What

Friends,

As we come to the end of the "God of the City" series, I hope it has caused us to think more biblically about who God is and what He is up to in our world. It just blows me away to think that God is looking for a partner to change and redeem the world. That partner is us, His bride, the church.

As we often say, “Every member of this community is a missionary, a pastor, a priest—for the fame of Jesus and the advancement of His Kingdom.” God simply says, “All that I am to you—shade from the heat, a shelter from the storm, a refuge from the wind, living water in the desert, the One who wipes the tears from your eyes, etc.—GO, be that to the world... be that to your street corner... be the church.”

A month ago, God began impressing upon my heart: this can't just be another series. Crossroads needs to live this. We need to put a stake in the ground that says we are serious about being God's church for this city.

So I started to imagine and dream with other ministry leaders about what this might look like. As ideas began to take shape, enthusiasm and "high fives" followed. It felt right, for this month, to set aside a good thing (Sunday morning gathering) so we could intentionally pursue a great thing (being the church)—and the Elders confirmed this. The month of June is about our church saying—we are tired of church being limited to four walls and a place I attend. Instead, it is us saying—we desperately want to partner with God to change Grand Rapids by being the church.

It is time for Crossroads to get out of the boat and walk towards Jesus.

Let's Go,

 

When

JUNE 7
Establish Vision and Commission the church

JUNE 14
“GO” Week 1
Walker Charter Academy Closed

JUNE 21
“GO” Week 2
Walker Charter Academy Closed

JUNE 28
Celebration and Communion
Tailgate Party following the 11am service

 

When

How do we take the next step?
According to Acts, the early church was significantly committed to deep, meaningful community, prayer, serving and meeting needs, encouragement and celebration. Considering these things, the weeks between June 7 and June 28th may look something like this…

PRAY
Prayer-walking your neighborhood: pray for neighbors and homes, pray for God’s kingdom to break through, pray for miracles, pray for relationships to begin that might lead to people joining in community with you and your family. Collect prayer requests from neighbors, pray for other churches and for unity in the body of Christ represented in your neighborhood.
Is 62:6-7, Lk 11:1-13, Acts 2:42, Rom 12:12

SERVE
Serving and meeting needs of people in your neighborhood: share property, share financially, give your normal tithe to Crossroads to someone in need, share a meal, give of your time, listen.
Rom 15:26, 2 Cor 9:13, Acts 4:32

ENCOURAGE
Share with one another about what God is doing: share stories, pray for others in the body of Christ, practice hospitality.
1 John 4:12, John 13:34-35

GATHER
Families and neighbors gathering together as a house church: praying and reading scripture together, proclaiming the Gospel to one another, sharing and eating meals together.
2 Cor 13:14, 1 Cor 1:9,10:16-17, Phil 1:5, Philemon 6

CELEBRATE
June 28th will serve as a time of celebration, telling Kingdom stories of how God moved and use our community to spread his Kingdom and make His name famous. It will also be a time to encourage one another to continue on as the church. We will conclude with a feast of celebration as a larger community. Lk 10:17, Lk 15:5-7, 24, 32, Acts 2:46-47