First meeting a great start

Lincoln Berean's new church plant appears to be off to a good start in gathering participants. More than 200 people who had considered being a part of a new church attended the initial gathering of North Pointe Community Church. On June 13, a picnic was held at Bethany Park to give people an opportunity to hear more about the vision and plans for the church. Using 1 John 1:1-4 as his basis, Pastor Andy MacFarlane shared that the church would exist to make the name of Jesus Christ known among North Lincoln and surrounding communities. He explained that the church would have two main vehicles to accomplish this purpose: a weekly worship service at North Star High School that will begin in September of 2005, and small groups that will meet in homes. He especially mentioned that since North Pointe will not have its own building, "church" will have to happen in homes and communities. "One of the many encouraging aspects of this picnic," MacFarlane said, "was the number of people who worked tirelessly to help facilitate the set-up and the preparation of the food." In order for this plant to succeed, God is going to have to raise up an army of servants, he added. The picnic showed that God has already begun that process; It was a great time for people to meet others who are considering being a part of the church plant, MacFarlane said. He explained that in 1 John 1:3, the point of John proclaiming the message was to call people to community. He said the picnic was a good start toward building the community that will be the life blood of North Pointe Community Church. North Pointe hopes to build on the momentum from the picnic by having an evening of prayer and praise, September 12. More details will come; however, MacFarlane hopes the event will be at North Star High School. Also, because small groups and community will be critical to North Pointe, Sunday, September 19 through Sunday, October 31, a "SuperGroup" will meet in room D-103 during the 9:30 hour. Participants of the church plant are encouraged to attend and meet around tables to discuss the book A Long Obedience in the Same Direction. Out of the relationships formed in the SuperGroup, North Pointe intends to launch several small groups in and around North Lincoln.