(This is my words of his teachings:) )
First, my pastor teaches that the more we spend time with someone, the better we get to know them. I will know more about my wife in spending 1 hour with her than reading a million books about her. It’s the same with God. The church, by enlarge, fills us with information and tells us to get more information. But that information will not draw us closer to God, only being with God will draw us closer. That’s where spiritual disciplines come in.

The second is I took a class called “Spiritual Formation”(not that I’m an expert). In the class, we discussed moments where we were shaped by God. Not from our doing, but when God revealed Himself to us. And spiritual disciplines are moments we enter into that allow God to continue to shape us. George Foster, John Ortberg, Dallas Willard have insightful writings on spiritual disciplines. Spiritual Disciplines Handbook by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun is a good book that we used in class.

Here is my pastors blog for more about his thoughts. “I’m Going to Puke” might be a good read about these thoughts

The first few things that come to mind (and just to be clear, I’m NOT referring to Crosspoint here.. just reflecting on previous experiences):

1. Are the leaders still spiritual “hungry” themselves (and encouraged to be so)? They’d still be in the “faith” sweet spot of having the spiritual whitespace to be led.

2. Are people more energized by being known or knowing others and spending time with “regular” folk?

3. Spiritual growth can be seen through the vitality of small groups. This may not be “glamorous”, but I think it reflects whether faith is being experienced at a personal level between believers (not just corporate).

Keep goin’ Pete! Keep up your heart for the message of Plan B!
.-= Faith Barista | Bonnie´s last blog ..When We Try To Kill Our Stories: Contest Results & Reflection =-.

As fate would have it, I was back in Nashville for a Vanderbilt conference the weekend the storm hit. I flew out Sunday morning and just missed the emergency flooding.

As a former “Cross Pointer”, I have not been surprised by Cross Point’s overwhelming response to this disaster. In fact, I have been extremely proud. You were nearly as tall as Anderson Cooper, which tells me he is much shorter than I had initially appreciated.

I recall gathering in the “cafetorium” at Gower Elementary during the early days of Cross Point Church and it was abundantly clear to me that this was a genuine church body that understood Christ-centered living. If I am not mistaken, the only “numeric” goal that Cross Point has ever had, was to get at least 80% of regular attenders and members to participate in “small groups”. Why? Because that is where real life change occurs. It is not just the “holy huddle” gathering on Sunday mornings.

Now, Cross Point has grown exponentially from when I first attended in the summer of 2003. But, by “keeping the Main Thing, the Main Thing”, Cross Point has been able to achieve a most difficult task: 1. Be a place that is open/welcoming to seekers, and 2. Be a church that promotes in-depth growth through the gospel.

In short, I believe that the success of Cross Point is because the leadership cares very little about promoting “Cross Point”. Rather, they are committed to reaching the lost, serving Christ and serving one another.

MIss you guys…
.-= Nate VZ´s last blog ..Things I forgot… =-.