Blog Redesign

If you are a reader of my blog, we are currently redesigning the blog a bit. It will allow for more flexibility down the road, and I am really excited to make this transition. My friend, Stephen, is helping me with some of these changes, and I believe they will be for the better.

So, hang in there while we make these changes. :)

With this time off, my heart is stirring with a lot that I want to start posting about. In this transition to Lead Pastor, my personal blogging has taken a hit, but I don't believe that is the best thing. I miss sharing more of our lives on here and what God is teaching me. So be looking for many more posts in the future, and a new look and feel to the blog itself. :)

The Jesus Storybook Bible

If you're a parent and looking for a great Bible, I'd encourage you to check this one out. It is called The Jesus Storybook Bible. I have heard it recommended by other pastors as well. We recently bought it, even though our kids are a bit older. We have been reading one of the stories each night, and it has led to some great discussion. The thing I love about it is that it points every story to Jesus, no matter where it is found in the Bible. The Gospel is central to the theme of this Bible.

Our 10x10 Goals

If you haven't heard about Crosspoint's 10x10 goals, I'd encourage you to check them out HERE on our website. At the bottom of the page, you'll hear the message audio from June 7th, when we talked about all 10.

God has great things in store for His church. Let's move forward in faith, believing God for big things!

A Beautiful Picture

I have these moments…and during VBS I have had several of them. Where I am standing there, and I am looking around at all that is happening around me. And it is this beautiful picture of what I believe the Body of Christ, the church is meant to reflect. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul is comparing the church to a body. The Bible says this…

12The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

Basically we all come from all sorts of backgrounds, but together, collectively, pushing aside ourselves and our pride, we become the Body of Christ. At VBS, on Sunday mornings, in small groups, at HYPE, in the life of a healthy church, you’ve got all these people serving in different ways, in different roles, so that God might be honored. They are grasping hold of this truth...

27Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

It says each one of you. Not some of you, not a select few, but each and every believer is called to serve. Thank you Crosspoint family for the way you serve so faithfully and with such passion and faithfulness.

The Me Monster

Heather ran across this video on Vince's blog. I'm thinking about doing a series called blindspots later this year, and I believe the 'me monster' can be one of those. Where we end of talking about ourselves any chance we can get. This is funny stuff...

The First 100 Days

Yesterday, was my 100th day since becoming the Lead Pastor at Crosspoint. A lot has happened in those 100 days, and I've learned a lot. Here are 10 lessons I've learned or been reminded of in the first 100 days.

I love this job: Sure it is not without its challenges and stress, but in the end, I love what I do and the people I serve alongside.

Having an elder team is invaluable: I love the four other guys I serve with on the elder team. They are a source of encouragement and support in my role. They lift my load all the time.

Video teaching can be effective: The Dave Ramsey series we did proved to be very powerful, all via video. There is potential for multi-site down the road.

Preaching weekly is hard work: Anyone who thinks a pastor stands up to preach with little prep work is crazy. It takes some significant hours each week to prepare messages and plan ahead for what is next. I love preaching, but it is not without putting serious labor and love into each message.

Priorities: It is easy to allow the priority of Jesus and my family to become secondary to ministry. It seems crazy to say that, but the demands can cause your priorities to get out of whack. I am committed to not allowing that to happen. I won't sacrifice my own walk with God or my family on the 'alter of ministry.'

Vision, vision, vision: You can never cast vision enough. We all need to be encouraged and challenged continually to press forward into what is ahead.

Leaders surrounding: I rely heavily on the many volunteer leaders around Crosspoint. I love their passion and faithfulness. Without them...well...I don't want to think about that.

Websites matter: I knew this before, but after now having a great new website, I am reminded of it again. It is effective and flexible, and in my mind, is extremely strategic in the pursuit of our vision.

Change is good: In the first 100 days, we've initiated some changes and clear vision for what is ahead. I believe in order to be effective, we must be willing to adapt and change as a church. You won't find too many sacred cows hanging around Crosspoint.

Communication is key: As a church, we are striving to be very good at communication. A lot of my job is wrapped up in communication and helping people stay informed. Good communication is something we can take for granted. If it wasn't there, we would all suddenly notice. And it is something we must continually improve.

"Once you lock it, you're ok"