There is a Power Greater than Ourselves

Have you ever needed a power greater than your own?  A number of years ago I was working out in a local fitness center and was reminded that sometimes I too need a helping hand. 

On this particular day I was in the middle of lifting weights when my body simply gave out.  I had exhausted all my strength and when I tried to push the weighted bar off my chest it would not move.  At first I started to panic and wonder what I could do to get out of this situation but then I remembered that I was not alone. 

With a humble ask for help from the person working out next to me I was able to free myself with their assistance.  I truly was in a position where I needed a power that was greater than my own!

This week we are continuing our series entitled, 4 Reasons for Hope by looking at the reality that there is a power that is greater than ourselves in this life. 

Have you ever been stuck in life?  Are you currently in a spot where you need God to help you through?  This week at Crossroads Church in Cranberry we will be looking at how the power of God can be the very thing you need in these moments of life. 

Hope to see you on Sunday,

Pastor Mike

Thank You Jesus

“For Christ died for the sins once for all, that righteous for the unrighteous, to bring to you God.  He was put to death in body, but made alive by the Spirit.”  1 Peter 3:18

Thank you Jesus for coming to earth.  You could have stayed away but you came near.

Thank you Jesus for living a perfect life, you showed me the way to live my life.

Thank you Jesus for caring for the forgotten. You opened my eyes to the needs of others around me.

Thank you Jesus for not accepting injustice, for flipping the tables, for setting the standard for right and wrong.

Thank you Jesus for teaching complex truths about eternity in simple ways, for sharing the truth in a way I can understand.

Thank you Jesus for being a servant. You showed me that the best way to lead is to serve, to lift others up.

Thank you Jesus for not compromising, for not accepting the easy way out.

Thank you Jesus for the cross.  For doing what I could not and for paying the price for my sins.  For making me clean by your blood and for giving me a way home.

Thank you does not seem like enough Jesus.  May you know my thanks in the way I live my life.  In the way I love your people, follow you and long to be with you again some day.

Thank you Jesus.

4 Reasons for Hope

There is a reason to hope.

We hope we find a better job.  We hope it won’t rain.

We hope we can find true love.  We hope the pain will stop.

Hope is that knowledge that something better is out there.

Join us this month at Crossroads Church in Cranberry as we look at 4 Reasons to Hope.  You are never alone, there is a power beyond yourself, you can be forgiven, and heaven is real.

Alone No More

Sometimes in life we see things more clearly when we are looking back.  It is often in these “hindsight” moments that we gain valuable perspective in life.  This was true in Luke 24:32-33 when two of Jesus’ disciples reflected on their conversation with the risen Jesus.

After realizing they were walking with Jesus on the way to Emmaus they said, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened Scriptures to us?’  It is often true that when we look back over life, that we can see more clearly the presence of God in our lives.  It is through these moments of reflection that our hope in Him is strengthened and we are reminded that we are not walking through this life alone.

This week we will be Celebrating Easter at Crossroads Church in Cranberry.  Please join us this weekend as we celebrate the week that changed world forever and remember that you are not alone.

Video: Our Devotion to God

“Our Devotion to God” is a weekend message I preached at Crossroads Church, a growing multi-site church in Pittsburgh, PA.   In this message we look at the various versions of Jesus in today’s culture and ask the question, “Are we devoted to the real Jesus?”

Thrive: Our Devotion to God from Mike Arnold on Vimeo.

The Real Jesus

This weekend I will be preaching on the “Triumphal Entry of Jesus” at Crossroads Church.  In Luke 19 we see a crowd of people cheering on Jesus because they thought he was going to give them what they wanted.  And they wanted a revolution. 

 

I believe many of us do the same thing today.  We worship a Jesus that we construct, a Jesus that fits our agenda.  In this post from Kevin DeYoung we see many of the false Jesus’ of our time.  Which Jesus do you follow?

The greatness of God is most clearly displayed in his Son. And the glory of the gospel is only made evident in his Son. That's why Jesus' question to his disciples is so important: "Who do you say that I am?"

The question is doubly crucial in our day, because —and not every Jesus is the real Jesus.

There's the Republican Jesus—who is against tax increases and activist judges, for family values and owning firearms.

There's Democrat Jesus—who is against Wall Street and Wal-Mart, for reducing our carbon footprint and printing money.

