Resources

God is continually doing a new work, and we believe that planting new churches around the area is crucial to engaging our growing communities. Studies indicate that new churches generally reach unchurched people much faster than existing churches. If your church is interested in starting a new church or you are a new church plant looking for assistance and resources, be sure to contact:

• Bryan Jones, Executive Director - 703.283.1747
• Mike Bradley, Associate Executive Director - 703.966.8094

Since our culture is undergoing such dramatic change, this means that the style and approach of our churches is also undergoing change. For some churches that are in decline in may be time to think differently and consider new ways to do ministry in order to not only survive but thrive. NorthStar works with congregations that are considering merging with another church in order to increase effectiveness in spreading the gospel. Sometimes this takes on the form of being a multisite location of another church and at other times it looks like a revitalization of the current the campus of a church. If your church is interested in learning more about proven ways NorthStar has worked with churches in these areas, be sure to contact Bryan Jones or Mike Bradley.

NorthStar Church Network is committed to supporting and encouraging ministry staff and their families through our Counseling Assistance Program. Persons included in this program are those working in a NorthStar Member Church in a pastoral or other paid church staff position, including spouses and children. NorthStar will provide up to four sessions with a designated counselor or a stipend to help cover four sessions at a counselor of choice. For more information, contact Katie Harding. This is a confidential program.

Disaster Relief is Christian love in action — meeting the significant physical and emotional needs of hurting individuals in crisis situations. Volunteers provide many different types of relief including food, water, childcare, laundry, repairs, rebuilding, and more. When a request for assistance is received, individual team members will be contacted to check their availability. Length of service could be one day to one week or more.

Disaster Relief training/orientation sessions are held several times a year. Christian individuals who are active members of a local church, in good physical condition, and at least 16 years of age may attend a training session and join the Disaster Relief team. In the case of a disaster crisis, individuals are allowed to serve prior to receiving official training.

Disaster Relief Teams include:
• Feeding - Prepares and serves hot meals
• Chainsaw - Removes damaged trees and other debris (chainsaw experience is desirable, but not mandatory)
• Mud-out/Flood Relief - Cleans out houses, garages, sheds, barns, yards, streets, and community areas
• Child Care - Provides a calm atmosphere and competent loving care for children
• Water Purification - Provides clean water after a disaster has occurred
• Communications - Establishes telephone, satellite, and ham radio communications on disaster sites
• Chaplaincy - Offers spiritual comfort to those in the midst of a crisis situation

To find out how you and/or your church can get involved in Disaster Relief ministry, contact Michael Bible, NorthStar Disaster Relief Team Leader.

NorthStar has an outdoor movie system available for member churches to rent at a minimal cost. The system includes a 20-foot inflatable movie screen with projection and sound equipment. This is ideal for churches wanting to reach out to their neighbors with an outdoor movie event. For more information or to reserve the equipment, contact Mary Beth Inman.

Open Air Cinema Policies and Usage Agreement

The NorthStar staff is always available to fill in and preach at one of our member churches and our team really enjoys connecting with the churches in this way. Feel free to contact Bryan Jones or the office about availability. NorthStar also has several ministers in the area who are available.

The NorthStar staff believe that finding the right pastor or associate pastor is crucial for the vitality of any church or ministry. We offer search team training, assistance with recruiting, and securing potential candidates. The search process has changed considerably over the past few years, so we offer you the most up to date tools and training to be effective in your search. If you would like assistance, please contact Bryan Jones.