Welcome to Northstar Church
Let's make our community a better place!
Welcome to Northstar Church
Let's make our community a better place!
Overcoming Racism
A Mission We Cannot Ignore
This week several pastors from our county got together for a night of discussion and prayer and it was a powerful moment and one the church must continue to discuss. Bishop Lorenzo Peterson echoed what most of us are feeling right now and he couldn't have been more spot on. And rather than lay blame and echo the political talking points, he rightly focused on the overall issue of racism in America...a great evil indeed, and one only our God can help us overcome. I am in total agreement that we in the church have a responsibility to make it our mission to crush ALL racism wherever it exists in our communities.
I am also thankful that there is much reason for optimism because we live in a time where much progress has been made. We have a long way to go, but so much progress has been made. Many hearts have been changed and although we are experiencing a dark time right now, God is bringing His light into the hearts of His people and there is reason for hope. Yet we must remain vigilant.
All that being said, I believe the clearest path to healing, understanding, and empathy is to have uncomfortable, yet necessary conversations. For that to happen, we mustn't attempt to silence well-meaning voices that don't immediately appear to agree with us by calling names and slapping labels upon them. When we do this, we remove voices from the discussion and when we remove those voices, we end the discussion. Without the conversation, we will get nowhere. My biggest fear is that when attempting to have these important conversations we will make assumptions or allow our fears to widen the blind spots present in every one of us.
My heart, and the heart of every pastor I know is for REAL reconciliation and fellowship with brothers and sisters of all races, creeds, and colors. And if we allow the voice of the Holy Spirit to be a partner in these conversations, we the church can and will be instrumental in bringing the much needed healing our country needs. The government can't bring it. Healing can't be legislated. So let us call upon the name of our God who created all colors to come and heal us from the inside out as only He can. And let us never forget that God created all these colors as something to be celebrated for our God LOVES diversity. Praying for peace and greater understanding among the people of God and our entire nation. ~Pastor Tom
Churches given Green Light to Re-Open
When will Northstar resume live services?
As you have probably heard, yesterday the Governor gave the green light for churches to reopen in Washington under certain conditions. As a result, Northstar will be able to reopen soon since our county is now in Phase 2 and can meet the CDC standards for reopening.
CAN WE REOPEN THIS WEEKEND?
Even though we have been working very hard to get the building ready for WEEKS now, we still have work to do which means opening this weekend (May 31) is not physically possible. Therefore the church Council will be meeting this Monday to discuss the re-opening strategy and we will let you know what we decide ASAP. It's quite possible that we may reopen the following Sunday (June 7) but it largely depends on our ability to do things in a responsible manner.
WHY LISTEN TO THE GOVERNOR?
I need to speak from my heart here because I love and respect each and every one of you. And I am asking for your understanding and support. Many have raised controversial questions about whether or not we should obey the governor regarding re-opening. People in our church fall on all sides of the argument and I have been somewhat open about my feelings in the Coffee With Pastor Tom videos. However, there is more to the picture than many realize. While I agree that the Governor doesn't have the Constitutional authority to prohibit church, I have more authority over me in the form of our denominational leadership. Some have expressed frustration with our denomination which I also truly understand. However, I would ask you to consider some other factors.
- As a pastor, I am forced to rely on my vocation as the means by which I support my family. Therefore, I have been unwilling (as have many pastors) to risk my ministry credentials and family security at this point in the current situation. This is not an issue of trusting God, it is a matter of personal responsibility.
- This is an opportunity to show Biblical submission to authority. The concept of Biblical submission is PRECISELY for those times when you disagree with your leadership! So whether or not I agree with denominational leadership on an issue, I am commanded by Scripture to obey as long as my conscience allows.
- The viral threat was overstated BUT REAL. I suspect if the government hadn't locked us down, many churches would still have chosen to halt services for a time because ultimately we want to be good citizens. Let's face it, the threat has been blown out of proportion, but it is real. People have died from it to the tune of 100,000+. So whether you choose to live in fear or not, there are many who are afraid. While I may not personally share their fear, like I said, there are people on both sides of the spectrum here at Northstar. And both need to respected and reassured.
- This has put pastors in the most difficult position they have ever faced. Pastors are now in the middle of congregants on all sides of the: fear/no fear/open church/keep church closed/all blown out of proportion/real threat/fake threat/obey the government/defy the government/obey the denomination/criticize the denomination spectrum. No matter what we do we will be criticized. No matter how we move forward we'll possibly lose some people who disagreed with us and wanted us to handle things their way. No matter what choices we make there will be those who disagree. I am more than a little frustrated that the government has put pastors in this position and I deeply resent it. But here we are. Here I am. Speaking for myself and every pastor facing tough choices, we are doing our best to obey God, our church leadership, and meet the needs of our congregations. So we ask for your love, support, and understanding as we move forward. And keep in mind all this put our denominational leadership in the same impossible position.
- Lastly there is a bigger picture. As I stated, I fully agree the government had no right to limit religious services. But none of this had the power to stop the gospel. Much good has come from this. We have gotten better at reaching out via the Internet and social media. We've learned more about the importance of regular fellowship and church attendance. We rediscovered our need for one another. Our hunger for corporate worship has increased. And we realized that the gospel will go forward no matter what. Perhaps this has been a good training ground for the end times when the church everywhere will be greatly persecuted yet will continue to propagate the Gospel. For all of this I give God thanks and great praise because what Satan meant for evil, God as He always does, used it for MUCH GOOD. I hope and pray you see this.
WHAT CAN I DO TODAY?
Well I'm glad you asked. LOL I need your help to prepare the church to reopen. If you can help, we have work to do. Get in touch with us ASAP.
And please GIVE. Our giving has been up throughout all this and very healthy but for some reason, this last month there has been a dip. So please log on and make sure you stay consistent with your tithe so we will have the resources we need to do ministry when we open our doors. Go now to the GIVE link above and support your church. God has been faithful to us, let's stay faithful to Him.
I look forward to worship our Great God in person...in the very near future. Can't wait church! Love you.
Pastor Tom
Welcome To Northstar Church
Join us Sundays at 10:30am and Wednesdays at 7:00pm
On the pages that follow you will find information about all the ministries we offer and ways you can get involved.
COVID-19
Caring for our Neighbors
Northstar is preparing to assist our neighbors in need with food and hygiene items to be distributed to families in crisis. Find out how to get involved here.