TMG
Tom’s Midweek Greeting
Crossroads Community Church
Nevada MO
January 7, 2020
Dear Crossroads Family,
I’m excited about our two-part “Crossroads 101” sermon series which we started last Sunday. Even if you missed last Sunday, I hope you’ll plan to join us for Part Two this Sunday morning, January 12, during worship at 10:00 at the Y. We’re looking at God’s plan for the Church. Last Sunday, we took a look at what the Bible says the Church is; this Sunday we’ll consider what the Church does.
Here are three passages that have a part in answering the question, “What does the church do?” Spend some time thinking about them as we anticipate meeting together this coming Sunday:
Acts 2:41-42 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
2 Timothy 2:2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you ; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
As you know by now, we’ll have a short meeting following the worship service Sunday in order to elect an Elder and to approve the proposed 2020 church budget.
Needs & Opportunities
Greeters Needed: We’re looking for additional volunteers to serve at the door on Sunday mornings. It requires being at the door from around 9:30 (to welcome early arrivers) until around 10:15 (to welcome late arrivers). It’s a great way to serve and bless newcomers and regular attenders at Crossroads! If you’re interested, please let Dave Reedy or Shane Dahmer know; they are willing to work around your availability.
Baby Bottle Boomerang: The Baby Bottle Boomerang campaign is the largest source of support for expenses at Nevada’s Birthright center. If anyone at Crossroads would like to participate, it’s a simple matter of taking a small baby bottle which will be made available to you, and filling it up with loose change over the course of five weeks. We’ll have the baby bottles available at church on Sunday, January 19, if you would like to take one! Due back on Sunday, February 23.
Home Group: Our next Home Group will be Wednesday, January 29, 6:30-8:00 pm, at the Rodriguez home, *contact us for location*. Home Group is a time of relaxed refreshment through food, laughter, sharing, prayer, and a short study of the Word. There are activities for middle school and high school students. Make time to come on the 29th! You’ll leave refreshed and better connected with others at Crossroads!
Crossroads Connection: Our next Crossroads Connection (lunch, fellowship, and meeting time) will be Sunday, February 2, immediately following the worship service. We’re going to have chili ! If you would be available to bring a pot of chili or some sides that Sunday, please contact Kim Reedy! Thank you!
“You Asked For It”: My “You Asked For It” sermon series will begin January 19 and will run four weeks. I’m looking forward to preaching on a topic or Bible passage that you asked for. So far, I’ve received three good suggestions. I need one more! Do you have one? Text or email or call me! Thank you!
Church Attendance
How concerned should we be with the numerical growth of the church? There are good reasons to believe that a church should grow numerically.
- Since God loves people, we can assume a church that’s following Him will also love people and attract some of them to the Lord. “The Lord…is patient, not wanting anyone to perish, but wants everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
- Since God commands us to reach out, we should anticipate that by doing so, the church will experience numerical growth. “You will be My witnesses,…to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
- Because growth is part of God’s plan, and because all healthy things grow, we can expect numerical growth. Jesus said, “I will build My Church” (Matthew 16:18).
There are some unbiblical excuses given sometimes for not growing:
- “God isn’t interested in numbers.” (Actually, as we read through the Book of Acts, we find several references made to numbers of people, and to numerical growth, in the church.)
- “Our church wants quality, not quantity. (Hmmmmm….)
- “Large churches are impersonal.” (Not necessarily.)
- “We like our group small.”
At the same time, I read some wise advice this week that Alistair Begg (Senior Pastor of Parkside Church in Cleveland) said he received early on in his ministry: “Focus on taking care of the depth of your ministry, and let God take care of the breadth.” I think that’s a good rule of thumb. I see Crossroads growing in both depth and breadth. Are you being attentive personally to the depth of your walk with the Lord, and of your ministry for Him? Are you praying for others at Crossroads in their spiritual growth and service? Together, we can become all God intends us to be!
I look forward to being in touch this week, and to seeing you this Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Y!
–Tom
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