Vision Quest

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” – Proverbs 21:5.

People ask me on occasion about my vision for the church. It makes sense that people would want to know where the church is going and the vision and strategies to get us there. Our vision is simple. Trust God and watch Him do the impossible. The one thing about Northstar Church is that we don’t tend to live in the past and as a result have learned it is better not to get too comfortable because change happens. The reality is that God has a plan for the church and that plan may require change. We tend to underestimate what God can do through His church.

God is in control which means we are not in control. Each year we go into the new year expecting that God is going to do something new, something exciting in and through us, and are open to whatever God calls us to go or do. God tends to do the impossible right in front of our eyes. Consider what Isaiah 43:18-19 says, “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

Each year the staff asks what new things do you suppose God will do among us? What “way in the wilderness, river in the desert” do you suppose God will lead us through? It is exciting just to imagine the possibilities when God is involved. Whatever God has planned will not be predictable or small or boring.

But that does not mean we are standing around and waiting for God to nudge us in the right direction. It does not work that way. We are committed to making sure that we don’t get so comfortable in what we do and how we do it that we don’t work passionately and tirelessly to advance what He is trying to do at Northstar to further His kingdom. We have to stay on our toes and the edge of our seats ready for whatever God throws at us or requires today and tomorrow. And that means we can’t get too comfortable. And that means we look for the opportunities that God presents us with.

Over the last few years we have been opening up satellite locations to provide opportunities for more people to attend Northstar and to extend our reach into more neighborhoods. Two of those locations were East Bay and the Beach campus. Both campuses were meeting in schools. As I mentioned on Sunday we have seized on opportunities to find a permanent home for each campus. We broke ground on the East Bay campus and we are working with another church to lease a location for the Beach campus. As more information becomes available I will share it with you, but in the interim, please continue to be in prayer for these two locations.

The other area I mentioned on Sunday is the message simulcast. What is our definition of simulcast? Well, it is a “live” remote viewing of our center and side screens. Basically the message is delivered live from the Panama City campus to all other campuses, including online. The technology is now available to move away from taping the message and then distributing it to the campuses from download. Each campus will receive the same message live. In short this is another attempt at being one church in multiple locations.

All of this is designed to make us more effective in the people business. We will fulfill our vision by loving people and telling them about the gospel of Jesus Christ. If you have more questions, please talk to your campus pastor.

So please don’t get comfortable. 2015 is going to be an unbelievable year.

Discussion Question:

1. Do you understand the vision of Northstar?
2. Which part of the vision of Northstar are you most passionate about? Why?
3. What is your ministry at Northstar? What is your part in making the vision a reality?
4. How can your small group support our vision?
5. Prayerfully considering a one-time gift to help us fulfill our vision.