What a Friend We Have in Jesus

To conclude our services on prayer today, we sang “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” Joseph Scriv­en wrote this hymn in 1855 to com­fort his mo­ther, who was across the sea from him in Ire­land. It was orig­in­al­ly pub­lished anon­y­mous­ly, and Scriv­en did not re­ceive full cred­it for al­most 30 years. I have always loved the words of this hymn. …

READ MORE

The Power of Prayer

Week after week, our church is becoming more of a family. Today, the focus upon James 5:13-17 helped even more so. 13 Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the …

READ MORE

How to Pray for Your Church and Your Pastor

I was running around Sunday morning between services talking with people and putting out fires when a staff member handed me an envelope and said, “Someone left this for you.” I have done this long enough to know that if someone drops off a letter to you before a service, it could be an encouraging note or it could be …

READ MORE

3-Year Bible Study Plan

Here is an additional Family Ministry update for your viewing pleasure.  We are excited to announce that one of the ways we are going to equip parents is by providing a 3-year Bible study plan for the entire family!

3-Year Plan

This plan will include:

  1. All ages on the same passage every week (except for Christmas and Easter where children will focus primarily on those significant events due to their importance at reclaiming those holidays).
  2. No more different ages in different places.  This effort is to fight against isolationist Christian growth and get back to what the Bible teaches concerning the centrality of the home (Mal. 4:6; Deut. 6:4-9).
  3. 3-Year plan going chronologically through the Scriptures so that you can see the grand narrative of the Bible instead of isolated stories and events.
  4. 18 months in the Old Testament and 18 months in the New Testament will allow a great coverage.
  5. If a family member promotes up to next age classing, they don’t miss a beat because we are all covering the same passages (preschool up to children, children up to students, etc.).
  6. Family discipleship can take place much easier because you will know what your children are learning without having to dig.
  7. Ages 1 to 100+ will all be together as well.  This means that grandparents and aunts and uncles and all family members (family unit and church unit) can share what they are learning through God’s Word!
  8. While our relaunch of Family Ministry happens in August 16, this curriculum will launch 3 weeks later on September 6th.  We want the system to be running well before new curriculum.
  9. If you aren’t in a discipleship group yet, now is the time to join one because this effort will help draw yourself and your family together around the Word like never before!

Gospel Project Chronological Promo

The Ten Commandments [Storytellers]

“The Ten Commandments” was written for “The Word” project to cover the pivotal nature of the Law in the Bible. “The Word” is a project by North Side Worship telling the grand narrative of the Bible.  It is available at North Side (May 3, 2015) and iTunes (May 5, 2015). You can’t really do a big picture of the Bible without addressing the Law – especially …

READ MORE

Settling for K-Mart

At the end of last year, Amanda and I planned a surprise trip for the family.  We were able to pack up during the week without them ever knowing we were doing it. When we had breakfast that morning, I said, “Kids, I really love my job, but I hate that I miss you when I go to work.  How …

READ MORE

A Holy God, a Holy Life

What an incredible day with the people of North Side.  Summer starting, lots of new faces, and some incredible time with Jesus! We took a 1-week break in the Book of James for Edgar Enriquez to preach for us.  He chose Titus 2:10-14 as his focus passage and we built the service around it. Today’s service went like this: Song …

READ MORE

Think Orange

Reggie Joiner’s book Think Orange has a simple concept. 2 combined influences make a greater impact that just 2 influences. His concept is when you mix red and yellow you get orange.  Let’s see what happens when you don’t rely solely on home or church but bring them together. Joiner is a gifted leader, thorough communicator, and passionate about this …

READ MORE

Managing Ministry Interruptions

A few days ago, I posted an article entitled “Death to the Green Room” which somehow got traction in certain circles.  It caused a surprisingly large amount of people to read the post and prompted some discussion.  What was intended to be an article teaching our church about what we value as a worship team, it caused some to evaluate their own …

READ MORE

Summer Roundtable

[Post from Discipleship Pastor Dick Williams] Growing up in a Christian home in a small, rural town in the south during the 1960’s-70’s, with WWII generation parents led to a lifestyle filled with many routine practices. These practices provided much stability, for which I am grateful. One such practice was a daily family meal around our kitchen table. Usually, that …

READ MORE

Your Word [Storytellers]

