If you have been following this blog, you know how the number of comments has exploded in recent days. This fury of discussion caught me off guard. I was beginning to wonder if anyone ever read my posts, and then all at once I have total strangers posting their opinions. This has caused me to accelerate my learning curve on responsible blogging.
First, I want to sincerely apologize to the leaders and members of Crossroads for not being more knowledgeable on this subject. I should have set up this blog to be fully moderated by me. By failing to do so, I allowed others to post comments that were disrespectful and misleading about our church and our leadership. While I did delete those comments, I should never have allowed them to be posted before I had a chance to screen them.
In all honesty, I did not want this blog to be simply my thoughts alone but also to provide a forum for dialogue about some of the principles and issues that we are facing as a congregation. However, I failed to take into account that some people do not understand how to have a respectfully discussion without engaging in personal attacks or causing dissension. I am not saying that everyone who posted a comment did that, only that some did. This reflected poorly on the church to anyone who might be considering visiting our congregation and reading my blog.
Dave Nance and I had an opportunity this past week to attend a two-day conference. It was excellent and applied to many of the challenges our congregation now faces. However, one of the speakers said something that hit home with me in reference to this blog. He said, "The internet is the social lubricant of our time". He said that for decades alcohol had been the social lubricant that caused people to lose their judgment and say things that they would not normally say to someone. Today, he said, social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter, have given people opportunity to say things that they later regret.
While I am still committed to this blog being a conversation, it will now be a moderated dialogue. Comments will seen by me personally first before they are allowed to be posted. You are free to disagree, question, and offer other points of view. You must do it, however, in a respectful manner. Personal attacks will not be tolerated in any form. If you don't like the rules, then don't waste your time and my time commenting. In the interests of fairness, I have deleted all comments, including my own, so that we can start fresh.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
A Wrestling Show in a Church?
Since it was announced that we would be hosting a fundraising wrestling show for the summer mission trip, there have been a lot of questions raised about it. In order to save time answering questions over and over, I want to address some of the concerns that have been raised.
Why a "wrestling show"?
Most of you know who Guy Louks is. He shared a testimony during our reunited service. What you might not know is that he has been involved in professional wrestling for many years both as a wrestler and as a promoter. He approached me with the idea of doing a show as a fundraising event for the church. Since we do not fundraising for the church, I suggested doing the event to support those going on the summer mission trip.
Is this appropriate?
While I grant you, it is out of the ordinary, there is nothing inappropriate about the event. Guy Louks and his guys have done events like this for other churches and for charities in our community. He has assured me that the show will be very family-friendly and will not cause the church any embarrassment. A wrestling show may not be your favorite form of entertainment. However, many in our community enjoy it and some of our members are involved in it.
This would not be the first time we have used our facilities for programs or events other than worship services. We have had garage sales, movie nights, and New Years Eve parties that have utilized our buildings. Some might have consider those "outside the box", but we have done them successfully and with great results.
What are the financial arrangements?
First, let me say that there is absolutely no cost for this event to the church itself other than providing the location. The proceeds of the ticket sales are to be evenly split between the wrestling company and the summer mission trip. Those who are committed to going on the trip will provide a concession with hotdogs and such. All proceeds from the concession go for the trip as well.
What risks or liability does the church have?
None at all! Guy has done these shows for years in all types of venues. He carries all the appropriate insurances on his wrestlers and his events. The ring he uses is designed with pads that lift it off the floor to prevent any possibility damage.
What are the benefits?
There are several benefits to hosting the event at Crossroads.
1) It provides an outreach to a part of our community that might never even know that our church exists.
2) It provides free advertising for our church in the community even to those who do not attend the event.
3) It provides a means of raising support for our mission trip without asking for funds from the congregation.
4) It allows members of our congregation to use their talents and abilities to help support the mission trip.
5) It gives those going on the mission trip an opportunity to work for the support they receive for the trip.
What's the downside?
The only potential downside is that some might not like the idea of having such an event in the building and in the auditorium. I understand their concerns, and do consider them as having some validity. The question from my prospective is simply this. With all positive benefits of hosting the event, is anyone really harmed if we do it? On the other hand, if we don't take advantage of the opportunity, there may very well be people who might not ever come to Jesus Christ otherwise. Of course, no one knows for sure, but I think the possibility exists.
While you might not attend the event, should not the possibility of reaching just one lost person through it make as least worth attempting?
Why a "wrestling show"?
Most of you know who Guy Louks is. He shared a testimony during our reunited service. What you might not know is that he has been involved in professional wrestling for many years both as a wrestler and as a promoter. He approached me with the idea of doing a show as a fundraising event for the church. Since we do not fundraising for the church, I suggested doing the event to support those going on the summer mission trip.
Is this appropriate?
