Six Month Adventure
A Time To Be Stretched
Crossroads is embarking on a six month journey of learning. We will be putting ourselves in a place to be stretched. It all began when at the end of 2011, we were forced into looking for a new location for our Sunday morning services.
Since there was not space in our neighborhood that we could afford that was also available on Sunday mornings, we were faced with some big questions that could dramatically impact our ministry. Questions such as:
· Do we meet at a different day or time (Saturday? Sunday evenings?)
· Do we move to a different neighborhood?
· Do we get rid of The Storefront art center and office space to afford a more expensive Sunday only space?
Each of these would have a huge impact and the latter two are intimately tied to our mission. During this time we felt a strong conviction to spend a season waiting on God, a time praying, seeking direction, asking for provision, and most of all remembering why we are here. The growing sense was that we were putting an enormous amount of energy, time, and money into a Sunday service, and we weren’t sure it was effectively helping people to grow as disciples of Christ. It’s not that the service was bad, in fact we think it was pretty rockin’ most weeks. It’s not even that we don’t see the value of a large celebratory gathering in the process of growing disciples of Christ. We think that’s essential. But if we have to give up our neighborhood, where we have put down roots as a church and loved our neighbors, and built a relationship with our overall community, it’s businesses and leaders... Or if we have to give up The Storefront, which serves as the most incarnational presence we have in our community, we believed it right and even necessary to take a season for getting clear about our mission and purpose. If our mission isn’t driving these decisions, a host of other issues including what’s comfortable or not comfortable will make the decisions for us. It’s with that in mind that we have decided to take a 6 month “mission trip” as a church. As with any short-term mission trip, the purpose of this time is to be stretched toward God’s Kingdom. We want to see ministry and our neighborhoods through new eyes.
During this time, we will be studying through the book of Acts together on Sundays. We will pray more, love more, and serve more during this season. And we will be “doing church” in a way that may be very similar to how they did it in the book of Acts. Along the way we’ll be asking questions like “What’s essential to being a church? What is the measurement of ‘success’? What is our mission in Brooklyn?”
Mission Schedule
For the next three weeks, February 19, 26, and March 4 we will be meeting all together at the Dyker Beach Golf Course for “normal” services at the normal times. But starting in March we will begin a new schedule. Here’s what it will look like:
What is NOT changing is that Crossroads will continue to be a church that is committed to living by faith, being known by love, and being a voice of hope to our city and world. As much as we hate to admit it, sometimes the structures and routines that we have created actually form our identity more than the values we hold. Sometimes we have to get outside of those structures to remember the adventure that God has called us into. If you’re a little nervous, you’re in good company. Me too. Would you do me a huge favor? Would you give God a chance to show you something different during this time? Would you give this a try over the next six months? By giving it a try, I mean becoming part of a Community Group, looking for God and his voice with all of your heart during this time, getting to know others in your group and loving them, and letting God use you to actively serve and love others in our neighborhood. Will you give faith, love, and hope a try in this new context even if it’s a bit uncomfortable?
I’m sure you have lots of questions. Here are answers to some of them. If you have any more questions, feel free to email or call.
FAQ’s...
What’s the schedule? How will I know where to go?
In general, the schedule will be in the above order, with the first Sunday of each month (for example, March 4) being the large group gathering. The 2nd and 3rd Sundays (March 11 & 18) we’ll meet in Community Groups. The last Sunday of each month (March 25) will be dedicated to serving. The foreseeable exception to that pattern will be April. Because Easter falls on the second Sunday of April and we feel it is important to be all together on Easter, April’s all together service will be the second Sunday, April 8. The overall schedule will be posted on the website. Schedule of services
How do I get into a Community Group?
You may be wondering how these smaller church gatherings will be formed. Over the next three Sundays (Feb 19, 26, & Mar 4), while at Dyker, we will share with you the locations of the different Community Groups and give you a chance to talk with the hosts and leaders of these groups. By the end of these three weeks, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to sign up for a group after finding out where they are and who’s in them, which ones have kids, etc. Signups will be available both physically at the services or online. After March 4 (or before), you can join a Community Group by contacting the church office, a current Community Group leader, or by joining the Community Group at The Storefront (starting March 11).
Can I change Community Groups after I’ve joined one?
Yes. We encourage you to find one group and plant yourself, getting to know others and building friendships in that group (as opposed to jumping from group to group), but it might be that after joining one you’ll feel that another group may be a better fit. Not a problem.
What if this is just too uncomfortable for me?
We want to encourage everyone to give a typical Community Group a try. This is a six month time of being stretched. But for those who are just not ready for that, one of our Community Groups will be meeting at The Storefront (an art center supported by Crossroads). The service held at The Storefront (typically on the 2nd & 3rd Sundays) will be less intimidating than meeting in someone’s home, and the experience will be similar to our larger gatherings.
What about kids?
