Pursuing Our Freedom, Realizing Our Future.
“ And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” — Esther 4:14 (ESV) 1990
Pastor Joel conceives, and the elders affirm, the 10-year “Journey to Spiritual Maturity” emphasis that encompassed the entire worship and educational focus of all age levels of the congregation.
1972
The Nelsons, who were traveling downtown to worship, feel called to help plant a similarly focused church in the “north land” of Orlando, in the Maitland/Altamonte area. They join a handful of dedicated believers and form a new congregation: Northland Community Church.
1984
The need for a more permanent facility becomes apparent. A building committee is formed. A new facility is located — the old, vacant Skate City roller rink on Dog Track Road in Longwood.
1985
Through a series of God-ordained circumstances and relationships, the Lord brings Dr. Joel C. Hunter to Northland.
1997
The elders send Dr. Hunter away on a retreat to begin envisioning the next millennium. He returns with a vision of a church unrestricted by geographical boundaries.
1998
The elders and pastors unanimously affirm the vision: Northland would become a “church distributed,” arranging the church around the relationships of the congregation and partner ministries, rather than around a physical church building.
2004
Northland at Mount Dora begins meeting for worship in Lake County.
2005
Northland breaks ground on its new facilities in Longwood. The church begins live streaming worship services. Northland at Oviedo launches at a local movie theater.
2007
New facilities open in Longwood, described as a “communications center with a sanctuary attached” by Dr. Hunter.
Dear friends, A tipping point is the idea that small actions contribu te to big results. For us, it a coming-of-age culmina is tion of the vision that Go d gave this congregation earliest days. in its God is showing us the wa y forward in the fulfillment of the ancient way. Now mo than ever, we’ve got to ha re ve a heart for and an outre ach to those who are outsi the institutional church. As de we continue forming the church outside our walls, wh strengthening ministry ins ile ide our walls, we’re becomi ng part of something bigge than ourselves. r This isn’t a program. This isn’t even a process. It is a movement equipped by pra and reinvesting our lives in yer a fuller way in the winning of the whole world to Jesu s. Just as individuals are no t replaceable, Northland is not replaceable. God given us a unique place has in the future of the chur ch. And the best is yet to come. Dr. Joel C. Hunter
2012
A new live online worship environment launches, which sees 120,000 streaming connections in its first year.
2014
From the mega church to a church of churches, distributing the church becomes focused on the congregation members forming the church in their everyday lives.
2015
The Tipping Point …
EQUIPPING OUR MINISTRIES:
IT’S NOT ABOUT HOW MANY YOU CAN SEAT; IT’S ABOUT HOW MANY YOU CAN SEND. We want to continue to equip people for ministry.
Since the earliest times, God has distributed His spiritual gifts so that each person is of value to others, and all are dependent on one another for the fulfillment of their mission together (Romans 12). It is through the distribution of these gifts that God creates both the personalized extension of His Spirit and the unity of His church. There are extraordinary things happening week in and week out around Northland that God does through His people: people coming to faith, lives being restored, children being discipled, hungry people being fed. Our approach has been and will continue to be equipping our congregation members to do the ministry that God has called and gifted them to do.
Bible Studies ip
Worsh
“ … so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” — 2 Timothy 3:17 (NIV)
ship Live Online Wor
ing Classes & Train
Access Ministries
Children’s
Ministries
SERVING OUR COMMUNITY:
SERVING OTHERS IS PART OF OUR DNA. In many ways, it’s the “so that” of why we exist.
We don’t exist solely for the benefit of one another; we exist also so that we can love and include and serve and care for those outside our four walls. Our job is to love the people who come through the doors and those who never come through the doors.
uman 121Hope Anti-H g in Traffick
We don’t serve out of our completeness; we aren’t complete without those we serve. Similarly, those we are serving will never be fully mature without offering what they bring. Our goal is to grow to maturity in Christ, and we can’t do that without one another. It’s a perpetual call of growth, something that is never attained. Each needs the other; that’s the essence of serving. Disas
ter Re lief
LifeHop
e
Recovery & Care Ministries
Prison & Jail Ministries
“ You are the light of the world. … Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” — Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)
REACHING OUR WORLD:
Haiti
WE LEARN MORE ABOUT WHO GOD IS AND WHAT HE HAS DONE AS WE PARTNER WITH THE CHURCH IN HAITI, IN UGANDA, IN UKRAINE AND AROUND THE WORLD. Every nation, tribe and tongue. It’s not about local and global. It’s about us, reaching our world together. We take very seriously our call to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Mark 16:15, NIV). That doesn’t just apply to some or to professional ministerial staff. It applies to every follower of Jesus as we go make disciples. Some go around the corner; some go around the world. The call is the same.
