NorthStar Church Blog

 

They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.
Acts 2:45 (NLT)

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Matthew 6:21 (NLT)

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GIVING TO GOD WHAT’S ALREADY HIS

 

There are many people who call themselves Christians and attend Sunday worship services, yet their relationship with Jesus—and engagement with their church family—stops there. They don’t serve. They don’t give. I used to be one of them.

Yesterday, I shared that I had attended NorthStar Church for nearly five years before I began volunteering. Well, it was almost seven years before my wife and I began tithing (you’ll be glad to know this was before I joined the staff). Serving and giving of your time is one thing. But handing over your hard-earned money? That’s another level of investment—one that kept us from experiencing even more joy and more of God’s blessings early in our marriage.

The early church went to far greater lengths than simply tithing to care for their brothers and sisters—their community, their neighbors. They literally sold whatever was necessary, even their own possessions, to ensure that those less fortunate had food, clothing, and shelter. This was the purest expression of love and generosity.

If we don’t give at all, why not start by giving something? If we give a little, why not give more? Ultimately, it comes down to three reasons:

1. We haven’t structured our financial lives in a way that allows us to give generously.

2. We struggle with trust—we don’t fully believe God will provide for us if we give “X” amount.

3. We think of “our money” as ours and fail to recognize that everything we have comes from the Lord.

If the desire of your heart is to “give back to the Lord what is already His,” let Him know—and then begin somewhere. Whether it’s $10 a week or $500, you’ll find yourself looking forward to the opportunity to invest in the mission of the Church: introducing people to Jesus, making disciples, and living SENT.

There’s no better investment you can make.

 

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C.A. Phillips serves as Communications Pastor and Director of Men’s Groups at NorthStar Church. He is a graduate of the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia, and he loves the Dawgs and the Atlanta Braves. He has two (grown) boys and lives in Kennesaw with his wife, Amy, and their German Shepherd, Abby.

 

¹⁰ God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. ¹¹ Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

1 Peter 4:10-11 (NLT)

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FROM SIDELINES TO BETWEEN THE LINES

 

My wife, Amy, and I began attending NorthStar Church in March 1997, just three months after we were married and two months after the church’s launch. We officially joined in June of that year, but during our first five years at NorthStar, we knew only a handful of people and weren’t plugged in anywhere.

Sometime around 2002, an announcement was made from the stage one Sunday morning—a moment that would change my life. Someone shared that there would be a meeting later that week for people interested in serving on the Hospitality Team (ushers, greeters, parking lot attendants, etc.). I had been looking for a way to get involved, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.

I went to the meeting with one thought: find the lowest-hanging fruit. In other words, look for a role that required the least commitment—maybe serving once or twice a month. I wasn’t planning to go all in; I just wanted to dip my toe in the shallow end. But God had different plans.

That night, I remember hearing from DeWitt James and Brian Dodd, two men I would grow to love and serve alongside in the years to come. Brian shared an illustration that has stuck with me for more than 20 years. It was the week of the Super Bowl, and he talked about the thousands of fans who would fill the stands, paying top dollar to attend.

“But they’re just spectators,” he said. “The ones who reap the rewards are the players on the field—between the lines—in the game.”

Then, almost as if he had read my mind, he added, “Some of you came here tonight planning to do the bare minimum—to serve here and there. But, just like those football players, you’ll only experience the true rewards when you give your all and get in the game.”

That evening changed the trajectory of my life. I started serving as a door greeter at the 9:00 a.m. service, and over the next two years, I missed only two or three Sundays. I loved serving, and I loved getting to know the people on my team. It was a game-changer.

Are you on the fence about serving? Don’t wait. Don’t hesitate. Jump in and see what God has in store for you—and for the people He will place in your path.

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C.A. Phillips serves as Communications Pastor and Director of Men’s Groups at NorthStar Church. He is a graduate of the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia, and he loves the Dawgs and the Atlanta Braves. He has two (grown) boys and lives in Kennesaw with his wife, Amy, and their German Shepherd, Abby.

