Excellence means “the quality of being exceptionally good of its kind.”  Most organizations have core values and normally one those values are excellence.  However, most organizations are not hitting their mark.  Why?  Because excellence is hard work.  It is an attitude of “whatever it takes”!  The problem is most people/organizations do not display this attitude.  I did not say they couldn’t…They just don’t do it.

Please hear me, excellence is not perfection.  We know we are not perfect nor will we ever be.  But we can be excellent (being exceptionally good of its kind) at what we do.  Crosspoint strives to do everything with excellence.  For us to accomplish this we must have the “less is more” attitude.  For instances, if we tried to do everything, we couldn’t do it all with excellence.  Why?  Because it takes a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to do things great.  Most people have know idea what must happen through out the week to pull off Sunday mornings with excellence.  It’s not just show up on Sunday and things will just happen.  I mean, we plan, debate, meet, and even fight to make things as best as they can be for Sunday morning.  Trust me, you have no idea how much effort goes into making a worship experience a great experience for everyone. 

Why are you writing about this topic?  Because, since Crosspoint is getting larger and the expectations keep growing, people are wanting to add new things to the mix.  I mean everyone has an idea and everyone wants to see more stuff added to the plate.  I hear it every Sunday…When are we going to do_____, when are going to go_____, when are we gong to start a ______?  SERIOUSLY, we can’t do everything and do it well.  It is not that simple just to go and start doing something and do it with excellence. 

So with that said, NO, we are not going to get caught up doing 100 things poorly when we can focus on a few things and do them with excellence.

By the way…Sunday is going to be excellent at Button Auditorium and you don’t want to miss it! 

Sunday was unbelievable!  Part of me wanted to shout and part of me wanted to cry.  I wanted to shout because a year ago 20 people gathered together and asked God to do a miracle.  We wanted to see a church that would exist to reach people who are far from God and help them become followers of Jesus Christ.  Looking back over the past 12 months we have seen 57 people make a decision to follow Christ and yesterday’s attendance was the largest in the short history of Crosspoint Church…478 people!  Yes…That is correct!  I know, it blew me away too! 

I also wanted to cry. Why on earth would God allow us to experience His blessing like this?  Why would we have the privilege to be a part of a miracle?  You see…Crosspoint did not make this wave…We are just riding it!  I have been praying for a long time for God to do something so great in the church that only He could get the glory for it.  Well, He answered that prayer!  However, I honestly believe that God is just getting started here in Morehead, KY.  He has so much more for us…To partner with Him and dominate a city/region for His glory.  So with that said, we are going to press on through year two and believe God has greater things planned.  I really believe the best is yet to come! (Eph. 3:20)

Can you believe that Crosspoint Church is getting ready to turn one year old?  A year ago 20 of us were sitting right here in the church office dreaming of a church that would reach people who are far from God.  And here we are living out that dream.

I believe this Sunday is going to be the best Sunday in the history of Crosspoint Church.  Do whatever you can to bring as many people with you to come and celebrate our one year anniversary.  Seriously…read Matt. 22:9!  It is going to be awesome.

Can’t wait…Wish it was already Sunday!!!

Technology has changed everything.  It has changed the way we pay for gas.  It has changed the way we communicate.  It has changed the way we get information.  To be honest, it has changed the way we live.  The crazy thing, technology is going to continue to challenge the status quo and get faster and better every day. 

The question I have for you today is, “Could technology change the way you connect with God?”  I would say, yes!  For instances, I have been using You Version to keep up with my daily Bible reading.  It is a great place to stay on top of your reading, praying, or connecting with others.  I would encourage you all to take a look at this awesome online program.  The really neat thing is, this application will run on your iPhone and it is free!  So whether you are on the go or just woke up in the morning and grabbed your phone, you have your reading plan and Bible with you where ever you go.  For those who live on the go and have immersed yourself into technology or set in front of a computer all day long, I would encourage you to take a look at this website.

Yesterday a 73 year old lady walked into our church office and shared with us how much she loves Crosspoint Church.  She talked about the memories as a little girl playing on the land where the Conference Center was built.  She was so excited to see that a church was meeting where she use to live and play.  She did make the comment that the music was not of her era, but she still has a blast every Sunday.  She wanted us to know that she brings her kids and grand kids ever week.   

It’s true…It takes different churches to reach different people.  Crosspoint church will reach people that your church might not reach and your church will reach people that we might not reach.  Guess what?  It is ok that we are different.  The world needs different churches.  There is not just one way to do church.  If that is your mindset then you have a limited view of God. 

We need churches that preach KJV and the people where suits and ties and the choir has robes on and the organ must be played at every service.  That’s ok!  That church is ministering to a people group that will only come to a service where these traditions are held at a high standard.  Years ago in my immaturity I would look down on such silly traditions.  However, those churches will reach people that I will not and if souls are being saved through this environment then I say “praise the Lord!”

With that said, don’t knock me because I wear jeans, preach from a different translation, have church only once a week, and have a band that flippin rocks!  We serve the same Lord, we preach the same Gospel, and we want to see people who are far from God become followers of Jesus Christ.  Some people think because a church is modern or relevant that it doesn’t preach the word.  Folks, we preach Jesus and Him crucified!  There is no other way to the Father except through Christ.  He is not “a way” or even the “best way” He is the ONLY WAY.  And because we have exalted the name of Jesus we have seen almost 60 people come to faith in Christ in the last 11 months.  To God be the glory!

I am about to start preaching up in here!   Anyway, Paul wouldn’t be arguing over different styles of churches today…Don’t believe me…Read these verses!

Can you believe it is 2009?  I am still trying to wrap my mind around how fast life goes by.  I mean a year ago, 20 of us were sitting in the church office believing God for great things and now we have witnessed an unbelievable move of God.  The great news is, it has not stopped.  They last 2 weeks we have seen 7 people indicate they decided to follow Jesus.  The crazy thing though, I believe 2009 is going to be even more amazing. 

I have to honestly say that 2008 was the best year of my life.  God allowed me to witness miracles after miracles right before my very eyes.   Folks, I have been praying for a long time to see God move like He did here last year.   My family is healthy, my marriage is great, and I am pastoring a church that I love.

What about you?  Did God radically change your life in 2008?  How?