While I grant you, it is out of the ordinary, there is nothing inappropriate about the event. Guy Louks and his guys have done events like this for other churches and for charities in our community. He has assured me that the show will be very family-friendly and will not cause the church any embarrassment. A wrestling show may not be your favorite form of entertainment. However, many in our community enjoy it and some of our members are involved in it.
This would not be the first time we have used our facilities for programs or events other than worship services. We have had garage sales, movie nights, and New Years Eve parties that have utilized our buildings. Some might have consider those "outside the box", but we have done them successfully and with great results.
What are the financial arrangements?
First, let me say that there is absolutely no cost for this event to the church itself other than providing the location. The proceeds of the ticket sales are to be evenly split between the wrestling company and the summer mission trip. Those who are committed to going on the trip will provide a concession with hotdogs and such. All proceeds from the concession go for the trip as well.
What risks or liability does the church have?
None at all! Guy has done these shows for years in all types of venues. He carries all the appropriate insurances on his wrestlers and his events. The ring he uses is designed with pads that lift it off the floor to prevent any possibility damage.
What are the benefits?
There are several benefits to hosting the event at Crossroads.
1) It provides an outreach to a part of our community that might never even know that our church exists.
2) It provides free advertising for our church in the community even to those who do not attend the event.
3) It provides a means of raising support for our mission trip without asking for funds from the congregation.
4) It allows members of our congregation to use their talents and abilities to help support the mission trip.
5) It gives those going on the mission trip an opportunity to work for the support they receive for the trip.
What's the downside?
The only potential downside is that some might not like the idea of having such an event in the building and in the auditorium. I understand their concerns, and do consider them as having some validity. The question from my prospective is simply this. With all positive benefits of hosting the event, is anyone really harmed if we do it? On the other hand, if we don't take advantage of the opportunity, there may very well be people who might not ever come to Jesus Christ otherwise. Of course, no one knows for sure, but I think the possibility exists.
While you might not attend the event, should not the possibility of reaching just one lost person through it make as least worth attempting?
Saturday, October 17, 2009
What does it mean to be a mission-driven church?
There are two kinds of congregations today. There are mission-driven churches, and there are member-driven churches. They are vastly different in many respects. Member-driven churches are focused on trying to keep the greatest number of members in the congregation "content." This usually involves keeping changes to a minimum, avoiding anything that is controversial, and always playing it safe.
Mission-driven churches are focused on accomplishing their God-given mission as a church. This means that they are willing do whatever it takes to get the job done. This usually involves making frequent changes in order to be more and more effective, thinking "outside the box," and being willing to take big risks. They are different from member-driven churches in another important way –- they are growing and reaching the lost!
Crossroads is a mission-driven congregation. Our mission is to connect people to God and to each other. You see the results of our pursuit of that mission every single Sunday morning: new faces, new families, and new believers being baptized. These things are not happening by chance but by the Sovereign work of God, as we intentionally seek the lost with passion and intensity.
As we make plans, we look for ways to bring the lost into our building and to connect them to God and our people. Some people will simply come to a worship service. Others will never accept an invitation to church because they have preconceived ideas about what church is and who Christians are. This is why we do more than just "have church."
For example, on Saturday, November 28th, Crossroads Christian Church will host its first-ever wrestling show, as a fundraiser for our summer mission trip. Guy Louks and NWA Indiana, his wrestling company, will have this show in our auditorium. It will be extremely family friendly and entertaining because it is, of course, a show. Those who are committed to the mission trip will be helping out with the show and providing the concessions.
Now I know this idea is a little unusual for a church, but think about it from the perspective of our mission. We will have over 120 people from our community attending this show who might never normally enter our building on Sunday. I will have an opportunity to share with them during the evening and invite them back for church. I don't know how many will come back, but I think it is worth the risk.
We have another outreach event planned in December. We are again hosting a Life Line Screening on Saturday, December 19th, from 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Life Line will be doing a tremendous amount of advertising in our community for this event. It will draw a distinctively different crowd of people into our building. It costs us nothing but the use of our building. Both events help us to accomplish our mission by helping us connect with vastly different groups of people in our community.
You see, it does not matter whether a person is coming to get screened for osteoporosis or to root for their favorite wrestler; the opportunity is the same. They are coming to us and we are connecting with them. Please be praying for these events and asking God to use them to help change a person's eternal destiny through Jesus Christ.
Mission-driven churches are focused on accomplishing their God-given mission as a church. This means that they are willing do whatever it takes to get the job done. This usually involves making frequent changes in order to be more and more effective, thinking "outside the box," and being willing to take big risks. They are different from member-driven churches in another important way –- they are growing and reaching the lost!