“Your Word” was written for “The Word” project to cover the time and the themes covered by the New Testament Epistles. “The Word” is a project by North Side Worship telling the grand narrative of the Bible.  It is available at North Side (May 3, 2015) and iTunes (May 5, 2015). “The Word” project was somewhat simple to begin songwriting on Creation, Exodus, Pentecost, etc.  Big events …

READ MORE

The Same Call

I will never forget how I felt staring out the window of the airplane as we took off.  As my friends and I began our journey to take the gospel into a closed country, the gravity of it all hit me.  These nine guys had decided to join me on this mission trip, and we had no idea what was awaiting us. …

READ MORE

Don’t Swear

Such a special time of being the church today.  The entire service was built around James 5:12: But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. Today’s service went like this: Reading …

READ MORE

A Prayer for America

The National Day of Prayer was on May 7th.  Among other leaders of the event, Alex Kendrick was asked to pray.  I had respected Alex from afar, but getting the opportunity to get to know him over the last few years has taught me a few things about him: He is passionate about Jesus He is a very-talented and dedicated …

READ MORE

On Earth As It Is in Heaven

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus makes many petitions to his father.  Two of the petitions focus upon God’s kingdom and the desire to see his kingdom advance throughout the earth. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  -Matt. 6:10 Always remember that prayer is not about my name but about God’s name. Prayer is not …

READ MORE

Our God Is With Us [Storytellers]

“Our God Is With Us” was written for “The Word” project to cover the theme of God’s constant presence throughout the Old Testament. “The Word” is a project by North Side Worship telling the grand narrative of the Bible.  It is available at North Side (May 3, 2015) and iTunes (May 5, 2015). Many of the songs on this project had a definite event or time …

READ MORE

Patiently Waiting

It was so great to be led in worship by such a great team today.  I missed leading with them again this week because we were celebrating Eli’s birthday on Wednesday (rehearsal time).  We have had two birthdays on Wednesdays this month.  So, I haven’t been kicked off the team…yet!  I just needed some time to be dad this month. …

READ MORE

Death to the Church Green Room

When North Side broke ground on our worship center, I was our College and Missions Pastor.  In the middle the building’s completion, my job and responsibilities changed as I became the Worship Pastor.  I suddenly began attending meetings with architects, designers, and engineers.  Coming into the discussions late into the process, I often had questions or suggestions as I thought through the future …

READ MORE

Thank You, God, That We Get to Spend Time Together

Eli, it is hard to believe that you are 7 years old!  Happy Birthday! Ever since I laid my eyes on you, I have been constantly amazed by your resolve.  You don’t let anything slow you down!  Whether it is reading or building or playing music, you find a way to get it done and get it done well.  It …

READ MORE

Amazed [Storytellers]

“Amazed” was written for “The Word” project to cover the time covering Jesus’ ministry. “The Word” is a project by North Side Worship telling the grand narrative of the Bible.  It is available at North Side (May 3, 2015) and iTunes (May 5, 2015). While the three years of Christ’s ministry was relatively short in relation to the scope of the entire biblical narrative, those years changed …

READ MORE

The Greatest Neglect of Family Ministry

In our staff training lately, I have been leading us through what Scripture says about family discipleship.  It has been some great discussions as God shows us the standard by which we should be equipping parents to do this work of ministry (Eph. 4:12). So much of church methodologies focus on the up and coming generations. How can we attract …

READ MORE

Rich and Wicked

Today, I was hit by the joy of being able to be a part of this church family.  God is doing so much around us and through this congregation, it is just humbling to watch. This service was prayed over and the passage was studied relentlessly to provide a good flow around the focal text of the day. 5:1 Come now, …

READ MORE

When to Pray

In order to be committed to prayer, we must have scheduled times and spontaneous times. Throughout Scripture, we see men and women calling upon God throughout all watches of the day and night.  Prayer should be something that carries us throughout the entire day.   O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch. –Psalm …

READ MORE

What a Savior [Storytellers]

“What a Savior” was written for “The Word” project to cover the Passion of the Christ. “The Word” is a project by North Side Worship telling the grand narrative of the Bible.  It is available at North Side (May 3, 2015) and iTunes (May 5, 2015). We discussed early concerning the pivotal nature of this song in the whole project.  In our “Knowing Jesus” event, we spent …

READ MORE

The Will of God

What a special day to worship Jesus.  What a fantastic time with our church family committing ourselves to submitting ourselves to the will of God. I led worship today but in a different way.  I wasn’t in the band, but I led people to focus upon God by introducing the focus for the day. I wasn’t in the band for …

READ MORE

Don’t Simply Go on Missions – Partner with Missionaries

When I was growing up, I envisioned missionaries to be super spiritual people who were impervious to normal spiritual struggles that the rest of us endured.  They were so holy that they never had family issues, crises of faith, or bad days. Then I got to know missionaries and discovered how far off from the truth that actually is. As …

READ MORE

How Should I Pray for My Family?