There's Therapist Jesus—who helps us cope with life's problems, heals our past, tells us how valuable we are and not to be so hard on ourselves.

There's Starbucks Jesus—who drinks fair trade coffee, loves spiritual conversations, drives a hybrid, and goes to film festivals.

There's Open-minded Jesus—who loves everyone all the time no matter what (except for people who are not as open-minded as you).

There's Touchdown Jesus—who helps athletes fun faster and jump higher than non-Christians and determines the outcomes of Super Bowls.

There's Martyr Jesus—a good man who died a cruel death so we can feel sorry for him.

There's Gentle Jesus—who was meek and mild, with high cheek bones, flowing hair, and walks around barefoot, wearing a sash (while looking very German).

There's Hippie Jesus—who teaches everyone to give peace a chance, imagines a world without religion, and helps us remember that "all you need is love."

There's Yuppie Jesus—who encourages us to reach our full potential, reach for the stars, and buy a boat.

There's Spirituality Jesus—who hates religion, churches, pastors, priests, and doctrine, and would rather have people out in nature, finding "the god within" while listening to ambiguously spiritual music.

There's Platitude Jesus—good for Christmas specials, greeting cards, and bad sermons, inspiring people to believe in themselves.

There's Revolutionary Jesus—who teaches us to rebel against the status quo, stick it to the man, and blame things on "the system."

There's Guru Jesus—a wise, inspirational teacher who believes in you and helps you find your center.

There's Boyfriend Jesus—who wraps his arms around us as we sing about his intoxicating love in our secret place.

There's Good Example Jesus—who shows you how to help people, change the planet, and become a better you.

And then there's Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. Not just another prophet. Not just another Rabbi. Not just another wonder-worker. He was the one they had been waiting for: the Son of David and Abraham's chosen seed; the one to deliver us from captivity; the goal of the Mosaic law; Yahweh in the flesh; the one to establish God's reign and rule; the one to heal the sick, give sight to the blind, freedom to the prisoners and proclaim Good News to the poor; the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world.

This Jesus was the Creator come to earth and the beginning of a New Creation. He embodied the covenant, fulfilled the commandments, and reversed the curse. This Jesus is the Christ that God spoke of to the Serpent; the Christ prefigured to Noah in the flood; the Christ promised to Abraham; the Christ prophesied through Balaam before the Moabites; the Christ guaranteed to Moses before he died; the Christ promised to David when he was king; the Christ revealed to Isaiah as a Suffering Servant; the Christ predicted through the Prophets and prepared for through John the Baptist.

This Christ is not a reflection of the current mood or the projection of our own desires. He is our Lord and God. He is the Father's Son, Savior of the world, and substitute for our sins—more loving, more holy, and more wonderfully terrifying than we ever thought possible.

Kevin DeYoung, "Who Do You Say That I Am?" from his DeYoung, Restless, and Reformed blog (posted 6-10-09)

My Core Values

All of us live by a set of core values in life.  These values are the guideposts that ground our very lives even in very uncertain times.  When we live in a way that is consistent with our core values we experience peace, but when we live in opposition to them it often can create great tension. 

Here are my personal core values.  From time to time I have had to revisit these values.  There have been times in the past when my environment or behavior has been inconsistent with these.  It is during these times that I know I need a change.

Freedom:  I value freedom and the space that allows me to create, lead teams, dream, teach and influence.

Honesty:  I value truth, honesty, transparency and authenticity in all my relationships, even when the truth is difficult to swallow.  I seek to find this in myself, from my loved ones and in the communities that I serve and lead.  There is power in the truth and I seek to find it in all I do.

Justice:  I value what is fair and just.  Injustice in this world deeply bothers me.  I seek to live in a fair way and be a part of restoring justice in the world.

Aggressive Pursuit of Jesus:  I value competition and a worthy battle.  The biggest challenge on this earth is spiritual.  I love the spiritual fight of expanding the kingdom of God and growing in my relationship with Him.

Missional Community:  I value being part of a team that is on the move and making a difference in this world.

Healthy Life Rhythm:  I value a pace of life that is healthy for my soul, body and family.

An Identity Rooted in Christ:  I value getting my worth, identity, motivation, and direction from my relationship with God.

