About Us
We desire that every person that we come in contact with will be equipped to live the full and free life that God has for them.
Letter from Jamey
Thank you for taking the time to visit our website! My hope is that every person at Northside Church would experience the full and free life God desires for us. In my 25+ years of ministry, this has become the thing I am most passionate about. Northside is a church that is centered on Jesus, focused on the Bible, and striving to make a positive difference in our community.
We believe that investing in three key relationships can make a huge difference as we look toward the full and free life God has for us.
Our relationship with Christ
Our relationship with the Church
Our relationship with the Community
Everything we do is designed to encourage us to consider what a next step might look like in one of these areas.
We are so excited about what we are already seeing here at Northside.
If you’d like to sit down for lunch or coffee or if there are ways that I can personally be praying for you, please email me at jamey@northside-albany.com.
There are many ways for you to get involved and I would love to get to know you!
What we believe
It can be hard to sort through all different churches, denominations and beliefs. Our hope is that this will help you understand what it is we consider essential to faith in Jesus Christ, and what is not. Our faith, ministries, and practices are defined and anchored in these beliefs. Our goal is to hold tightly to what the Bible (God’s Word) says, and to strengthen unity through holding to the essentials of our salvation. The following three statements can help us as we consider the essentials of our faith.
In essential beliefs – Unity (Ephesians 4:4-6)
In non-essentials – Liberty (Romans 14:1)
In all things – Love (1 Corinthians 13:2)
These statements allow us to realize the value of listening to and learning from those who may come from different backgrounds, while celebrating and clinging to those things that are essential. Generally, there has been a broad area of census and agreement regarding the essentials of the Christian faith.
Northside holds these truths to be essential to the faith and fellowship
We believe that God is the creator, ruler and sustainer of the universe and has eternally existed in three distinct but equal persons. He is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. God is constantly acting throughout history to fulfill His redemptive purposes,; even to this very day. (Genesis 1:1,26-27, 3:22, Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; and 2 Corinthians 13:14)
We believe that Jesus was fully God and fully man. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died for our sin, rose in bodily form from the dead, and that He will absolutely return personally, visibly and powerfully in His Glory.
Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ and is the Son of God. Jesus is the image of the invisible God. Living a perfect life and through the Will of the Father, Jesus gave Himself as a perfect sacrifice (once and for all time) for the sins of humanity. Jesus rose from the dead after three days demonstrating his power and authority over sin, death and Satan. He is the only mediator between God and man and the only name by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12; Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; Colossians 1:15; 1 Timothy 6:14-15, and Titus 2:13)
We believe that people are made in the image of God. That they are the masterpiece of His creation. We believe that every person has amazing potential for good. All of us are marred by an attitude and practice of disobedience toward God called sin. Sin separates humanity from God and ultimately leads to eternal death. (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6, Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2)
We believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit, who lives within God’s people and empowers them to live for Jesus.
He is the comforter who dwells in the hearts of believers, convincing them of truth, teaching and helping them to do what’s right. The Holy Spirit works within us through convicting us of sin, empowering our faith, and in bringing new life as we grow in our relationship with God. The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives is the guarantee of our relationship with God, reminding us that we are His children. (Romans 8:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 1:13,5:18; 1 Corinthians 2:12,3:16, Galatians 5:25)
We believe that the Bible is wholly and completely the Word of God The Bible is God’s revelation to us. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is inspired by God and without error. We believe God’s Word is the final authority for all matters of faith, truth, morality and Christian living. We believe the Bible teaches that God established marriage in the beginning as a lifelong, exclusive relationship between a man and woman. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160,12:6; Proverbs 30:5)
We believe that God’s design for marriage is a deep, life-long committed relationship between one man and one woman. Men and women are created in the image of God and together, reflect a fuller picture of His image (this is why marriage is sacred to God). In marriage, the two become one. This is a powerful statement about the togetherness of God’s design. We also believe that God’s design for sex is between one man and one woman in a committed marriage relationship. (Genesis 2:18-25, Matthew 19:4-6, Colossians 3:18, Hebrews 13:4, 1 Corinthians 7:2-5)
In Scripture, God refers to His Church as His body, His temple, His bride, His sons/daughters…
We believe that the Church is near and dear to the heart of God and exists to bring honor and praise to Him. We believe that the Church is to be His hands and feet to the world around us which involves caring for and serving others. We also believe that His Church is to be salt and light bringing His light, grace, love, and truth to the world around us as His representatives. (Matthew 5:13-16, 2 Corinthians 5:18-21, Ephesians 1:22-23, Hebrews 10:25, Matthew 28:19-20)
We believe that salvation comes through Jesus Christ alone. He is the way, the truth, the life and the only way to God.
