Archive for September, 2017
This Week at Cross Church | “Dreaming the Future” Series Concludes This Sunday
“Dreaming the Future” Sermon Series Concludes This Sunday
I hope you were able to join us on Sunday for our third message in our Dreaming the Future sermon series. We discussed our third Core Value, People Change the World. We truly believe this at Cross Church! If you were not with us, please take the time to watch online before Sunday. We will conclude this series on Sunday with our fourth Core Value, People Leave Legacies. Make plans now to join us and invite others to come with you.
Praying for America Daily or Weekly
On Monday, I released four points we can each use to agree in prayer for America from now until the end of October. I hope you will read it, share it with a friend, and join us in prayer for America.
Podcast with Walmart’s Emergency Management Department Leader
On this week’s podcast, I was privileged to interview Jason Jackson, leader of Walmart’s Emergency Management Department. This department is responsible for caring for the Associates, customers, and communities when local, national, and worldwide disasters occur. Jason’s heart for the Lord and care for individuals and communities during crisis is apparent. If you have not yet had the opportunity to listen, I know you will want to hear from him.
New Budget Begins October 1
Two weeks ago, our 2017-18 Ministry Budget was adopted. Cross Church, our budget for the coming year is $20 million. It is a God-sized goal, and we call out to each member of our church to continue in our historic commitment on the first Sunday of our fiscal year by honoring the Lord with the first tenth of your weekly income, and even increasing your giving. Through the years, Jeana and I have increased our giving percentage, and we have been amazed at how God has increased our faith through this simple action. Join us in supporting the work of the Lord through our Ministry Budget.
See you Sunday,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
Pastor, Everything Builds Toward Sunday
In every church, ministries are plentiful and opportunities abound. Pastor, let’s remember: Everything builds toward Sunday!
Refuse to be Distracted
If we are not extremely intentional, we can become so busy doing many good things that we are not doing the main things that will help us advance the gospel in our region and move the entire week toward Sunday. Remember, everything builds toward Sunday!
Be Careful Becoming Cause-Driven
Causes are driving so many Christians today. People hear about or become involved in a cause, and in time, move their energies and resources toward them. Again, this may be a good thing, but we cannot be driven by our causes alone.
We can only be driven by Jesus’ commission, His Great Commission: Going, winning, baptizing, and discipling.
Whatever we are involved in during the week, including any good causes, we must remember: Everything builds toward Sunday!
Why Do We Do What We Do? Everything Builds Toward Sunday!
Scripture says Sunday is The Lord’s Day: Each Sunday is Resurrection Sunday!
The Church gathering in obedience to God’s Word to celebrate the death, burial, and the victorious resurrection of Jesus Christ is why we worship on Sunday! Sundays are not for the things of this world that distract us: leisure, recreation, and yes, even family time. Sundays are for worship!
Recently, I told our people, “We do not believe infrequent church attendance is God’s will for your life, nor is it a good testimony of your faith or our church.”
Sunday is About Life Change!
Every act of compassion we are involved in during the week, Bible Study we teach or attend, mentoring session we conduct or participate in, or any cause-related matter we think is important must all conclude with an ask and an arrow!
The Ask: Will you join me this Sunday in worship?
The Arrow: Listen, we are doing what we are doing because we believe in Jesus’ Church that gathers for worship on Sundays, and we want you to join our spiritual family this Sunday!
Pastor, there is nothing like Sunday! As the church gathers to worship Jesus Christ, lives are changed!
Sunday is the Day to be With Your Spiritual Family, Jesus’ Church!
People say at times, “Sunday is a family day for us.” The priority should be spending Sunday with your Spiritual Family, Jesus’ Church! On the Lord’s Day, His family first, then your family.
Here is a Fact: There is nothing any greater you can do for your family, on Sunday, than to spend it together with Jesus’ family!
We need to be careful not to turn our families into idols. Sundays are for worshiping Jesus, not our families.
Sunday is the Day We Deliver the Word of God!
Teaching and preaching the Word of God weekly can result in great life-change and Christian maturity. Attending online is good when you are sick or absolutely have to be away, but personally, every family needs to be together with your local spiritual family…His Church!
There is NO replacement for it! There is nothing like being with your spiritual family, worshiping Jesus Christ, and leading in and being ministered to from the Word of God.
Pastor, there is nothing like Sunday! Pray for it daily, work toward it continually, and trust God to move like it is your last Sunday on this earth. Make each Sunday count!
Now is the Time to Lead,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.