Who We Are
We are a people.
The church is not a building, nor is it a large group gathering. Rather, the church is a group of people who call upon Jesus Christ as their Lord and God who have agreed to join together for the purpose of following the teachings of Jesus in their homes and local context.
We are on mission.
At Northstar, you’ll often hear us remind each other, “Don’t Go to Church; BE the church.” It’s our way of encouraging one another to remember that being a Christian is not about being comfortable. We seek to humbly apply the teachings of Jesus to our lives and tell everyone who will listen that they too may have real life in Jesus Christ.
If you would like to know more about what it means to be a follower of Jesus, check out The Story here.
If you would like to know more about what it means to be a follower of Jesus, check out The Story here.
We are intentional.
Northstar may be called “contemporary” by some, but that is not our goal as a people of God. Rather, we implement purposeful structures and strategies in order to:
• bring all people to a knowledge of God through Christ Jesus
• help them mature in their faith as a disciple
• equip them to proclaim the truth and joy of life in Christ to others
• help them mature in their faith as a disciple
• equip them to proclaim the truth and joy of life in Christ to others
We are hopeful.
We are not perfect – but we’re hopeful.
2 Thessalonians 2.16-17 says, “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”
We understand that the world we all live in is broken and that we are too. We all stand in need of “fixing.” We truly believe, in faith, that Jesus Christ has come to restore anyone who will believe upon Him. He is the hope of the world.
2 Thessalonians 2.16-17 says, “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”
We understand that the world we all live in is broken and that we are too. We all stand in need of “fixing.” We truly believe, in faith, that Jesus Christ has come to restore anyone who will believe upon Him. He is the hope of the world.
Core Beliefs
At Northstar Church, our theology is based solely on the Word of God, the Bible. We seek to model a lifestyle of obedience to the teachings revealed in Scripture and resist a “head-knowledge” only form of Christianity which only leads to pride and stagnation.
Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. But the man who loves God is known by God. (1 Corinthians 8.1b-3)
We hope to be like the Bereans in Acts 17.11:
“Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”
In essential beliefs, we ask agreement. In non-essential beliefs (matters relating to such issues as the timing of end-time events, how often to celebrate communion, and other debatable matters) we allow liberty. Toward those who differ with us we show love and respect.
“In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.” – Peter Meiderlin, 1627
For a more complete description of our beliefs, you can view them here. You can also view the Baptist Faith & Message statement of beliefs here.
Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. But the man who loves God is known by God. (1 Corinthians 8.1b-3)
We hope to be like the Bereans in Acts 17.11:
“Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”
In essential beliefs, we ask agreement. In non-essential beliefs (matters relating to such issues as the timing of end-time events, how often to celebrate communion, and other debatable matters) we allow liberty. Toward those who differ with us we show love and respect.
“In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.” – Peter Meiderlin, 1627
For a more complete description of our beliefs, you can view them here. You can also view the Baptist Faith & Message statement of beliefs here.
God
God is the Creator and ruler of the universe. He is all-wise, all-seeing and all-understanding. His basic attitudes toward us are love and compassion, yet He is also capable of anger and wrath. God created all people and will one day judge all people by whether or not we acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord. God desires a relationship with us and sent His Son Jesus to make that relationship possible. God is revealed in the pages of both the Old and New Testaments.
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the promised Messiah of Israel. Jesus was born in Bethlehem to a virgin and lived under the authority of his parents until He began his public ministry. He labored and taught for a little over three years in Israel, was tempted and tested by Satan, performed miracles, spoke often to the masses and discipled twelve men who were called Apostles.
He lived in dynamic relationship to His Father. He provided practical examples of godly living and effective ministry for all of his followers throughout the ages. His story is told in four biographies in the New Testament.
Jesus was betrayed by Judas Iscariot. His death was demanded by the Jewish religious leaders, and He was crucified by the Romans. He arose from the dead after three days and later ascended to be with his Father in heaven. By the sacrifice of His life and his resurrection, He made possible forgiveness of sin and eternal life for all who choose to believe in Him. He is the founder and head of the church. At a future date, known only to the Father, He will return to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
He lived in dynamic relationship to His Father. He provided practical examples of godly living and effective ministry for all of his followers throughout the ages. His story is told in four biographies in the New Testament.
Jesus was betrayed by Judas Iscariot. His death was demanded by the Jewish religious leaders, and He was crucified by the Romans. He arose from the dead after three days and later ascended to be with his Father in heaven. By the sacrifice of His life and his resurrection, He made possible forgiveness of sin and eternal life for all who choose to believe in Him. He is the founder and head of the church. At a future date, known only to the Father, He will return to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, and He is given to all who place their faith in Jesus Christ. The Spirit imparts peace, power, inspiration, encouragement, understanding and leadership to all believers who submit themselves to His working. He also gives to believers unique spiritual gifts that enable them to minister to the church family. The Spirit works with non-believers by convicting and leading them to confess their sin and believe in Jesus Christ.
