Archive for March, 2016
This Week at Cross Church | Passion Week Begins Sunday With the Lord’s Supper
This Sunday, as part of our worship to the Lord, teaching God’s Word, and praying together, we will also participate in the Lord’s Supper, one of the dynamic ordinances in our church. On our website, you can discover what we believe and practice about what some call communion. Historically, we call it the Lord’s Supper. Please prepare your heart spiritually for this experience and let’s join together in unity, making this first day of our Passion Week meaningful.
Passion Week is Different This Year 
For the past three years, we have hosted daily luncheons where we taught about Passion Week, the last week of Jesus’ life, culminating with a Friday evening experience with the Cross Church Choir and Northwest Arkansas Symphony. Due to Passion Week in 2016 being spring break for our local schools and universities, we altered our plans this year. Our Easter in the Community events will still occur, but the luncheons and Friday night experience will not. If you would like more information on Easter in the Community, contact Clint Smith at clints@crosschurch.com.
We Will Offer 16 Services on Our 5 Campuses on Easter Weekend 
Please help us get the word out about our 16 services on Easter weekend. I want to encourage you to attend your normal campus. As you move forward with making this a special weekend in your life and family, make it special for others also. Invite them to one of our services. The locations and times are listed here.
Let Our Church be Their Church This Easter Weekend
Our communications team has done an excellent job producing these commercials for television and social media, as well as graphics and e-vites. Help us share them on social media and by sending a link through text message or email. It takes all of us inviting and bringing guests to make Easter a powerful day at Cross Church and in the lives of people.
Be Faithful in Your Financial Support During This Month
If you are away for spring break or even Easter, be sure to remain faithful in giving to our Cross Church Family. Our ministry runs at an optimal level whether we are here personally or not. This is why I am such a firm believer in recurring giving. Whether one is present or not, regular giving still occurs. Join us in this method of giving, give a one-time gift online, or make up missed giving before or after your trip. We believe in what God is doing at Cross Church and it takes all of us walking in obedience to the Lord’s Word to see it done. Blessings to you as you give.
Now is the Time to Lead,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
One-Year Ministry Residency at Cross Church
How many could have saved their ministries if they had spent one year as a ministry resident on a church’s Ministry Team before they journeyed into the choppy waters of the local church? Ministers do not usually lose their ministry due to poor theology or questionable morality. They lose their ministry because they do not know how to relate to and lead people.
Would you want a surgeon to operate on your brain or a lawyer to defend you if they never had any on-hands experience under the supervision of someone more prepared than them? Interestingly, we regularly send God-called men and women into the local church without any local church experience.
A Ministry Track Will Be Customized with You
Join us for a one-year ministry residency at Cross Church and serve on our Ministry Team. Whatever you sense your calling to be in ministry, we customize a ministry track with you, placing you with an experienced mentor in ministry. You will not just hear about or watch ministry, you will lead and do ministry.
Single and Married Men and Women Are Welcome
We are in our third year at Cross Church School of Ministry. We have been privileged to mentor single and married men and women, and we are committed to equipping people of all ages. A few have come just out of high school, but most have come to us midstream or following college or seminary experiences. Anyone can apply, but not everyone is selected. Dr. Jeff Crawford, our President, determines who is admitted into our Cross Church School of Ministry.
Earn Hours of Credit for Your Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree
Our Cross Church School of Ministry partners with 14 colleges and seminaries and can help you gain academic hours during your time here. You can earn as many as 21 hours for being part of our one-year ministry residency. You can see a list of our academic partners here. You do not have to feel like you are losing a year of education. In fact, if you spend a year with us, you will accelerate your ministry.
The Cross Church School of Ministry is complimentary to academic education, not in competition with it. We can do what they are not able to do in providing a unique local church experience for an entire year. I believe we can help you navigate your calling in ministry and prepare you for life, leadership, and gospel advancement globally. By the way, if you have no interest in earning any academic hours, that is fine with us.
Our Cross Church Family Will Love You
You will be part of a wonderful and exciting church, Cross Church. Our church believes in preparing the next generation of God-called leaders, and they will become your support and family. You will become part of our family. Not just while you are here, but even after your time here is finished.
Our Cross Church Family overflows with joy when they know one of our School of Ministry graduates returns to complete their education, goes to the mission field, plants a church, serves on a church staff team, pastors a church, or is hired as a long-term ministry staff team member here.
Come join us in August at the Cross Church School of Ministry. Your life and ministry will never be the same.
Now is the Time to Lead,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.