For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. Romans 1:16 Gateway Jewish Ministry exists to proclaim the gospel to the Jewish people and to connect Christians to Israel and the Jewish roots of our faith. Our desire is to continually bless Israel and the Jewish people. We support Israel in practical ways through training strategic leaders, supporting emergency relief, and caring for the people of the region—Jews and Gentiles alike.

CATCH THE VISION

We believe our efforts around the world are being blessed and multiplied due to our obedience to take the gospel to the Jewish people first. While doing all these things, we also practice what we believe is the greatest way we can love Israel—we tell Jews everywhere that their Messiah has come, that He loves them, and that He died for their sins! One of our core values at Gateway is taking the gospel to the world, following God’s pattern of going “to the Jew first” (Romans 1:16). The gospel came to the Jews first through the Jewish Messiah and then from the Jews to the nations. Therefore, when we take the gospel to the nations, we seek out the Jewish community first to bless them in every way we can, following the example in Romans 1:16. We’re bringing this glorious gospel back to the people through whom it originally came, and we believe this is one of the primary reasons that God has blessed Gateway to the extent that He has. To support this value, our first service each month is a Friday night Messianic service that reaches the Jewish community in our area. We’re also building relationships with Jewish believers around the world and training them to be effective witnesses for the Messiah. To get involved with Gateway Jewish Ministry, we invite you to attend our monthly Messianic service. Gateway faithfully gives to Jewish people and ministries both in Israel and around the world. We support Messianic fellowships, compassion ministries, training centers, and emergency relief organizations as well as Arab believers in Israel. If you would like to join our efforts, Gateway will be happy to send your support to where it’s needed most within Israel or Gateway Jewish Ministry.

Evangelism We encourage relational, marketplace, and lifestyle evangelism that spreads Christianity in a spontaneous, life-giving way. Our goal is to make disciples by taking the message of the gospel to the people we encounter every day. The call to make disciples implies evangelism is a priority to God. When Jesus said go and make disciples, He didn’t mean to go find saved people and teach them about the Bible. He meant to go find lost people, lead them to Jesus, and teach them how to become wholly-devoted followers of Christ. Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. He went on to say that a second commandment is like it—to love your neighbor as yourself. This is the heart behind everything we do through Gateway Outreach. Because “we’re all about people” at Gateway, our desire is to help create a culture of outreach where every individual, family, and Gateway Group can find a place to reach the lost and needy within our local communities.

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Local Outreach I was hungry … you gave Me food … I was thirsty … you gave Me drink ... I was a stranger … you took Me in ... I was naked … you clothed Me ... I was sick … you visited Me ... I was in prison … you came to Me ... As you did it to the least of these, You did it to Me. ~ Jesus Everywhere Jesus went, He was doing outreach! Whether He was turning water into wine at a wedding or multiplying loaves and fish to feed the 5,000, Jesus was doing outreach. Outreach is a natural byproduct of a believer who has transitioned from receiving a blessing to becoming a blessing. At Gateway, our desire is to see every believer serving in their community, so we can impact all seven million of our Dallas/Fort Worth neighbors. Whether you are painting a house, feeding the hungry, visiting a prisoner, or handing out water bottles to the homeless, you are fulfilling a biblical call to serve those in need. Within Gateway Outreach, we accomplish this call by partnering with local ministries and churches. We find organizations who have a similar heart for ministry and then help them carry out the work God has specifically called them to by supporting them and providing resources. Visit outreach.gatewaypeople.com to find opportunities at your campus.

International Outreach God has put a vision in our hearts to be fully engaged in global ministry, which is simply taking our ministry in the local church to other cultures. Starting with the nation of Israel and sweeping across the globe, we stand with strong apostolic networks of churches and powerful national leaders on every continent. Whether giving a cup of cold water to someone in Jesus’ name or praying with someone as they receive Him as their Savior, we must be actively involved in reaching out to those in need. We are committed to equipping you to make a difference in the world, and through Gateway Outreach, you can do just that. We want every member of Gateway to be involved in global ministry. If each member of Gateway goes on at least one global ministry trip every few years while being supportive of missions in our time and giving, there is no limit to how God can use us in other nations. Another way we fulfill our vision to see people around the world saved, healed, set free, discipled, equipped, empowered, and serving is through our television show, The Blessed Life. This half-hour primetime program features insightful teaching from Pastor Robert and dynamic worship with Gateway Worship. Through The Blessed Life, we are able to reach people across the entire world with the life-changing power of the gospel. For more information about the show, visit theblessedlife.com.

CATCH THE VISION

GIVING TO GOD AND CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP The financial operation of the church is dependent upon the faithful and obedient giving of its members. Part of any church’s membership responsibility involves faithful tithing. But this isn’t the only reason that we include a section about it in Catch the Vision. While giving is a part of the overall stewardship of what God has given to us, we are a giving church. Giving is a part of Pastor Robert’s life message, and it has come to define who we are at Gateway Church. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21

GIVING IS DIRECTED TO GOD Even though giving is directed to the local church as the storehouse, it’s acknowledged as being given to God. Our giving, then, is an expression of our love for Him and is done out of obedience to Him. It becomes an extension of our personal worship (Malachi 3:8–10; Matthew 23:23; Mark 12:43–44).

GIVING IS AN EXPRESSION OF OUR STEWARDSHIP AND GOD’S LORDSHIP IN OUR LIVES Our stewardship includes our time, our gifts, and our talents as well as our treasure (Matthew 6:21; Luke 16:13).

GIVING HAS A PROFOUND, PRACTICAL EFFECT ON OUR LIVES God has promised that He will rebuke the devourer as we give (Malachi 3:11) and that He will always bless the giver, because He, Himself, is a giver (Luke 6:38). We don’t believe in withholding our giving as a form of disagreement or a statement about the direction of the church. We give to bless the work of God—no strings attached.

GIVING AT GATEWAY IS UNIQUE Our method of giving is by way of the offering containers at the back of the Auditorium at each of our campuses. Each individual must take the initiative and make an effort to give. Our commitment is to clearly communicate any need we may have and to challenge you to give in response to that need as a form of worship and obedience. You can also give on the myGateway App or online at egiving.gatewaypeople.com.

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WHY MEMBERSHIP? At Gateway, we value membership. To us, Gateway is more than a platform for preaching and furthering the gospel—Gateway is a community of believers. As believers, we are to live out our Christian lives in the context of the local church. In the same way that the physical body has different, interconnected members, Paul tells us that we are “members one of another.” While you could remain a guest of Gateway or even a regular attendee of our weekend services, the real value of Gateway begins with membership. Membership implies a commitment to the Gateway family. It’s your way of saying, “Count on me!” In turn, we promise to commit Gateway resources to meet your spiritual needs. That’s our way of saying, “You can count on us!” This Membership Commitment is designed to be another way you can make a deeper commitment to the Lord, to the leadership of this church, and to one another. This commitment implies that you are taking a greater responsibility for Gateway Church and that you will: •

Take Ownership—Gateway becomes, in a real sense, your church.

