Northside Outside
For the past five months, our lives have been interrupted. Every single person, whether you got sick or not, has felt the impact of COVID-19. It has impacted our work, school, homelife, family events, entertainment, and yes, even church.
Northside has done a good job of making sure we continue to meet together. We’ve been offering both online and onsite worship options. Whether you’ve been utilizing one or both of those options, we are glad you’ve been able to assemble with us virtually or in person.
Northside has always been a healthy church. Not a perfect church (good luck finding one of those), but a healthy church. How do I know we’re a healthy church? It’s not because of the preaching, the classes, the ministries, or the events. Those are all good things, but those are not the best indicator of church health.
In my view, the best indicator of church health is the foyer. When people arrive early to hang out, chit-chat, catch-up, and connect. When an hour after the final amen, people are still milling around, or going out to eat together, to me THAT is the sign of good church health. It shows that people love one another and love being present with each other.
COVID-19 has presented some challenges to the foyer. In some cases, it has been months since I’ve seen people from the church family, let alone talk to them.
Hebrews 10:24-25 says “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
The Shepherds and I have been considering how we can continue to stir up one another to love and good works in these challenging times. And we have an idea that we are calling Northside Outside.
Starting on Sunday, September 13, and continuing September 20 & 27, while the weather is cooler, we’re going to gather outside in the south parking lot for Bible Class & Worship. You’ll park on the North parking lot and bring your own chairs to the South parking lot for worship—family camp style! You can socially distance as you desire. We hope this arrangement will allow us to continue to do what we’ve been doing and extend our foyer fellowship outside.
If you’ve been missing seeing people and connecting with them, consider joining us. It’s Kansas, so we know that this is only a short-term option. But while we have the option (pray for good weather!), we’d love to have the Northside family gather outside for Bible class and worship. Yes, we will still offer streaming for those unable to participate. And we’ll also be offering kids classes for ages five and up. So bring the kiddos too. We believe that worship and fellowship is good.