Unique Things about True North

One is in how we differ what it means to be part of this church.

There is a reason we call this partnership-distinct from membership-often very easy to become a member of something today.

• just fill out a form...put your name down, and you are a member. Nothing to it. You get to carry around an official membership card
• look at all things I am member of. Impies no obligation on my part.

Not the kind of thing the biblical example proposes

• look at disciples called by Jesus
• look at early church
• suggests a commitment to one another.
• church today is really trying hard to revive the notion of commitment in marriage...I think it applies just as much to belonging to church-there is value in it for us all, built upon commitment-sticking together until or unless God says to move on.

What does this Church look like?

To understand our relationships with the church, I want to compare it to a family. As I consider the chruch, I do see it as more of a family of people than an organization/business. This is our spirutual family. Can belong to many families-my birth family, my married family, and this-my spiritual family.

Several aspects of relationships within a family we can look at to help define what we want to have here are True North.

• Common Interests
• families often share certain interests. They have family traditions. Certain activies they like to do-draw them together. This is true whether you are born into the family or you have joined the family-either through marriage or even close friendship with a familiy member.
• there is certainly room for diversity and creativity within the family, but there are certain common things that draw them together.
• think about marrying into a family. You discover this whole new world of traditions, activties that they are engaged in. You have to decide how you will respond to these things..can you get used to them. You may not even initially like them, but if you value the relationship with your future spouse, you accept them and join in-in time you often make those things part of your life.
• very similar to the church. Marriage is a good analogy for how many of us initially come into a church family today-especially a new church like True North. You may be drawn by certain things you see here...the style of music, the way we talk about things or the way we arrange our worship services. Maybe it's through the kids, or Maybe you've benfited from relationships through a small group....whatever it might be, there are some common interests. You may find things here you are not used to, and not so sure about. If you value relationship with a church or people who might have brought you here, though, I encourage you to stick with it...see what God shows you in time. I believe God draws people together for marriage, and He does the same thing for churches. In time you may find that you enjoy the atmosphere, relationships and traditions we develop here. This is an initial entry point into the family of True North...you might call this "belonging" or "membership". the focus is on enjoying those common interests.
• Next there is a deeper level of connection within a family. For this we need to get down to the genetic level. Family members share some common DNA. When two people have a child, each of them shares half of their genetic makeup with that child. They pass on certain traits to their kids. If you take alook at a large extended family you will see certain traits prominent in that family. these are not things you are free to change like styles and traditions...These are core traits that may identify the family...they are foundational characteristics.

The situation is similar in a church family. Now...I'm not saying we are all genetically related here. That would be a little freaky. I just can't resist a genetic analogy when I see one! We have certain core traits that identify us as True North...they've been passed down to us from founding members of a church planting organization. They identify us...where we've come from, who we are associated with, what our core goals are as a church. These are the things we'll be talking about in the partnership class after worship.

In partnership with True North you recognize a deeper connection with the church that goes beyond just common interests. You realize that you identify with the core components..or spiritual DNA...of what this church is about, and you say you want to be a part of it. you want to identify with this family. You wan to make your own contribution and benefit from associating and working with the other partners. You want to grow deeper, have a part to play, and benefit from a deeper connection with this church family. This is a natural progression in church and personal spiritual growth, I think. God continues to draw us closer together as a church. If you are ready to really connect and be a part of True North...or even if you are just curious to hear more about what those core features are...then the partnership class today is for you.

Foundations

There is one more level of relationship in the church that I want to mention today. We haven't ever talked about this before..it's something we've been working out how to fit into the structure of a church so that we continue to meet our core goals and features.

THink about a family again...have you ever noticed how many families will have a partiarch or matriarch...a person...often times an older person...who is the rock...or the root of the family. They value the family...both the individual members...and everything that family represents in the world. They take charge and make sure the family stays together and keeps focused on their goals. I think every family needs roots like these to keep it strong and moving forward in the world.

As I've watched dynamics in my own family over the years, I've discovered that this root doesn't necessarily have to be an older person...and there can actually be many of them. There will be that one who takes the lead over the reast, but there can be many roots spread throughout the family who make it their job to uphold the family. The best of these do it withouth anyone every really noticing. They work in the background, gently loving and guiding...and the family members depend upon them.

We've got roots in this family as well...we call this our Foundation team. It's made up of partners in the church who have really stepped in to do whatever it takes to make this church flourish. Like the men Jesus called to be his closest followers and friends, they've given their all to the church...they know God has called them to this ministry. And just like the roots of a family, this is not a group of people looking to control everything...they know that they are called to gently, lovingly and prayerfully guide various aspects of this church. And this team will continue to grow and change, too...just as different people all throughout a family grow and take responsibility, we know that many of you will discover God's call on your life here and we look forward to inviting you onboard that team when the time is right. I just want to make mention of this today...I'm sure you'll here more about this as we continue to journey on together.

So as you can see. there are a few levels of involvement, connection and commitment within a church. Consider where you fit into all of that today. Whereever you are is where God has you right now. and that's fine. But realize, that we are on a journey to discover God and His purposes for us...We are always moving toward Him...our True North. What are you moving toward. Is it time to take another step? Think about it today...let's close in prayer together.