June 14, 2020

After intense Bible study and prayer, having sought guidance from the Holy Spirit, and after substantial conversations with Northside members, the elders have agreed to encourage women in our Northside Church Family to participate more fully and visibly in our corporate worship services. Women have already been leading church ministries, saying prayers in small groups, reading scripture from the pew, giving testimonies, and making announcements or reports to the Church family. We have even had women baptize new converts, so this should not be seen as a radical new practice for our family.

We strongly desire that women have the opportunity to develop and use their spiritual gifts for the glory of God, which we believe reflects the teaching of scripture and God’s heart. We do not now have any plans to have women elders or for women to serve as full-time pulpit ministers.

We knew from the start that there was no decision we could make that would please every member. Our desire, however, was to do what is Biblical, not what makes the most people comfortable. We will be respectful of all members, no matter what they may have preferred. We will be developing educational opportunities for women as well as men to become more informed about the opportunities and expectations of the various roles within our worship services.

In order to implement these changes in the least disruptive way, we are forming an Implementation Team made up of multiple generations representing a variety of perspectives. This team will recommend the best way to realize these changes so that they are done in a timely and thoughtful manner that minimizes disruption.

May we all be humble, respectful, and loving to this wonderful church family as we continue our journey together, and may we remain unified in love.