The Bible
The Bible was written by men under the leadership and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Because it is God’s Word, it can be trusted to be thoroughly accurate, reliable, practical and relevant to every generation and to people of all cultures. The first eleven chapters of Genesis which deal with creation, the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve, the fall, and the flood are not myth, but accurate history. Both Old and New Testaments are authoritative and instructive, and each is worthy of the believer’s study. The Bible is to be read, studied and meditated upon consistently by all who wish to grow in Christian maturity. It is the basis and guide for all teaching in the church. It sets the behavioral standards for all who name the name of Christ.
People
Human beings were created by God and fashioned in his image. God’s desire for all people is that they know, love and serve Him and live with Him for eternity. Because people choose to disobey God and thereby sin against Him, they are separated from God until they embrace Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for them on the cross. Brought into right relationship with God, people are capable of great creativity and highly effective ministry. After death, people who know God are destined to live forever in heaven with Him. Those who do not know God will live forever in hell without Him.
The Church
The church is God’s primary instrument on earth to make known the good news of the gospel. It is also the chief means by which people are helped to mature in the faith, and encouraged to use their gifts in ministry. The church is a family made up of those who believe in Jesus Christ. As a family it provides nurture, encouragement, protection, fellowship and even correction to all family members. The church is commissioned to reveal the love of God to humanity and be a steward of God’s creation.
The Christian Lifestyle
Beliefs must translate into life; otherwise they are only words. At Northstar, we place a special emphasis on living out our beliefs in the following areas.
Biblically Based Living
We test our attitudes and actions by the Word of God. When faced with a decision, we must always ask, “What does the Bible say about this?” We encourage daily Bible reading and study. The Word of God is the guide for all we do.
Circumspect behavior and moral purity
We guard our own and the church’s reputation by living pure and godly lives. In our language, relationships, habits at work, and family life we refuse to do or say anything that would cause our own testimony to be harmed or would bring reproach on Northstar Church. We keep ourselves from profanity, sexual immorality and displays of any behavior that would be clearly seen as uncharacteristic of a follower of Jesus Christ. We take pains to avoid even the appearance of evil.
Outward focus
We purposely cultivate an outward focus that makes us aware of our responsibility to people who do not know Christ. We are God’s ambassadors, and in that role we develop friendships with non-churched people, invite them to church and small groups, and share, when appropriate, our own testimony of how God has been at work in our lives. In addition, we are prepared to share the content of the Gospel with all with whom we are given the blessing of influencing.
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” (1 Peter 3.15-16)
Biblically Based Living
We test our attitudes and actions by the Word of God. When faced with a decision, we must always ask, “What does the Bible say about this?” We encourage daily Bible reading and study. The Word of God is the guide for all we do.
Circumspect behavior and moral purity
We guard our own and the church’s reputation by living pure and godly lives. In our language, relationships, habits at work, and family life we refuse to do or say anything that would cause our own testimony to be harmed or would bring reproach on Northstar Church. We keep ourselves from profanity, sexual immorality and displays of any behavior that would be clearly seen as uncharacteristic of a follower of Jesus Christ. We take pains to avoid even the appearance of evil.
Outward focus
We purposely cultivate an outward focus that makes us aware of our responsibility to people who do not know Christ. We are God’s ambassadors, and in that role we develop friendships with non-churched people, invite them to church and small groups, and share, when appropriate, our own testimony of how God has been at work in our lives. In addition, we are prepared to share the content of the Gospel with all with whom we are given the blessing of influencing.
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” (1 Peter 3.15-16)
Affiliations & Partnerships
Northstar Church is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, and our theological beliefs are in harmony with those of most other Baptist churches. We appreciate and love people of other traditions and denominations.
We also partner with other agencies, churches and ministries. The work of the kingdom is too big for any one church to accomplish. We are a church that is “on-purpose” about strengthening ministry and reaching our world with the life-affirming message of Jesus Christ.
Here are a few of the organizations and individuals that we partner with:
Denominational
Southern Baptist Convention
Baptist General Association of Virginia
Southern Baptist Convention of Virginia
Collegiate Ministry
Baptist Collegiate Ministry – VT
Cru (Campus Crusade) – VT
Other Ministries
International Students, Inc.
Bradley Study Center of VT
Valley Women’s Clinic
Montgomery County Foster Care
We also partner with other agencies, churches and ministries. The work of the kingdom is too big for any one church to accomplish. We are a church that is “on-purpose” about strengthening ministry and reaching our world with the life-affirming message of Jesus Christ.
Here are a few of the organizations and individuals that we partner with:
Denominational
Southern Baptist Convention
Baptist General Association of Virginia
Southern Baptist Convention of Virginia
Collegiate Ministry
Baptist Collegiate Ministry – VT
Cru (Campus Crusade) – VT
Other Ministries
International Students, Inc.
Bradley Study Center of VT
Valley Women’s Clinic
Montgomery County Foster Care