Surfing the Inner N8

Insights & Outsights from a Guy Trying to Follow Jesus

Church Stuff

  • Loving God, Loving People

    On Sunday at CrossWay Church we continued the series “The Promised Land” by looking at our strategy for accomplishing our church’s mission.  A brief recap to set the context: the purpose of the church is to glorify God.  That happens when we accomplish our mission, which is to make lifelong followers of Jesus Christ in… Continue reading

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  • Hollywood God

    Starting on February 10 we’re doing a series at CrossWay called “Hollywood God.”  Carolyn designed the invite cards and placed our printing order online, so they should be here in about a week.  Here’s what they’ll look like: Continue reading

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  • Another Preaching Learning Experience

    It seems I’m constantly finding out not only how much I don’t know, but how little I knew there was so much I didn’t know. Make sense?  Welcome to my world. Yesterday when I prepared the latest CrossWay podcast, I learned how important it is to wear the right shirt when I preach.  The recording… Continue reading

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  • Cowboys, Nachos, and the Way of the Cross

    Haven’t blogged in a while.  Lots going on.  A brief recap: On Thursday I spent a day and a night with some other local pastors.  We hung out at a condo on the beach in Ocean City.  We spent time sharing about our current challenges and offering feedback.  Most of the afternoon was used planning… Continue reading

  • Mandi’s Baptism

    Tonight our little friend Mandi got baptized.  Mandi is the precious five-year-old daughter of Pastor Daryl from SonRise Church.  She accepted Christ last September and made her public profession of faith tonight before a crowd at Berlin First Baptist Church, where the baptism was held. We sat with our friend Roger and his two baby… Continue reading

  • The New Norm

    On December 30 Carolyn and I took a little break and visited the Gathering Tree, a nearby church pastored by a friend of ours.  We have a couple at CrossWay Church who have been there for at least a couple years now, Norm and Sara Cain.  Norm is a retired preacher and he filled in… Continue reading

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  • January Church Leadership Meeting

    We had our monthly leadership meeting at CrossWay after church on Sunday.  We talked about launching our community groups ministry, getting children’s church started, and made plans for our next outreach event.  More about those things in the days ahead…. Continue reading

  • The Promised Land: Big Vision

    At CrossWay yesterday we began a five-week series called “The Promised Land.”  It’s essentially about the vision, mission, values, and strategy of our church.  It answers questions like: What is the Promised Land for us today?  How do we get there?  What is it like?  Why is it important? Yesterday we kicked it off by… Continue reading

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  • New CrossWay Sign!

    The new CrossWay sign arrived today. All 600 pounds of it. It was delivered by a freight company and was completely assembled. I’d pictured a couple large pieces in a box. Wrong. It was all one giant piece and housed in nothing but some shabby wooden stuff. But she’s a beaut! When I walked out… Continue reading

  • Preaching Mistake #397

    Tomorrow will be my sixteenth straight Sunday preaching.  This will be the first and hopefully last time I’m doing this.  Trust me, there’s nothing heroic about going four months straight in the pulpit (not that we actually have a pulpit, but you know what I mean).  I’ve gotten myself worn down, and in the process… Continue reading

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