TMG
Tom’s Midweek Greeting
Crossroads Community Church
Nevada MO
December 20, 2018
www.nevadacrossroadschurch.org
Thanks to everyone who stayed last Sunday for the Walk the Walls discussion! We continue to take some positive steps toward defining and refining ministry at Crossroads. Thanks for the involvement of everyone in the Crossroads Family!
We have two teams that are forming – the Sunday Morning Team, and the Follow-Up Team. Several people have already plugged into both teams. If you are one of those people (or if you are still thinking about being on one of those teams), both teams will meet for some planning and vision-casting on Sunday, January 13, following the morning worship service. Please mark your calendars! We need and appreciate everyone’s help!
Sunday, January 13:
- Worship service, 10:00
- Brief congregational meeting to elect an Elder and approve a 2019 budget.
- Planning meetings for Sunday Morning Team and Follow-Up Team.
Some of you have mentioned you are waiting for another ministry “gate” to open up in 2019. That’s exciting! However, while we wait to identify the next ministry gates, it’s perfectly fine for you to get involved in one of these two initial teams. When the time comes to open up another gate, you will have the liberty to break off and go with the new team.
I’ll include at the bottom of this email a reminder of what some of the goals are of the Sunday Morning Team and Follow-Up Team. Please be praying for the formation of the teams and for God’s appointment of Point Persons for each team. Thank you!
Christmas Eve
We are having a Christmas Eve service Monday, December 24, at 6:30 pm at the Y! I hope you will come if you’re able, and please bring a friend or family member who could benefit from a time of reflection and worship that evening. We will strive to keep the service short and enjoy some fellowship time afterwards for those who are able.
Nominations
At our January 13th congregational meeting, we will need to fill a vacant position on our church Elder Board. Dave Reedy has completed his first term on the Elder Board. Dave is eligible to be re-elected to a second term.
A reminder that our elders are spiritual shepherds of the church. Our church bylaws specify that they must be men of at least 25 years of age, and they should be members of the church for at least one year prior to their election. They serve for a term of three years.
If you have a suggestion of a person who meets these qualifications and who would like to serve on the Elder Board, please give that name to a member of our Nominating Committee. The members of the Nominating Committee are the following: Hannah Cameron, Julie Kemper, Marie Roberts, Richard Roberts, and Donna Rodriguez. The Nominating Committee will process your input and will nominate one person for the position. The election will take place at the congregational meeting on January 13. Dave Reedy is eligible to be re-nominated and re-elected and is willing to serve a second term.
Coming Up
Worship this Sunday: 10:00 at the Y. We will continue in our sermon series, “Four Looks at the Life of Jesus,” from the Gospel of John. No youth or adult classes this Sunday.
Christmas Eve Service: December 24th, 6:30 pm, at the Y.
Rea Family on vacation: My family and I will be on vacation December 25 – January 2. If you have a need during that time, please contact one of the other church elders – Cris, Shane, or Dave.
Congregational & Ministry Team meetings: Sunday, January 13, following the morning worship service.
Next Men’s Discipleship & Fellowship Night: Monday, January 28, 6:30 pm. Place to be determined.
A Thought on Gift-Giving
A former missionary colleague of mine recently wrote these thoughts on great Christmas gifts:
This Christmas, enjoy of the gift of Christ to fill your heart. And then, why not give a special gift to someone this year? Here are some suggestions:
- The Gift of Listening. You must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listen.
- The Gift of Appreciation. Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.
- The Gift of Laughter. Clip cartoons and share them with others. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, “I love to laugh with you.”
- The Gift of a Written Note. It can be a simple “Thanks for the help” note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.
- The Gift of a Compliment. A simple and sincere, “You look great in red”, “You did a super job” or “That was a wonderful meal” can make someone’s day.
- The Gift of a Favor. Every day go out of your way to do something kind for someone.
- The Gift of Solitude. There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.
- The Gift of a Cheerful Disposition. An easy way to feel good is to make others feel good.
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15)
— See you this Sunday!
— Please take a look at the ministry team summaries below!
Tom
Sunday Morning Team
What We Have:
- Many large and small tasks being done on Sunday mornings but not always in a coordinated or purposeful way.
What We Want:
- A team of people (with a point person) who will, over the course of the first half of 2019, coordinate and organize all aspects of the Sunday morning experience at Crossroads so it is a meaningful and positive experience for everyone who attends.
- The team would make a list of all aspects of Sunday morning at Crossroads by checking with those currently involved, determining what might be changed, added, or dropped. The team would help implement those changes.
- The team would look for ways to draw in others in our church family who have gifts of service that could be used on Sunday mornings. The team will be accountable to the Elder Board.
Key Questions:
- What happens currently on Sunday morning?
- Why do we do what we do?
- How can we make this the very best Sunday morning experience it can be?
- How can we free up Tom and others for their specific roles on Sunday morning so there is less double-tasking happening?
Follow-Up Team
What We Have:
- some individuals engaged heavily in the work of ministry at Crossroads … and desirous of help
- other individuals less engaged but who would be willing if asked and given responsibilities corresponding to their gifts and abilities
- a third group of people who visit Crossroads and who would benefit by some purposeful, friendly follow-up
What We Want:
- to expand the mission community of Crossroads by properly including each person who attends Crossroads into the life and ministry of the church
- a team of people (with a point person) who will, over the course of the first half of 2019, help us improve how we … (1) follow up on visitors, (2) communicate with everyone at Crossroads on a regular basis, (3) maintain and communicate up-to-date opportunities for people to belong and serve
- This team will be accountable to the Elder Board and should consist of people who can work well with others and have a heart for outreach.
Key Questions:
- How can we help everyone find their niche in a satisfying way in the life of the family at Crossroads?
- How can we help people avoid finding themselves “stranded” on the periphery of the church?
- What are we doing now toward those ends? What should be changed, added, or dropped?
- The goal of this team is not, first of all, better organization, but stronger relationships.