Uganda
Ukraine
DISTRIBUTED TRAINING CENTERS
A Distributed Training Center (DTC ) is a net work of committed church leaders ESTAB LIS H ED: I N DEVE LOPM ENT: Orlando, ESTAB LIS H ED: who are trained to both establish and expand in church leaders Uganda, Egypt, Ukraine, A Distributed Training Center (DTCchurch-planting ) is a net work ofinitiatives committed I N DEVE LOPM ENT: their givenwho context. Northland aims to convene top leaders of influentialinitiatives net works in South Africa, Haiti, Sri Lanka,Uganda, Honduras, Orlando, are trained to both establish and expand church-planting Egypt, Ukraine, mmitted church leaders to align ESTAB H ED: I N DEVE LOPM IN Africa, DISCOVERY: efforts and establish around thetoworld. Cuba Swaziland,Sri Brazil, New Mexico theirLIS given context.DTCs Northland aims convene top leaders ofENT: influential net works South Haiti, Lanka, Honduras, Orlando, nting initiatives in Uganda, China, South Korea, Mexico, Nigeria, to align efforts and establish DTCs around the world.Egypt, Ukraine, Cuba Swaziland, Brazil, New Mexico rs of influential net works South Africa, Haiti, Sri Lanka, Honduras, India, Russia, Pakistan, Indonesia, Cuba Mexico Argentina, New York I N DEVE LOPM ENT: A Distributed Training Center (DTC ) is a net work of Swaziland, committed Brazil, churchNew leaders ESTAB LIS HPhilippines, ED: who are trained to both establish and expand church-planting initiatives in A Distributed Training Center (DTC ) is a net work of committed church leaders their given context. Northland aims to convene top leaders of influential net works who are trained to both establish and expand church-planting initiatives in to align efforts and establish DTCs around the world. their given context. Northland aims to convene top leaders of influential net works to align efforts and establish DTCs around the world.
Orlando: Orlando: Northland, A Church Distributed Northland, A Church Distributed P OPU LAT I O N : 2 . 2 m i llio n P OPU LAT I O N : 2 . 2 m i llio n LA N G UAG E : En g l is h , S p a n is h , A ra b ic
Orlando: LA N G UAG E : En g l is h , S p a n is h , A ra b ic L EADE R S I N T RAI N I N G : 2 0 0 - p l u s Northland, Orlando:L EADEAR SChurch I N T RAI N IDistributed NG: 200 -plus Northland, A Church Distributed P OPU LAT I O N : 2 . 2 m i llio n
Orlando, ESTAB LIS H ED: South Africa, Haiti, Orlando, Cuba South Africa, Haiti, Cuba
Haiti: Evangelical Churches of Haiti P OPU LAT I O N : 1 0 . 4 m i llio n LA N G UAG E : C re o l e, Fre n c h , En g l is h L EADE R S I N T RAI N I N G : 126
Cuba: Mahanaim Network Cuba: L EADE R S I N T RAI N I N G : 112 Mahanaim Network LA N G UAG E : S pa n is h L EADE R S I N T RAI N I NG : 112
P OPU LAT I O N : 11 m i llio n
P OPU LAT I OE N:: S11pamniisllio LA N G UAG h n LALN G UAG n is hN I NG : 112 EADE R SE I: NS pa T RAI L EADE R S I N T RAI N I N G : 112
Haiti: Haiti: Churches of Haiti Evangelical Evangelical Churches of Haiti P OPU LAT I O N : 1 0 . 4 m i llio n P OPU LAT I O N : 1 0 . 4 m i llio n LA N G UAG E : C re o l e, Fre n c h , En g l is h
Haiti: Evangelical Churches of Haiti Haiti: L EADE R S I N T RAI N I NG : 126 Evangelical Churches of Haiti
LA N G UAG E : C re o l e, Fre n c h , En g l is h L EADE R S I N T RAI N I N G : 126
P OPU LAT I O N : 1 0 . 4 m i llio n
L EADE R S I N T RAI N I NG : 126
L EADE R S I N T RAI N I N G : 2 0 0 - p l u s
P OPU LAT I O N : 11 m i llio n LA N G UAG E : S pa n is h
IN DISCOVERY: China, South Korea, Mexico, Nigeria, IN DISCOVERY: India, Russia, Pakistan, Indonesia, China, South Korea, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines, Argentina, New York India, Russia, Pakistan, Indonesia, Philippines, Argentina, New York
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P OPU LAT I O N : 11 m i llio n
Philippines, Argentina, New York
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P OPU LAT I OE N:: En 2 . 2g lm LA N G UAG isihllio , Snp a n is h , A ra b ic
Cuba: Cuba:Network Mahanaim Mahanaim Network
Uganda, Egypt, Ukraine, I N DEVE LOPM ENT: Sri Lanka, Honduras, Uganda, Egypt, Ukraine, Swaziland, Brazil, New Mexico Sri Lanka, Honduras, Swaziland, Brazil, New Mexico
IN DISCOVERY: China, South Korea, Mexico, Nigeria, IN DISCOVERY: India, Russia, Pakistan, China, South Indonesia, Korea, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines, Argentina, York Indonesia, India, Russia, New Pakistan,
South Africa: Vredelust Church [Cape Town] P OPU LAT I O N : 5 3 m i llio n LA N G UAG E : Zu l u , X h os a , En g l is h L EADE R S I N T RAI N I NG : 12