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Make Friends—As a member, you become responsible to God to cultivate God-given relationships.

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Embrace God’s Purity—Connecting with God always results in a purification of your heart.

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Be Loyal—Guard your heart against envy, jealousy, unforgiveness, or bitterness, and cultivate an open, loving spirit toward both Gateway’s leaders and members.

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Choose to Serve—Wholly-devoted followers of Christ are servants first, looking for needs to meet and people to encourage.

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Grow in Christ—Get ready for a growth spurt in your walk with God!

Membership through Catch the Vision is an important, defining event in your Gateway experience. Joining Gateway Church allows you to be a part of a powerful kingdom community and receive the blessings and benefits of being a member. You also embrace the responsibilities that accompany such a commitment.

CATCH THE VISION

COMMITMENT OF MEMBERSHIP By joining Gateway Church, I ... •

Agree with the Statement of Faith of Gateway Church (Appendix A; p. 71).

•

ecognize the leadership and authority of the eldership, the senior pastor, R and the pastoral staff (p. 18).

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Agree to actively attend and support Gateway Church and its ministries.

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Will become an active, participating member of the church.

There are many benefits to joining Gateway Church. Our passion is for people to feel as though they are the best-pastored people in the world. We want to share life together and build lasting relationships. The benefits available to those committing themselves to membership include: •

The pastoral love and care of our members and leaders.

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All the benefits and resources of Gateway Church’s many ministries.

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The corporate blessings of Gateway Church.

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A deep satisfaction in being purposely placed in the body of Christ.

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A catalyst for spiritual change.

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congregational vote in church business affairs involving major A capital expenditures.

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A healthy spiritual community where you, your family, and your friends can thrive and grow.

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DO YOU WANT TO BUILD THE KINGDOM? You have many opportunities to serve at Gateway!

IN THE CHURCH

God designed you to serve in an area based on your passions, gifts, and talents and we want to help you find that place! You can serve as an usher or greeter, in kids ministry, with the bookstore or cafĂŠ, and more. Contact Us

email serve@gatewaypeople.com visit serve.gatewaypeople.com

IN THE COMMUNITY

The mission of Gateway Outreach is to equip, empower, and mobilize people to make a kingdom impact outside the walls of Gateway Church. We accomplish this mission by joining with ministries and organizations already effectively working in the community. Contact Us

email outreach@gatewaypeople.com visit outreach.gatewaypeople.com INTERNATIONALLY Our vision is to see people saved, healed, set free, discipled, equipped, empowered, and serving. The Gateway Outreach vision is to carry this message outside the four walls of our church. Our teams conduct ministry trips throughout the year to serve the needs of nations on almost every continent to help bring about community transformation. Contact Us

email trips@gatewaypeople.com visit trips.gatewaypeople.com

Gateway Jewish Ministry exists to

proclaim the gospel to the Jewish people and to connect Christians to Israel and the Jewish roots of our faith.

One of our core values here at Gateway is taking the gospel to the world by following God’s pattern of going “to the Jew first” (Romans 1:16). To support this value, our first service every month is a Friday night Messianic service, which is an effective outreach to the Jewish community in our area. We also support our vision through the celebration of some Jewish festivals, ministry trips and tours to Israel, Jewish dance workshops, Prayer for Israel, teaching resources, and classes.

email jewish@gatewaypeople.com visit jewish.gatewaypeople.com

GOD, MONEY, AND YOU We can help you: + budget + reduce debt + build a savings plan + invest

+ tithe + develop your career + make a plan for your estate

Our goal is to equip you to live in financial freedom!

Care offers encouragement to those within our Gateway family who are walking through challenging life events. If you are experiencing a significant life event or are in need of assisencouragement those tance, weCare wantoffers to encourage and assisttoyou in within our Gateway family both spiritual andwalking practicalthrough ways through one life events. If you are who are challenging of our many avenues of care. experiencing a significant life event or are in need of assis-

tance, we want to encourage and assist you in both spiritual Contact and Us practical ways through one of our many avenues of care. email care@gatewaypeople.com visit care.gatewaypeople.com

email care@gatewaypeople.com visit care.gatewaypeople.com

APPENDICES BUILD

APPENDIX A—STATEMENT OF FAITH Article 1—The Trinity It is the testimony of both the Old and New Testaments and of the Christian Church that God is both One and Triune. The biblical revelation testifies that there is only one God and that He is eternally existent in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. •

God the Father God the Father is the Creator and Sustainer of all things, and He created the universe in love. He created man in His own image for fellowship and called man back to Himself through Christ after the rebellion and the Fall (of man).

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The Son Jesus Christ is eternally God. He was together with the Father and the Holy Spirit from the beginning, and through Him all things were made. For man’s redemption, He left heaven and became incarnate by the Holy Spirit through the virgin Mary; henceforth, He is forever one Christ with two natures—God and man—in one person.

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The Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit is God, the Lord and Giver of life, who was active in the Old Testament and given to the Church in fullness at Pentecost. He empowers the saints for service and witness, cleanses man from the old nature, and conforms us to the image of Christ. The baptism in the Holy Spirit, after conversion, releases the fullness of the Spirit and is evidenced by the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

APPENDIX A

Article 2—The Scripture We affirm that the Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments, is alone the only infallible, inspired Word of God, and that its authority is ultimate, final, and eternal. It cannot be added to, subtracted from, or superseded in any regard. The Bible is the source of all doctrine, instruction, correction, and reproof. It contains all that is needed for guidance in godliness and practical Christian conduct.

Article 3—The Atonement Christ’s vicarious death on the cross paid the penalty for the sins of the whole world, but its benefits are only applicable to those who receive Jesus as personal Savior. Healing—body, soul, and spirit—and all of God’s provisions for His saints are provided for in the atonement, but these must be appropriated by faith.

Article 4—Salvation The Word of God declares clearly that salvation is a free gift of God, based on the merits of the death of His Son, and is appropriated by faith. Salvation is effected by personal repentance, belief in the Lord Jesus ( justification), and personal acceptance of Him into one’s life as Lord and Savior (regeneration). The new life in Christ includes the privileges of adoption and inheritance in the kingdom of God’s beloved Son. Salvation is an act of free will in response to God’s personal love for mankind. It should produce an active lifestyle of loving obedience and service to Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Article 5—The Christian Life We believe the Scriptures portray the life of the saint in this world to be one of balance between what is imputed to us as Christians and what is imparted to us according to our faith and maturity. Therefore, God’s provision for His children is total, and His promises are final and forever. The shortcomings of the individual and of the Church are because of the still progressing sanctification of the saints. The Christian life is filled with trials, tests, and warfare against a spiritual enemy. To remain faithful through all circumstances of life requires dependence upon the Holy Spirit and a willingness to die to personal desires and passions.

