Exciting Events Coming to CrossBridge!

October 16 –This Sunday is ministry appreciation day at CrossBridge! Nearly everyone at CrossBridge is serving in some capacity…music, teaching a Bible study, working with the children, serving as a Board member, etc. And even those who don’t serve in an “official” capacity bless and encourage you by caring, praying and loving you. This Sunday, take a moment to tell some of them “THANK YOU”! Just find a simple way to share your appreciation…a note, or some cookies, a hug…just be thankful for those God is using to minister to you and your family. Ought to be a GREAT day!!!

October 16 – Sunday morning not only do we continue in our multiple Bible studies at 9 am, but in the 10 am service we will continue in our series on the prayer of the Apostle Paul for the church. A very unique message this Sunday, and I’m asking everyone to invite someone to church this Sunday morning. A faith-building, encouraging message for everyone. Let’s pack the place this week!

Pastor’s Comments: Do you ever “wonder” out loud? That’s what I’m doing here. Dangerous, I know. Haven’t thought it completely through and going to put it down on paper (virtually) for the world to see. So here goes…I wonder what would happen to churches in our country if we transitioned from a “leadership” addiction to a “love” commitment. No, I don’t mean something weird, I mean a “now abides faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love” love. And yes, I used the word “addiction”. Go to the nearest Christian bookstore and see how many books and Bible studies and “pastor helps” and magazines and materials that deal with leadership that you can find. Put them all in a pile. Then go on a search, and see how many you can find on what it means / “how to” love. Compare the stacks.

I saw a post recently on Facebook – oh, don’t you love the wisdom of Facebook? It had a picture of the opening of a national leadership conference for church “leaders”. Looked cool – really cool! Looked like something I would have liked! Something that would have stimulated the senses! Something that be really fun to be a part of! Don’t worry, if you missed that conference, someone else is putting on a leadership conference next month, and the month after that, and the month after that… Anyway, got me to thinking, when was the last conference I heard about that taught “pastors” how to “love” his people, his community, the lost, the poor, the addicted to something other than leadership, the down, dirty and broken? Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to downplay the aspect of leadership in our churches. But, did Jesus say the world knows we are Christians by our leadership? Did Jesus teach us the great command was to love God fully and the second was to lead? While I wonder out loud, I wonder if we’ve taken the easy way out? Chosen a set of leadership principles over the call – the command to love? All right haters, I hand you this and give you free ammo to use against me. Load up, aim and fire! I can take it. I’m just wondering if the world needs God’s love more than they need Mr. Got-it-all-figured-out’s 10 steps to effective leadership.

See you Sunday!

REVIVE Youth Bible Study: Enjoyed our time this Wednesday. Missing some of our teens though! Don’t miss a single week! And this Sunday we will have a Bible study just for our students at 9:00 am!

Men’s Bible Study – Sunday Mornings @ 9AM. Men, join as go through this discipleship program on Sundays! It’s a great study, so come on guys, take the lead and get your week started right in the Word! The men’s group is growing and we are discussing roles of leadership in the church. Guys, don’t miss out on this! You can be part of building something great, or just watch. Who wants to just watch when you can be part of the story!

Ladies Bible Study - Sunday mornings at 9:00 is a great time for the ladies to join together in prayer, Bible study and fellowship. Be a part of what is happening at CrossBridge!

Pray for our Church Family in the Military:
Gordon Schultz, U.S. Navy, Norfolk, VA on the USS George H.W. Bush
Sean Weda, U.S. Marines, Houston
Brian Tiner (brother of Trena Dowell), U.S. Air Force, Dyess AFB, Abilene, TX

Be a part of the excitement Sunday at 10:00 am at CrossBridge! Invite someone to be your guest this Sunday!

Have a Great Day!

Pastor