At Northstar, membership is not simply a roster to which your name is added. We are not a social club meant to provide activities 
for entertainment. Church is not just a gathering; it is a group of people that have been formed because of what Jesus did on the cross. We are a portion of the body of Christ that is intent on being His church.
On November 1, 2015 we had our annual Covenant Renewal Sunday. At this time we cleared the membership list, in order to renew a fresh our commitment to be part of the body of believers known as Northstar Church. Covenant membership is a commitment between our members and the Lord to encourage each other, reach the lost, and glorify the Father together. By joining Northstar as covenant members we signify that we are on mission together.
Lead pastor Jeff Noble led us through the new Northstar document called Membership Matters and explained that when it comes to membership at Northstar Church, there are several things that we agree significantly matter.
Salvation Matters
Jesus is “the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:11-12)
Doctrine Matters
“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.” (Romans 16:17)
“If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions.” (1 Timothy 6:3-4)
Relationships Matter
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39)
Organization Matters
“..to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.. speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:12, 15-16)
Vision Matters
“Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” (John 4:35)
In addition to these core values of Northstar, our pastor Jeff Noble explained that being a member in this generation of the life of our church also means a commitment to the future. The current membership of Northstar is engaged in a faith adventure of trust through giving in our Immeasurably More sermon series in order to provide a location, a center for ministry for future generations of our church. [You can find out more about our building campaign here.]
Future Matters
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)
Jeff emphasized that in all our ministry activities, planning and even in building a ministry facility for the future, that it’s foundational for Northstar members to keep being the church.
Focus Matters
Jeff highlighted our Think 28 philosophy which is a commitment to make disciples as Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:18-20 and to lead people to spiritual maturity in Jesus as Paul described in Colossians 1:28. Our church has “five pillars” which are fellowship, discipleship, evangelism, missions and service. These functions ensure that we will be the church as we grow forward.
In closing, Northstar members had an opportunity to sign and turn in their membership covenants [click here to see the Northstar member covenant] for the next year of being the church together as we embrace meaningful membership.
What if you’ve been visiting Northstar and want to become a member?
The next step for you would be to visit our “How to Join” page and then RSVP for the next Discovering Northstar class. I