Each Community Group will customize their kids experience depending on the number of kids, ages, and personalities of the kids. We value what intergenerational experiences like this can do for kids. Some groups will keep kids with the adults for the entire service. Other groups will have the kids join in with the worship and singing portion of the service, but have a separate age appropriate lesson during the video teaching time. And remember, the large monthly gatherings will continue to have our high quality children’s ministry during the 11:00am service.
There is also a conversation in the works about a monthly Bible/Kids Club that is separate from Sunday morning activities.
What will the worship be like in the Community Groups?
Singing and Scripture have always been a staple part of worship, and will be part of Community Group worship. Meditation, communion, and prayer in various forms will be too. Each group will have different talents and gifts to contribute, so the worship will be as diverse as the groups are. You’ll be able to sing along and meditate with the others in the group. There may even be times of sharing, though you’ll never be forced to share.
Will we lose touch with others in the church who are not part of our Community Group?
We hope not. In addition to meeting once a month as a larger congregation, we will be hosting regular church wide social and serving events. Also our small groups (usually on weeknights) will not be Community Group exclusive, meaning you might be part of one Community Group, but joining a different cross section of people at a small group.
What happens to Small Groups during this six months?
Small Groups will meet every other week, instead of weekly. This will enable leaders and hosts of Community Groups to be involved in bi-monthly training. Small Group meetings will continue to be more intimate than the Sunday gatherings and will focus on studying and praying together.
What happens after the 6 months?
During these six months we will continue to seek God for direction. It may be that God provides a large space that we can use all week long, a storefront or some other space. We’re open to that. He may provide a Sunday only space like we had at HSTAT. It could also be that we do something completely different.
One thing we pray does NOT happen, that we emerge from this season doing church as usual. May God stretch us toward his Kingdom!
Crossroads is embarking on a six month journey of learning. We will be putting ourselves in a place to be stretched. It all began when at the end of 2011, we were forced into looking for a new location for our Sunday morning services.
Since there was not space in our neighborhood that we could afford that was also available on Sunday mornings, we were faced with some big questions that could dramatically impact our ministry. Questions such as:
· Do we meet at a different day or time (Saturday? Sunday evenings?)
· Do we move to a different neighborhood?
· Do we get rid of The Storefront art center and office space to afford a more expensive Sunday only space?
Each of these would have a huge impact and the latter two are intimately tied to our mission. During this time we felt a strong conviction to spend a season waiting on God, a time praying, seeking direction, asking for provision, and most of all remembering why we are here. The growing sense was that we were putting an enormous amount of energy, time, and money into a Sunday service, and we weren’t sure it was effectively helping people to grow as disciples of Christ. It’s not that the service was bad, in fact we think it was pretty rockin’ most weeks. It’s not even that we don’t see the value of a large celebratory gathering in the process of growing disciples of Christ. We think that’s essential. But if we have to give up our neighborhood, where we have put down roots as a church and loved our neighbors, and built a relationship with our overall community, it’s businesses and leaders... Or if we have to give up The Storefront, which serves as the most incarnational presence we have in our community, we believed it right and even necessary to take a season for getting clear about our mission and purpose. If our mission isn’t driving these decisions, a host of other issues including what’s comfortable or not comfortable will make the decisions for us. It’s with that in mind that we have decided to take a 6 month “mission trip” as a church. As with any short-term mission trip, the purpose of this time is to be stretched toward God’s Kingdom. We want to see ministry and our neighborhoods through new eyes.
During this time, we will be studying through the book of Acts together on Sundays. We will pray more, love more, and serve more during this season. And we will be “doing church” in a way that may be very similar to how they did it in the book of Acts. Along the way we’ll be asking questions like “What’s essential to being a church? What is the measurement of ‘success’? What is our mission in Brooklyn?”
Mission Schedule
For the next three weeks, February 19, 26, and March 4 we will be meeting all together at the Dyker Beach Golf Course for “normal” services at the normal times. But starting in March we will begin a new schedule. Here’s what it will look like:
- One Sunday each month: Large public celebration. This gathering will look very similar to our current worship service. Same times and programs for kids. One difference is that we’ll add a component of celebrating what’s happening the rest of the month
- Two Sundays each month: We will be meeting in 5-6 smaller church gatherings (Community Groups) throughout Bay Ridge and surrounding neighborhoods. These Community Groups of 15-30 people will meet on these Sunday mornings for worship, fellowship, and teaching, typically in someone’s home. The teaching will take place via a live video conference or webinar style internet environment. Yes, Paul will be preaching a live, video sermon from one of the Community Groups. This will allow all of us to be “together” in one moment for a common teaching. Following worship and teaching time (or sometimes before), each Community Group will be encouraged to have a meal together. This will allow people to get to know each other and discuss the Bible teaching from that morning.
- One Sunday each month: Our church gatherings will still meet as Community Groups, but the last Sunday will focus on missional/serving experiences in the community. We’ll be serving our neighbors. Instead of putting forth lots of effort and money into having a service for ourselves, we’re going to put it into doing service for others. These serving experiences will differ from group to group.
