Northside Neighborhood Church
This past Sunday, Ami and I (Jason) had the opportunity to visit and serve a church plant that Trinity has partnered with in North Minneapolis: Northside Neighborhood Church. Northside was planted by Patrick Ray a few years ago with the hope of being a healthy church in North Minneapolis.
It might be important to ask, ‘What are signs that things are going well?’ The answer we are looking for isn’t always the right answer. Historically, church plants are measured by ‘budgets, butts in seats, and baptisms.’ These things don't necessarily mean that things are going well, however. True signs are harder to spot, but there were many wonderful things we got to experience in our short time. The first is that we saw a congregation growing to know itself as a church. Members were showing concern for other members, asking about their week, their struggles. A new member was added to the congregation, and the church together confessed its membership covenant. Another sign of growth is that the congregation is working at recognizing and raising up leaders. Soon, they will add an additional lay elder to help lead the congregation.
Finally, the structure of the service and the sermon event itself was a wise catechism in what it looks like to be a healthy church. Patrick spoke of the importance of the church being a city of peace, a healthy society so that the congregation outlives each and every member. Northside Neighborhood Church is seeking to pursue healthy leadership, true and simple gospel neighboring, and loving the whole body of Christ.
Continue to pray for this young congregation on the Northside. Pray for its leaders, Patrick, Andrew, and Brian. Pray for the church’s ministry in North Minneapolis that it would be an enduring witness to the saving power of Christ to a dying world.