We had scheduled the next Emerald City Worship to take place on Tuesday, November 10th. As we have been approaching time, we have experienced some scheduling difficulties, some AVL issues, and some stuff just wasn’t feeling right. The approaching evening was feeling like a burden to me, and it was never meant to be that. Then Rob Dempsey from His …
This Sunday, we are starting a new series called “The Wilderness” which means it’s new Compass time. We are real excited about this edition. For those of you in attendance at the shepherd training led by Jeff, we discussed adding a guide for you as shepherds to lead your group. Here’s how each week will be broken down: CONNECT YOUR …
Summer was great, but it sure has been great seeing all these college students come back around Greenwood the last few days. We have revamped our college ministry this summer, and we are so excited to share it with you. If you are returning to North Side or are wanting to check out North Side for the first time, here …
Sunday night was a pretty big night for me. It was the culmination of my 15-week project that I implemented at North Side that corresponded with my seminary research. If you want to know what has happened in the last fifteen weeks corresponding with my project: Crossroads Series GRACE Series Legacy Series Focus Group Church Survey Making Faith Stick (2 …
Today, we started a new series entitled “All In.” Focusing on discipleship, we are going to spend the month of June asking the question, “Are we really all in when it comes to Jesus?” Jeff’s message was troubling. He made me think through my own life and think am I truly committed to Jesus? Will I follow Him wherever He …
After a lot of time hyping this thing, it is finally here! Order Freshman 15 here. Freshman 15 is my first book. Written as a guide for college students and graduating high schools seniors, this book encourages Christians to give weight to Christ in fifteen crucial areas during this pivotal time. Even if you aren’t a college student, buy some …
North Side entered into week 4 of the 5-week series, “Legacy,” today. The band led with: My Savior Lives – New Life Worship Made to Worship – Chris Tomlin God of This City – Bluetree My Savior’s Love – Chris Tomlin The band did great. Chris did great leading America’s attention to Jesus on this special day. The Grahams’ Home …
The North Side band is playing at Greenwood’s Relay for Life on Friday night. As long as we don’t get struck by lightning, we will be playing from 6-7 at the YMCA and then playing “Amazing Grace” around 9:00. This is a great event and if you need a good family outing, we would love to see you there. Relay …
The Maximum Impact Simulcast is coming LIVE via satellite to North Side on May 8, 2009. You will have a rare opportunity to leverage the collective mind share of 10 great leaders of our time. These renowned speakers will place you in the craftsman’s workshop, hearing wisdom and experiences from the world’s best. The 2009 speaker lineup includes Tony Blair, …
The first Date Night is officially a wrap. I don’t know about you, but I had a blast. I haven’t gotten the final count, but we were blown away to have somewhere around 250 couples show up last night. As Amanda and I were sitting together during the message, I grabbed her hand, and said, “What would happen to this …
After Jesus began his preaching ministry (Mark 1:15), one of the first tasks he engaged in was building a team of disciples (Mark 1:16-17). Calvin Miller stated, “In order to build a true team spirit, you must delegate accountability and glory as well as responsibility.” Jesus built a great team since he did all of those three items extremely well. …
I have an important announcement to make: North Side has the best bricks in South Carolina. No, it’s true and it is official. Someone came to church on Sunday to hand us a nice framed award indicating that we have the best bricks in South Carolina. The Brick Industry (yes, there is such a thing) has annual awards that give …
Amy got our praise band a place to serve on this lovely Saturday. The Salvation Army Church was throwing a neighborhood party and wanted some musicians on a flatbed truck. I am so thankful that they picked it on a day that is supposed to get up to 92 degrees! That means I got to sweat five pounds off! We …
We took a crew down the Nantahala rapids yesterday in Bryson City, NC. It was Fred‘s birthday, and so we forgave him for getting us lost on the way. It was just a hodge podge of people – youth, college, adults (Kyle stated, “uh, that means that I am one of the adults now…” – why, yes you are, old …
Continuing on in our series, Waiting on the World to Change, our church studied what it meant to do in the area of “Practical Service” today. When it comes to mission work, I think the church (universal) has always fallen on one of two ends of the spectrum (this is the case in almost everything Christian it seems). One one …
Just the other day, we were at one of our doctor’s visits for Mr. Obadiah and I happenned to see a certain magazine in the waiting room amidst other publications: Under the Reader’s Digest’s cover on the vitamin hoax and above Golf Digest’s cover on fixing your swing, you can see North Side’s publication, The Compass. We mentioned one Sunday …
Our world needs some changing, and God intends to change it through the family. The most critical spiritual environment is the one in which you live. As we look at these up and coming generations, we must realize that trained church professionals are not the answer to our children’s spiritual needs. Our children need their parents to live for Christ …
Here’s a quick rundown of what’s going on in life and in ministry: Pancake Breakfast – all you have to do is eat pancakes to support our summer missionaries. O’Charley’s on Saturday from 7-9 at $5/plate. I think what I am so excited about is that we have non-rush North Side time. We can eat a plate and just have …
A couple of weeks ago, I conducted a theological survey of our adults at North Side. This is for a requirement for my next degree, but I tailored the questions to help our staff discern teaching and directional needs for our church in the area of evangelism and missions. Concerning conducting this survey, I was hesitant. A number of our …
Through the differing images of the church presented in the New Testament, God wove a theological tapestry concerning the doctrine of the church. More than a mere gathering, Jesus’ church was to be his holy and bold extension in the world. The apostles presented that believers should not view church as a building. Even though they would use …