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Article 6—The Church The goal of the Church is to make disciples of all nations and to present the saints complete in Christ. The five-fold ministry gifts listed in Ephesians 4 govern the church, along with the elders and service of the deacons, as well as other leadership roles mentioned in Scripture. Church policy is a balance between congregation and eldership authority, emphasizing the final authority of the church leadership. It is essential to the life of the church that scriptural patterns of discipline are practiced and that oversight for church discipline, individual and corporate, is exercised by the leadership of the church.

Article 7—Baptism and The Lord’s Supper The Word of God places on the Church two perpetual ordinances of the Lord Jesus Christ. The first, baptism, is the outward sign of what God has already done in the individual’s life and is a testimony to all that the person now belongs to Jesus. It is identification with Jesus and is effected in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Lord’s Supper is a commemoration of the death of the Lord and is done in remembrance of Him until He comes again; it is a sign of our loving participation in Him. Both ordinances are restricted to those who are believers.

Article 8—Eschatology We affirm the bodily, personal second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the saints, the millennium, and the final judgment. The final judgment will determine the eternal status of both the saints and the unbelievers, determined by their relationship to Jesus Christ. We affirm with the Bible the final state of the new heavens and the new earth.

APPENDIX A

APPENDIX B—POSITION PAPERS Salvation INTRODUCTION We believe Scripture declares every person needs to surrender their life to God through Jesus Christ. Nicodemus was a man who faithfully attended church, prayed, memorized Scripture, tithed, fasted, believed in God and acknowledged Jesus as someone sent from God, yet Jesus told him, “You must be born again”! In other words, being a good and religious person doesn’t meet the requirements for having a relationship with a holy and righteous God, which is what salvation is all about. Not every encounter with God is a salvation encounter. Some have had a seed conceived in them, and they have called that salvation. When they responded to God’s prompting, a seed was planted; but later in their life, an encounter with God resulted in a response where some might say they “totally sold out,” “gave up,” or “rededicated” their life. That is when a change in their thinking and behavior occurred. Jesus spoke of repentance as involving a change in behavior, and He associated that change with salvation. We believe that new birth in Christ produces a change. Scripture clearly expresses we are not saved by what we do because salvation has been provided by Jesus Christ as a free gift that we receive by faith. However, when we receive Christ, it is evidenced by the fruit of change in our thinking and behavior in response to confessing our sin, acknowledging our need for a Savior and accepting Jesus Christ as God’s provision for our lost condition. The answer for those who want to know if they’ve been born again is found in their response to a simple question, “When you received Christ, was there a change evidenced in your life?” In other words, “When did you stop going your way and start going God’s way?” The answer may point to a specific date or event, or to a general point in life where a change was noticed in response to a decision to surrender to God and accept His provision of forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus Christ. It is God’s stated desire that no one should spend eternity apart from Him but rather that all should obtain salvation. Scripture is also clear that nothing can separate us from His love. It is our conviction that when a person has been truly born again to new life in Christ, that person’s relationship with God is eternally secure, and His love for us is without question. As a loving Father, He disciplines disobedience and brings correction through a variety of means, but He never leaves us, rejects us, or withdraws His promise of eternity with Him.

CATCH THE VISION

ISSUES OF CONCERN AND PRACTICE Once a person has received Christ, evidenced by the fruit of changed behavior in his or her life, they maintain intimacy of relationship with God through obedience, pursuit, and service to God. When intimacy is lost through sin or neglect, it does not require a person to be “saved” again, although it does involve repentance for restored intimacy with God. Because salvation is afforded through Christ’s work on the cross, water baptism isn’t necessary for a person to be saved. However, water baptism is an association with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. It symbolizes the death of the old man and the resurrection of the new man in Christ. Baptism is a command for believers modeled by Jesus through His own baptism and is a necessary step of obedience for continued growth in Christ. It is not necessary for church membership, but we encourage all believers to be water baptized after salvation. Every person is born with a sin nature and cannot produce the perfect righteousness required by God no matter how diligent their efforts. This reality forms the basis of our need for Christ. As such, we do not believe in the inherent goodness of man but instead acknowledge with Scripture our needy condition before God. It is this belief that compels us to share the Good News of the gospel of Christ with everyone. The essence of the Good News is revealed in the truth that it is not God’s desire that any should perish but that all should come to eternal life through Jesus Christ. We acknowledge that every person has been created with a free will by God. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, the testimony of those redeemed by Him and enlightenment of scriptural truth, a person is presented with the opportunity to accept the gifts that God has provided through Christ. This begins with salvation and extends through every provision afforded by Christ’s atoning work and every revelation of His great love for mankind. All His work and gifts are appropriated by faith through exercising our free will in response to Him. We believe that children can be saved. A response to God through Jesus Christ requires an awareness of His promises and our sinful condition. Because maturation and thinking processes develop individually, we do not limit the salvation experience to a specific age but rather believe it is a response based on understanding the truth of Scripture and God’s claim on our lives regardless of the age of the individual.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES The following Scriptures refer specifically to the experience of salvation and are the basis from which we draw our position stated herein.

APPENDIX A

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Romans 3:23

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Romans 10:9–10

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John 3:16–17

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Ephesians 2:8–9

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Titus 3:5

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2 Corinthians 13:5

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Matthew 7:13–23

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Hebrews 6:1–8

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John 15:8

HOW DO YOU RECEIVE JESUS CHRIST? You receive Jesus Christ by believing in your heart that He is the Son of God and the Redeemer of mankind and by confessing with your mouth your love and commitment to Him. These two responses constitute the act of receiving faith (Romans 10:9–10).

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT TO HAPPEN? There will be a peace that settles over your heart and mind. It may involve an emotional response, but not necessarily. Salvation is not an emotional event; it's a response of acceptance to the truthful promises of God. Often the awareness of what God has provided becomes emotional to the individual, but if it doesn’t, the process is not negated. Jesus stated it was to our advantage that He went away because then He could send the Holy Spirit to us (John 16:7). The Holy Spirit’s presence and work leads us to a deeper intimacy with God and a fulfillment of His will in our lives.

CAN I LOSE MY SALVATION? No believer can presume on God’s grace or His goodness by choosing to live after himself or his own desires. After all Christ did for us, we are encouraged and admonished to passionately pursue Him and to bear much fruit (John 15:8). For those who have received Christ and who evidence the Holy Spirit’s fruit in their life, we affirm their salvation is eternally secure.

CATCH THE VISION

CONCLUSION All people are born with a sin nature and need the redemption available through Jesus Christ. By responding to God from their hearts with words like those below, they can be saved: “God, I acknowledge I’m a sinner, and I have fallen short of what You expect. I ask You to forgive me of my sins. I receive Jesus Christ, Your Son, as my Savior and Lord. Thank You, God, for saving me from eternity without You. Amen.” Romans 10:9–10 tells us that by believing in our hearts and confessing with our mouths that Jesus is Lord, we are saved. We encourage every believer to give open testimony of their love for God and their faith in Jesus Christ, His Son.