We believe salvation is God’s free gift to us, that we must accept. We can never make up for sin by self-improvement or by “doing better”. Salvation comes through trusting in Jesus, what He did on the cross and through that God’s forgiveness (without which no one can be saved) Accepting God’s gift through faith in Jesus and in turning from sin we are saved. (John 1:12,14:6; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1)
We believe that the souls of humanity live forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in the presence of God is Heaven. (John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23, 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9)
We believe that God is the creator, ruler and sustainer of the universe and has eternally existed in three distinct but equal persons. He is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. God is constantly acting throughout history to fulfill His redemptive purposes,; even to this very day. (Genesis 1:1,26-27, 3:22, Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; and 2 Corinthians 13:14)
We believe that Jesus was fully God and fully man. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died for our sin, rose in bodily form from the dead, and that He will absolutely return personally, visibly and powerfully in His Glory.
Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ and is the Son of God. Jesus is the image of the invisible God. Living a perfect life and through the Will of the Father, Jesus gave Himself as a perfect sacrifice (once and for all time) for the sins of humanity. Jesus rose from the dead after three days demonstrating his power and authority over sin, death and Satan. He is the only mediator between God and man and the only name by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12; Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; Colossians 1:15; 1 Timothy 6:14-15, and Titus 2:13)
We believe that people are made in the image of God. That they are the masterpiece of His creation. We believe that every person has amazing potential for good. All of us are marred by an attitude and practice of disobedience toward God called sin. Sin separates humanity from God and ultimately leads to eternal death. (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6, Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2)
We believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit, who lives within God’s people and empowers them to live for Jesus.
He is the comforter who dwells in the hearts of believers, convincing them of truth, teaching and helping them to do what’s right. The Holy Spirit works within us through convicting us of sin, empowering our faith, and in bringing new life as we grow in our relationship with God. The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives is the guarantee of our relationship with God, reminding us that we are His children. (Romans 8:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 1:13,5:18; 1 Corinthians 2:12,3:16, Galatians 5:25)
We believe that the Bible is wholly and completely the Word of God The Bible is God’s revelation to us. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is inspired by God and without error. We believe God’s Word is the final authority for all matters of faith, truth, morality and Christian living. We believe the Bible teaches that God established marriage in the beginning as a lifelong, exclusive relationship between a man and woman. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160,12:6; Proverbs 30:5)
We believe that God’s design for marriage is a deep, life-long committed relationship between one man and one woman. Men and women are created in the image of God and together, reflect a fuller picture of His image (this is why marriage is sacred to God). In marriage, the two become one. This is a powerful statement about the togetherness of God’s design. We also believe that God’s design for sex is between one man and one woman in a committed marriage relationship. (Genesis 2:18-25, Matthew 19:4-6, Colossians 3:18, Hebrews 13:4, 1 Corinthians 7:2-5)
In Scripture, God refers to His Church as His body, His temple, His bride, His sons/daughters…
We believe that the Church is near and dear to the heart of God and exists to bring honor and praise to Him. We believe that the Church is to be His hands and feet to the world around us which involves caring for and serving others. We also believe that His Church is to be salt and light bringing His light, grace, love, and truth to the world around us as His representatives. (Matthew 5:13-16, 2 Corinthians 5:18-21, Ephesians 1:22-23, Hebrews 10:25, Matthew 28:19-20)
We believe that salvation comes through Jesus Christ alone. He is the way, the truth, the life and the only way to God.
