MorningStar Church is a Bible-centered, Spirit-filled Christian ministry originally conceived in the heart of founder and pastor Tony Byrd in 1992. Initially the specifics of the dream were "a bit fuzzy," but Pastor Tony committed the outworking of the details to prayer and submission to God's timing and design.
Over the next several years, as Pastor Tony and his wife Heather enjoyed prosperous and fulfilling youth ministry, God slowly added the details of how this new church ministry would look. It would focus on meaningful and expressive worship, building strong relationships, winning and discipling the people of a large urban and multi-ethnic community, and showing the love of Christ in practical, hands-on acts of service. In addition, it would seek to plant other churches in strategic locations throughout the city of focus.
In August of 1998, the realization of the dream picked up speed as the Lord began to speak to Pastor Tony that Tampa, Florida, would possibly be the city. The Lord then in several tangible ways confirmed that direction to both Pastor and Heather in February of 1999. Five months later, the Byrds stepped away from youth ministry and into preparation for the launch of this new church.
On Sunday, May 7, 2000, at Sickles High School in Tampa, MorningStar Church became a reality. And although only a small handful of people were on board in the very beginning (only six were a part of the first Bible study a few months earlier), God has granted our church tremendous favor with the two groups of people for whom we have the most passion, the unchurched and the unsaved.
Today we're both humbled by God's continued blessings and eagerly anticipating what He's going to do in the future. And we'd love for that future to include you.
Where'd we get our name?
As with any name, you'll find rich depth of meaning standing behind our name MorningStar. First, we like the name MorningStar because it is one of the most beautifully descriptive names for Christ you'll find anywhere in Scripture (Rev. 22:16, for example). And truthfully, we like having a name for Christ as part of our identity because it continually reminds us that this church is all about Him and not about us. We don't ever want to lose sight of that.
Second, astronomers will tell you that at one time the planet Venus was dubbed the "morning star" because every day its planetary path would cause it to rise three hours before the sun, thus ushering in each new day. Similarly, that's a role we would like to play in the lives of the people of Tampa and even around the world. So many people are tired of, frustrated with or even indifferent about their "yesterdays", and we would like to help them find the dawn of a new day in their lives. Of course, that can happen through the love, grace and hope of Jesus Christ. The people of MorningStar are living proof.
Q. So what kind of church ARE you? A. MorningStar Church is unique. At least we think so. It has been our mission from the beginning to create a distinct church environment that blends many of the foundational beliefs and values of our traditional, Spirit-filled background with the contemporary approach found in many of today's post-modern churches. Many people ask if we're seeker sensitive. Well, in the sense that we value relevance, and we truly want those who don't have a relationship with God to feel welcome and safe, and to enjoy their experience at MorningStar, we definitely are. At the same time, we're also sensitive to the needs and perspectives of believers from all different church backgrounds, and at all levels of spiritual growth and maturity. Most of all, we're sensitive to the resence and leading of the Holy Spirit, understanding that only He is able to produce lasting spiritual results in the lives of people, anyway. It certainly has nothing to do with how good of a show we might produce. So, you might say we're seeker friendly and Spirit sensitive, or at least that's our goal. And as a result, on any given Sunday you might find deeply expressive times of worship, or even the use of the charismatic spiritual gifts (like speaking in tongues and words of knowledge or prophecy). At the same time, though, we're committed to exercising those gifts in order, as the Bible instructs, and to not giving ourselves over to mere emotionalism. We attempt to do all this in an atmosphere that is warm and friendly, reflects today's ever-changing culture, and clearly invites God to show up in whatever way He chooses.
Q. Is MorningStar affiliated with a denomination? A. No, we are a nondenominational congregation made up of people from a wide variety of backgrounds and past church experiences. We're quite a diverse bunch.
Q. Is MorningStar accountable to anyone? A. Although we are not affiliated with a denomination, we do believe in accountability and spiritual covering. As a result we have formed a team of appointed elders who serve to keep our pastor, staff, leaders, and attendees on track spiritually. We also have a Stewardship Team that includes lay members of our church, as well as staff leaders. Their role is to provide accountability for all things related to the finances of our church.
Q. What's with all the excitement in your worship service? A. Hey, we're just in love with Jesus! Plus, the Bible instructs us to worship Him with shouts of praise, singing, clapping, raising hands, dancing and more.