RESOURCES •

The Holy Bible

• “The Beginning of the Ministry” (a sermon from the Revealing the Mystery

series by Pastor Robert Morris)

Baptism in the Holy Spirit INTRODUCTION We believe the need for the Holy Spirit’s power and presence in a believer’s life is as critical today as it was in the day of the apostles. We do not teach a dispensational view of the Holy Spirit’s power and the expression of His gifts. Rather we hold the position, supported by Scripture, that the Holy Spirit’s presence and power are for every believer until Jesus returns. We recognize that the families and members of Gateway Church come from varied and diverse backgrounds. As such, we extend the opportunity for people to grow in their understanding of the person and power of the Holy Spirit as well as their understanding of His work in their lives. Everyone at Gateway is encouraged to seek the power, presence, and gifts of the Holy Spirit for themselves in a manner with which they are comfortable. No one will ever be forced to receive the Holy Spirit or any of His gifts, but all are taught the contemporary work of the Holy Spirit from Scripture and encouraged to grow in love and intimacy with God. As we minister to individuals, we will use all the gifts available to us from God to see healing, deliverance, and freedom developed in a person’s life. Public expressions of the gifts of the Spirit will be demonstrated in an orderly manner as directed by church leadership. Appropriate expression of the gifts of the

APPENDIX A

Holy Spirit in a corporate setting include submission to pastoral authority and involves expression of the gifts with dignity and order so that it can be received by all. Jesus promised His church that they would receive a powerful encounter with the Holy Spirit after His death and resurrection. It is our view that God desires every Christian to experience this same encounter with the Holy Spirit’s power. In Luke 11:13, Jesus explains that it is our heavenly Father’s pleasure to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. Just like salvation, the Holy Spirit is a free gift from the Father, which is received by faith.

ISSUES OF CONCERN AND PRACTICE Through the baptism in the Holy Spirit, God extends His power and the blessing of His presence to all believers. Our role is to receive. This baptism is marked by an initial act of receiving and continues as a daily response of receiving what God has made available for our service and relationship with Him. Through this process of receiving, we choose to accept His gifts and all His provision for our lives. While we acknowledge emotionalism has often been associated with expressions of the Holy Spirit, and at times there has been failure in the church to properly administrate the manifestations of the Holy Spirit, we don't think these are sufficient reasons to limit the work or expression of the Holy Spirit at Gateway Church. The pastors and elders of Gateway Church are committed to teach biblical truth and uphold a biblical standard of order in our corporate worship while at the same time allowing and encouraging an atmosphere for the Holy Spirit’s work among us. We believe this is a better solution to past abuses and excesses in the church related to the Holy Spirit and His gifts. At Gateway, there are opportunities to experience the different ways that God manifests His power as we draw closer to Him. We encourage individuals to seek the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit listed in 1 Corinthians 12:4–11. These gifts are not a reflection of spiritual maturity; they are a response of openness and faith to God. Spiritual maturity combines obedience, faith, and character in a process that molds us into the likeness of God. We believe the gift of tongues has a dual purpose as outlined in the Scriptures. When coupled with the gift of interpretation, it provides encouragement, comfort, and exhortation to the congregation of believers. When used in prayer, it also provides personal edification for the believer and heavenly unction for prayer concerns that we lack words to adequately express (1 Corinthians 14). As a prayer force, it adds a new dimension to our partnership with God.

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We believe a person receives the Holy Spirit when they receive Christ, according to Ephesians 1:13. However, as demonstrated in numerous accounts throughout the New Testament, a believer must receive the Holy Spirit in a manner that accepts the full measure of His work for it to be activated in his life. Many believers have been taught the Holy Spirit’s role in our day and time is to function as the seal of the promise of salvation. This teaching is true according to Scripture, but it is only one aspect of the Holy Spirit’s work in the believer’s life. Receiving the Holy Spirit after conversion is based on a dawning awareness that His role is more than was understood or explained at conversion. This act of receiving is accepting the broadened biblical role of the Holy Spirit by faith.

MAJOR POINTS AND SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES The following scriptures refer specifically to the experience of the baptism in the Holy Spirit and are the basis from which we draw our position as stated below. •

Ephesians 1:13

•

1 Corinthians 12:4–11

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Luke 11:13

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Matthew 7:7–11

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John 1:32–33

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Acts 2:1–4

HOW DO YOU RECEIVE THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT? You receive the Holy Spirit by faith based on the truth of Scripture and the desire of your heart to accept the promise of God for yourself. The acceptance of the promise of God’s power is by faith—the same faith used to receive Christ as Savior. To receive the Holy Spirit, you simply approach God in an attitude of faith, because according to Luke 11:13, it is His good pleasure to give His Spirit to those who ask.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT? You can expect things to be different in your life. As demonstrated in Scripture, when a person receives the Holy Spirit, there may be a manifestation associated with the encounter. Some become emotional or express a gift of the Holy Spirit such as tongues, while others notice a change in their insight on Scripture or boldness to witness. While manifestations are not required to receive the Holy Spirit, they are common.

APPENDIX A

WHAT ABOUT THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT? The Holy Spirit brings the experience of the life of Jesus into our lives. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are divided into three categories (1 Corinthians 12:7–11): •

Vocal Gifts—tongues, prophecy, and the interpretation of tongues.

•

Knowledge Gifts—words of knowledge, words of wisdom, and the discerning of spirits.

•

Power Gifts—healing, faith, and miracles.

The apostle Paul encouraged us to earnestly desire spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 14:1. Although the gifts of the Holy Spirit are available to every person who receives the Holy Spirit, they are only activated by faith. If you do not want to demonstrate a gift, God will not make you. If you desire His gifts but don’t understand them completely, He may bypass your mind and give you a gift, but it will always be based on your desire.

RESOURCES •

The Holy Spirit Revealed (a sermon series by Pastor Robert Morris)

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The Promise of the Father (Cindy Rowley)

•

Living the Spirit-Formed Life (Jack Hayford)

CONCLUSION God’s purpose is for every one of His children to be filled with the same Holy Spirit that empowered Jesus’ own life. We cannot reduce this experience to a simple formula. In fact, we are talking about the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. To receive it, we simply go to our heavenly Father in an attitude of faith and ask. Jesus is the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit, and He wants to fill His children. Through experiencing the nine gifts and the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit, we can effectively share the love and power of Jesus Christ with many people. We can also find the power to overcome many temptations, trials, and tests in this life.

Divorce and Remarriage INTRODUCTION We believe that God instituted marriage as an earthly picture of Christ’s relationship with the church (Ephesians 5:22–32). We also believe that He created marriage to be the foundation of a strong church and stable society. It was His intent, as stated in the Bible, that the marriage covenant should be between a man and a woman for a lifetime.

