Archive for January, 2017
This Week at Cross Church | Engage in 21 Days of Prayer
If you missed Sunday morning worship, please take a moment to watch our message that kicked off not just a new series, but also our 21 Days of Prayer. We want to urge you to find your level and go at your pace, but at least say, “For the days left, I will think through and focus on my spiritual life for the future.” If you would like to receive a daily text message that gives a brief snapshot of our emphasis for the day and a helpful word for your life, please text: 21DAYS to 313131. We also have printed versions on each campus.
Enter Into 2017 Honoring the Lord
New beginnings occur in the first days of any year, including the year 2017. Resolve beginning today “I will honor God weekly with at least the first one tenth of all God gives to me in 2017.” The Lord will be revered and you will be blessed. Do not minimize the importance of this in your life. Remember, blessing always follows obedience.
Gather the People
Gather people to come to worship services at Cross Church with you. If you invite people, they will consider it and likely join you at some point. Gather people to one of our small groups meeting on or through one of our campuses. Gather teenagers to participate in our Freedom Weekend coming up on February 3-5, 2017. Gather men to our upcoming Northwest Arkansas Men’s Conference on February 24 – 25, 2017. Gather women to participate in our Women’s Bible Studies during the week. Gather people to consider a national or international mission experience. Gather people to volunteer some time or bring some things to be resold in our Compassion Center. Here is the bottom line: Gather the people!
How to Pray for America in This Historic Moment
On Monday, I released an article that challenged all Americans and followers of Christ on How to Pray for America in This Historic Moment. Please take time to read it and share it with a friend. Never has our nation needed prayer more than today. Join me in this journey.
Sanctity of Human Life Sunday
Sunday, January 15 we will observe the Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. For some women this can make the difference of choosing life or not. It is an opportunity to speak the truth in love about abortion. It is an opportunity to stir in someone’s heart the need to make a difference in the life of a woman and her expected child. In America alone, there are almost three abortions every minute. That is 3,400 lives a day that are taken. Be a part of changing this statistic for 2017 by learning, praying, giving, and serving.
See You Sunday at Cross Church,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
5 Questions Every Pastor Will Answer in 2017
These are five questions every pastor will answer in 2017 whether he addresses or neglects them.
Pastor, how will you answer each one of these five questions?
Question #1: Will I prioritize my personal walk with God daily?
This is not a question about whether you will study for sermons, but a question about prioritizing your personal walk with God. Your personal walk with God will determine everything else in your life and ministry. Therefore, prioritize your personal reading of the Scripture, your personal prayer life, and your personal spiritual growth in Jesus Christ.
Question #2: Will I devote myself to being the spiritual leader in my family?
This is not about functioning as the spiritual leader of your church, but it is a question about devoting yourself to be the spiritual leader of your family. The level of your spiritual leadership in your church will never go beyond your personal walk with Christ and the genuine spiritual leadership you provide in your family. In other words, you cannot lead your church spiritually if you do not lead your family spiritually. Therefore, determine now to operate with great intentionality as the spiritual leader of your family.
Question #3: Will I lead my church to do all we can to reach my community with the gospel of Jesus Christ?
This is not about taking a few members of your church on a mission trip; it is about leading your church with a vision and an intentional strategy to reach your community with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pastor, are you leading your church with a fire in your heart to reach your community for Jesus Christ? Our goal should be saturating our entire community with the gospel and strategizing to insure it has the opportunity to penetrate the lives of each person in a life-changing manner. Therefore, do it.
Question #4: Will I grow in my teaching and preaching of God’s Word?
How are you going to teach and preach God’s Word in a more effective manner than ever in your ministry this year? Following the prioritization of my personal walk with God, I must follow this with a strong commitment to study God’s Word accurately and deliver it effectively. Each pastor must feed, lead, and intercede! Preparation is the key to feeding God’s people with the Word of God. Your preparation will never be greater than your discipline to do it. Therefore, determine to grow in your teaching and preaching of God’s Word.
Question #5: Will I take care of myself physically?
Whether you see this as important or not, each pastor must answer: Will I take care of myself physically? Pastor, cease from laughing this question off or neglecting its importance in your life and ministry. Each of us will reap what we sow. If you do not feel well physically, it will affect your life in every way. If you do not feel good about the way you look, it may limit your level of confidence when you are standing before your church. God has made us all in different shapes and sizes. This is not a question about your shape and size. This is about you taking care of your body, the temple of the Holy Spirit, where God lives in you. Therefore, commit to being intentional about taking care of yourself physically.
I believe the future of your life, ministry, and church will be determined by the way you address these five questions. Therefore, address each of them intentionally.
Now is the Time to Lead,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.