Northbridge Church is a church of "people," not a place you go to
This may sound confusing, but nowhere in the New Testament do you read that the followers of Jesus "went to church." What you do read is that the church (the people) gathered together. There is a big difference between the two. The church is the people, not a place or a meeting you attend. We believe that in the modern world, the "church" has become known as place that people go to vs. a people on a mission for God. We cannot underestimate the power of words that shape our viewpoints and understanding of what a "church" is, and how it is supposed to function. Northbridge Church has a large weekly worship gathering, and will have various classes and other meetings at a "place"- but foremost, we will be defined and function as a community of "people."
Northbridge Church is a multi generational church comprised of individuals and families of all ages.
Northbridge Church is open to anyone of any age who connects with heart of the church community and philosophy of ministry. Due to the nature of the worship approach and philosophy of ministry, it will probably be very attractive in particular to emerging generations and younger families. However, we are finding that the approach to we are taking resonates with hearts from all generations. Our core leadership group is comprised of all ages. A very high value in this church is honoring the older generations, who we view as mentoring and discipling the younger generation.
Northbridge Church is a holistically designed family based church.
Approaching the family holistically mean that we have a very strong children's ministry, yet we will not departmentalize ministry to the extent where families never worship together, or have church schedules which separate and cause conflicts in how a family functions in a Christian community. Our youth ministry will also be designed in a very unique way, using a different approach as well. We are extremely passionate about youth. Youth ministry is undergoing a transformation right now in America, and we see Northbridge Church at the forefront of this new movement for how teenagers can be part of church community.
Northbridge Church has the arts and creativity in our blood.
We believe that God created us in His image and that God's creativity should be reflected in the church. We are passionate about expressing our faith and communicating the Scriptures through creative means. Art, music, poetry, photography, dance, and acting are all encouraged and in the fabric of the church's worship expression (Genesis 1, Exodus 31:3-4). Creativity and the arts won't be something the church does, but something ingrained in who we are.
Northbridge Church has a heart to clear up misconceptions about Christianity.
The early church was highly criticized for certain practices and beliefs that were actually misconceptions. Because of these misconceptions about Christianity, apologists in the early church developed (apologists are those who gave an "apology," a reasonable and intelligent explanation of the faith). Today, we live in an age and culture where many criticisms and misconceptions about Christianity have developed again (understandably so). Mahatma Gandhi once said "I like your Christ, but don't like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." Northbridge Church is very passionate about trying to clear up the bad name and impression that Christianity and the church has in this culture.
We hope to surprise many, many people who have written off Christians as dogmatic, close-minded, and unintelligent by showing them that vintage-Christianity is actually quite the opposite. We will make opportunities for dialogue in our relationships and in the events we have-- we see sharing faith as more than just a one-way presentation. No question are too foolish, too challenging or too insignificant to ask at Northbridge Church. We encourage exploring truth together (Acts 17:11-12). We are passionate about intelligently and lovingly knowing and explaining why we believe what we do as Christians (1 Peter 3:15-16).
Northbridge's ministry philosophy reflects the ancient roots of Christianity
Christianity is not a modern man-made organized religion, but one that is organic, community-oriented and has historical roots going back to the very beginning of the Bible. We do not rely completely on modern and contemporary approaches to preaching, worship services and ministry methodology to shape what church is supposed to be. Rather, we have gone back into the New Testament and looked at church history to see how the church formed and developed and communicated the good news of Jesus to the world. We are trying to translate that into a vision and design for a church for Kalamazoo in today's time and culture.
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