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God never intended for the marriage relationship to function without His involvement. We believe that the most successful marriages are those that are Christ-centered and where each spouse is submitted to God and His principles for biblical marriage. We believe every couple needs the full measure of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grace in their relationship, as well as training and relational encouragement, to have a successful, lifelong marriage. Our desire is for the church to be a place where marriage relationships are nurtured and strengthened. Gateway Church will do everything possible to encourage couples to fulfill their covenant commitment in marriage. We will provide Gateway Groups for every couple, whether they have a struggling marriage or a healthy marriage, to learn how to strengthen their marriage in godly ways. We will offer couples loving support and accountability to aid in their success. We will give them pastoral support and biblical counseling as they work through issues on their way to a fulfilling marriage relationship.

PROBLEMS TO BE ADDRESSED In our society, couples encounter pressure and temptation from an increasing variety of sources, many of which discourage couples from fulfilling their covenant marriage commitment. Many couples lack the training and tools to have successful marriages. As a result, divorce rates in our nation are at a historical high. Hundreds of thousands of couples are ending their marriages each year. In many cases, the results of these divorces are devastating to all involved. The effects of divorce are widespread and are particularly damaging to the most vulnerable among usâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;our children. In the United States, single parent families have become the fastest-growing segment of families whose income is below the poverty line. We recognize and have great sympathy and compassion for those who have experienced the trauma of divorce. It is our desire for Gateway Church to be part of the solution to the issue of divorce in our nation by bringing healing to those involved. Because of the destructive consequences of divorce and our belief that divorce is not Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best (Malachi 2:16), it is our position that Gateway Church will not counsel divorce (Matthew 19:6) but will seek to restore every marriage, believing that God has the ability to heal every relationship, even those that seem beyond repair (Mark 10:27).

SEPARATION Separation may at times be appropriate in cases of physical abuse, defiant unwillingness, or situations that are so damaging to the marriage that the couples are unable, at that time, to work constructively together towards improving the marriage relationship. Separation should not be entered into quickly or without proper counsel. When separation becomes necessary, it

APPENDIX A

should be for the purpose of reconciling the marriage. The separated parties should continue to work on their marriage with the intended result of being reconciled to their spouse.

DIVORCE We believe that once a couple has become one flesh through the covenant of marriage (Mark 10:8), it is Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s will that they remain in that marriage for life. As the pastors and elders become aware of member couples who are experiencing marriage problems, we will meet with those couples and work with them to resolve the issues instead of allowing the marriage to suffer damage or divorce. Members of Gateway Church will be pursued to the extent that we are aware of their situation. Because we desire Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best for each family at Gateway Church, we will not stand aside during times of marital conflict and allow the marriage to disintegrate. We will seek to work with couples to resolve marital conflicts or issues in a way that will produce a satisfying, healthy and lifelong marriage. In working with them, it may be appropriate to advise temporary separation as outlined above for the protection, healing, and restoration of one or both partners. It is the intention of Gateway Church to provide pastoral covering for all member families. When member couples refuse to work to restore or resolve the problems of their marriage and reject pastoral assistance in the process, church membership will be revoked for the resistant party. The member file will be noted. Removal of church membership and its privileges will be deemed as discipline of the church member and will not be restored without a process of reconciliation. When there has been a removal of church membership, the intention of the removal is for the ultimate healing and restoration of the individual whose membership was removed. All member privileges will be removed until there has been a process of restoration completed as outlined below.

RECONCILIATION The first step in rebuilding a relationship with a removed church member is reconciliation. Reconciliation is the process of agreeing on the circumstances and events that led to the disciplinary action. Both parties must agree on these circumstances and be able to say the same things in their regard. Reconciliation may involve limited actions of response that demonstrate the personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sincerity in restoring the relationship.

PROCESS OF RECONCILIATION •

Repent—acknowledge wrong.

•

Restructure actions—demonstrate repentance by changed actions and attitudes.

•

Report—walk in accountability.

•

Restore—heal from past hurts.

RESTORATION When people desire to completely restore their relationship to the church, reinstating church membership and its privileges involves further action. These steps will be determined and outlined as a follow-up to the reconciliation process listed above at the time reconciliation is initiated. Each situation will differ, so the steps of restoration will vary according to the situation and will be determined through pastoral counseling and involvement.

REMARRIAGE A divorce that has taken place before the person’s commitment to Christ is covered under the blood of Christ just like any other sin previously committed. If the divorced person’s spouse has not remarried, Gateway Church will work toward marriage reconciliation as God brings wholeness to the individuals through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit following conversion. If a couple enters the church in a second marriage, Gateway Church will provide tools to help that marriage become and remain a strong, Christcentered relationship.

CONCLUSION It is God’s will, as stated in the Bible, that the marriage covenant should be between a man and a woman for a lifetime. We believe this remains God’s perfect will for His children. When a marriage is struggling, we believe that God’s perfect will is for healing and restoration for the individuals and the marriage, and we will do everything we can to bring this about. For those who have experienced the pain of divorce, we will love, accept, and minister to them as they work to see God’s healing in their life.

RESOURCES •

Marriage on the Rock (Jimmy Evans)

•

Love Talk (Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott)

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Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts (Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott)

APPENDIX B

Freedom Ministry INTRODUCTION Jesus ministered to the broken and needy and had an ability to deeply address the real needs of people He dealt with. He provided all that people needed to move out from under the dominion of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of God. As Jesus proclaimed the gospel of the kingdom of heaven, His ministry was characterized by teaching about the kingdom and instruction regarding life as a kingdom resident. Along with this teaching, Jesus provided demonstrations of power evidencing the kingdom at work among the people. It was His stated task to reclaim what was lost (Luke 19:10) and to undo the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). The works of the devil in our day and age are varied and complex. These works cripple humans and impair their ability to know and worship God. Satan’s reach has gained inroads into our minds, emotions, bodies, relationships, and culture. To help people be free today, we must follow Jesus’ model and instruct people regarding kingdom life. We must also help them encounter our living and present God who acts in power and authority to overcome the impact of living in a fallen-world system. Such an encounter is designed to help people break free from strongholds and demonic oppression in their lives, allowing God’s people to live fully as the redeemed sons and daughters He has intended.

ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED Three issues need to be addressed for people to find freedom from bondage in their lives: 1. The issue of bondage and strongholds in the lives of believers. 2. The issue of learning to walk and grow in freedom. 3. The issue of maintaining healthy balance where there has historically been a tendency toward imbalance.

HELPING PEOPLE BECOME FREE People living in a fallen-world system live under the effects of Satan’s rule. Our response to these conditions must be varied, Spirit-led, and appropriate to the needs of people. Since people are tripartite (1 Thessalonians 5:23), it is important to address spirit, soul, and body for them to find true freedom. Focusing too much on one particular aspect often becomes detrimental to the other two. Our ministry sessions include elements of Spirit-empowered ministry, biblical counsel, expulsion of demonic spirits and healing prayer for physical, spiritual, and emotional wounds.