What is NOT changing is that Crossroads will continue to be a church that is committed to living by faith, being known by love, and being a voice of hope to our city and world. As much as we hate to admit it, sometimes the structures and routines that we have created actually form our identity more than the values we hold. Sometimes we have to get outside of those structures to remember the adventure that God has called us into. If you’re a little nervous, you’re in good company. Me too. Would you do me a huge favor? Would you give God a chance to show you something different during this time? Would you give this a try over the next six months? By giving it a try, I mean becoming part of a Community Group, looking for God and his voice with all of your heart during this time, getting to know others in your group and loving them, and letting God use you to actively serve and love others in our neighborhood. Will you give faith, love, and hope a try in this new context even if it’s a bit uncomfortable?
I’m sure you have lots of questions. Here are answers to some of them. If you have any more questions, feel free to email or call.
FAQ’s...
What’s the schedule? How will I know where to go?
In general, the schedule will be in the above order, with the first Sunday of each month (for example, March 4) being the large group gathering. The 2nd and 3rd Sundays (March 11 & 18) we’ll meet in Community Groups. The last Sunday of each month (March 25) will be dedicated to serving. The foreseeable exception to that pattern will be April. Because Easter falls on the second Sunday of April and we feel it is important to be all together on Easter, April’s all together service will be the second Sunday, April 8. The overall schedule will be posted on the website. Schedule of services
- May 20: Community Group Service (public service @ The Storefront @10:30am)
- May 27: Missional Sunday with CG (no public service - community service events)
- June 3: Monthly Celebration and Baby Dedication (large gathering @ Dyker Beach Golf Course)
- June 10: Community Group Service (public service @ The Storefront @10:30am)
- June 17: Community Group Service (public service @ The Storefront @10:30am)
- June 24: Missional Sunday with CG (no public service—community service events)
How do I get into a Community Group?
You may be wondering how these smaller church gatherings will be formed. Over the next three Sundays (Feb 19, 26, & Mar 4), while at Dyker, we will share with you the locations of the different Community Groups and give you a chance to talk with the hosts and leaders of these groups. By the end of these three weeks, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to sign up for a group after finding out where they are and who’s in them, which ones have kids, etc. Signups will be available both physically at the services or online. After March 4 (or before), you can join a Community Group by contacting the church office, a current Community Group leader, or by joining the Community Group at The Storefront (starting March 11).
Can I change Community Groups after I’ve joined one?
Yes. We encourage you to find one group and plant yourself, getting to know others and building friendships in that group (as opposed to jumping from group to group), but it might be that after joining one you’ll feel that another group may be a better fit. Not a problem.
What if this is just too uncomfortable for me?
We want to encourage everyone to give a typical Community Group a try. This is a six month time of being stretched. But for those who are just not ready for that, one of our Community Groups will be meeting at The Storefront (an art center supported by Crossroads). The service held at The Storefront (typically on the 2nd & 3rd Sundays) will be less intimidating than meeting in someone’s home, and the experience will be similar to our larger gatherings.
What about kids?
Each Community Group will customize their kids experience depending on the number of kids, ages, and personalities of the kids. We value what intergenerational experiences like this can do for kids. Some groups will keep kids with the adults for the entire service. Other groups will have the kids join in with the worship and singing portion of the service, but have a separate age appropriate lesson during the video teaching time. And remember, the large monthly gatherings will continue to have our high quality children’s ministry during the 11:00am service.
There is also a conversation in the works about a monthly Bible/Kids Club that is separate from Sunday morning activities.
What will the worship be like in the Community Groups?
Singing and Scripture have always been a staple part of worship, and will be part of Community Group worship. Meditation, communion, and prayer in various forms will be too. Each group will have different talents and gifts to contribute, so the worship will be as diverse as the groups are. You’ll be able to sing along and meditate with the others in the group. There may even be times of sharing, though you’ll never be forced to share.
Will we lose touch with others in the church who are not part of our Community Group?
We hope not. In addition to meeting once a month as a larger congregation, we will be hosting regular church wide social and serving events. Also our small groups (usually on weeknights) will not be Community Group exclusive, meaning you might be part of one Community Group, but joining a different cross section of people at a small group.
What happens to Small Groups during this six months?
Small Groups will meet every other week, instead of weekly. This will enable leaders and hosts of Community Groups to be involved in bi-monthly training. Small Group meetings will continue to be more intimate than the Sunday gatherings and will focus on studying and praying together.
What happens after the 6 months?
During these six months we will continue to seek God for direction. It may be that God provides a large space that we can use all week long, a storefront or some other space. We’re open to that. He may provide a Sunday only space like we had at HSTAT. It could also be that we do something completely different.
One thing we pray does NOT happen, that we emerge from this season doing church as usual. May God stretch us toward his Kingdom!
