Grow Deep to Live Tall
By Ryan Dawson
One of the things I love about the giant sequoia is that its strength is not found in isolation.
Sequoias can grow hundreds of feet tall, yet their roots are often surprisingly shallow. Instead of driving deep alone, their roots spread outward and intertwine with the roots of other trees. That shared root system is what gives them stability through storms. That picture has stayed with me because it reminds me of the church.
Many people today are longing for spiritual growth, but too often we try to grow alone. We live in a culture that celebrates independence, yet the Christian life was never meant to be lived in isolation. God forms us as we walk with Him together.
That is why shared practices matter. Shared practices create culture. They shape who we become and they anchor us in Christ. They help us grow deep so we can live tall.
This is why we have established our 8 Core Practices (D.I.S.C.I.P.L.E.) as a church—simple rhythms that help us remember what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.
Like a sequoia cone that carries the seeds of new life, each disciple is formed in Christ, grows in community, and multiplies the life of Jesus into the world. Sequoias do not grow by accident. And disciples do not either. God forms us as we intentionally practice life with Him together. We want to invite you to join us in these practices...
D — Devoting Our Lives to God in Worship
We were made to know God, love God, and worship God. Worship roots us in Christ and in one another. Just as sequoias stand through storms because their roots are intertwined, worship reminds us that our lives are held together in Jesus.
We invite you to make gathered worship a priority as we lift high the name of Jesus and offer Him our whole lives.
“Give to the Lord the glory he deserves… Worship the Lord in all his holy splendour.” — 1 Chronicles 16:29
I — Imitating the Way of Jesus
A sequoia grows slowly—ring by ring, year after year. There are no shortcuts. And the same is true for discipleship. Jesus invites us to: Be with Him, Become like Him, and Do what He did.
We invite you to intentionally practice the way of Jesus so His character can be formed in you.
“Imitate God… Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.” — Ephesians 5:1–2
S — Serving Like Jesus
A sequoia’s massive trunk becomes a shelter for life around it.
In the same way, when we serve together, we strengthen the church and bless the world.
Serving moves us from consumers to contributors.
We invite you to regularly use your gifts to serve others in Jesus’ name.
“The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.” — Mark 10:45
C — Connecting in Community
Sequoias do not flourish alone. They grow in groves.
And spiritual growth happens the same way. We need one another to encourage, strengthen, heal, and persevere.
We invite you to step into community where you can receive love and extend love.
“Let us think of ways to motivate one another… and not neglect meeting together.” — Hebrews 10:24–25
I — Investing in Prayer
Sequoia cones often need fire to release what is inside them. Prayer is often the holy fire that awakens new life in us. Prayer is our declaration that we cannot do this without God.
We invite you to become a praying disciple who seeks God first.
“Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.” — Romans 12:12
P — Practicing Generosity
When a sequoia cone opens, it releases seed. Generosity opens our hearts in the same way.
It loosens our grip and allows God’s blessing to flow through us.
We invite you to give joyfully and trust God with every seed you sow.
“You will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous.” — 2 Corinthians 9:11
L — Living on Mission
A sequoia does not exist for itself. Its life creates life around it and so do we. Every disciple is sent into neighborhoods, workplaces, friendships and everyday spaces to reflect the love and goodness of God.
We invite you to live each day as someone sent by Jesus.
“Go and make disciples…”— Matthew 28:19
E — Empowering Others to Follow
One mature sequoia can produce thousands of cones. Healthy disciples multiply disciples.
At some point, each of us moves from receiving to investing.
We invite you to help someone else take their next step with Jesus.
“Entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others also.”— 2 Timothy 2:2
A Simple Invitation
As you reflect on these practices, what is one next step God is inviting you to take?
Start small. Receive and rely on the grace of Christ and ask for the filling of the Holy Spirit. Stay faithful and keep growing.
The sequoia cone may be small— but inside it has the potential for something vast.
And when disciples embrace shared practices together, God forms a forest of people rooted in Christ, who will stand strong and leave a legacy that honours Christ.
So let’s grow deep so we can live tall—together.