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HELPING PEOPLE WALK AND GROW IN FREEDOM We want to instruct and model the kind of life and activities that allow people not only to obtain freedom but also to maintain and increase it in their lives. The kinds of activities we consider important to help in these areas include educating people regarding their identity in Christ and the fullness of life available to them, engaging their will in the process, helping them engage in spiritual warfare for themselves and their loved ones, and gaining an ability to recognize and eliminate the things that got them into bondage in the first place. We desire to help people step into a community of friends that can help support them in their journey.

A HEALTHY BALANCE Because this ministry deals with demonstrations of God’s power and engages demonic forces, it is important to minister within biblical parameters. At one end of the spectrum is a completely rational approach that disavows any concept of the supernatural. At the other end of the spectrum is the belief that we are all pawns in some cosmic battle and have no role in becoming and staying free. We will maintain a healthy balance between these two extremes; discerning and responding with authority to strongholds and demonic spirits while helping individuals recognize and accept their own responsibility for life choices.

FOCUS OF FREEDOM MINISTRY TO INDIVIDUALS Our focus is based on core values anchored in Scripture that help maintain balance as we minister freedom to individuals. •

Biblical Foundations (2 Timothy 3:16): To maintain the health of our Freedom Ministry, we consider Scripture the foundation for all we do. All experience will be screened through our understanding of Scripture.

•

Solution-Focused (Philippians 4:8): We will make Jesus, His work, and the work of the Holy Spirit more prominent than the work of unclean spirits.

•

Spirit-Guided (John 5:19): We will develop our ears for the guiding voice of God so that we may do what we see the Father doing.

•

Compassion (2 Timothy 2:24): We will treat people with the love and compassion that have been shown to us. We will treat God’s children the way we would want our children to be treated.

•

The Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23): We will conduct ourselves and our ministry in a way that reflects the fruits of the Spirit.

•

Discipleship (Ephesians 4:16): We are growing disciples with long-term fruit and the ability to reproduce.

•

Personal Growth (Matthew 10:8): We are not teaching techniques; we are freely passing on what we have freely received.

APPENDIX B

•

Unity (Psalm 133:1): We are stronger together than we are as individuals. We will accept and grow from one another’s differences.

CHRISTIANS AND DEMONIZATION A common debate among believers revolves around the relationship between Christians and demonic spirits. Often at the core of this debate is the question, “Can a Christian be possessed by a demon?” At the heart of this question is a need to understand the interaction between the spiritual realm and the daily life we live as Christians. The Bible has some clear descriptions about this issue. We must first realize that any time we read the term “demon possessed” in English, this is not the phrase used in the original language of Scripture. Two common terms in Greek, the language of the New Testament, are: 1) daimonion echei, translated “has a devil” (Luke 8:27), and 2) daimonizomenou (John 10:21), best understood as “demonized.” In neither case is the term “demon possessed” found in the original language. In fact, in the case of the first phrase, the implication is just the opposite. The spirit does not have the person; the person has the spirit. Although realizing this does not address the issue of a born-again believer and demonization, it is important to understand that the issue is a matter of influence and not necessarily possession. Satan did not have to claim ownership of Adam and Eve to exert influence over them. The terms Jesus used when doing away with demonic forces clearly imply that the spirits were issued forth from the person (ap autou—“off or out of the self,” Matthew 17:18; ekbleethentos—“plucked out and expelled from within,” Matthew 9:33; exelthontos—“to issue forth from,” Luke 11:14). These phrases would indicate an internal position of influence much like bacteria or infection is internal. All these verses indicate the position of influence that Jesus dealt with regarding demons and people. Regarding that same influence with born-again believers, our clearest scriptural example is found in 2 Corinthians 12:7 (NASB). Paul states: “Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!” The apostle Paul testifies concerning himself that God sent a “messenger of Satan” (angelos) to be a thorn in his flesh (sarki). These phrases clearly indicate that an angel of Satan was in the physical person of Paul. The same position of influence described in the encounters with Jesus is indicated even more clearly in Paul’s own description of his condition.

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It is our position that demonic forces can influence a person in varying degrees from an external position as well as an internal position. The body and the soul (mind, will, and emotions) can provide a haven for influencing spirits. The spirit of a born-again believer is the Holy Spirit of God, but as Paul makes clear, we can either live by the flesh or live by the Spirit. When we live by the flesh, we give the devil an opportunity (topos—“a place or geographical location,” Ephesians 4:27).

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES •

Matthew 28:18–20

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Matthew 10:5–8

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Matthew 4:17, 23

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Luke 4:16–21

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John 8:31

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Romans 6:6

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Romans 6:16–18

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2 Corinthians 5:17–18

CONCLUSION As our response to Jesus’ command to declare the gospel of the kingdom and demonstrate it as we go, Gateway Freedom seeks to encompass the ministry of Jesus to undo the works of the devil in the lives of individuals. We desire to help people grow in their souls (mind, will, emotions) through elements of teaching and discipleship, so that they can grow in the freedom they obtain as they seek to know and serve Jesus Christ. We also work to make compassionate settings of ministry available for groups and individuals, so that people can encounter God in their areas need.

RESOURCES •

Victory Over the Darkness (Neil Anderson)

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The Bondage Breaker (Neil Anderson)

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Shadow Boxing (Henry Malone)

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Deliverance and Inner Healing (John Sandford)

APPENDIX B

Church Government INTRODUCTION Gateway Church is committed to building a biblical foundation for church government. Spiritual life is produced when church government and theological correctness are combined with biblical preaching that proclaims the authority of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Word and the presence of the Holy Spirit. We believe the principles of church government are universal, and the scriptural injunction for oversight and governance of the local church is relevant to every culture.

ISSUES OF CONCERN AND PRACTICE Gateway practices an elder form of government. Although there are other important positions of leadership for instruction and ministry, it is the Elder Board that has the responsibility to provide visionary direction and spiritual covering for the ministries of our church. There are three basic functions of elders: 1. To lead the church by governing the vision of the church and establishing policies that provide theological boundaries for church life. 2. To uphold the biblical standards of behavior among church members. This includes enforcing church discipline for factious behavior, unrepentant sin, and doctrinal error. 3. To individually demonstrate a model for ministry and godly living to the people as they lead the church. Gateway Church believes church policies and decisions for ministry are best made when the entire elder team meets together and discusses, debates, and prays. Elder meetings are held regularly and include discussion about policy decisions that affect the congregation as a whole. While the senior pastor is the leader of the elders and is given special respectful consideration, all the elders have equality relating to input and decision making. Until there is unanimity on an issue, no decision is finalized or acted upon. As the church grows and new ministries are established, the elders ensure that the ministry remains consistent with the vision of the church and the methods of ministry remain consistent with our principles for ministry.

