Why we do the things we do...

We had a question last night I promised I'd blog on today:

Question: Someone asked why CrossRoads is always so directed at getting more people to come, rather than preaching to the people who do attend already and giving them what they need to go out and preach to others. They felt that CrossRoads didn't preach enough to old believers. What do you have to say about that? What would you say to them?

Answer: To provide a little more context, this question was posed by a young person whose church experience is predominantly at CrossRoads. She was asked this question by a co-worker. My responses are as follows:

• I would challenge the curious to listen to the last four weeks of messages from Sanctuary and the CrossRoads Sunday morning services. The Sanctuary messages can be listened to by clicking on the sidebar to your left. The Sunday morning services are here. Then I would ask the curious to point out where the pastors were not edifying to seasoned believers, new Christians, and spiritual seekers. And I would then ask the curious to go on-line and see how many on-line sermons they can find on the texts we spoke on. There aren't many.
• I would then challenge the curious toward a more thorough reading of the New Testament. Jesus came and brought 12 disciples alongside him for the very purpose of sending them out to minister to those who were not yet a part of their group. They did so, challenging those new churches to go out and minister to those who were not yet a part of their group. The most prolific writer in the New Testament was a man named Paul whose very purpose in life was sharing the good news of the Kingdom of God with people who did not know it yet. The church does not exist as a social club, nor is it just a Bible study. It is a group of people on a mission. God has come to this war-torn world and defeated Satan, sin, and death. That news deserves to be shared. That is the purpose of CrossRoads Church--to connect people to God and His purpose for their lives. (And for anyone wanting to throw the "milk v. meat" argument,again I challenge you to listen to the last 4 weeks of messages here. Ah, heck, listen to the last eight weeks it doesn't matter.)
• I would then ask the curious to attend either our Alpha or Foundations classes where every Monday night we teach people what the Bible says about Jesus, the need for forgiveness of sins, how to pray, read their Bibles, how to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the purpose of the church, and how to tell others about this amazing King we serve.
• I would then challenge the curious to be a part of Pastor Steve's Hardball class that meets every Tuesday nights where they wrestle with the toughest questions concerning the Bible and its teachings.
• I would then challenge the curious to be a part of a Meal Group/LifeGroup at CrossRoads. These small groups of people come together (many on a weekly basis) to grow closer to God and each other by wrestling with the fundamentals of the faith, AND these groups come together to minister to people who don't even come to CrossRoads in monthly or bi-monthly service projects at homeless shelters, AIDS ministries, prison ministries, etc. See, serving the "least of these" is actually serving Jesus. We believe Christians don't only grow by hearing a message, they grow by loving and serving the people around them.
• I would then remind the curious we live in the most biblically illiterate time in our nation's history. Therefore, whether he or she comes to CrossRoads or not, he/she should desperately care about whether his/her church leadership is communicating the truths of the Scripture in a way unchurched people can understand and apply.

There is a title of a book by Euguene Peterson relevant to this question: A Long Obedience in the Same Direction--Discipleship in an Instant Society. Is CrossRoads Church perfect? No way! We drop the ball just like any team. Often we literally strike-out. However, I'm here six days a week watching a staff and volunteers pour itself out week in/week out in a long obedience in the same direction. We do so, because we believe Jesus is the hope of the world, not just a small group of people. We have our critics, and that's a good sign. If we weren't making some enemies, we wouldn't be doing our job.

Comments

[Belle South]

Keep pouring yourself out, Pastor Brad. Pour out your talents and your wisdom and your patience and your love onto a world that is parched and stupid.

For the record, I think Crossroads staff should have two days off a week. Just lock up the building on Tuesdays. Nobody ever missed a Tuesday.

[passionate]

I cannot argue with Brad's accurate summary of the exceptional staff & ministries at CR, nor would I disagree with Belle South's comment. however, I don't think that the heart of the question was answered, at least not for me.

The person essentially asked the question; why does CR emphasize for it's congregation to bring the masses to church, rather than training it's existing saints with the essential doctrines of the faith, in order for them to fulfill the great commission as outlined in Mk 16:15-17? In other words, how is Eph 4:11-13 applied in our current church structure? Does the Spirit of the Word imply that giftings, callings & ministries can only be filled by those who are seminary or college grads? Is a person truly a 'pastor' because their education & resume fit the criteria of the hiring congregation? If so, how does one become a prophet, evangelist…etc. Or, must they be gifted & called by God? Does God require a doctorate in theology? Is it possible that because of the currently accepted structure, the church is apathetic & relies primarily on the 'clergy' to do the important ministry?

I think these are the more specific questions that need to be seriously considered.

Perhaps those who've been fortunate enough to obtain the superimposed criteria for 'clergy', aren't the ones qualified to answer the questions!