Remaining Images The New Testament also contains a few more images of the church that are used less but still pivotal to the understanding of the church. First, Paul described the church as serving as the pillar and bulwark of the truth. In the Book of 1 Timothy, Paul urged Timothy to ensure that the church was behaving properly and …
A Field of Crops In another illustration of the church, Paul identified the church as a field of crops. Paul was seen as the planter, and Apollos watered the garden that Paul planted. More than solely evangelism, Paul had founded that specific church in Corinth. Apollos spiritually watered the church by continually discipling the members by teaching them the truths …
This morning was incredible. Members from North Side joined together at 6:30 (that’s in the AM, people) to pray for our city. I was amazed for many different reasons – so I shall share with you faithful readers: The fact that you got up to pray at 6:30am. No preaching, no songs, just prayer – and God moved (imagine that?!). …
The Buildings The authors of the New Testament also record different building imagery for the church. While they never viewed the church as a specific building, the authors did use buildings as illustrations to explain the theological implications of the church. First, Paul described the church as a simple building. In this discourse, Paul’s logical flow of thought shows that …
I recently read a book by William Chadwick called, Stealing Sheep. Here’s my review: Introduction In Stealing Sheep, William Chadwick addresses the discreet yet volatile dangers of transfer growth within churches. Chadwick has served as pastor in different churches, and he currently pastors Stroudwater Christian Church in Portland. As a pastor, he personally witnessed and actually initiated change within churches …
Yes, it’s true. I have accepted a new job. North Side has been great, but alas it is time to move on. I’m just kidding, but I do have a new job. The beauty of this job is I get to stay at North Side to do it! In the Fall, I am going to be an adjunct professor at …
Don’t forget to spring forward your clocks Saturday night. You will lose an hour of sleep Saturday night, so make sure you don’t forget it and miss church on Sunday. Every year, we see people show up at 12:00 and laugh at them in their faces. Not really, but it is funny. Since you lose an hour of sleep and …
I blogged so much leading up to the Shane and Shane concert at North Side that when I got down cleaning up the church Sunday night at 12:30, I couldn’t even think about blogging. But alas, here I finally go. I think I will just hit some highlights for me. Bethany Dillon – She’s getting married to Shane B. in …
George Barna, author of Marketing the Church, is the founder and president of the Barna Research Group. The Barna Research Group specializes in research concerning the state of the church and the culture in which the church attempts to impact. In addition to writing Marketing the Church, Barna has authored many other books concerning church health and the culture’s perception …
Another image that Paul utilized to describe the church was that of the body of Christ. Paul’s use of the analogy of the church serving as a body was a common illustration utilized in the popular Stoic philosophy of the day. In this context, Jesus is not seen as a part of this body, but individual Christians compose the body …
Today’s entry is number 3 on the New Testament images of the church: Branches on a Vine Nearing his imminent sacrifice upon the cross, Jesus emphasized that the church’s function was to be viewed as branches on a vine. In the Old Testament, Isaiah depicted the nation of Israel as the vine, but in the New Testament, Jesus assumed this …
In the second installment of images of the church found in the New Testament, we come upon the bride of Christ. This phrase is used a lot, but how often do we really look into what it means? While we are servants and laborers to Christ, he is also chosen to call the universal church his one and only bride. …
I’m working on a doctorate degree which means I have to write a whole bunch and read even more. I looked back over some of the stuff and I’ve written, and I think it might be helpful to our church to read. So I’m going to take some selections from some of the papers I have written and share them …
For any of you cultured people who read my blog, a friend of mine, Beverly Psomas, who works with the Fine Arts of Lander just sent me this promo. I said I would help get the word out. GREENWOOD—The National Symphony Orchestra only tours in one state each year. This year that state will be South Carolina, and Lander University …
I wanted to tell you all about a great event coming North Side’s way – the Vision of You 2008 Tour stopping down in Greenwood, SC on Feb. 24 featuring Shane and Shane, Starfield, and David Nassar. The first time I heard Shane and Shane, I was blown away. I heard the beautiful words of Scripture so wonderfully accompanied by …
“We can’t change our circumstances, but God can use our circumstances to change us.” That line was the Big Idea for a message I preached a few Sundays ago at North Side on nothing wasted. I was so encouraged to hear that our study in the passage of Romans 8:28 was able to help so many people out. I remember …
What would happen to Greenwood tomorrow morning if North Side Baptist Church ceased to be? What would take place in our community if our church’s presence in the community completely vanished? Would it be tragic or even noticeable? Would people miss a building or would they miss a movement? Would they realize only the numbers missed versus the lives transformed? …
Just a reminder that North Side is having its Thanksgiving Dinner this Sunday at 5:30 pm at the YMCA. If you haven’t signed up, please sign up here so that we know how many to expect. It’s going to be a great night just because I love getting together with the whole family to thank God for all he has …
I was reading this week an interesting study done out at Willow Creek Community Church. Willow Creek is known for its role in the seeker sensitive movement. They are loved by some, hated by others, but regardless of one’s opinion on them, they have reached numerous people for Christ over the years of the church’s existence. Not only that, but …
EPIC Parents: I wanted to tell any parents of our lil’ Epicteers about a great new resource for your family. Polly Brown, our fantastic Epic director, has posted some info on what your kids are learning for the next few weeks at Epic. Epic is our worship service for 1-5 graders, and I love hearing from kids all that they …
You must be logged in to post a comment.