Let me heartiIy echo the other 2 reviewers before me. I just LOVE my church. I was sitting through the multi-nation finale yesterday after an entire service that brought us logically and beautifully to this climax, moved to tears, and I'm sitting there thinking, ""Why me, Lord - why are you so good to me to let me find Northland?""
As a start, Northland is not, repeat NOT, your traditional or typical church. Oh it is very solidly bible-based alright, and doctrinally impeccable. But unlike other so-called evangelical churches, it is not focused on the ""two big issues"" that others are fixated on, namely abortion and homosexuality. To be sure, Pastor Joel (and the church) has a stance on both, and are not ashamed or afraid to state those positions. But the attitude is totally non-judgmental. Instead, the big issues are taking the church outside of the 4 walls and half a day (that you are in ""church""), and finding a little bit of heaven of earth through giving, service, and fellowship. It's also extremely environmentally friendly in that we have a pastor and a Board that wants to see us take care of the environment, even if it meant (and it did) losing some well-heeled ""customers"" who just could not bring themselves to see things in a different light, which on this issue - as Pastor Joel has shown definitely and repeatedly - is the BIBLICAL light.
There are 5 worship services every week - 5 on Sat, 9/11/6 on Sun, and 7p every Monday. Too far? Try our distributed sites in Oviedo, West Oaks and Mount Dora, where concurrent worship takes place at various times. None of those times/places work for you or you can't come because Johannesburg is an 18-hour flight away? Worship online. EVERY worship service is different, every one is challenging, every one is moving. The music and staging is of professional caliber, but you always get the sense that it's focused on the One above, not anyone down here below. If this sounds like the church for you, or if you've really not thought about church lately, but want to give it another shot, give Northland a try. If you want, I'll give you a personal tour. Can't give a link to the church worship site in here I don't think, but google it and you'll easily find it - we're Northland, and we're in Longwood between a racetrack and a bar. I look forward to seeing you.
Pros: Teaching, worship, Hard-core Biblical, non-judging
Cons: Could play a couple more songs from Hillsong repertoire
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