Hearing God 2

Have you ever played the telephone game?  You know, the game where you sit in a line with a group of friends and the first person whispers a thought in the ear of the person next to them.  This thought is then passed down person to person until the last person in line shares out loud what they heard?  If you have ever played this game then you know that messages often lost in translation.

 

This week at Crossroads Church in Cranberry we are continuing our series entitled, Hearing God by looking at what it means to listen to God for others.  Many of us from time to time, have had promptings in our lives to share thoughts with others.  Maybe it was a thought of comfort or encouragement to a person you really did not know was hurting. 

This week we are going to look at what it means to listen to these promptings and how we should share them with others.  I would encourage you to take some time this week and read 1 Corinthians 13, 14 and join us this Sunday as we continue our series on Hearing God.

Hearing God

Have you ever felt in your heart that God is speaking to you?  Maybe you had an impression about something you should do or thought in the back of you mind that just would not go away?  It is in moments like this that we often ask: “Is this me or is God trying to tell me something?”  None of us have a direct audible line to God, but all of us can hear from him if we listen for is voice.

This week at Crossroads Church in Cranberry we are starting a new two-week series entitled:  Hearing God.  Join us this weekend as we learn about how we can hear God’s voice in our own lives. 

5 Measures of a Healthy Church

This week I was meeting with a number of talented young leaders in the United Methodist Church.  In our time together some began to ask about how you measure a healthy church. 

This is an interesting discussion because leading a church is an interesting and difficult challenge filled with all kinds of variables both natural and spiritual; it can also be a very difficult thing to measure.  For young aspiring pastors who want to make a difference in this world, I have pulled the following measures for a healthy church.

1.    Worship

The primary goal of the local church is to help people connect with God.  One good measure of this is observing a warming heart to worship in the body of the local church.  This includes corporate worship but is far greater than the moments of song in a weekend service.  If people are not connecting and growing in their relationship with God it is a sure sign of a problem.

We are created to worship our creator and will worship the created if not taught to worship our creator.  As a result, we as leaders in the local church we need to carefully observe teach and lead our people to real and authentic connections and worship with God.

2.    Community

Another sign of health in a local church is growing heart for others in the local community.  A vibrant church community looks to serve and support each other.  The church is created to support and love each other in seasons of struggle and celebration.  Faith has always been intended to be lived out with others.  From Israel in the Old Testament, to the disciples, to the church this as always was a value and community growth sign of a healthy church.

3.    Mission

A healthy church is focused on the needs of those around them.  The church exists to not only meet the needs of the local body but to also be a blessing to the greater community.  A healthy church is focused on reaching out to others with the good news of the gospel and through good works, which model the love of Jesus Christ.  One great question to ask about your church is this:  “If our church shut down next week outside of weekly services and educational programing (i.e. small groups, bible studies, Sunday school) what would our community miss?  What void would we leave?

4.    Numeral Growth

The church is intended to grow.  We are part of a growing movement, not a club.  If the local church is focused on mission to the greater community and teaching the truth in love it will grow.  In many ways this is a by-product of a healthy church but if you are not growing something is not right. 

5.    Generosity

People invest in things they believe in.  This is not limited too but includes financial investment.  A healthy church cultivates a culture of generosity.  Both to meet the needs of the community and in everyday life.  This too is a by-product of a healthy church.  I have found that when a church is healthy, generous leaders step forward and ask where they can give and the needs of the local church.  Generosity needs to be taught in the local church because our hearts are often tied to the things we own but I have found that if a church is healthy and growing people will want to invest.

Heaven is for Real

Who gets to go to heaven?  What does it look like?  Will our old pet be there?  Is heaven for real?  Heaven is one of those topics that can spark many questions in our minds?  It is a place that invokes our imagination.  Just ask a child what they think heaven will be like and you will marvel at the thoughts that come out of their mouths. 

This weekend at Crossroads Church in Cranberry we will be finishing our series entitled: 4 Reasons for Hope by looking at our final reason, “Heaven is for Real.”  Join us this weekend as we take a look at what Scripture says about heaven and hope it can be a great source of hope in our lives.

See you Sunday,

Pastor Mike

Thoughts for Young Leaders

Today I was part of a great meeting with Pastor Steve Cordle of Crossroads Church and a group of young pastors (under 35) of the United Methodist Church.

At the end of our time together, Steve shared a couple of thoughts for these young leaders and for me it was an incredible moment to hear valuable real-life wisdom from someone who has journeyed with Jesus in ministry for over 20 years.  Here are a couple of his thoughts:

·      Your first job is to be fully lit.  “Is Jesus enough for me to make life full?”

·      Avoid cynicism. It is not good for your soul.

·      Watch burnout. Care for yourself.

·      Keep your vision crystal clear.  Can you say it simply and clearly?

·      Enforce the values  You are the enforcer of these values.  Guard them and do not let people violate them.

·      Don’t adopt a model but let your DNA guide your ministry philosophy.

·      Growth of a church is regulated by the pain tolerance of the local pastor.  Ministry is not easy.

·      Be committed to personal growth.  Be a learner  Leaders are readers.

·      Expect and handle criticism.

·      Remember this is a spiritual war.

·      Learn to manage change.

·      Keep the main thing the main thing:  Love God, Love people.

·      Love everybody, invest in a few.

Just a couple of thoughts for young leaders in the local church.

You Can Be Forgiven

Have you ever carried the heavy burden of guilt?  All of us have failed or made mistakes and know the empty weight that comes with knowing that you are wrong.  This weekend at Crossroads Church in Cranberry we will be continuing our series entitled: 4 Reasons for Hope by looking at how we can know that we are forgiven. 

King David certainly knew the weight that comes when one carries guilt and wrote these words in Psalm 32:  “Blessed in the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.  Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against him.” 

Join us this week as we look at our third reason for hope: You Can Be Forgiven.

See you Sunday,

Pastor Mike

There is a Power Beyond Yourself

“There is a Power Beyond Yourself” is a weekend message I preached at Crossroads Church, a growing multi-site church in Pittsburgh, PA. In this message we look at the hope that comes when we share our struggles with God and others.

4 Reasons for Hope: There is a Power Beyond Yourself from Mike Arnold on Vimeo.

Read what Jesus said in John 14:14.

·      God does indeed have the power to answer any prayer, and sometimes He does answer our prayer exactly or almost exactly the way we ask. When did God do that for you? … Take time to praise Him again today for these powerful answers to prayer!

Read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

·      Paul prayed that God would remove a “thorn” in his flesh, but God did not do it. Why (verses 7 & 9)? Why do you think God sometimes does not answer our prayers in the ways that we ask?

o   In verse 9, what do you think God meant when He told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you”? When did you experience God’s power during a difficult time, even though God did not answer your prayer in the way that you asked?

o   In verse 9, God tells Paul that God’s power is “made perfect in weakness” (NIV), “is strongest when you are weak” (CEV), or “works best in weakness” (NLT). Why do you think that is true?

o   Re-read verse 10. How can you do that in your life?