June 30th, 2009 by Tim Moore
Speaking of technology and church. We have launched our new Crossroads Church website today. Currently it has a little more functionality built into it than our previous site. However, we have plans to launch a media player where you can watch past messages online as well as many other cool things. Our goal is to leverage technology to help people connect and stay informed on what we are doing.
http://www.crossroadschurchwired.com
If you subscribe to our new site, you will get emails much like this one with any updates we make to the site.
Check it out. If for some reason you get our old site or it doesn’t come up, wait a little bit. It is still propagating across the internet DNS servers. Let me know what you think.
June 24th, 2009 by Tim Moore
I love when summer finally arrives. It feels so good outside. Sometimes I even wish that it would stay summer all long. But then you hit those sweltering, HOT summer days and you recant that request. Perhaps that is why God made seasons for us.
In Ohio we have 4 seasons – Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. I think I am growing to love the different seasons. Each season brings anticipation for the next. I know that fall will be approaching in a few months and I LOVE fall. Football, comfortable temperatures and did I mention football? Thank God for seasons.
Just like the physical seasons we have, I believe we also have different seasons in our life. And some of the seasons we go through are difficult and even sometimes painful. Just like the hot days of summer, we find ourselves in uncomfortable, sticky times when all we can think about is not being there. But in the moments we must remember that God has a plan for even those difficult seasons of our life.
No matter what season you find yourself in right now, remember that ‘this too will pass’ and that God has another season for you. Perhaps God has allowed this season in your life to show you something about Him you couldn’t learn anywhere else.
June 22nd, 2009 by Tim Moore
Where do we draw the line with technology? Can we get too dependent on technology? Yes! Technology should never be the driving force behind a church. Technology should be simply a tool to help us accomplish our vision. There is a lot of great technology available to the church, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the church should embrace it all.
Some of the questions we must ask before we jump into new technology are:
1) Is this technology necessary to facilitate the church’s vision? Anything that does not help us reach our vision is just a toy that we want to play with. Just because something is cool doesn’t mean it will be effective. We must consider how much we “need” this technology to do what we are called to do.
2) What is the ROI? Every investment you make (time, money, resources) must be measured against its return. What is the return we will get for buying this technology? Will it improve communications? Will it help people engage their Bible more? Will it help build better community in the church? One thing I know for sure…technology is EXPENSIVE. Make sure it is worth the church’s investment.
3) Do we have the knowledge needed to use this? Sometimes we can put the cart before the horse and buy the latest and greatest stuff on the market, without a clue as to how use it. I would love to know how much money is wasted each year on technology that never gets implemented. Before we “have to buy something” we should consider whether or not we have the means to deploy it.
June 20th, 2009 by Tim Moore
Tomorrow is Father’s Day. I often struggle on these holidays because I never know what to get my father. Shopping for him is about impossible. He is very content and needs nothing. I guess that is a great thing. Maybe the best thing I could give him doesn’t cost anything. Maybe it is to let him know how I feel about him. Since he gets these blogs…I thought I’d do it right here. If you haven’t told your father what he means to you…maybe this will remind you. (Sorry if this is too mushy for all of you – but I want everyone to know how great of a dad I have)
Dad,
I don’t often say things like this to you, but felt compelled to tell you what you mean to me. You are an inspiring person to me. Your work ethic goes far beyond anyone I have ever met. No matter how much you had to do…I never once heard you complain about it. Your dedication to God is something I hope to attain in my life. We always joked about you being a “rock” because your arms were so big and strong. But as I have watched you throughout the years – you have been a rock in so many ways.
You are always available for advice when I am having car problems or need advice. Your relationship with Jesus is SOLID. Your prayer life is motivating to me and yet humbling at the same time. You are the rock of our family and always dependable. You watched me play little league games when I couldn’t throw a strike to save my life and came to my track and field events when I had no chance of winning the race. You are truly a hero to me both in ministry and in life. I believe that you have affected far more people than you can imagine for God. You may not feel that you have done all that you can do, but I believe you have impacted more than you can realize through all the disciples you helped raise!
No verse is more challenging to me and yet fits your life than I Timothy 4:12b “…set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” You have done that for me and for the hundreds of people who have watched your life through the years. This Father’s Day I want you to know that you have been a great father and that I love you very much.
Thank you for everything!
Your son,
Timotheus (Thank God Mom was reading the NIV)
June 16th, 2009 by Tim Moore
If we are going to embrace technology then we must let go of how we think church should be. Embracing technology means letting go of some ways of how we “do church”. This might be the biggest reason why some people won’t embrace technology in the church.
We get comfortable with how church has always been and if that changes we freak out. Change scares us. Some think, “It worked for me…why change it?” Just because it worked for you doesn’t mean it will work for the next generation or the one after that.
