Good morning church family,

As most of you know, your shepherds are using this video format as a way of providing updates and information for you that relate to the activities of our church family here at Northside.

This morning, there are a couple of thoughts I have that I would like to share with you. The first related to the One Fund financial project that was discussed last week and also discuss the “All In” slogan that you’re hearing around the church.

Most of us heard an excellent presentation by Ryan and David last week on what the One Fund campaign is about. We want you to know that the elders were very aware of their recommendations and that we are 100% behind them. Most of the feedback we’ve received has been very positive. Those who brought up questions or concerns will help us be able to refine the process as we move forward.

You see, the elders really believe that we can use this financial model to help us become Jesus Christ on this earth; that’s why there was an empty tomb. We are to take on the role of Jesus, his hands and his feet in this community and we can become transformed into that likeness. That in turn allows us to be the salt and light to this community. We become transformative to this community for the sake of Jesus Christ.

The second thought relates to the “All In” campaign, the slogan that we’re hearing everywhere. Your elders believe that there are at least three major concepts of the New Testament. One being that Jesus is the Christ. He is our redeemer. The second being that we are to become new creations, that we are to be people who attempt to lead righteous lives and show love to those around us. And number three, that we become part of a community, a community blessed by the Holy Spirit.

“All in” means that I commit myself to this church family. It means that I look around the room and I see spiritual brothers and sisters. It means that I ask myself, why did the Holy Spirit put me here? What are the skills that I bring to make this body better? It means that I give of myself my time, my services, and use the appropriate stewardship of the money and the gifts that God has given me.

Your elders hope that we will take some time over this next week of Thanksgiving and devote that time with God in prayer and in meditation, that we’ll either do it privately, we’ll do it with our families. We’ll be holding hands, we’ll be on our knees, we’ll be on our faces, removing all the noise of this world for a few moments and asking ourselves: who are we, what are we, whose are we? And then we rise from that sacred moment and turn and with a great courage and commitment can look to those around us and say,
“I’m All In”.

Jim Martin
From the Shepherds