MAJOR POINTS The office of elder is a governmental office with spiritual responsibilities and rewards. We believe that one day Jesus will review each elderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stewardship. Faithful, willing, and sacrificial service to the flock of God will result in heavenly rewards. Elders should set the standard in every area of life. While perfection

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is impossible, an elder should take his position seriously and strive to uphold the character qualifications necessary for this office in the church. The first elders of Gateway Church were appointed by Pastor Robert Morris and the elders of Trinity Fellowship Church in Amarillo, Texas, prior to the start of Gateway Church in April 2000. The original group of elders was given the authority to expand the number of elders as they deemed necessary. Careful consideration is given when choosing an elder. The qualifications in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 are used to determine a man’s ability to minister in the capacity of elder. Gateway Church will only appoint spiritually mature men who are known within the congregation and have served faithfully in the ministries of the church for a season of time. A man must also be gifted governmentally, which is reflected through the following qualities. The elder candidate should: •

Enjoy overseeing the church and desire the office of elder.

•

Have the disposition of a servant and have a distinct love for people.

•

Have an enthusiasm for every ministry of the church and not have a strong bias toward particular areas.

•

Understand and respect the authority structure of the church.

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Be able to make decisions and maintain his resolve even in the face of intense and sometimes critical opposition.

•

Be filled with faith for the future and not be overwhelmed by the size of the vision that God has for the church.

•

Support and be willing and able to defend the eldership publicly and privately.

The elder role and scope of service: •

Gateway Church believes the senior pastor should be the leader of the eldership and should set the agenda for each meeting.

•

Gateway Church has elders who are serving as staff of the church and elders who are not a part of the church staff. While the ratio of staff elders and non-staff elders may vary, it is the desire of Gateway Church to maintain a balance of both.

•

The elders who are not a part of the church staff are given the responsibility to approve the annual budget and to administrate the compensation packages of the senior staff.

APPENDIX B

Gateway Church maintains the position that elders are men only and should serve as the head of the church just as men should serve as the head of the home. •

Decisions are made by the elders after extensive discussion and prayer and with complete unanimity. Debate is common and differing opinions are welcomed. Every effort is made by each elder to operate in unity with one another.

•

If the elders of Gateway Church reach an impasse with a decision, the elders will appeal to the full eldership of Trinity Fellowship Church in Amarillo, Texas.

•

The existing elders have the authority to appoint new elders as deemed necessary. When new elders are appointed, the congregation will be notified.

Elders are appointed for life unless: •

They resign for personal reasons.

•

They are disqualified by sin or a failure to meet the biblical standards of the office.

•

They leave Gateway Church.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES •

1 Timothy 3:1–7

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Titus 1:5–9

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James 5:14–15

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1 Peter 5:1–4

CHURCH DISCIPLINE Gateway Church also believes a primary responsibility of leadership is to model and maintain a standard of biblical behavior in the local church. We believe the Lord has given the elders the responsibility to provide spiritual oversight for those who join the church. His command in 1 Peter 5:1 to “shepherd the flock of God” is something we take seriously. Although we do not believe God has given the elders absolute responsibility or authority in an individual’s life, we believe there are three specific areas in which we are responsible to give spiritual oversight. Because we believe we are responsible before God to provide this spiritual oversight, we will confront our members on their behavior in these areas. If the situation is not subsequently resolved in a satisfactory fashion, a formal process of church discipline will be initiated. The areas of spiritual oversight are as follows:

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1. Open and Blatant Sin It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife! And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who had done this deed might be taken away from among you. 1 Corinthians 5:1–2 2. Issues Involving Doctrinal Error But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. 2 Peter 2:1–3 3. Divisive and Contentious Behavior Within the Congregation But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned. Titus 3:9–11 Every effort will be made to meet with the member who is involved with any of these issues. Our desire is to help our members grow to maturity through compassionate mentoring. The biblical model of confrontation and correction is not meant to punish people but rather to protect the body of Christ from the wages of unrepentant sin. Biblical authority is not a license to exert control; it is a responsibility to exert influence for God’s will to be accomplished. “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.” Matthew 18:15–17

APPENDIX B

Our approach to confronting a member of the church involves the following steps: •

Begins with personal confrontation.

•

Expands to committee confrontation.

•

Broadens to group confrontation.

•

Ends in removal of membership privileges.

In confronting sin, we must remember: •

The purpose is redemption.

•

The attitude is humility.

•

The result is accountability.

CONCLUSION Biblical government is designed to represent heaven accurately and attack hell successfully. The governmental DNA of the church is produced by pure biblical standards that have not been distorted or damaged by negative influences. The local church is the hope of the world and the hope of the local church is the Lordship of Christ through biblical government that operates under the blessing and favor of God.

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The Role of Women in Ministry INTRODUCTION Gateway Church strongly believes in recognizing and supporting the contribution of women in the ministry of the church. We believe in the value of women in all aspects of ministry with the exception of those areas that exercise governmental authority within the church. Furthermore, we believe God has ordained the family unit to serve as a model for the entire church with the father as the head of the home and functioning as a servant-leader as described in Ephesians 5. We, therefore, believe both men and women can reach their fullest potential in ministry within the structure of the biblical family model. We believe a woman can teach and lead within any of the vast array of ministry roles and positions as long as she demonstrates a biblically qualifying lifestyle. She must also submit herself, along with other servant-leaders, to those leaders God has placed in positions of governing authority, specifically, the senior pastor and the elders of the church. We believe that the positions of senior pastor and elder are (because of their governmental responsibility) reserved only for men. Except for these two positions, we consider all ministry positions and opportunities to be open to women.

EQUALITY OF MEN AND WOMEN The Bible clearly reveals that God is not a respecter of persons (Romans 2:11; Acts 10:34; Ephesians 6:9). At Gateway, we affirm belief in the equality of all men and women. On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit filled both men and women alike without concern for gender (Acts 2:1–21). Both women and men are called to faithful service and good stewardship of all that God provides. We discover throughout the New Testament that both genders participated in a full variety of Christian service including prophecy, leadership, and teaching (Acts 2:15–18, 18:26, 21:9; Romans 16:7; 1 Corinthians 11:5; 1 Peter 2:9–10).

THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT One of the most frequently quoted prophetic declarations is found in the book of Joel where the prophet writes that God will pour out His Spirit “upon all flesh; and … your daughters shall prophesy … and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my Spirit” (Joel 2:28–29; see also Acts 2:17). Ministry in the New Testament is defined within Spirit-empowered expressions of God’s wonderful gifts. Nowhere in the writings of the New Testament do we find conditions or exceptions placed on the distribution of spiritual gifts along gender lines. Thus, while some gifts are a spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit and others are recognized ministry gifts to the church, all gifts are given by God for His

APPENDIX B

greater purpose and without regard to social, economic, or gender demarcation (Romans 12:6–8; 1 Corinthians 12:7–11, 27–28; Ephesians 4:7–12; 1 Peter 4:10–11). We conclude, therefore, that women can serve in vital roles in ministry, and this position is further illustrated in the apostle Paul’s many references to women serving with him in ministry throughout the church.