South Africa: South Africa: Vredelust Church [Cape Town] Vredelust Church [Cape Town] P OPU LAT I O N : 5 3 m i llio n P OPU LAT I O N : 5 3 m i llio n LA N G UAG E : Zu l u , X h os a , En g l is h
South LA Africa: N G UAG E : Zu l u , X h os a , En g l is h L EADE R S I N T RAI N I N G : 12 Vredelust Church [Cape Town] South Africa: L EADE R S I N T RAI N I NG : 12 Vredelust Church [Cape Town] P OPU LAT I O N : 5 3 m i llio n
P OPU LAT I OE N:: Zu 53lm n a , En g l is h LA N G UAG u , i llio X h os LALN G UAG u , XN h os , En EADE R SE I: NZuTl RAI I NaG : 12g l is h L EADE R S I N T RAI N I N G : 12
REALIZING OUR FUTURE:
YOU, CHRISTIAN, ARE A MINISTER OF THE CHURCH.
Jesus made the extraordinary statement “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it� (Matthew 16:18, ESV). In other words, the presence of hell will be defeated in the context where His people are. Only through personal engagement can we reflect the image of God fully and accomplish His mission in our everyday lives. Our calling is to follow Jesus together, invite the people in our normal relationships to join us, and then help them live an abundant life full of hope and love and faith. Distributing the church will bring real hope in a crazy world.
Distributed Church
CENTRAL FLORIDA NETWORK
Lake County
Lake County
Longwood
Oviedo
Hub Existing Distributed Church Correctional Facility Future Distributed Church
Hub Existing Distributed Church Correctional Facility Future Distributed Church
PURSUING OUR FREEDOM:
$14,000,000 of Debt = $1,000,000 Annually for Mortgage Payments
$0
for Ministry
Q &A
What is the Tipping Point initiative?
Northland is at a new watershed moment in its history, seeing the expansion of the church in a new way, which is really the fulfillment of the ancient way, to build the future church. The goal of the Tipping Point initiative is for all of us to take the next steps in our faith journey to see this movement of God realized. This kind of charge does not come easily. Nothing on a God-sized scale ever does. It requires an unwavering commitment and sacrifice by every member of the body, where our unifying response breaks through hell’s strategy to keep the church focused on itself … isolated. Together we will connect and expand the church as a spiritual force and refuge around the world. This movement is not just about the here and now; it is about future generations of new Christians and new church networks sharing the gospel of Christ in every corner of the world.
How is this different from a traditional capital campaign?
A traditional capital campaign focuses on a specific church project, for which congregants are asked to give over and beyond their regular giving to a separate fund. These types of projects are typically funded largely by a smaller percentage of the congregation, leaving a majority disengaged. Tipping Point is about all of us empowering a movement, not a project, putting forth one vision and one fund to meet multiple goals wherein each coincides into kingdom expansion.
Where will the money go?
All contributions will go into one fund, which will resource ongoing church ministry efforts while eliminating our building debt and funding future expansion over a two-year period, totaling $40 million. Referencing the chart on the next page, the red sections are the church programs that the congregation is already funding through current tithes and offerings. The green
sections are needs within the next two years to eliminate our mortgage debt and invest in immediate opportunities to plant distributed church networks locally and globally. The money used to plant churches and expand networks goes directly into training at various levels of church leadership with materials translated for their context.
What does my two-year commitment mean?
Making a two-year commitment means you want to see this distributed church movement produce faithful Christians in thriving churches all over the world, and you are willing to pray and give your money, your time and your talents to this initiative.
Do I need to give it all at once?
Any commitment needs to start with prayer, asking God what to do as part of this movement. Then, in faith, fill out a commitment card based on how God is leading you. Fulfilling that commitment over the two years is based on your specific circumstances. Some may do it monthly based on income, and others may sell assets at various times to maximize the offering. There is not just one right way to give during the two years; just remain faithful to what God has called you to give.
