Pastors Pen

Dear Crosswalkers,

Crosswalk church is committed to serving our community, to be salt and light, and to be a witness for the Lord and his church in as many ways as possible.  The apostolic attitude is summed up for us in 1 Corinthians 9:22 (NRSV) – To the weak I became weak, so [...]

Dear Crosswalkers,

The title of this week’s email message is provocative: “What is your church worth?” There are so many ways to consider this, but a recent study attempts to answer that question in purely financial terms. According to a 2009 survey, on average, every year one inner-city church [...]

Dear Crosswalkers,

I’m baaaacck!!

Maybe I’m slightly jet-lagged, but back in the saddle again!

It has been an exciting couple of weeks representing Crosswalk Ch >urch in NE India with our resident missionary, Peter Pereira.  As you know, Crosswalk Church sponsored an ILI (International Leadership Training) Conference for 25 leaders from NE [...]

Dear Crosswalkers,

There were a lot of comments generated about last Sunday’s sermon, “Mothers with a Message.” However, here is my big regret: I was so proud of myself for coming up with a great tag line for that message, and then I totally forgot to use it… in both services! I can’t let the line go to [...]

All Church Assessment Meeting this Saturday!

Please join us for a special meeting this Saturday with Doug Stevens, our Assessment Coach. Doug writes: “I’m developing our agenda based on the insights coming from the survey results — I think it will be very stimulating and even inspiring! I hope we have a good crowd.” I hope so [...]

Dear Crosswalkers,

I have been known to put off doing a thing or two, which is why I pay attention to studies on procrastination.  According to an article in Scientific American Mind (from a couple of years ago, of course!), numerous psychologists have studied the prevalence and consequences of procrastination. The following facts [...]

Dear Crosswalkers,

How does the cross of Jesus speak to a world of pain, poverty, and injustice?  One of the great books in my library is The Cross of Christ, by John Stott.  The book concludes with a chapter entitled “Suffering and glory.”  In it, Stott describes the miserable conditions of [...]

Dear Crosswalkers,

According to Time magazine, disasters like the Japanese earthquake tend to bring out the best in some people.  Recently, they reported on a wonderful story of rescue based on sacrificial love.  On March 11, when the tsunami hit his town, Hideaki Akaiwa was several miles from his home.   Akaiwa, grabbed [...]

Dear Crosswalkers,

As most of you know, we are in the midst of our every 5 year church assessment.  The Bible says, “Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds”
(Proverbs 27:23).  Jesus often took time with his disciples to review the results of their mission.  Assessments are good [...]

Dear Crosswalkers,

March Madness is down to the Final Four in college basketball.  The air this weekend will be filled with talk of the championship.  Interestingly, there is a secret history behind this popular sport.  Did you know that the game of basketball was invented by a Christian theologian for the purpose of outreach to young men?   The inventor of basketball, [...]