Church Growth
Could Jesus say go to Pryor, OK? |
This is the question Cathy and I, our staff and some very close friends have been praying about for the last several months.
Three years ago, when we opened the doors to Northstar Church, we determined to be a “going and reaching” church rather than a “clutching and grabbing” church. We all have seen too many churches who are more focused on keeping “the found” rather than reaching the lost. Really, I believe the more we focus on the lost in our communities, the more we will fire up the found to engage their gifts for God. The final words of Jesus were “Go!” He told us to continually look for new places, new people and new cultures to take the Gospel to.
“They are coming and together we will build it.” |
One of my favorite movies is “Field of Dreams.” We all have heard the memorable line from this classic, “Build it and they will come.” Looking back over the last three years here in Frisco, I actually think the opposite has happened. They are coming and we must build it.
I am humbled and grateful for all the people and families who are finding a home at Northstar. We are doing everything we can to accommodate the continuing influx of believers and seekers. We now have two services that are both close to being full. We are providing opportunities to connect and serve. And together, we are building a permanent home that will serve as a launching pad for our continued reach into North Dallas.
As I have said from the beginning…
» continue readingThe Next Great Outpouring - Part One |
I am currently teaching on the ministry of the Holy Spirit at Northstar Church. We are a Spirit filled church and do not try to hide it. We actively contend for spiritual gifts that will help the hurting people of our community. Each week, people walk through our doors that need healing, direction, deliverance from addictions and the list goes on. We believe gifts like prophesy are crucial for both edification and guidance in the local church. I scratch my head when churches that once valued the ministry of the Holy Spirit and exercised His gifts have now shut Him out of their worship. The very person that directed their steps in the early days, caused them to grow and help so many people has now been benched on the sidelines…
» continue readingRocks and Wild Goats |
“Then Saul took 3,000 of the best-trained men from all Israel and went to search for David and his men on the Rocks of the Wild Goats.” 1 Samuel 24:2
There were three things we see in this verse that David encountered as a young leader in his quest to obey God. Rocks, wild goats and a king named Saul. Each has application to the building of a new work for God.
The walls are now up on our new facility at Northstar Church. It won’t be long now before…
» continue readingLord, Deliver Us From Cool |
So, I’m sitting here in my un-tucked dress shirt, sipping a latte, reading “Good to Great” for the 5th time, twittering to all my “peeps” while I write my latest blog…. ugghhhhh…..Lord, please deliver us from “cool.”
Here’s what’s hard though. Cool is such a desirable commodity is our world. In fact, many, many of my best friends are cool. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Cool is the word that never goes out of style. It is our verbal stamp of approval when we like anything. “Cool.” It’s blessing, approval, validation and pure goodness all wrapped up…
» continue readingWhere do we go from here? |
Wow… what an amazing Easter weekend. We saw so many new faces at Northstar and I might add, we also saw some friendly faces return that we haven’t seen in some time. I love it when lost sheep come home! I’m thinking specifically about a older man that I spent a lot of time with early on in our church plant. He had been in and out of the hospital and was going through some very difficult…
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For more than a quarter of a century, Blaine Bartel has served what he believes is the hope of the world, the local church. Before leading the launch of Northstar Church, Blaine served as associate pastor in Tulsa, helping to build one of America's most innovative churches.
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Hats off to Canada... http://yfrog.com/auncymj
It's on. Canada v. USA. Silver is going to look very nice on the Americans. Our game. Our time. Our GOLD.
Dinner tonight with Chris & Carrie Faulkner. What great friends.
Tatum and I gave Sadi (our little shitzue dog) a listerine strip to freshen her breath. I think she had a love hate relationship with it.
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