Crossroads is a mission-driven congregation. Our mission is to connect people to God and to each other. You see the results of our pursuit of that mission every single Sunday morning: new faces, new families, and new believers being baptized. These things are not happening by chance but by the Sovereign work of God, as we intentionally seek the lost with passion and intensity.
As we make plans, we look for ways to bring the lost into our building and to connect them to God and our people. Some people will simply come to a worship service. Others will never accept an invitation to church because they have preconceived ideas about what church is and who Christians are. This is why we do more than just "have church."
For example, on Saturday, November 28th, Crossroads Christian Church will host its first-ever wrestling show, as a fundraiser for our summer mission trip. Guy Louks and NWA Indiana, his wrestling company, will have this show in our auditorium. It will be extremely family friendly and entertaining because it is, of course, a show. Those who are committed to the mission trip will be helping out with the show and providing the concessions.
Now I know this idea is a little unusual for a church, but think about it from the perspective of our mission. We will have over 120 people from our community attending this show who might never normally enter our building on Sunday. I will have an opportunity to share with them during the evening and invite them back for church. I don't know how many will come back, but I think it is worth the risk.
We have another outreach event planned in December. We are again hosting a Life Line Screening on Saturday, December 19th, from 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Life Line will be doing a tremendous amount of advertising in our community for this event. It will draw a distinctively different crowd of people into our building. It costs us nothing but the use of our building. Both events help us to accomplish our mission by helping us connect with vastly different groups of people in our community.
You see, it does not matter whether a person is coming to get screened for osteoporosis or to root for their favorite wrestler; the opportunity is the same. They are coming to us and we are connecting with them. Please be praying for these events and asking God to use them to help change a person's eternal destiny through Jesus Christ.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
The Great Communion Service
I know I have said this before, but it is as true as ever. If you missed the Great Communion, you really missed a work of God. The day could not have gone any better. The worship was awesome and the Spirit was definitely moving in the service. The power of unity was on display with the greatest of simplicity. Four congregations were coming together to celebrate not our differences, but our commitment to Jesus Christ through communion.
Three emotions dominated me that day in the service. First, I was humbled by the presence of God working through the combined talents of the praise team. Brothers and sisters from all three traditions and all four congregations, working in both spiritual and musical harmony, blessed us with a great worship experience. If you were not touched by that worship you are in serious trouble, spiritually speaking.
Second, I felt a great sense of pride in our people who participated in the service. I especially want to recognize Tyler Brooks for the excellent work he did working with the worship personnel from the other congregations on this service. If you ever had doubts about Tyler's talent and professionalism, this service should have removed them. He did a fine job, as did all those who played in the praise band from our congregation. I also appreciate the men of our congregation who helped with the serving of the communion during the service. Your willingness to serve was a blessing and added to the overall effectiveness of the service.
Third, I felt humbled to be a part of the process that brought this service to reality. It is a risky proposition to bring differing congregations together for such an event. However, the spirit of respect and cooperation among the ministers in planning the service was refreshing. We all worked well together. God answered our prayers and honored our planning with an event that surpassed our expectations in every way.
Finally, as I did that day, I want to thank both our leaders and the leadership of the other congregations involved. To dismiss a single service at church is a scary thing for church leaders. It opens you up to criticism that you could easily have avoided. By supporting this event, the leaders of these congregations provided each of us a glimpse of what heaven might be like someday. A day when the Church of Jesus Christ will, indeed, be ONE.
Three emotions dominated me that day in the service. First, I was humbled by the presence of God working through the combined talents of the praise team. Brothers and sisters from all three traditions and all four congregations, working in both spiritual and musical harmony, blessed us with a great worship experience. If you were not touched by that worship you are in serious trouble, spiritually speaking.
Second, I felt a great sense of pride in our people who participated in the service. I especially want to recognize Tyler Brooks for the excellent work he did working with the worship personnel from the other congregations on this service. If you ever had doubts about Tyler's talent and professionalism, this service should have removed them. He did a fine job, as did all those who played in the praise band from our congregation. I also appreciate the men of our congregation who helped with the serving of the communion during the service. Your willingness to serve was a blessing and added to the overall effectiveness of the service.
Third, I felt humbled to be a part of the process that brought this service to reality. It is a risky proposition to bring differing congregations together for such an event. However, the spirit of respect and cooperation among the ministers in planning the service was refreshing. We all worked well together. God answered our prayers and honored our planning with an event that surpassed our expectations in every way.
Finally, as I did that day, I want to thank both our leaders and the leadership of the other congregations involved. To dismiss a single service at church is a scary thing for church leaders. It opens you up to criticism that you could easily have avoided. By supporting this event, the leaders of these congregations provided each of us a glimpse of what heaven might be like someday. A day when the Church of Jesus Christ will, indeed, be ONE.
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