We believe salvation is God’s free gift to us, that we must accept. We can never make up for sin by self-improvement or by “doing better”. Salvation comes through trusting in Jesus, what He did on the cross and through that God’s forgiveness (without which no one can be saved) Accepting God’s gift through faith in Jesus and in turning from sin we are saved. (John 1:12,14:6; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1)
We believe that the souls of humanity live forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in the presence of God is Heaven. (John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23, 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9)
Through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection we can be put back in a restored relationship with God. We are focused on letting the fullness of the Gospel impact every area of our lives. (John 3:16, John 10:10, Acts 4:12, Luke 4:14-21, Ephesians 1:22-23)
We do our best to base every decision on God’s Word and on His truth. We do our very best to ensure that everything we teach is centered on His Word, is done with integrity, and is centered on Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, James 1:22-25, Isaiah 55:10-11)
Our goal is to inspire and equip people to recognize and learn the gifts that God has blessed them with. We will be a church that serves our community and shares about His amazing love and grace. (Matthew 22:37-40, 28:19-20, Colossians 1:19-20, Matthew 25:31-46)
Everything we are and have is from God. We also realize that though God may use us in the process, everything we do that has any impact at all comes from Him and the Holy Spirit working in us and among us. We believe that the Holy Spirit is God’s Empowering Presence and that it is alive and at work in each of us —empowering us to live the lives God calls us to live and do the things God calls us to do. (Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Romans 8:26-27)
The words one another are found nearly 60 times in the Bible. So much of what God has for us is lived out within Christian Community through life giving relationships as we interact with His Word, encourage each other, and share life together. (Acts 2:44-47, John 13:34, Philippians 2:15, Hebrews 10:24-25)
Membership at Northside
If you are interested in becoming a member at Northside Church, you can download the Membership Form and a summary of Northside's beliefs below.
A Few Things that We Hold as important at northside
Northside is a non-denominational independent Christian Church. Our leaders consist of an elder board who we believe have been called by God and recognized by the congregation for the purpose of serving and directing the life and ministry of Northside.
We believe in baptism by immersion. In the New Testament, whenever someone made the decision to follow Jesus, they marked that decision with a public display of their faith through immersion. We believe that immersion was the practice of the early Church.
We observe the Lord’s Supper every week (with very few exceptions). We believe communion was instituted by Jesus Himself as something we do to remember His life, death, and resurrection as often as we gather.
With all that we hear and see, we believe it is normal and even healthy to have honest questions. God is not offended by your questions, and the Bible seems to teach us that God is actually honored when we seek Him honestly.
We help people to worship in both personal and corporate settings. We thoughtfully arrange our Sunday worship in order to maximize participation and purposefully engage people in God-centered worship, and we equip people to connect with and worship God the other 167 hours of the week.
Worship can be a hard thing for us to wrap our minds around. We want to provide an environment where people can be both introduced to and authentic worship. For many, worship has become the “music” part of Church. Worship is so much more than that! Part of what Northside hopes to do is help us all understand more clearly what a life of worship looks like. (Romans 12:1-2, Colossians 3:16-17)
Prayer works and we want to see this be a growing part of what Northside does! We strive (both individually and corporately) to be people of prayerful discernment, where we intentionally listen well to God so that we can confidently follow where He leads. We pray for individual, corporate, and community needs and believe God answers prayer. (Matthew 7:7-11, James 5:13-18)
No one can do this for you! We do believe that God has given us all sorts of resources to help us along the way, and Northside has access to some great tool that can help, but at the end of the day, growing in our relationship with Jesus takes a choice and some intentionality on our part. . (Ephesians 4:11-13, Hebrews 12:1-3, Philippians 1:6)
We may never be more like Christ than when we serve and care for others well. Serving will be a big part of what Northside does. We are blessed to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world and our desire is to make a meaningful difference in our city, within our community, and around the world. . (1 Corinthians 12 and 14, Romans 12)
We have no desire to be the young hipster Church or… whatever. We are blessed with a diverse group of people and that has been part of what makes Northside a great Church. Our goal is to provide resources and programs that can help people at every stage of life. (2 Timothy 1:5, Colossians 3:18-4:1)
We look for ways to apply Jesus’ message and the mission He gave us to an ever-changing culture without compromising Biblical absolutes. We communicate the good news of Jesus Christ in ways people can understand, realizing that while the mission never changes the methods we use will. (1 Chronicles 12.32, 1 Corinthians 9.19-23, Luke 5.33-39)
