CrossPoint Newsletter

Second Edition 6/5/2023

One question I am sure to be asked almost every day is, "So, how's the church?"

Most of the time, they're asking for specific measurements. They want to know things like how is attendance? Or, how are the offerings? Or, what big events are coming up?

Those questions are pretty easy to answer, but they don't usually answer the question of how the church is doing.  

Attendance rises and falls at certain times of the year based on family schedules. Offerings often reflect the economy and say more about a community's financial condition than anything else. And events happen and don't happen in both healthy and unhealthy congregations.

Then how do you answer the question: "So, how's the church?"

The mission and vision of the church should be the measuring rod of "how it's going. "

At CrossPoint, our vision is given to us by Jesus Christ Himself in something called the Great Commission, found in Matthew 28:18-20. To go into all the world and make disciples of all nations. 

CrossPoint has learned to live on 89% of the gifts you give because we make sure that 11% automatically goes back out the door to fund works from local to national to international in obedience to the vision.

This summer, we have several groups traveling to all parts of the world to help on the mission field, but more intentionally, to gain perspective and passion and bring the experience home for sharing the gospel in hard places. 

And probably most importantly, we have already seen one new CrossPoint congregation established in Ellsworth. We look forward to seeing another open up in Russell before the end of the year!

I label that last one "most importantly" because it is the direct living out of our vision, and the one that we don't just pray for and give toward, but we have our hand on the plow to get it done.

We believe that when you start a church, anything can happen. A locally led body of believers praying, following God, and serving a community can make an impact that changes everything.

We even quantify the Great Commission and say that our vision is to reach 10% of every community we're in.

Mega churches in cities of millions don't even dream about that kind of impact, but in rural America, where a congregation can reach 10% of the people at the local grocery store, kids in the school, and people on the street… that church is no longer simply a church in the city, it's that city's church!

When that happens, you're not just a presence. You're making an impact like a gospel meteor, crashing through the atmosphere of a broken world and exploding with Power leaving a mark for all eternity.

"So, how is the church?" Pretty good! Excited about all that God has done, but even more so about the fact that we have a plan to change communities all across Kansas and North America, one church at a time.

Andy Addis

Lead Teaching & Vision Pastor

CrossPoint Salina is growing! Since our inception almost 14 years ago God has steadily grown His church. After outgrowing our old facility we thought there would be some “breathing” room in our worship services. Yet, God has only sped up the growth. For example, when we left our old facility in 2020 we had 300-350 join us for worship each week. Now, we average 600-650. In fact, during Easter of this year we worshiped with over 1,000 in attendance.

Of course, attendance isn’t everything. However, attendance isn’t nothing. We believe that teaching the whole counsel of Scripture, preaching the good news of Jesus, and living together in a biblical community has helped people grow in their faith and reach out to others. We don’t boast in numbers but we boast in Christ crucified and we thank God for the harvest He is bringing for Himself. 

This pattern of growth is certainly exciting but there is something even more exciting happening. Lately, we sense a hunger for truth amongst the people in Salina and the surrounding communities. It’s subtle but palpable. It’s quiet yet growing louder. It’s small but feels like a mighty stirring taking place. As C.S. Lewis once said, “Aslan is on the move”. Well, someone far greater is on the move and His name is Jesus! 

Pray with us:

• That people in Salina would repent of sin and follow Jesus.
• That the church in Salina would live as missionaries and reach our city.
• That God be glorified.

Ryan Booth

Salina Pastor

Living Consistently In Inconsistency: How To Make The Most Of A Summer Schedule

Guess what? It’s almost officially summer! For some, this doesn’t mean much. For others, this is the oasis in the desert you have been looking forward to for months. Either way, I want you to picture yourself in a boat and this summer as the ocean. As you look at all the vast possibilities of the endless sea it’s easy to find yourself at the end of summer regretting that you didn’t make the most of it. When it comes to your relationship with Jesus you don’t have to feel like it is competing with a busy summer schedule. In fact, this summer could be the season where you grow in the Lord like never before! To do that we need to be intentional. Let’s go!

Set The Direction

The first step is simple. Be proactive. Set the direction. The ocean of inconsistent schedules can be daunting. Don’t wait for the summer to arrive and just “go with the flow” spiritually. Regardless of how crazy your schedule may seem over the next couple of months you can have the stability and intentionality of helping your family press into Jesus. Here’s a tip. In the next few days schedule a time to sit down with your family to make goals for the summer. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Please don’t bring a 3 ring binder to this party. Keep it simple. Ask each family member to make a goal regarding their relationship with Jesus this summer. Maybe some will strive for consistency in prayer or Bible study. Others might want to be more courageous in sharing Jesus with their friends. Either way, help them to set the goal and come up with simple action steps to make it happen. Question #1: “What’s your goal spiritually this summer?” Question #2 “How are you going to get there?”

Set The Anchors

Don’t forget how easy it is to get pushed around by the waves of an inconsistent summer schedule. Luckily, in Christ we all have an anchor for the soul (Hebrews 6:19). We all start summer with good intentions but all too often we find ourselves overwhelmed with the way it's going. Maybe it’s the busyness. Maybe it's laziness. Maybe it’s somewhere it’s both! Regardless, don’t forget to set the anchors that bring the family back to Jesus. Specifically, pick 2-3 “anchors” that will unite the family around Jesus regardless of schedule. This might include daily devotions at a certain time. Maybe it’s participation in your Grow Group or Sunday Worship Services. It might be a daily or weekly family huddle in the living room to ask how everyone is doing and to inquire how God is speaking to each family member. Use this time to follow up on goals. The anchors may look different for each family but don’t neglect them. The anchors will keep you grounded in the midst of an inconsistent schedule. Don’t wait until the waves of the storm come to decide where your anchors are. Find where they are before you leave the shore!

Set The Sails

Don’t let the anxiety of anticipation stop you from enjoying this summer. For some, you have been planning your summer events for months as a coping mechanism to make it through winter. For others, you are anticipating your summer to be like a rodeo and you are just trying to hold on for 8 seconds. Yet others are anticipating a relaxing change of pace. Regardless of your mindset, don't forget to simply set the sails and relax. Let God provide the power to guide the ship. Every season has obstacles and opportunities. Just set sail. Go outside. Enjoy nature. Plant a garden. Go for walks. Enjoy God’s creation. Remember, it’s better to praise God for the things you see along the journey than to sit in wonder at the starting line of life. 

Set The Pace

Don’t be scared to adjust. Sometimes summer starts fast and ends slow. Sometimes you need to change the pace in the middle of the race. That’s ok! Don’t hesitate to call an audible and gather the family together to explain the changes and why they are needed. This isn’t failure, this is foresight. If you see things are getting out of control or the schedule is too crazy, listen to the Holy Spirit and adjust accordingly. Remember, your family won’t remember the logistics of the schedule as much as they will remember the leadership of the schedule maker. 

Ryan Booth

Salina Pastor