For the glory of Jesus.
Ryan
One of the things I love about the giant sequoia is that its strength is not found in isolation.
Sequoias can grow hundreds of feet tall, yet their roots are often surprisingly shallow. Instead of driving deep alone, their roots spread outward and intertwine with the roots of other trees. That shared root system is what gives them stability through storms. That picture has stayed with me because it reminds me of the church.
Many people today are longing for spiritual growth, but too often we try to grow alone. We live in a culture that celebrates independence, yet the Christian life was never meant to be lived in isolation. God forms us as we walk with Him together.
That is why shared practices matter. Shared practices create culture. They shape who we become and they anchor us in Christ. They help us grow deep so we can live tall.
This is why we have established our 8 Core Practices (D.I.S.C.I.P.L.E.) as a church—simple rhythms that help us remember what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.
Like a sequoia cone that carries the seeds of new life, each disciple is formed in Christ, grows in community, and multiplies the life of Jesus into the world. Sequoias do not grow by accident. And disciples do not either. God forms us as we intentionally practice life with Him together. We want to invite you to join us in these practices...
D — Devoting Our Lives to God in Worship
We were made to know God, love God, and worship God. Worship roots us in Christ and in one another. Just as sequoias stand through storms because their roots are intertwined, worship reminds us that our lives are held together in Jesus.
We invite you to make gathered worship a priority as we lift high the name of Jesus and offer Him our whole lives.
“Give to the Lord the glory he deserves… Worship the Lord in all his holy splendour.” — 1 Chronicles 16:29
I — Imitating the Way of Jesus
A sequoia grows slowly—ring by ring, year after year. There are no shortcuts. And the same is true for discipleship. Jesus invites us to: Be with Him, Become like Him, and Do what He did.
We invite you to intentionally practice the way of Jesus so His character can be formed in you.
“Imitate God… Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.” — Ephesians 5:1–2
S — Serving Like Jesus
A sequoia’s massive trunk becomes a shelter for life around it.
In the same way, when we serve together, we strengthen the church and bless the world.
Serving moves us from consumers to contributors.
We invite you to regularly use your gifts to serve others in Jesus’ name.
“The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.” — Mark 10:45
C — Connecting in Community
Sequoias do not flourish alone. They grow in groves.
And spiritual growth happens the same way. We need one another to encourage, strengthen, heal, and persevere.
We invite you to step into community where you can receive love and extend love.
“Let us think of ways to motivate one another… and not neglect meeting together.” — Hebrews 10:24–25
I — Investing in Prayer
Sequoia cones often need fire to release what is inside them. Prayer is often the holy fire that awakens new life in us. Prayer is our declaration that we cannot do this without God.
We invite you to become a praying disciple who seeks God first.
“Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.” — Romans 12:12
P — Practicing Generosity
When a sequoia cone opens, it releases seed. Generosity opens our hearts in the same way.
It loosens our grip and allows God’s blessing to flow through us.
We invite you to give joyfully and trust God with every seed you sow.
“You will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous.” — 2 Corinthians 9:11
L — Living on Mission
A sequoia does not exist for itself. Its life creates life around it and so do we. Every disciple is sent into neighborhoods, workplaces, friendships and everyday spaces to reflect the love and goodness of God.
We invite you to live each day as someone sent by Jesus.
“Go and make disciples…”— Matthew 28:19
E — Empowering Others to Follow
One mature sequoia can produce thousands of cones. Healthy disciples multiply disciples.
At some point, each of us moves from receiving to investing.
We invite you to help someone else take their next step with Jesus.
“Entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others also.”— 2 Timothy 2:2
A Simple Invitation
As you reflect on these practices, what is one next step God is inviting you to take?
Start small. Receive and rely on the grace of Christ and ask for the filling of the Holy Spirit. Stay faithful and keep growing.
The sequoia cone may be small— but inside it has the potential for something vast.
And when disciples embrace shared practices together, God forms a forest of people rooted in Christ, who will stand strong and leave a legacy that honours Christ.
So let’s grow deep so we can live tall—together.
For the glory of Jesus.
Ryan