10. Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." (Mark 2:17) He also said, " For the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost." (Luke 19:10) We believe our church should look outward to the lost and their needs before it looks inward to the needs of unchurched people.
As members of this church, while recognizing the need to develop as disciples of Christ, we are here to reach a lost world. (Matt. 28:19-20) We are here to put their needs ahead of ours. We know our mission is to the lost. We are a church where non-Christians and those who may be different from us are welcomed, served and loved. We hope and pray that by modeling Christ, we can lead them to a point where they become members of Christ's family.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
A Visit to Montgomery
Today, several of us who are part of the core group for Cross Roads Church traveled to Montgomery, Alabama. We visited the worship service of Christ Church on Ryan Road, just off of I-85.
If you have the opportunity to be in Montgomery on a Sunday morning, I encourage you to visit the 9:15 or 10:45 CST worship service.
We met with Pastor Keith Waldrop and his wife Donna over lunch. They are wonderful people! God is blessing their worship and their ministry.
We came away with some pearls of wisdom from the worship service and from Keith and Donna.
Have a blessed week,
Aubrey
If you have the opportunity to be in Montgomery on a Sunday morning, I encourage you to visit the 9:15 or 10:45 CST worship service.
We met with Pastor Keith Waldrop and his wife Donna over lunch. They are wonderful people! God is blessing their worship and their ministry.
We came away with some pearls of wisdom from the worship service and from Keith and Donna.
Have a blessed week,
Aubrey
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Core Values Part 4
7. We believe that the biblical model for the church is for the pastor's time to be spent in prayer and in the study and teaching of the word (Acts 6:1-4) and in equipping the saints to do ministry. The laity is to do the ministry of the church. We will expect this of our members and defend the priorities of our pastor.
8. We believe that the pastors of the church are the ones called by God and have been given a vision from God regarding this church and its mission. The biblical model for church governance is an elder led church (Acts 14:23, 20:17, Phil 1:1, Titus 1:5). Therefore, the pastor leads the church and is himself under the authority of the elders. Qualifications of elder are found in Titus 1:5-9. Deacons are also a biblical church office, but the role of deacons is a role of service, not governance.
9. As a members of the Body of Christ, much is expected of us. As a local Body of Christ, we will help members fulfill their calling by expecting certain behaviors from them including:
a) No gossip or backbiting
b) Each member will be expected to use their spiritual gifts in ministry.
c) Members shall strive to maintain sexual purity. We acknowledge that our sexuality was created by God to be between one man and one woman within the confines of their marriage covenant.
d) Members shall be expected to support the church with their prayers. This is to be done on a regular basis.
e) Members will be expected to support our church and learn to be a better disciple of Jesus Christ by their presence at worship events and small group studies.
f) Members must recognize they are ministers of our church twenty four hours a day, seven days per week. They should understand that their most important ministry time will be when they are away from the church facilities.
g) Members are to be committed to giving of their finances on a regular basis.
8. We believe that the pastors of the church are the ones called by God and have been given a vision from God regarding this church and its mission. The biblical model for church governance is an elder led church (Acts 14:23, 20:17, Phil 1:1, Titus 1:5). Therefore, the pastor leads the church and is himself under the authority of the elders. Qualifications of elder are found in Titus 1:5-9. Deacons are also a biblical church office, but the role of deacons is a role of service, not governance.
9. As a members of the Body of Christ, much is expected of us. As a local Body of Christ, we will help members fulfill their calling by expecting certain behaviors from them including:
a) No gossip or backbiting
b) Each member will be expected to use their spiritual gifts in ministry.
c) Members shall strive to maintain sexual purity. We acknowledge that our sexuality was created by God to be between one man and one woman within the confines of their marriage covenant.
d) Members shall be expected to support the church with their prayers. This is to be done on a regular basis.
e) Members will be expected to support our church and learn to be a better disciple of Jesus Christ by their presence at worship events and small group studies.
f) Members must recognize they are ministers of our church twenty four hours a day, seven days per week. They should understand that their most important ministry time will be when they are away from the church facilities.
g) Members are to be committed to giving of their finances on a regular basis.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Core Values Part 3
5. For our church to follow the will of God, nothing is more important than prayer. Spending time in prayer will be a top priority for this church.