 

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

Acts 2:42 (NLT)

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MISSING OUT ON THE JOY OF COMMUNITY

 

Years ago, there was a guy in my couples’ small group who invited me to his house to talk, saying he had some questions about “church.” However, I quickly realized he wasn’t really interested in asking questions—he wanted to challenge me.

This young man, as it turned out, was trying to justify not attending church on Sunday mornings or being part of the body of believers. He said something along the lines of, “I’ve got most of it figured out. I can watch church services online (not NorthStar’s, but another church in the South). I’m in a small group. I can serve others. I’ve got prayer covered. I’m just kind of hung up on baptism. I’m not sure how I could do baptism on my own.”

I spent the next two hours passionately explaining why his approach was flawed, but he simply couldn’t see it. He was missing the point—and the power—of being part of the local church the way Jesus intended. Faith in Jesus isn’t meant to be a solo endeavor; it’s meant to be lived out in partnership with others.

A Gallup Poll released in 2024 revealed that roughly 44 percent of Christians attend services regularly—though today “regular attendance” is defined as once or twice per month. Honestly, that number was higher than I expected, but it still raises the question: what about the other 56 percent? Why are they disengaged from the life of a local church?

There are countless reasons, but most can likely be summed up this way: they don’t fully understand the true purpose of the Church, nor have they experienced the joy of serving others.

Rick Warren opens his best-selling book The Purpose-Driven Life with these four simple words: “It’s not about you.”

When we accept that truth—and begin to embrace it—we start to see both our lives and the lives of others differently. Not only that, we begin to crave community with those who share the same longing to worship the Lord and serve others in His name.

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C.A. Phillips serves as Communications Pastor and Director of Men’s Groups at NorthStar Church. He is a graduate of the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia, and he loves the Dawgs and the Atlanta Braves. He has two (grown) boys and lives in Kennesaw with his wife, Amy, and their German Shepherd, Abby.

 

Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives…

Acts 1:12 (NLT)

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FOCUS FORWARD WITH OBEDIENCE

After everything they had seen and heard, the disciples did what Jesus said. They returned to Jerusalem. They obeyed. It may have seemed anticlimactic, but it was crucial. Their obedience positioned them for what God would do next.

Obedience may not feel exciting, but it is always essential. Sometimes it looks like showing up again, staying faithful in your work, loving difficult people, or forgiving even when it still hurts. Obedience creates space for God’s power to work.

A single mom named Denise felt God prompting her to invite her estranged father to church. They hadn’t spoken in years. She resisted the idea for months, but the conviction wouldn’t go away. Finally, she sent the text. To her shock, he came. That morning, he gave his life to Christ.

Weeks later, he was diagnosed with late-stage cancer and passed away within the year. Denise said, “If I hadn’t obeyed, I would have missed the miracle.”

Where is God asking you to return, obey, or remain faithful today? Write it down, and commit to walk it out.

 

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Steve Roach serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Growth at NorthStar Church. He and his wife, Amy, live in Acworth and have three girls, Olivia, Sydney, and Hayley and one son, Colton.  He enjoys watching sports and spending time with his family.

 

They all met together and were constantly united in prayer…

Acts 1:14 (NLT)

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STAY DEVOTED TO PRAYER AND COMMUNITY

Before preaching, before miracles, before the early church exploded in growth, the disciples gathered to pray. They did not isolate. They did not try to figure things out alone. They stayed in community, devoted to prayer. There is power when God’s people pray together. Prayer aligns us with God’s will, strengthens our unity, and invites the Spirit to move. Community reminds us we are not alone. The early church understood they needed each other to stay faithful.

One of the most inspiring historical examples of the power of prayer and community comes from George Müller, who ran orphanages in 19th-century England. He cared for over 10,000 orphans in his lifetime, never once asking people for money. Instead, he prayed and trusted God for every need.

On one famous morning, the orphanage had no food. Yet Müller led the children in giving thanks anyway. Moments later, a baker knocked on the door. He had woken up at 2 a.m., sensing God wanted him to bake bread for the children. Soon after, a milk cart broke down right outside, and the milkman offered all the milk before it spoiled. Müller’s faith and community of prayer became a global testimony of God’s provision.