Q. What are your thoughts on tithes (giving 10% of your income) and offerings? A. First, the Bible instructs us that these forms of giving are acts of obedience and worship before the Lord. Second, we know that they help build the Kingdom of God and open the door for incredible blessings to flow into our lives.
Q. Do you believe in the present-day operation of all the spiritual gifts listed in the Bible? A. Yes, although we don't exalt in importance any one gift over the others.
Q. Why does MorningStar emphasize getting together throughout the week in smaller, home-based groups? A. These "small groups" as they are often called (we call the e*groups - the "e" stands for "encounter" - ENCOUNTER God, ENCOUNTER people, ENCOUNTER groups) provide a great opportunity for essentials like Bible study, prayer for needs, the building of quality relationships, and more. In addition, they're a lot of fun!
About the Bible We believe that the Bible is the inspired, infallible and authoritative written Word of God, and that it is the all-sufficient guide for believers.
About God We believe that there is only one living and true God, and that He is an infinitely holy, powerful, intelligent, present, merciful, loving and personal Being. Further, He eternally exists in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
About Jesus We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal, divine Son of God who came to this earth in human flesh, conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, to become the Savior of the world. Fully God and fully man, He lived a sinless life, was crucified and buried, rose from the dead, ascended to Heaven, and today sits at the right hand of God the Father as our intercessor.
About Sin and Salvation We believe that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, and as such all are eternally separated from Him. Forgiveness, grace, and salvation (new life), however, are freely offered to all who believe in and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. No one can earn it, but anyone can receive it.
About the Holy Spirit We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God Himself who works to exalt Jesus Christ, convict and regenerate sinful humanity, and sanctify, encourage, teach and strengthen believers. We believe that a person is filled with the in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit at the moment he or she accepts Jesus Christ as Savior. We also believe in the subsequent baptism of the Holy Spirit as a special enduement of power for all believers who ask, enabling them to become supernaturally-empowered witnesses of the love of Jesus Christ. Further, we believe in the present-day operation of all the gifts of the Spirit listed in the Word of God.
About Baptism and Holy Communion We believe each believer, following the example and commandment of Christ, should experience water baptism (by immersion) in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. For the believer this is an outward testimony of an inner change. We believe in Holy Communion, or the Lord's Supper, as a symbolic act of obedience in which believers receive bread and juice to memorialize the sacrificial, redemptive death of Jesus and anticipate His second coming.
About the Church We believe that the Church is of divine origin, a living organism with Christ as the Head. It is a people, not a place - a spiritual body of born again believers manifesting the gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit. Its purposes are to worship God through exalting His Son, Jesus Christ; to build edifying relationships with others; to declare the good news of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world; to disciple all believers in growing relationships with Jesus Christ; and to minister love and care to all who are in need.
About Stewardship Recognizing that God is the Source of all temporal and spiritual blessings, we believe that all believers are obligated to sacrificially serve Him with their time, talents and material possessions.
About Serving We believe that service within the Body of Christ is mandated in God's Word. God has equipped each of us with natural abilities and spiritual gifts that are designed to be used to build up the entire Body and to reach those who do not have a relationship with God. We believe it is the responsibility of each believer to use his or her unique gifts in an area of ongoing service.
About Last Things We believe God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead will be raised; and all living believers will be raptured away. Christ will then judge all humanity in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to eternal punishment, but the righteous in their resurrected and glorified bodies will be rewarded and will forever live in Heaven with the Lord.
Following the pattern of the New Testament church, we're here to CONNECTand EFFECT in the following five ways: Worship We exist to connect with God in worship by exalting His Son, Jesus Christ, and effect lifestyles of worship in those to whom we minister.
Relationships We desire to connect people in meaningful, life-giving relationships. Our goal is to effect unity in the Body of Christ and demonstrate the love of Jesus to all.
Evangelism We exist to connectthose who do not yet know Jesus Christ with His love and life-changing power, and help effectmeaningful transformation in the hearts and lives of thousands.
Discipleship We exist to connectnew and current believers with a continuing and growing relationship with Jesus Christ, and effectspiritual maturity and formation in the lives of every believer.
Servant Ministry We exist to connectwith believers and non-believers in relevant, servant-oriented ministry and care. Our goal is to effect an attitude of caregiving within the body of Christ and a change in the spiritual climate of our city and our world.
