Big Picture Lessons

I'm going to try and get back into the habit of posting on a regular schedule. We got back to NC when the sabbatical was over and as you might expect, things were hectic. They still are, but in a good way. We've taken a look at the worship attendance numbers and discovered that Crossroads has grown at an annual rate of 50% increase each of the past 2 years.

For those of you who struggle with math (like me), that means God has doubled our church in the past 24 months. Last Sunday, on Labor Day weekend, we had the 3rd highest attendance in the church's history. We have so many new people coming that we can't learn all the names fast enough to keep up. What a great time for all of us!

Pray for the Elders, as we talk over the next week about major reorganizational steps and decisions we need to make to ensure that the growth continues and that people are loved and nurtured. Pray for people to step up and volunteer for ministry -- we need help in all areas -- especially in anything that has to do with kids. Did someone put out the word that Crossroads loves families with lots of kids? Well, we do -- and they're coming. Let's take care of them.

One thing we're taking a look at is a simpler statement of our church's vision and purpose. We're trying to move from a long, complex sentence to perhaps 3 words or phrases which will be more memorable for people and easier to use in explaining to those who ask what our church is about.

Bringing a true alignment of purpose throughout the life of the church is also something we're working on. The church's purpose needs to also be seen in single's ministry, youth ministry, children's ministry, worship, etc. Ministry Leaders, we'll be talking more about this with you.

To close, here are some big lessons I learned from the churches we got to visit this summer:

• CLARITY of VISION - everyone (not just staff) knew how to succinctly explain the mission of the church
• ALIGNMENT of VISION - throughout the staff and all volunteer leaders, the vision was embraced and individual ministries worked toward the common dream
• OPTIONS - the churches that are continuing to grow are the ones who refuse to have a "take it or leave it" attitude. They offer people options in when they worship, how they worship, and where they worship.

It's going to be a great ride. Here are important words for the road:

"Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God." Hebrews 12:2 (Message)