CONTROVERSIAL TEXTS CONCERNING WOMEN IN MINISTRY There are two often-quoted passages within the Pauline writings that have caused heated debate over many generations on the topic of women in ministry. 1. 1 Corinthians 14:34–35 In the first passage Paul writes to the church at Corinth, “Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak … ” (1 Corinthians 14:34–35, KJV). Unfortunately, this passage has mistakenly been cited to justify a position that rejects the biblical role of women in ministry. When understood within the context of Paul’s complete letter to a very troubled church, we gain a more informed perspective. Given that earlier in his letter Paul gave instructions regarding how women should pray and prophesy in public (1 Corinthians 11:5), it can be assumed that Paul must have meant something other than absolute prohibition for women in the public arena of ministry. Such an interpretation would simply fail to coincide with countless other Pauline writings that affirm the ministry contribution made by women. Therefore, we conclude that within the context of the situation at Corinth that prompted the letter to be written originally, Paul’s admonition here is about excessive disruptions and disorder taking place. Therefore, this passage, like the rest of the chapter, is an attempt to bring correction to the chaos and to affirm that “all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40). 2. 1 Timothy 2:11–15 Another challenging passage centers on Paul’s instructions to his young apprentice, Timothy, when he writes, “I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man … ” (1 Timothy 2:12). This passage has troubled biblical scholars and church leaders for centuries. Was Paul offering some kind of transcultural mandate, or was he instead seeking to provide Timothy with spiritual counsel concerning the improper conduct occurring among some women in Ephesus (1 Timothy 2:9, 5:13; 2 Timothy 3:6)? A review of the entire text of Paul’s letter gives a strong indication that he was offering advice to Timothy on how to confront the heretical teaching and misconduct occurring among women within the church. To view this passage in any other context would require denying the legitimacy of Paul’s

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other references to the work and ministry of women within the various churches of his day. Such a perceived contradiction is inconsistent with the proven principles of biblical interpretation.

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF WOMEN IN MINISTRY While the debate over the role of women in church ministry predominantly centers upon the interpretation of two challenging New Testament passages (1 Corinthians 14:34 and 1 Timothy 2:12), a fair and thorough review of biblical records reveals explicit and overwhelming evidence to support Gateway’s stated position affirming the role of women in ministry. In the Old Testament, for instance, Miriam was used by God as a prophet during the time of the great Exodus (Exodus 15:20). As both a prophet and a judge, Deborah was an instrumental leader in guiding God’s army (Judges 4–5). And Huldah, another prophet, was a vital contributor to the powerful religious reform under King Josiah (2 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 34). The New Testament also reveals the essential role women shared in the ministry of the early church. Contrary to the cultural norm of that time regarding the status of women in society, the apostle Paul frequently refers to the contribution made by women. For instance, Paul speaks of women who “worked hard with him” in the work of the gospel (Romans 16:6, 16:12; Philippians 4:3). At Philippi, Euodia and Syntyche were described as “fellow workers” alongside Paul. This description is the same wording used to also describe other young ministers who served with Paul such as Timothy, Epaphroditus, Titus, and Luke. Furthermore, as a servant (diakonos) at the church in Cenchrea (Romans 16:1–2), Phoebe was obviously viewed as more than simply a helper. In fact, Paul uses the same word (diakonos) to refer to other ministers and leaders in a congregation, including himself. From these and many other writings, we discover that Paul was an advocate of women in ministry. And contrary to the social order of the day, he frequently recognized the Spirit-inspired work that many women shared as fellow laborers. We can conclude, therefore, that scriptural evidence affirms the call of women to spiritual leadership and vital ministry roles in the early church. Such divine acknowledgment provides us with the irrefutable evidence we need to believe that God continues to call women to serve alongside men in the vital work of ministry today.

CONCLUSION We believe this equality of men and women represents the heart of God and the revelation of Scripture. While recognizing certain governmental roles in the church have some gender distinctions within the community of faith, as is true within the biblical construct of the home, we affirm the tremendous

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contribution women have made in the early days of the church and must continue to make as we move forward in the ministry of Gateway Church. The Spirit of God is being poured out on all flesh and we seek to walk in step with the Holy Spirit in power and practice until Christ returns.

Eschatology INTRODUCTION We believe Jesus Christ will return to earth personally and visibly according to the promises in Scripture. His return will be for the purpose of establishing His absolute governmental rule and authority on the earth. Christians are exhorted to be watchful and obedient until His return. While there are many viewpoints concerning His second coming, we believe Christians should look for His return with great anticipation while obediently pursuing the mandate of the Great Commission. At His Second Coming, the righteous who have died and are now with Him will be resurrected and rule with Him.

ISSUES OF CONCERN AND PRACTICE “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” Matthew 24:36 “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” Matthew 24:42 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” Matthew 25:13 There is much diversity of perspective concerning the specifics of Jesus’ Second Coming and the rapture of the Church. We embrace a variety of perspectives and do not believe any one opinion can or should be used as a test of orthodoxy within a local body of believers. Preoccupation with this subject has produced stagnant and sterile churches that are spiritually lethargic, evangelistically passive, and weak in their social and cultural impact. A church that embraces her identity as an “overcomer” is generally more concerned with her obedience to God’s command of occupying the earth until Jesus returns rather than with speculation on when He will return. Scripture clearly states that we won’t know when He will return.

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HOW SHOULD WE ANTICIPATE HIS RETURN? •

We are to continue doing the important work that needs to be completed before Jesus returns—preach the gospel throughout the world!

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We keep working on building His kingdom realizing that we don’t know exactly when Jesus will return.

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We are to keep busy because neither Jesus’ delay nor His imminent arrival should be an excuse for idleness.

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We remain prepared, realizing that each day is the possible day of Jesus’ return (1 Thessalonians 4:16–18).

MAJOR POINTS Jesus’ return will be universally unmistakable. It will be obvious to everyone (Mark 13:26). We should be aware of the signs of Jesus’ Second Coming, but also realize these signs are easily misread. Paul wrote, “So that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure” (2 Thessalonians 1:4). This group of believers to whom Paul was writing was considered great in the kingdom of God because of their endurance and steadfast continuation of the work of Christ while in the midst of persecution and attack. The point of Paul’s eschatological message to the Church was to encourage each one to stay the course in their Christ-honoring, relevant lifestyle.

CONCLUSION With this in mind, we affirm that Jesus Christ will be returning for a mature bride who has reached “the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13, NASB). He is coming for her as she makes her garments of holiness and righteousness.

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WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE? BELIEVE IN JESUS ○○ Attend Weekend Services ○○ Attend Freedom Basics classes newbelievers.gatewaypeople.com ○○ Get Baptized baptism.gatewaypeople.com

BELONG TO FAMILY ○○ Get in a Gateway Group groups.gatewaypeople.com ○○ Become a Member

BECOME A DISCIPLE ○○ Take Gateway Equip Classes equip.gatewaypeople.com ○○ Engage in Freedom Ministry freedom.gatewaypeople.com

BUILD HIS KINGDOM ○○ Read The Blessed Life by Pastor Robert Morris ○○ Join a Serve Team serve.gatewaypeople.com ○○ Begin Tithing

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