To some it would feel like we’re committing a sin if we didn’t hand out bulletins or church directories. And how could we ever go to church where the preacher was on a video screen rather than standing on the stage? God can’t speak through someone on a screen! Give our tithes and offerings online? That doesn’t seem like TRUE giving. There is no way we could be part of a LifeGroup that meets online or even go to church online? That wouldn’t be effective.
All of these thoughts about “how” we do church must be open to this discussion. The one thing that must never change is the message of Jesus Christ. But our methods of how we communicate that message must ALWAYS change! Let Paul’s words challenge your thinking today. (1 Corinthians 9:22-23)
When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.
What are you willing to let go of so someone else can come to know Christ?
June 15th, 2009 by Tim Moore
This week I’m going to engage in some thoughts about church and technology. For a long time I’ve had on my radar to do a message series on this. Not sure when I’ll pull it out, but I’ll jump into some thoughts I have about it this week. I’d love to hear from some of you about your feelings on this topic. If you know me, then you know how much I love technology. I worked in an information technology career for about 8 years before entering full-time ministry.
It seems that very few churches are embracing technology today. So many are set in their ways about how they communicate their messages, how they share announcements and even how they connect with each other. That is one reason why our church is participating in OnePrayer. It pushes us to experiment with technology in our churches and yet gives us an opportunity to hear from some great communicators. It was great to have Pastor Steve Furtick from Elevation Church speak at our church and we didn’t pay him a dime! 
Let’s face it, we have become much more isolated in our culture. We can so easily park our cars in our garages and lower the door without even saying “hi” to our neighbors. In many ways we have become more distant from our neighbors and most people have less healthy relationships today than ever.
On the other hand, technology seems to be bringing us back together in a different way. Now people connect online. Currently I have around 120 “friends” on facebook! Never knew I had that many friends. I know more of what is going on in people’s lives through email, twitter and facebook than I probably need to know. In a crazy way, technology helps me feel much more connected to others…somewhat. Technology will rarely create intimate life-giving relationship. Those relationships are really done better in person. We must recognize the limitations, but embrace it for what it can do.
For the rest of this week, I will talk about the pro’s and con’s of technology and how we can RESPONSIBLY use it to help more people get on the path to God!
June 10th, 2009 by Tim Moore
Family is having a great time here in Myrtle. Weather has been gorgeous. Lauryn got to go surfing and Audrey…well she just plays in the surf.
June 9th, 2009 by Tim Moore
Well, my sports hero pulled it off again…in my hometown. Tiger Woods birdied the last 2 holes of the Memorial Tournament to win by one stroke. I saw it all and loved it.
One thing that I admire about Tiger is his ability to do his best under pressure. He has the mental stamina to outlast the other tour players. That is why he has won 67 tournaments and will probably go down as the best golfer ever. Sure he has incredible skill, but what I believe sets him apart is his mental capacity to endure and rise to the top.
I think that is something pastors and church leaders must have if they want to experience incredible “wins” for God. They must be willing to endure the pressure and not give in. They must have the mental and spiritual stamina to overcome the emotional ups and downs of ministry.
When I feel like that (and I have many times), I always remember 1 Corinthians 15:58.
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
This verse always keeps me going. It gives me the determination to face anything so I can experience the victory that God has for our church.
June 8th, 2009 by Tim Moore
What can I say…the beach is beautiful. We weren’t real sure what the weather would be this week, but so far it has been pretty good. The sun is shining right now and it is about 85 degrees. We have been laying out in the golden sun, playing football in the ocean and eating out for dinner! Doesn’t get much better than that.
I’ve been getting some time to read a book by Bill Hybels called “Axioms”. Wow, it is incredibly insightful for leaders, especially pastors. Some of the lessons Bill has learned in over 3 decades of church leadership is invaluable to me. I believe I am going to institute some of the things I’m gleaning when I get back.
Better run. The waves are calling my name!
June 5th, 2009 by Tim Moore
Well, I’m headed to the beach this weekend for a full week of R&R. I enjoy this trip so much. It is so relaxing. While down there I might blog a couple times just to rub it in for those of you still in the grind. But other than that I’ll be taking a little break from blogging for a week.
I’ll leave you with a few thoughts:
– God is good even when we don’t feel like he is!
– I greatly respect my worship leader for fasting food for 10 days. I know God has spoken to him.
– I am going to preach this Sunday at my favorite church in the whole world. (Yes even while on vacation)
– OnePrayer 2009 kicks off this weekend. Over 1600 churches around the world participating!
– Our building campaign is moving forward and we are waiting for the appraisal company now.
– God inspired me with several sermon series kicking off this summer. I am really fired up about them!
– We are going to have some great preachers in our church over the month of June!
– God has more in store for us that we can imagine. We need to dream big!
– We got new drums at the church. They sound awesome.
– God…give us beautiful weather at the beach.. PLEASE!
That’s about it. Got to finish packing. Beach… here I come!
