Crosspoint Church,

I would like to personally take a moment and thank all of our Spring Small Group Facilitators. Thank you for giving of yourself and being obedient to God’s call. What a blessing it has been to see peoples lives transformed and renewed. I believe you will be blessed for your selfless sacrifice.
We are on the verge of the Summer Semester. Can you believe we are already in April? Time flies indeed! With the Summer Semester starting in June we are now in need of Summer Facilitators. These small groups run for 6 weeks and are based around a video curriculum which teaches the lesson. If you are willing to be a summer facilitator or open your home as a host home please contact me at brad@crosspointlive.com. I believe that God will use you in amazing ways. Thank you for listening to His call.

Friends

What an exciting time to be a part of our Small Group Ministry! This semester we have had 228 people sign up for a small group, in just 2 weeks, and are just 3 weeks out from launching around 30 small groups! There is still time to sign up! Throughout this spring we are looking forward to seeing how God will change lives and people will experience life transformation with Him. God is truly reaching down and meeting us on this journey called “life.” I have had the pleasure of hearing testimonies about how God is moving through our small groups. Take a moment and read some of the things people are saying about our small groups:

“I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to listen and offer words of wisdom and encouragement. I appreciate the guidance you provided. Thank you for helping me stay centered upon our amazing God! I am so grateful that you invited John and I to join this small group. It has been a blessing to us and has helped us connect with others in the church (isn’t that the great thing about small groups!!).”

“I must say…tonight’s meeting was my first “study” & it wasn’t at all what I expected. It was much better than I anticipated! I look forward to next week’s meeting already. Thank you again for picking me up & giving me a ride. I hope you have a relaxing evening & I look forward to Thursday night’s meeting.”

“Hi! This could not wait until our next small group meeting! We prayed for a lady named Ellen who was given just a few weeks to live because her cancer had returned and it was deemed inoperable…this afternoon, around 4pm, I received a call…there was no evidence of cancer! She knew our group was praying for her last evening and she woke up last night at 1am thinking she was in heaven for the first time for she was not in pain. She has had pancreatitis for some time as well and her pain could not be managed. This morning she remarked that she felt terrific! Thank you all for praying! Wow! Go-God! Makes me want to pray some more!”

As you can see God has moved in and through our small groups. I don’t have to tell you that signing up for this short-term investment could change your life. You will notice that in the Spring we have a variety of topics to choose from. You can choose a group based on the location, day, and time that fits your schedule… and learn something new about a topic that interests you.

Spring Small Groups kick-off the week of February 7 and last through April.

It’s easy to get connected to a great Small Group today:

1. Go to www.crosspointlive.com and click the small group tab at the top of the page. Then click the sign up button.
2. Sign up for the Small Group that fits your schedule, covers a topic that interests you, and is the type of group you are looking for (general, men’s, women’s, couples, etc.).
4. Click the “Join the group”
3. Have a blast attending your Small Group this Spring!

*You can also sign up for a Small Group at any Crosspoint Sunday service.

Be sure to let me know if you have any questions or if I can serve you in any way. I hope you decide to get connected in a Small Group this Spring!

See you on Sunday!

Pastor Brad

SPRING SMALL GROUPS SIGN-UPS HAVE BEGUN!

I don’t have to tell you that signing up for this short-term investment could change your life.

Sign ups for our Spring 2010 Small Groups begin on-line JANUARY 7th!

Thank you for taking a few minutes today to visit our website and get signed up for your Spring Small Group.

There will be close to 30 groups available – but many of them will fill up quickly. So, it’s important that you do not delay, as groups will fill up quickly.

You will notice that in the Spring we have a variety of topics to choose from. You can choose a group based on the location, day, and time that fits your schedule… and learn something new about a topic that interests you.

Spring Small Groups kick-off the week of February 7 and last through April.

It’s easy to get connected to a great Small Group today:

(1) Go to www.crosspointlive.com. Click the Small Group Tab at the top. Then click the online signups button

(2) Sign up for the Small Group that fits your schedule, covers a topic
that interests you, and is the type of group you are looking for
(general, men’s, women’s, couples, etc.).

(3) Have a blast attending your Small Group this Spring!

*You can also sign up for a Small Group at any Crosspoint Sunday service.
Be sure to let me know if you have any questions or if I can serve you in any way. I hope you decide to get connected in a Small Group this Spring!

See you on Sunday!