6. If anything is worth doing as a church, we will do it with excellence. Excellence honors God and inspires people.
6. If anything is worth doing as a church, we will do it with excellence. Excellence honors God and inspires people.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Core Values part 2
3. We are missional: We don't just believe in supporting missions, we believe in doing missions. Our primary mission field is where we live and work.
4. We believe the words of Jesus that loving God and loving people are the greatest commandments. We will treat everyone inside and outside of this church, believer and unbeliever according to this command.
4. We believe the words of Jesus that loving God and loving people are the greatest commandments. We will treat everyone inside and outside of this church, believer and unbeliever according to this command.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Core Values Part 1
Hello Everyone!
Over the next few days, I will post our list of Core Values for your review. Please feel free to comment or ask questions as they may arise.
1. Church should be the most creative place on earth. Our God is the Creator of all and we are made in his image. Teaching in church should be relevant. Church that is boring and not relevant dishonors God. We will never compromise or water down our beliefs which are expressed in God's inerrant Word, however we will always examine how we teach and express those beliefs so that we can reach the most people. (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)
2. God is the same yesterday, today and for all eternity past and present. God stays the same but the church evolves and changes to be His light in a culture that evolves and changes.
Over the next few days, I will post our list of Core Values for your review. Please feel free to comment or ask questions as they may arise.
1. Church should be the most creative place on earth. Our God is the Creator of all and we are made in his image. Teaching in church should be relevant. Church that is boring and not relevant dishonors God. We will never compromise or water down our beliefs which are expressed in God's inerrant Word, however we will always examine how we teach and express those beliefs so that we can reach the most people. (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)
2. God is the same yesterday, today and for all eternity past and present. God stays the same but the church evolves and changes to be His light in a culture that evolves and changes.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
More information
Good Morning,
Guys, thank you for asking for more information. Please allow me some time to write over the weekend. I'll plan to have details posted no later than Sunday night.
Blessings
Guys, thank you for asking for more information. Please allow me some time to write over the weekend. I'll plan to have details posted no later than Sunday night.
Blessings
Monday, October 27, 2008
New Blog
Hello Everyone,
I've created this blog in order to keep you updated about the ministry, outreach and blessings at Crossroads Church.
We plan to have our kick off worship service on Easter Sunday April 12, 2009. We are located in the Phenix City, Alabama area.
We are praying for the Lord to provide a worship leader who will guide us in contemporary praise and worship. We are also praying for a place to meet.
Hank Austin is our pastor.
We plan to do church differently. We want to move away from tradition and toward Jesus. We want to reach people from all walks of life. We plan to do outreach and ministry to people who may not always be priorities for those doing ministry. We want to share the love and the hope and the encouragement Jesus offers to everyone.
You can join us in this effort. Above all else, please pray for us. Pray for wisdom, protection, boldness and any other things the Lord brings to mind.
Another way to assist us is through finances. I teach school. Until last week I had a second job. In order for me to be able to do ministry through the new church, I need to replace the lost income without taking on another job. I ask you to pray about assisting my wife Julie and me financially for a period of 2-3 years. This may be done through monthly gifts given to us through the church. A checking account will soon be opened in the church's name.
Will you pray about sending a gift to us each month? If you need a snail mail address please email me or leave a comment and I will contact you.
God bless you as you continue to serve him,
Aubrey Cochran
I've created this blog in order to keep you updated about the ministry, outreach and blessings at Crossroads Church.
We plan to have our kick off worship service on Easter Sunday April 12, 2009. We are located in the Phenix City, Alabama area.
We are praying for the Lord to provide a worship leader who will guide us in contemporary praise and worship. We are also praying for a place to meet.
Hank Austin is our pastor.
We plan to do church differently. We want to move away from tradition and toward Jesus. We want to reach people from all walks of life. We plan to do outreach and ministry to people who may not always be priorities for those doing ministry. We want to share the love and the hope and the encouragement Jesus offers to everyone.
You can join us in this effort. Above all else, please pray for us. Pray for wisdom, protection, boldness and any other things the Lord brings to mind.
Another way to assist us is through finances. I teach school. Until last week I had a second job. In order for me to be able to do ministry through the new church, I need to replace the lost income without taking on another job. I ask you to pray about assisting my wife Julie and me financially for a period of 2-3 years. This may be done through monthly gifts given to us through the church. A checking account will soon be opened in the church's name.
Will you pray about sending a gift to us each month? If you need a snail mail address please email me or leave a comment and I will contact you.
God bless you as you continue to serve him,
Aubrey Cochran
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