Summer Prep

As we head into the summer months, I can see that our team is strong. We continue to provide excellent services to the Crossroads community each week. From many of you I can sense an excitement and fulfillment when you are serving. The scheduling is pushed out 3-4 weeks in advance, giving us time to replace volunteers that cannot serve, and giving you time to prepare. We continue to search for a worship and programming director- there is no doubt that this key position is vital if we wish to move forward in many areas. Please pray for me and the interview team as we consider potential candidates.

There are some honest comments and some challenges you might not have considered below. I hope no one is offended. But it's my role to look at the team, look at the future, and make sure we are ready. In many areas we are. In some we need to step up.

I dream of a day when people have to get to Crossroads early to find a seat, and every week people are coming to Christ. We only have one lifetime in which to make a difference, to touch other lives and influence them for good. I take that opportunity very seriously when it comes to what we do as a team.

Believe me, I know we're all more busy than ever. Family is so important. Work and other responsibilities take up our time. The last thing I want to do for any of us is put us under a guilt trip or make unreasonable demands. On the other hand, I know you believe in the mission and vision of Crossroads and our team, otherwise you wouldn't give up some of your precious time to serve. So my goal is to make the best of that time! I promise to work hard for you, to give you the tools you need to maximize your volunteer opportunities. That said, here is what I think we need to work on as a team if we want to do our job well going forward:

Preparedness: For music, I'd ask that everyone looks at the songs in advance and learns their parts ahead of the Thursday rehearsal. I'm being honest here- some are and some aren't so much, or enough. We will honor God and the team if we take the time in advance to prepare. Scheduling and charting in advance gives you a wonderful advantage in this area. If you know you have busy weeks ahead, learn your parts early so you don't get caught later. For tech this means coming on time (7:45AM) on Sunday, checking through the service and your equipment, and remaining focused and on point during the dress rehearsal and services. Those of us that serve on the consoles (media, video switcher, lighting) should be checking out the service order in advance of Sunday to make sure we know what's going on and familiarize ourselves with the order of elements and our parts.

Tech volunteers: Tech is in need of more volunteers. I'm looking for people and following up every lead, but I'm just one person. This is our team, it's up to all of us to make it better! Do you have a friend or family member that might enjoy tech? Let me know, I'll do the legwork!

Summer schedule: I've already heard from a few of you that summer is spotty in terms of scheduling because of vacations, traveling, etc. Guess what- it is for me too! I've got summer plans, vacation, etc...But...our responsibility as a team to provide excellent and inspiring services continues through the summer. It's possible you haven't thought of your scheduling this way before, but I want to challenge you to intentionally carve out weekends to serve in the summer. Put it on your priority list. It doesn't have to be at the top! But it should be on the list. Why? Our mission to restore God's design in all people is too vital for the people of the Toledo Metro Area to put aside for 3 months. Shelly and I will flex with your availability..we'll mix and match and make it work!

Did you know that according to the Barna Research Group, summer is one of the key times people decide to visit a church? They will typically come once or twice in the summer to check it out. Then they start attending regularly in the fall. So I'm committed to making sure we have great services June-August.

Thanks so much for being on the team. Thanks for your generosity and willingness to serve. I'm honored to work with you and humbled by what God wants to do through us on Sundays. JIM