Something Is Happening

I have heard several people who have attended the last two services say they sense something is happening at The Crossing. Now I don't know what that may mean but I have sensed something in my own messages. Maybe it is the Over The Edge series. I mean the topic is powerful and God is speaking powerfully through it. I am encouraged to see where things are going. I see energy in some of our new leaders and in some who have been around longer. Now some others may see less than a rosy asessment of The Crossing. But then again Gideon's army didn't look too mighty as 300 marched out to conquer the 100,000 Midianites. But I do feel like something is happening...let it happen!

Group Dynamics and The Crossing 'Club'

Most of us would agree--our auditorium is not conducive to good group dynamics. We have 500 seats occupied by about 120 people sitting in scattered clumps all over the auditorium. Imagine a family meal with 2 people in the kitchen, 3 in the living room, 2 more in a bedroom, and one guest sitting in the dining room. That is the feel in our church. Maybe the family doesn't mind because they see each other all the time, but the guest feels strangely alone at what is supposed to be a 'gathering.'

Something good happens when people experience things together but we are spread out all over the place at The Crossing. I think our experiences would be greatly improved if we were sitting closer together. So we put up pipe and drape to change the feel in there. Now we did not do a very good job with it because we failed to inform and include people in the process. They walked in Sunday and there it was. And unfortunately some reacted rather strongly...too strongly I feel. But I will talk more about that later.

The biggest concern is how new people feel when they walk in to our church. They see a bunch of people in the foyer laughing and having a good time. But when they enter the auditorium it looks and feels lifeless and empty (partly because so many are still out in the lobby hanging out with their friends). First timers usually walk immediately into the auditorium because they do not have friends out in the lobby to talk with. I wish that would change too. I wish our people would put their focus on the new people whenever they are there and make them feel included. What is more important than new people?

I think we have the mindset that The Crossing is sort of like a club. A club exists for the sake of its members. The mission of the club is to make sure the members are well taken care of. The club's workers worry about the members and their needs.

But if we are a club at The Crossing we are called to be a very different kind of club. We exist for the sake of those who are not yet members. Our mission is to make sure the non-members are well taken care of. Our workers are to worry primarily about the non-members and their needs. In fact, membership in this club, the church of Jesus Christ means you become one of the workers. In this club the members are serving the non-members.

As members of God's kingdom at The Crossing our job is to think about those who are not part of God's Kingdom and to worry about them. They are facing an eternity in hell. But so often I see those who call The Crossing home (those who are supposed to be the workers) worrying about what they are getting out of it. They are thinking like members of a club.

We cannot be selfish...nothing about us can have that vibe. This past Sunday we learned that Gideon sent home 97% of his army because they were only thinking of themselves. We must keep our perspective. We are members of an 'un-club'. The un-club's members are called to serve not be served. That is the story of our Founder who left the most exclusive club, Heaven, to serve mankind on Earth by giving his life. But what are we willing to give up for lost people when we walk into The Crossing? If we are going to be a church founded on Christ we cannot be anything that looks like a club.

That is why the pipe and drape was put up, that is why we are trying to make things better in the auditorium for everyone, most especially new people, and that is why our people must come to The Crossing every week and not think of themselves. That alone will probably change the group dynamics as much as anything. People will feel the love and sense the unselfishness and it will draw them to Christ!

Mulan Performances By Buford Middle School

My son Logan as well as Brandon Cheatham, Michael Lane, Sammy Morgan, and Derek Smith, all kids from The Crossing are performing in Disney's Mulan, tonight and Thursday night at 7:00 PM at the Buford Performing Arts Center. Most of the kids have lead roles. Tickets are $7.

I began a new series Sunday about relationships. Here is the outline from Sunday.

Stuck On You: The Music of Lasting Relationships
"I Will Fight for Your Honor"
Ephesians 5:21, 25-33, Proverbs 15:15-23

Relationships, like good music, have rhythm, melody, words, and harmony.

1. The Rhythm of a Good Husband
Keep in step with Christ.

2. The Melody of a Good Husband
Keep in tune by giving.

3. The Words of a Good Husband
Say what makes her shine.

4. The Harmony of Being a Good Husband
Blend in:
- Prayer
- Providing
- Partners

What About Bob?

Some of you have been curious about Bob Bennett and his song, "Mountain Cathedrals" referenced in my last blog. To my great surprise and pleasure, Bob commented on my article. I was thrilled to hear from him.

I wanted to give you all some contact info to access his music. There is a 25th Anniversary CD Version of Matters of the Heart with "Mountain Cathedrals" coming out soon. You can find out about his music and life at www.bob-bennett.com. Thanks again Bob for being you!

Mountain Cathedrals

Man I love the mountains. I am holed up today in the Clayton Inn restaurant in the north GA mountain burg of Clayton. I had intended to find a cozy coffee shop to work on messages and blogs but all of them are closed because of...you guessed it, the weather.

I drove up here today just to be in this wonderful slice of creation--beautiful mountains, freshened by new snow. I think the air in the mountains is like water from a spring...fresher and cleaner. Of course, where I am from, this isn't much snow but in GA it is the closest we have been to it in awhile.

I really feel I needed this atmosphere..the purity of snow, the comforting wrap of the mountains, the slow pace of a quiet town. I guess I just wanted to crawl under mom and dad's covers like I did as a child. Somehow a snowy mountain view through a window by the fireplace seems to get me closer. The cold outside somehow makes this old fireplace here even more nurturing as happy voices in the background tell me others are enjoying the ambience.

I thank God for this church of creation, this mountain cathedral. Christian musician Bob Bennett wrote a song by that title back in the 80's. Check out the words:

I've sung in mountain cathedrals
With steeples rising high
And altars made of evergreen -
Windows made of sky
And windows made of sky

I've dreamed of stars in the heavens
And starfish in the sea
And wondered how the heart of God
Could care so much for me
Could care - so much for me

I've never been a strong man
At least outside the skin
And I'm eager and afraid at the same time
To move from where I've been
To move - from where I've been

I've sung in mountain cathedrals
With steeples rising high
And altars made of evergreen -
Windows made of sky
And windows made of sky

That second verse says, in affect, I have wondered as I see the greatness of creation how God could care so much for me. I know he cares for me today. And my precious friends...he cares for you. I hope you know it today even if you can't hang out in a mountain cathedral.

Enthroned

This past week I started a new series called, "Enthroned". Samuel the prophet anointed David as king. He had been selected by God to be the king and been given the spiritual power to lead through the anointing. But he had not been enthroned as king. He did not have the seat of power, the military authority, or national resources at his disposal. He had the title of king but not the position of king. In fact, David had been anointed king for many years before he actually was enthroned as king.

I found that similar to what happens in our lives. We may recognize Jesus as Lord and King of our lives but it may take a while before he is actually enthroned as Lord of our lives. We may call him, "King" but is he really king? Does he have the position of power over our will? Does he control our actions? Is he in charge of our money? Or is he just the one we call king, anointed but not enthroned?

The difference between the two is clear. Their will be no sharing of power. He is either in absolute control with total authority or he isn't. The funny thing is, even though he is the king, it is you and I have that have all the power until he is enthroned in our lives. And even then we can stage a coup and overthrow his Kingship any time we want. But of course there are always ramifications. When he is in charge he keeps the place clean. To overthrow him is to welcome back all the trash we originally threw out.

So who is king of your heart today? Have you turned over the keys to the kingdom to Christ? Keep him there by surrendering everyday. Jesus taught us to pray for this..."Your Kingdom come, Your will be done." This is the prayer of someone who is enthroning Him everyday. And you will never be sorry that He is your King!