When: 4:30pm
Where: Grace Point Church (2393 Peachblow Rd. Lewis Center)

We will be returning to our normal time and place on January 8th.

A note to volunteers: January 8th will be considered week 1 for First Impressions, Logistics/Set Up, KIDSworld, and Middle School ministries!

UPDATE: A big thank you to all who participated in our Clean water Project! We raised our goal of  $17,000 to provide the Christmas gift of clean water to the Battambang, Cambodia orphanages with Asia’s Hope. We’re thrilled to be able to show the love of Jesus in this practical way.

Below is a thank you message sent to northchurch from the orphanage in Camodia:

Greeting to Pastor Mike and North Church from Savorn Ou on Vimeo.

I hope you’re looking forward to a very thank-filled rest of your week.  It’s good to take time this week and remember the things in life for which you are thankful.

1 Thessalonians 5:18close1 Thessalonians 5:18 18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (ESV) , “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

INTRODUCING OUR ELDER CANDIDATES

This past Sunday we introduced the Elder Candidates for northchurch.  For those who missed this, it’s important to me that you’re aware of who they are, what they do and why we’re presenting them before we appoint them.

Who are they?

1. Dave Marburger
2. Greg Gibbs
3. Mike Meyer
4. Doug Hansel
5. Mike Borst
6. Mike Chilcoat

One question that I answered on Sunday was, “Will Joel be an elder?”  The board plays a governing role and is functionally my boss.  Although Joel meets all the requirements of an elder, it would be too complicated for Joel to sit on that board (be my boss) and concurrently report to me.

What do they do?

They shepherd, govern, oversee, equip and preserve… This is a voluntary role these men will be filling.  Here are some passages to read as it relates to what they do and “who they are to be” in the faith community.

What they do:

• Acts 20:28-31closeActs 20:28-31 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears. (ESV)
• 1 Peter 5:1-5close1 Peter 5:1-5 5:1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (ESV)

Who they are

• 1 Timothy 3:1-7close1 Timothy 3:1-7 3:1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. (ESV)
• Titus 1:5-9closeTitus 1:5-9 5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. (ESV)

Why present them before we appoint them?

The elders will be appointed in January 2012.  We bring them to you, the congregation, ahead of time simply to see if there are any issues that we are unaware of, or need to be aware of regarding any of the candidates.  We want you to feel comfortable with all of the candidates (no known issues or unresolved relational conflicts).

Heritage Christian Church has provided the “covering” for us during the 2 year “start up” period, which ends mid-January 2012.  The elders at Heritage, specifically Doug Robinette, Pavi Thomas, and Mike Radigan will follow up with any questions or issues that would come up.

Let me know what questions or comments you have.

With you on the journey towards full life in Christ,

Mike

Welcome to the September version of the northchurch Pastor’s Monthly post. There are two values that we hold to at northchurch that I’d like to express to you and give some thoughts on how you can help us embody them. The two values are: Everyone Plays & Life Change Happens Best in Community

Everyone Plays

It always makes me feel like we’re doing stuff right when the people who attend the church are doing the stuff that makes the church work so there’s an environment for ones to encounter Jesus. The “stuff” can go from caring for each other, to sharing the story of salvation through Jesus, to praying for each other, to leading groups, to teaching classes for our KIDS, to worshiping together, to setting up chairs, to unloading the truck. It’s all really encouraging!

We’re not a church that believes that we need “hired professionals” to do the stuff of Christianity. We believe that we’re here to do the stuff AND help you do the stuff. To encourage, equip and give opportunity for you, with us, to build Jesus centered communities.

We want a culture where everyone plays. It’s so much more to me than “we need volunteers”. We want to give you opportunity to live out this verse: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9close1 Peter 2:9 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (ESV)

Currently, we’d like everyone who calls northchurch “home” to commit to serve one Sunday morning a month. We’re are also looking for mentors, life group leaders, Bible teachers, men’s group leaders, community outreach specialists, technology geeks, video folks, mobile device gurus, future missionaries, church planters, and those who just want to serve and don’t quite know where yet!

Just let me know where you’d like to jump in or if you’d like to talk about the options. Email me at mike.borst@northchurchcolumbus.com

Life Change Happens Best in Community

Wouldn’t it be great to find a place where you can really be yourself? No pretense, no need to put on a mask or try to look good. A place where I can be gut-level real about where I struggle, minus the fear of being judged. A place where I’m known and accepted like God knows and accepts me. A place like that opens the door for God to step in and bring real healing and lasting life change.

The Bible paints an amazing picture of the church as an authentic community that breathes life into those who are a part of it. “His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love” (Eph. 4:16closeEphesians 4:16 16 From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (ESV) MSG). That’s what we want northchurch to be! God has designed us to grow best not alone, but alongside others — life change happens best in community.

Starting October 9, we have a great opportunity to journey together as a community. Strong is a 7-week series focused on spiritually strengthening us in our families, relationships and character. Spiritual strength comes not from our religious efforts towards God, but from the time we spend in relationship with God — and Strong is designed to help us to develop that relationship.

For seven weeks, the Sunday messages will coordinate with individual study/experiences and group gatherings reinforce the same end: becoming strong in our relationship with God.

Obviously, being part of a small group is a key part of the journey. If you’d like to join a small group, please email our groups Pastor Joel Hardin. We’ll help you find a group that fits your weekly schedule.

Looking forward to growing STRONG with you and serving with you as we become the church together.

Please let me know if you have any questions, need support or want to talk about your relationship with Jesus.

On the journey with you,

Mike

Starting October 9, we have a great opportunity to journey together as a community. Strong is a 7-week series focused on spiritually strengthening us in our families, relationships and character. Spiritual strength comes not from our religious efforts towards God, but from the time we spend in relationship with God — and the STRONG series is designed to help us to develop that relationship.

For seven weeks, the Sunday messages will coordinate with individual study/experiences and group gatherings reinforce the same end: becoming strong in our relationship with God. For more specifics on the series and how the pieces fit together, see our Strong flyer.

Obviously, being part of a small group is a key part of the journey. If you’d like to join a small group, please email our groups Pastor, Joel Hardin. We’ll help you find a group that fits your weekly schedule.

Week 4 of the journey is “Train Strong.” It includes an individual prayer experience. An audio prayer guide (MP3) is available to lead you through this experience. Enjoy!

Videos

Here’s a couple videos about this new journey.

Football Video

Couch Video