Archive for March, 2016
This Week at Cross Church | Spring Forward, Easter, and More
This Saturday night, do not forget to turn your clocks ahead one hour. “Spring Forward” can be a challenge for all of us, but it means the beauty of spring and celebration of Easter is right around the corner. Do not be caught off guard or let it make you miss being with our Cross Church Family on Sunday. It will be an exciting day as we continue our GIVE ME JOY! Series.
Cross Church Today
Our team puts together a great informational video each week. If you were not with us on Sunday, take a moment to watch it now. We want you to be informed about what is going on at Cross Church.
Easter in the Community 
Easter in the Community is always a powerful way to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ when we might not otherwise have the opportunity. If you want more information or would like to participate in some way, contact Clint Smith at clints@crosschurch.com.
Let Our Church Be Your Church This Easter 
Do you know someone without a church home? Or someone who just doesn’t attend church on a regular basis? Or possibly even someone who has never been to church? Invite them to let our church be their church this Easter. Our mission of reaching Northwest Arkansas, America, and the world for Jesus Christ begins with simply inviting people to join us at church. Easter is a fabulous time to do so. We even have extra services to accommodate holiday schedules and extra guests. You can see service times and locations here.
Spring Break Giving
In this busy spring break season, while you are away, do not neglect to continue to give the first tenth of all you have to God. We give back to Him what is already His. That is why we talk about giving the tithe to Him – it does not belong to us anyway. And remember, we can never out give God! If you would like to set up automated giving or give online, you can do so here.
I am looking forward to spring at Cross Church. See you Sunday!
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
Pastor, Make Easter Weekend Special for Your Church and Community
Once a year, we have an unprecedented opportunity to welcome some in our communities who would not normally attend church. I want to give you some things to consider as we move toward the final planning stages for Easter weekend.
1. Plan for Easter to be a Great Success
If you do not plan for success, it will not happen. What is success? You will have to pray about and define what you believe success looks like in your church. For us at Cross Church, success for Easter weekend looks like:
- God is present with us in great power
- Increased numbers of people present that exceed a regular Sunday
- People hear the gospel and place faith in Christ alone for salvation
- Extra services so more people have the opportunity to hear the Gospel
- Members and guests have a fabulous experience at Cross Church
The last several years we have had a major Passion Week emphasis each day leading up to Easter Weekend. Since our spring break occurs at the same time as Passion Week this year, we have decided not to do our Passion Week emphasis and will do other things to accelerate forward.
On a normal Sunday, we have eleven services on our five campuses. This Easter weekend, we will have sixteen services on our five campuses, offering Saturday services on three campuses.
We are saturating our community with the invitation to join us Easter weekend in several different ways. Our Communications Team has given us the tools to invite through social networking, newspapers, door hangers, and invitation cards our members can share with their friends.
Pastor, plan for success.
2. Let Your Church Become Their Church on Easter Sunday.
It is critical that you have a big, welcoming spirit from the pulpit and by the people of the church leading up to Easter weekend. About two decades ago, God put this phrase in my heart and we have used it almost annually: Let our church be your church this Easter Sunday.
Many people do not have a church family or a church home. Therefore, do all you can to demonstrate this big, welcoming spirit as pastor and challenge your people to resound it all over your community and region: Let our church be your church this Easter Sunday.
Take care not to make guests feel unwelcome by joking about some who may only come to church on or around Easter. A cynical spirit from the pulpit or in your people regarding guests is not productive. If we truly want to reach our community and region for Christ, we must welcome guests regardless of when they attend.
3. Preach the Gospel and sing recognizable songs.
Pastor, preach the Word of God and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Unashamedly, call people to a relationship with Jesus Christ. Do not soft-sell in order to relate to the unchurched. Be who you are and proclaim the powerful gospel of Jesus Christ.
Attempt to sing at least one song that people who rarely or have never attended church may recognize. Possibly Amazing Grace, How Great Thou Art, It Is Well With My Soul, or something similar. You want them to experience your church and mostly, the presence of God.
Finally, pray like it matters. Lead your church to pray for a mighty and successful weekend. Saturate Easter with prayer.
I cannot wait to hear what God does in your church this Easter weekend. May God alone receive the glory!
Now is the Time to Lead,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.