Oftentimes, we pray that all the family is safe, that God bless all the missionaries, and that there be peace on earth.  Those are wonderful prayers, but we need to get more specific. Regardless of your current family situation, each of us have people we consider family.  It is easy to resort to worrying for our family or attempting to …

READ MORE

Enter His Gates [Storytellers]

“Enter His Gates” was written for “The Word” project to cover the Psalms and the organization of worship for the nation of Israel in the Old Testament. “The Word” is a project by North Side Worship telling the grand narrative of the Bible.  It is available at North Side (May 3, 2015) and iTunes (May 5, 2015). This song is actually a few years old around …

READ MORE

The Word

“The Word” is a project by North Side Worship telling the grand narrative of the Bible. It became available at North Side (May 3, 2015) and iTunes (May 5, 2015). Track Listing Let There Be (Creation) How We’ve Fallen (The Fall) No One Like Our God (Exodus) The Ten Commandments (Law) Our God Is With Us (Covenant) Enter His Gates (Psalms) Return to Me (Prophets) …

READ MORE

A Critical Spirit

I am just absolutely overwhelmed at all the Kingdom goodness happening with our North Side family right now! I tried some different things in our services today concerning order and elements.  We had a lot going on but it was a powerful time. Reading Psalm 19:7-11 Song – “Your Word” [from “The Word”] Welcome and Intro to Service (I talked …

READ MORE

Faithful and True [Storytellers]

“Faithful and True” was the next to last song written for “The Word” project.  It focuses on the Book of Revelation and the longing for Christ’s return. “The Word” is a project by North Side Worship telling the grand narrative of the Bible.  It is available at North Side (May 3, 2015) and iTunes (May 5, 2015). I was most hesitant about starting this song …

READ MORE

The Heart Behind “The Word”

“The Word” is a project by North Side Worship telling the grand narrative of the Bible.  It is available at North Side (May 3, 2015) and iTunes (May 5, 2015). With every passing year, I watch the decline in biblical literacy. Many people’s understanding of the Bible are based upon recollections of isolated stories or lessons from isolated phrases. As a pastor at North …

READ MORE

Day By Day [Storytellers]

“Day By Day” was written to describe the Kingdom work of the early Church based on the Book of Acts.  It primarily focuses on the description in Acts 1-7.  It is a song on “The Word” project. “The Word” is a project by North Side Worship telling the grand narrative of the Bible.  It is available at North Side (May 3, 2015) and iTunes (May …

READ MORE

How We’ve Fallen [Storytellers]

“How We’ve Fallen” was written to describe the Fall of Mankind based on Genesis 3.  It is a song on “The Word” project. “The Word” is a project by North Side Worship telling the grand narrative of the Bible.  It is available at North Side (May 3, 2015) and iTunes (May 5, 2015). We began to write this song back …

READ MORE

Let There Be [Storytellers]

Our team wrote “Let There Be” as a way to depict Creation and worship the Creator.  It is a song on “The Word” project. “The Word” is a project by North Side Worship telling the grand narrative of the Bible.  It is available at North Side (May 3, 2015) and iTunes (May 5, 2015). We began to write this song …

READ MORE

April 2015 Member Meeting

It was a great night at our member meeting.  Many things for which to give the Lord thanks. Here are some notes I took on my phone: God has been faithful over our finances. We do have some growth concerning stewardship for members of our church family. Through the gifts, we have been able to support international, national, and statewide missions …

READ MORE

Humble Before God

Powerful day at North Side.  We focused our worship gathering on James 4:6-10. 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and …

READ MORE

The Federal Headship of Jesus

In this sermon clip from The Gospel Coalition 2015, Voddie Baucham reminds us that we need Christ more than our example but as our “federal head”— this allows sinners like us to be both forgiven and declared righteous.

Faithless Requests

One reason God does not answer our prayers is because we offer faithless requests.  Sure we might pray to him but our faith in his ability to answer those prayers is tragically minimal.

READ MORE