Who are you praying for today? Who are you joining in prayer with to ask God for answers?

 

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Steve Roach serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Growth at NorthStar Church. He and his wife, Amy, live in Acworth and have three girls, Olivia, Sydney, and Hayley and one son, Colton.  He enjoys watching sports and spending time with his family.

 

As they strained to see Him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday He will return…”

Acts 1:10-11 (NLT)

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DON’T GET DISTRACTED FROM THE MISSION

The disciples were understandably amazed by Jesus’ ascension. But then the angels appeared and asked a powerful question: “Why are you standing here?” In other words, do not just admire the moment—go live the mission.

We can easily become stuck in our walk with Jesus because we are staring, stalling, or spectating. Distractions come in many forms: fear, comfort, entertainment, or even routine. We can be so caught up in consuming Christian content that we forget to live it out.

A college student once felt a strong call to start a Bible study in his dorm. But weeks passed, and he kept putting it off—too busy, too nervous, too distracted. Then one day, a classmate overdosed in the room across the hall. The student sensed that this was the moment God wanted him to begin the study, especially with so many students struggling with what had happened. He launched the study the following week. Today, three of those original students are in full-time ministry.

What is distracting you from fully engaging in the mission?

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Steve Roach serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Growth at NorthStar Church. He and his wife, Amy, live in Acworth and have three girls, Olivia, Sydney, and Hayley and one son, Colton.  He enjoys watching sports and spending time with his family.

 

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be My witnesses, telling people about Me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1:8 (NLT)

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EMPOWERED TO LIVE SENT

Jesus does not just call us to a mission; He also gives us the power to fulfill it. When we think about sharing our faith, serving others, or making disciples, it can feel overwhelming. But God never intended for us to do this in our own strength.

To “live sent” means understanding that our daily lives are integral to God’s greater plan. Every relationship, every responsibility, and every place we go is a mission field. The power of the Holy Spirit enables ordinary people to live with extraordinary purpose.

Years ago, a UPS driver in Texas delivered packages in the same neighborhood for over a decade. One day, he stopped to help a woman whose groceries had spilled in the street. That small act led to a conversation. Over time, neighbors came to trust him with their struggles. Eventually, he began praying with people on his route and even led two neighbors to Christ. His delivery truck became a mobile mission field.

How can you “live sent” today, right where you are? Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you with boldness, compassion, and clarity.

 

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Steve Roach serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Growth at NorthStar Church. He and his wife, Amy, live in Acworth and have three girls, Olivia, Sydney, and Hayley and one son, Colton.  He enjoys watching sports and spending time with his family.

 

Once when He was eating with them, He commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift He promised… In just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 1:4-5 (NLT)

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WAITING ON GOD

Jesus had just risen from the dead. The disciples were eager. The world was in need. But Jesus said, “Wait.”

That may sound surprising. Why wait when you have the greatest news in history? Because Jesus knew the mission was impossible without the Spirit. The gospel cannot be lived out or shared effectively without God’s power.

Waiting on God is not about inactivity; it is about preparation. It is about learning to trust God’s timing more than our impulses or feelings. The temptation we face is to rush into decisions, relationships, or conversations without seeking God’s direction. But Jesus modeled a different way of living. He made sure to include time alone with His Father in prayer. He was never in a hurry. In fact, He even delayed a day when His friend Lazarus was close to death. Jesus never made a move without considering His Father’s will.

During World War II, General George Patton was told to wait before advancing his troops. Instead of pushing forward out of impatience, he followed orders. Days later, he learned that his delay had prevented his men from walking into a deadly ambush. What looked like wasted time turned out to be divine protection.

Waiting isn’t weakness when it’s obedience. Where do you need to slow down and wait on the Spirit before moving forward? Ask God to prepare your heart and equip you as you wait.

 

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Steve Roach serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Growth at NorthStar Church. He and his wife, Amy, live in Acworth and have three girls, Olivia, Sydney, and Hayley and one son, Colton.  He enjoys watching sports and spending time with his family.