The following is from our Sr. Pastor, Phil Print's blog.
Crossroads is facing some "crossroads" of its own these days. Let me spell them out:
1. Do we launch our first satellite campus in Eagan? A church in Eagan (BridgePointe) is looking into the option of merging with us and becoming "Crossroads, Eagan." It would be "us" in Eagan--our style, our DNA, our teaching team, our worship, etc. with some minor tweaking. This is a huge step for both churches. It's risky, messy, and painful. But, it's also a proven way to expand God's kingdom. The potential for reaching thousands more for Christ is there. So...do we do it?
2. Do we keep our current campus and make it our second satellite campus? Call it "Crossroads, Cottage Grove"? Again, our DNA with a different flavor. Our plan has been to sell our Cottage Grove facility. Although we've had a lot of lookers no one has shown us any cash. Is this God's way of telling us to keep the campus and use it for His glory? This is a huge decision. The financial strain it would put on us would be noticeable. But the potential to reach more people for Christ would be there. So...do we keep it?
We're asking the Crossroads family to pray heartily this month. We want to make decisions that are bathed in prayer and led by God's Spirit. Our goal is to get our leaders together the end of May and make the right decision.
Pray for clarity and discernment. Pray that our staff and Elders hear God's voice. Specifically, we're asking everyone to pray during your normal prayer times and pray in your Meal Groups. We're also asking for special times of prayer coupled with fasting on Tuesdays in May. Why fast and pray? It's Biblical... specifically in times needing God's guidance. Abstain from one or more meals for the next 3 Tuesdays and pray during that time.
Feel free to ask questions or add your comments.
Since questions and comments have been invited I do have something to say. I attended the May 31, 2008 business meeting Saturday evening. I was very glad that our congregation voted to merge with Bridgepoint and thereby become a church with multiple locations.
However, I was confused about what our elders said about our current facility in Cottage Grove. Since our congregation has voted to become a church with multiple campuses then what is the purpose in continuing to market our current building? Why should we not keep our current building in line with the notion that we are to be a church with multiple locations? Why is it a problem that the two buildings are only a few miles apart?
Also, I am wondering what guidelines our elders are applying in determining to whom our current building could be sold? For example, would we sell our building to a congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses or Mormons if they wanted our building and had the means to purchase it? Or would we refuse to sell our building to an organization with values and doctrine that conflicts with our own? In other words, is money the only thing that matters - or are there other considerations as well?
Personally, I think that are only two options: 1. keep our current building for church purposes or 2. sell to a Christian church or organization with a Christian purpose.
To me, if we have no buyers that fit these criteria - then its apparent that we should continue to wait patiently for God's direction. We should not go against our Christian values and sell our to a non-Christian organization or a developer.
I would feel no joy in moving into a beautiful new building but then see my Father's house at Jamaica and 80th Street torn down and turned into a parking lot.
Posted by: Linda | June 02, 2008 at 09:46 PM