My Little Ladies:  God has blessed me with three wonderful girls, my wife and two daughters. Outside of my relationship with God they are the most important part of my life.  I will protect, provide, and love them with all my heart.  If I succeed at all else and fail here, I fail.

All of us have a set of core values.  What are yours?

Devotion to God

There is a certain tension in spring.  It is the tension between warm and cold; sun and rain; death and life.  There is the hopeful glimpse of what is to come and the painful reminder that we are just not there yet.  We see it when snow rests on a budding flower.  Tension is the nature of spring. 

We also experience tension in the moments of life just before we learn to thrive. 

There is the physical tension of exercise and diet that must be endured if we going are to thrive physically. 

There is the time and effort that must be given to others, if we are going to thrive relationally. 

There is the pursuit of God; time in is word, life in community, and focus in worship if that must be given if we want to thrive spiritually. 

And in all of these situations we need devotion in order to grow.  We need devotion in order to truly thrive. 

This week we are finishing our series entitled, Thrive by looking at the importance of our personal devotion to God.   Sunday we will be studying Luke 19:28-44, the Triumphal Entry of Jesus.  Take a few moments to read this over and join us Sunday as we gather at Crossroads Church in Cranberry to explore this incredible story together.

God Bless,

Pastor Mike

Audio: "Developing vs. Using People" by David Browning

Are you using or developing the people that serve with you?  “Developing vs. Using People” was the third keynote session at the Ignite Conference on April 2, 2011 at Crossroads Church in Cranberry, PA.  In this talk David Browning shares his personal thoughts on the importance of developing leaders in the local church.

Developing vs Using People?" from Mike Arnold on Vimeo.

Audio: "Multi-Site Church Strategy" by David Browning

"Multi-Site Church Strategy" is an inside look at how Christ the King Community Church addresses the challenges and opportunities of multi-site ministry. This was a keynote session at the Ignite Conference April 2, 2011.

Multi-Site Church Strategy: David Browing from Mike Arnold on Vimeo.

Beyond Yourself

We all need balance in order to truly thrive in life.  Physically, we need to eat and exercise, we need to work and rest, we need to listen and share, we need to give and take.  It is when we live in balance that we truly thrive physically. 

The same is true with our spiritual lives as well.  As followers of Jesus we need to spend time with Jesus and “eat” from His word.  It is during these times at church, small group, and individual moments in scripture and prayer that we often can since God filling us up with His presence. 

But just as important as this, is the need for us to give back.  To live for a cause that is bigger than us, to be apart of the mission of the local church.  

Jesus once said,” Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake with find it”.  (Matthew 10:39) Jesus knew the importance of living beyond oneself.  He knew that in order to thrive that we too need to not only to consume but also to join in.  This week we will be returning to our series entitled, “Thrive” as we explore what it means to live beyond yourself. 

See you Sunday,

Pastor Mike

Audio: Arrows Pointed Out by David Browning

"Arrows Pointed Out" was part one of the keynote address at this years Ignite Conference.  David Browning is the founding Pastor at Christ the King Community Church with over 400 locations internationally.  In this message David challenges local church leaders to reach out beyond themselves and focus on the needs of those outside the walls of the church.

 Arrows Pointed Out from Mike Arnold on Vimeo.

11 Obstacles of a Multi-Site Church

I have served on the staffs of four multi-site churches in Akron, Ohio; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Pittsburgh, PA in the last 14 years.  These are my top 11 Obstacles to going multi-site.  I love the energy; focus on mission and new opportunities that a multi-site strategy brings to the local church.  I’ll be speaking on this this topic on April 2 at the Ignite Conference 2011 at Crossroads Church in Cranberry.

 

11 Obstacles of a  Multi-site Church

1.    Unhealthy Culture

a.    Going multi-site will not fix anything.  In fact it will only multiply the strengths and weaknesses of a local church if your culture is marked by insecurity, micro-management, and politics fix this before going multi-site.