How will we measure our success?
We do have a financial goal of $40 million; however, that is not the measure of success. The measure of success will be identified in two areas. The first is the proportional response of the congregation members taking the next step in their giving journey to see this movement of God realized, resulting in the spiritual growth of our people because of their sacrifice. The second is the number of changed lives through the sharing of the gospel and the discipleship of believers in a growing network of distributed churches locally and globally.
What are you asking me to do?
To pray and take the next step in your giving journey. If you are not currently giving to Northland, we are asking you to start. For first-time givers, the amount is not nearly as important as the act of trusting God with your finances. If you are giving occasionally, we are asking you to give consistently in proportion to your income. If you are giving consistently, we are asking you to start tithing (10 percent of your income), to “test God” in your giving, as He requests in Malachi 3:10. If you are tithing, we are asking you to give extravagantly, as the tithe in Scripture was never intended to be the finish line, and perhaps the Lord wants you to excel in your giving. And for all of us, consider a resource gift, asking God if He is asking us to sell possessions or assets to propel this movement forward.
FUNDING IMPACT 2-Year Plan (2016-2017)
Equipping Our Ministries $18,864,158
Pursuing Our Freedom $14,054,356
WORS H IP DISCIPLESHIP
MORTGAGE PAYMENTS
PASTORAL CAR E MOB I LIZATION
$2,141,282 during this initiative
ADM I N ISTRATION
BUILDING DEBT
$11,913,074 paid off at the end of 2017
TECH NOLOGY I N FRASTRUCTU R E
47.2% CU
RR
Serving Our Community $1,360,326 LI FEHOPE
EN
Our facility was designed to be a distribution point not a destination. Eliminating this debt enables us to put more resources toward the growing network of distributed churches.
T
$40MM FU
BEN EVOLE NCE
LOCAL PARTN ER S & PROJECTS
RE
ANTI-H UMAN TRAFFICKING
3.4% 6.8%
Reaching Our World $2,721,160 M IS S IONARIES SHORT-TERM MISSIONS GLOBAL PARTN ER S PR OJ ECTS
7.5%
TU
PRISON & JAIL
35.1% Realizing Our Future $3,000,000 DISTRIBUTED CHURCHES DISTRIBUTED TR AINING CENTER S
God is asking Northland to be a catalyst in establishing a million churches in our neighborhoods, in our nation and around the globe.
Take the next step in your GIVING JOURNEY: START GIVING This is a step of trust. If you love Northland and participate regularly in the life of the church, but do not yet give financially to the work of the church, we want you to know that we are glad you are here. And we want to invite you to take another step in your relationship with God in this church. Begin to give back to God a portion of what He has given to you. The amount is not nearly as important as the spiritual step of trusting God with your finances. “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” – Acts 20:35 (NIV)
CONSISTENT GIVING This is a step of intentionality.
TITHING This is a step of faithfulness.
When something captivates your heart – whether it is a relationship, a possession, an experience or a cause – you naturally dedicate your resources toward it. If you give occasionally, we want to thank you for the ministry work your gifts have made possible and encourage you to give in a more intentional and consistent way. Ask the Lord, “What portion of what You have given to me do You want me to invest in the Kingdom in a consistent and faithful way?” “The righteous gives and does not hold back.” – Proverbs 21:26 (ESV)
This is where you physically, practically demonstrate your belief that God will keep His word to provide for your needs. Setting aside 10 percent of your income may require that you re-prioritize your spending/lifestyle choices because God is your top priority. God called His people to tithe, not because He needs the money, but to demonstrate their love and trust.
“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:21 (NIV)
EXTRAVAGANT GIVING This is a step of celebration. This is a moment of recognizing that God allows you to be a conduit of blessing to the world! If you are tithing, thank you for your faithful expression of deep trust in our God and for the ministry work your generosity has already accomplished. Prayerfully consider if God is asking you to give above and beyond a tithe to distribute His church. Giving 10 percent of your income back to God was never intended to be a finish line. Let the Lord lead you to give in accordance with your love. “God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)
RESOURCE GIVING In addition to taking the next step in your giving journey, there also may be something you can sell as a catalyst to launch this movement forward. Prayerfully consider if God has blessed you with something that you can use to bless others. Some examples are savings, investments, property, a boat, a car or other possessions.
Tipping Point (n): The critical point in a situation, process or system beyond which a significant and often unstoppable effect or change takes place.
NORTHLAND
A CHURCH DISTRIBUTED
530 Dog Track Road, Longwood, FL 32750 407-949-4000 • northlandchurch.net