Pastor Brad

The other day I was challenged through one of the books I am currently reading. We are all going through a “Season of Life.” This caused me to start thinking about what season God was currently leading me through. The author, Bill Hybels, mentions 5 possible seasons we could be living in at this moment. Take some time, read, and ponder with God, as you ask Him which season of life you are currently in.

1. A season of growth. This season is fun and all seems to be going great. Don’t forget to thank God for allowing you to go through this season.
2. A season of consolidation. This season usually follows a season of growth. Who is in your small group this semester that will need continued discipleship?
3. A season of transition. What in your life is changing? Does it seem like everything is changing? We must face reality during this time and figure out how we will navigate through these waters wisely.
4. A season of malaise. In this season, things are usually somber, stale, and just plain stuck. Do things need to be shaken up?
5. A season of reinvention. This may be a time of “pruning” in our life. We may need to place everything under a microscope and discern whether it needs a face-lift, an overhaul, or a funeral. This kind of personal, spiritual and leadership style pruning can make room for future growth.

So what season of life are you in spiritually? Job? Family? God probably has you in one of those seasons. Ask Him for his direction and wise leadership through the season of learning you are in. Below are some thoughts, practical tips, from John C. Maxwell. Enjoy.

**Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

1. It is our responsibility to recognize God’s timing, not to change it.
2. It is our responsibility to accept and cooperate with God’s timing.
3. Our alignment with God’s timing makes a great difference.
4. God has made everything appropriate in its time.
5. God has put eternity in our hearts, so we must trust God to communicate His timing.
6. We can do nothing better during our lifetime than to rejoice and do good.

Pastor Brad

The Halloweenie Roast is going to be 5-times biggers than last year!  In the video below, you’ll have all of the info you need to get your small group ready.  If you have any questions, email wayne@crosspointlive.com

Halloweenie Roast Prep Video from Crosspoint Church on Vimeo.

One of the ways we’ve made Outreach a part of our DNA from the very beginning was through Small Groups. When it comes to building community with Small Groups there is nothing like being able to serve together as a group and hopefully bring other people with you on that journey.

Every semester Crosspoint Small Groups head up a couple of outreach projects and at each of those projects we’ll have some folks who are unconnected take part as well. Here’s a Top 5 on the best ways to maximize small group outreach projects as a small group facilitator:

1. Be an inviter - Your small group should never be exclusive, so these projects are another way to invite people to be a part of your group who might not have felt comfortable at someone else’s home at first. Outreach projects at the part are typically a great first time invite. (see BONUS down at the bottom)

2. Recognize the first timers – Before you begin, find out who has never participated in this type of project before. Don’t think that just because you have drop off donuts a few times before that everyone knows how to do it or how to even explain what they are doing with others. Thank the folks who are there for the first time and share instructions with everyone to put them at ease.

3. Contact AND Follow-Up - This is simple, a phone call reminder the day before and a thank you call the day after will go a long, long way!

4. Celebrate successes and admit failures – Take some time during your small group meetings to share the successes you have had serving others, it will help folks look forward to their time of serving. And while you’re at it, let them know about some of the failures you’ve had. Some reason hearing that you’ve already received some “no thank you’s” or “get outta heres!” will help put people at ease.

5. Debrief – Talk about your time of serving. Let people share their own stories, how they felt, and what they were thinking. It’s also a great opportunity to share some vision about why we do what we do.

BONUS: Make a day of it! – Outreach doesn’t have to just be an “In and Out” experience. Take the opportunity to serve and play with your Small Group. Some of the best experiences as a community come when you spend some time serving the park that you will later hang out in. So hand out some waters, and then huddle up under a pavilion for a group picnic.

This isn’t a top 5 about guaranteed results, this is all about making the experience a memorable and life-changing event not just for those who get served, but also for those who are serving!

If you haven’t joined a small group yet then what are you waiting for? We are saving a seat for you. I don’t have to tell you that signing up for this short-term investment could change your life. Continue your spiritual growth by signing up for a Fall Small Group. Over 320 people have signed up already!

Allow me to specifically encourage you to sign up for one of our great financial small groups or marriage small groups. The reality is that all of us could use some help budgeting our finances or improving our marriage. The facilitators, of these groups, are well trained and will give you wise counsel in this area of your life. Read what some people are saying about the marriage and financial small groups:

“While attending a marriage small group we learned how to better
communicate with each other. I think that communication is huge in marriage. We also learned the importance of keeping God at the center of our marriage. We have a much more peaceful home because of this!”

“…the study called “In The Zone” helped us to understand that God has special plan for our finances and for our lives. We came to
understand that unless we are “In The Zone” with God we will not
receive His full blessing.”