2.    Inflexibility

a.    Going multisite will change everything. All staff will have to adjust to this new reality.  If you do not have buy in from your staff wait.   The most challenging part of going multi-site is reorganizing your staff to support multiple campuses.*

3.    Resources

a.    The average cost for launching a multi-site campus in a low risk, low cost facility is $250,000.*

4.    Sermon Delivery

a.    There are three primary ways to deliver messages at a multi-site church.  Video, live via a campus pastor, or hybrid.  Only 20 percent of existing multi-site churches utilize video, while half use life in-person and a third are a hybrid.  All three have pluses and minuses.  Decide this first and hire to your strategy.*

5.    Not enough Leadership

a.    This will take strong leadership.  It will change the role of the senior pastor and will require strong leadership at the campus pastor level.  Hire well.  Make sure the skill set of you campus pastors fit your sermon delivery strategy.

6.    Autonomy

a.    Either too much or too little autonomy given to a campus staff can be unhealthy.  The goal is to find the right comfort zone for the greater church and local campus.  This is largely dependent on the gifts of the campus pastor, trust, and context of specific local campus.

7.    Technological Issues.

a.    This is a pressure point for many multi-site churches.  It will have to be staffed and trained well.  The medium is vital to the message in a video campus. 

8.    Volunteer Base

a.    It can be difficult to develop volunteers in a consumer driven church culture.  Most people want to be part of changing the world. This may have to be awakened in the hearts of your people.

9.    Too much, Too Fast

a.    Pace is key.  Just because one campus is working does not mean that all will work as well.  It is important to build a launch team well.  To be prepared and ready to start together.  There are a lot of variables to success in ministry.  Many of them are out of our control.

10.  This must be Mission Driven

a.    This is why we do it.  Multi-site is not your mission.  It is your method.  The Mission is to reach more people with the message of Jesus Christ.  It is to see Him make old things new.  This is why people want to be apart of church.  To make a difference not be a part of a grand plan or method.*

11. Mission Clarity

a.    If your mission and vision are not clear multi-site will cause greater confusion.  Clarity and simplicity are important in a multi-site church.

*Portions of this have been gathered from 125 Tips For Multi-Site Churches and Those Who Want to Be.  By Jim Tomberlin and Ben Stroup.  E-book.

11 Reasons to Become a Multi-site Church

I have served on the staffs of four multi-site churches in Akron, Ohio; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Pittsburgh, PA in the last 14 years.  These are my Top 11 Reasons for going multi-site.  I love the energy; focus on mission and new opportunities that a multi-site strategy brings to the local church.  I’ll be speaking on this this topic on April 2 at the Ignite Conference at Crossroads Church in Cranberry.

11 Reasons to Become Multi-site Church

1.    To Reach People who are not connected to church.

a.    The number one reason to go multi-site is to reach more people for Jesus Christ.  This has to be your driving force!  It is the mission of the church.

2.    Develop Pastoral Leadership

a.    Many times churches will support a church plant if there is a leader on their staff who is ready for this challenge.  This can be another way to further develop pastors and grow an existing local church. 

3.    Engage Volunteers

a.    Going multi-site will create new opportunities for volunteer ministry.  You will need more worship leaders, kids workers, ushers, outreach coordinators, etc.  It creates more spaces for people to use their gifts in the local church.

4.    Need more space

a.    Multi-site is a good way to create space without building an expensive large building. It will create flexibility in worship offerings and more seats during optimal worship times.

5.    Reach a different social demographic

a.    Multi-site is a great way to reach other social and ethnic demographic groups in your local area.  It is a great way to create non-English speaking services.

6.    To develop a new style of worship

a.    Multi-site is a good way to create a more contemporary or traditional worship service offering.

7.    To reach a new generation.

a.    Multi-site campuses and be a good way to target younger or older age demographics.

8.    Create a more intimate community

a.    The average multi-site campus is 300-400 in weekly attendance.  This creates smaller or medium sized communities for greater relational connections.*

9.    Develop Thought

a.    A multi-site teaching team can create sermons together within a team model.  This can open doors to share research, illustrations and develop deeper thought.

10. Because you are bored and need a new challenge.

a.    Ready for another challenge?  Leaders need to be challenged.  Maybe you have accomplished your goals and want to expand the kingdom further.  This is a method to do this to reach more people.

11. Stretch influence.

a.    Studies show that people have difficulty engaging if they live farther than 15 minutes from their church.  This creates closer and deeper connections to church community.

Portions of this have been gathered from 125 Tips For Multi-Site Churches and Those Who Want to Be.  By Jim Tomberlin and Ben Stroup.  E-book.