Archive for October, 2017
Denominations, Conventions, and Networks, Join Us in Praying for America in 2018
While the churches of America are God’s footprints in our nation, denominations, conventions, and networks provide leadership, organization, and service to these churches. There are over 200 denominations in America. Additionally, there are many groups that function like a denomination, but do not label themselves as one.
While some of these groups may come together around their doctrine or mission, others come together around both. While the doctrinal, missional, and practical variances are real among these groups, is there anything we can do together?
There is at Least One Thing We Can Do Together: Pray for America
If Christians are going to have a big impact upon America, we need to speak less about how we are different and speak more about what we can do together to advance the name, power, and gospel of Jesus Christ across America. While it would be unwise to collaborate on some things because of these differences, there is for certain one thing it is wise to do together: pray for our nation.
I believe the next great move of God in America will lead to ways for evangelicals to work together for the gospel. While walls of doctrinal conviction will remain strong, doors will open to cooperate with one another for prayer and gospel advancement in our nation.
Therefore, denominations, conventions, and networks can at least do one thing together: Pray for America. The evangelical denominations, conventions, and networks in America should stand strong together on the National Day of Prayer on May 3, 2018. God has given us an extraordinary opportunity to proclaim that we believe in the power of prayer, including prayer for our nation. We need to become proclaimers of hope for our nation.
4 Requests for Every Denomination, Convention, and Network
A National Day of Prayer has been observed on the first Thursday of May since 1988. On Thursday, May 3, 2018, we will observe thousands of gatherings across America on the National Day of Prayer. Denominations, conventions and networks can stand together to pray for our nation on this day. Here are our four requests:
1. Mark your calendar for Thursday, May 3, 2018.
Plan now and prioritize this opportunity to lead your churches to provide leadership and be active participants in the National Day of Prayer. Please understand that the National Day of Prayer provides a unique opportunity to engage all kinds of people within the community who love America and hope for its best. This is a powerful opportunity to stand up and stand together in each town, community, and city in America.
2. Lead your denomination, convention, or network to provide leadership and be active participants in the National Day of Prayer.
Many churches will do what they are asked and encouraged to do if they know their own denomination, convention, or network is doing something together. Therefore, I appeal to all denomination, convention, and network leaders to lead the way and encourage this prayer initiative that calls upon each of us to pray for America.
3. Mobilize your employees, associations, and churches to pray for America.
The National Day of Prayer serves as an open door to be a great gospel witness in every town, community, and city. Yet, it is only as effective as the spiritual, civic, community, and business leaders make it as they call upon the people they lead to pray for America.
The National Day of Prayer mobilizes unified public prayer for America. Let’s join in this grand effort to mobilize as many Americans as possible to pray for America.
30,000 prayer gatherings last year drew an estimated 2 million people in America, and engaged eighty countries around the world through technology. Just imagine what would happen if denominations, conventions, networks, and churches would cooperate on this day to pray for America.
4. Determine to make a difference.
There are things we do that are good, but they do not make a difference in the community. Leading and mobilizing people to pray for America on May 3, 2018, will make a difference!
As I stated in my article last week, many people who will engage in a National Day of Prayer observance may not know Christ personally, but this service or observance can introduce them in a positive, non-threatening way to the things of God and the claims of Jesus Christ.
We Are Ready to Help You
Go to our National Day of Prayer website and learn more about how you can lead your denomination, convention, or network to mobilize churches to host an observance in their community in 2018. Determine to become a strong leader and participant in the National Day of Prayer.
Lisa Crump, our Vice-President of Mobilization and Dion Elmore, our Vice-President who works with denominations, conventions, and networks, stand ready to work with you. You may reach them at lisa.crump@nationaldayofprayer.org and dion.elmore@nationaldayofprayer.org.
Let’s plan now to stand strong, participate, and even lead in the National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 3, 2018. Until then, we will pray for America daily.
Now is the Time to Lead and to Pray for America,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church
President, National Day of Prayer
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Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the Senior Pastor of Cross Church, President of the National Day of Prayer, founder of the Cross Church School of Ministry, and host of the Ronnie Floyd on Life and Leadership Today podcast.
To request an interview with Dr. Ronnie Floyd
contact Gayla Oldham at (479) 751-4523 or email gaylao@crosschurch.com.
Visit our website at http://ronniefloyd.com
Follow Dr. Floyd on Twitter and Instagram @ronniefloyd
This Week at Cross Church | Sunday Will Be Special!
Sunday Will be Special
This Sunday, I will be conducting all the baptisms in the 9:15 service at Springdale and the 10:55 service at Pinnacle Hills. Dr. Nick Floyd will be conducting all baptisms on our Fayetteville campus, and Dave Kinney at Fayetteville East. Chris Deitsch will be conducting all baptisms on our Neosho campus. Therefore, as we celebrate life change, it will be a tremendous day. For each of you who may be awaiting or considering baptism following your faith commitment to Christ, now is the time to proclaim Christ through baptism. You can go here for more information and sign up.
November 5 Will be a Big Day, So Do Not Miss it!
Save the date for Sunday, November 5, and make plans to be at Cross Church on that day. We are gathering the Cross Church Family for a big day, and we want you to be here! From the youngest preschooler to the oldest adult, we want to see you in worship and small group. Come and bring someone with you.
“Home for the Holidays” Series Also Begins on November 5
Also on November 5, we begin our new series entitled Home for the Holidays. We believe this series will be meaningful and helpful to everyone, and we are looking forward to teaching this series through most of the holiday season. Join us!
Plan Now to be Part of Our Blessing Basket Ministry
Blessing Baskets have been part of Cross Church for 25 years. Each year, we are able to provide holiday meals to families who may not be able to afford one. These families also hear the gospel of Christ and are shown the love of Christ by our volunteers. We need you to participate with us by sponsoring a family and volunteering. There is nothing like giving to and serving at Blessing Basket services. You will undoubtedly be blessed. You can find more information, sponsor a family, and sign up to volunteer here.
Feed the 479 Through Compassion NWA
Families in our own 479 area code need food. Our Feed the 479 food pantry serves the food insecure through our Compassion Community Services. This is something that each of us can participate in weekly, monthly, or periodically. For example, if you added $10 per week to your recurring giving and designated it for Feed the 479, that would result in giving $520 a year to this grand task. Obviously, this can work at all levels. Through giving weekly, monthly, or periodically, let’s Feed the 479 to the glory of God. This is something we can do!
See you Sunday,
Ronnie W. Floyd