“Getting to know other couples and sharing the same experiences is refreshing”.

(1) Visit Crosspoint Church online at www.crosspointlive.com
and click on the table labeled Small Groups. Then click the link on that page to see the small groups.

(2) Sign up for the Small Group that fits your schedule, covers a topic
that interests you, and is the type of group you are looking for
(general, men’s, women’s, couples, etc.).

(3) Have a blast attending your Small Group this Fall!

*You can also sign up for a Small Group at any Crosspoint Sunday service.

Be sure to let me know if you have any questions or if I can serve you in
any way. I hope you decide to get connected in a Small Group this Fall!

Pastor Brad

It has been a year and a half since Crosspoint Church launched its Small Group Ministry! Throughout that time we have seen and continue to see Jesus cause life-transformation, heal the wounded, encourage the tired, create friendships, and bring people to baptism. Crosspoint’s Small Group Ministry has grown from 80 people to over 160 people during this time. Our small groups are a community of loving and caring people. Crosspoint’s heartbeat for the community is strong and our small groups are reaching out together. I am honored to be on this journey with you as we seek to do life together and grow in our understanding of the depth of Jesus’ love for all humanity. I look forward to seeing more lives transformed and renewed through His love. Let’s press on to knowing Him in a more intimate and personal way. Our Small Groups are designed to create depth in your spiritual walk with Jesus, to empower you to reach out to our community, and to provide an opportunity to meet other people who will walk on this journey with you.

If you have not signed up for a small group and would like to, please contact me at brad@crosspointlive.com or 352.592.7188. Thank you for allowing me to serve you and walk with you through life.

Brad

I have been reading a lot of Brennan Manning lately and have been challenged greatly with the humility of Christ and how that relates in my life as his follower. Being a pastor and being challenged to lead people has only made this exert, from his book, become more real with how I should relate to everyone.

“To be alive is to be broken. And to be broken is to stand in need of grace. Honesty keeps us in touch with our neediness and the truth that we are saved sinners. There is a beautiful transparency to honest disciples who never wear a false face and do not pretend to be anything but who they are.
When a man or woman is truly honest (not just working at it) it is virtually impossible to insult them personally. There is nothing there to insult. Those who were truly ready for the kingdom were just such people (The prostitute, the Good Thief, and the Good Samaritan who chose to model Christianity instead of wearing his halo to tight). Their inner poverty of spirit and rigorous honesty had set them free. They were people who had nothing to be proud of.”

Joining a small group provides everyone with the opportunity to experience the love of Jesus. A small group provides a safe, encouraging, and honest environment, in which people can learn and grow in their personal walk with Jesus. Each person who joins a small group is loved and has a group of people who will walk through life with him/her. I hope you will consider being a part of our Small Group Ministry. We look forward to walking through life with you.

Brad

SMALL GROUP SIGN-UP’S HAVE BEGUN!

And you’re special…you get to sign up for the group of your choice before anyone else!

Sign ups for our Fall 2009 Small Groups are on-line TODAY! I’m letting you know first because you have shown interest in our past small groups.

I wanted to invite you to take a few minutes today to visit our website and get signed up for your Fall Small Group.

www.crosspointlive.com

There will be close to 22 groups available – but many of them will fill up quickly. So, it’s important that you do not delay, as groups will fill up quickly.

You will notice that in the Fall we have a variety of topics to choose from. You can choose a group based on the location, day, and time that fits your schedule… and learn something new about a topic that interests you.

Small Groups kick-off the week of September 7th and last through November 27th. I don’t have to tell you that signing up for this short-term investment could change your life. Continue the spiritual growth you experienced this Spring by signing up for a Fall Small Group.

It’s easy to get connected to a great Small Group today:

(1) Visit Crosspoint Church online at www.crosspointchurch.com and click on the table labeled Small Groups. Then click the link on that page to see the small groups.

(2) Sign up for the Small Group that fits your schedule, covers a topic that interests you, and is the type of group you are looking for (general, men’s, women’s, couples, etc.).

(3) Have a blast attending your Small Group this Fall!

*You can also sign up for a Small Group at any Crosspoint Sunday service.

Be sure to let me know if you have any questions or if I can serve you in any way. I hope you decide to get connected in a Small Group this Fall!

Sign up at: www.crosspointlive.com

See you on Sunday!

Pastor Brad

Brad Klausman

Small Groups Pastor

Crosspoint Church

brad@crosspointlive.com