March 2020 Dive Newsletter

**Newsletter updated March 13, 2020**

 

Hey Dive,

 

Some of you may have already heard the news, but if you haven't then let me update you with the latest. Lots has happened this week and COVID-19 updates seem to be a regular occurrence. I'd encourage your to read Crossroads' latest update from Pastor Scott HERE.

 

In short what this means is that Crossroads' leadership have determined it best to cancel all Crossroads activities for two weeks – through March 27. This includes all groups, team meetings, events, and worship gatherings.

 

This means that with our Dive schedule and Spring Break, Dive won't resume until April 5.

 

None of us want to cancel Dive. We're not cancelling because of fear or panic or anxiety. In fact, it's just the opposite. We are making this choice because we believe it's one of the best ways we can show love and care for those who may be vulnerable. Crossroads serves a wide range of people - young and old, special needs, and many in between. It is our deep love for people that compels us to this choice. 

 

I know many of us (especially me!) were looking forward to Dive this week, watching The Riot and the Dance, and having some great discussion. We'll circle back around to it when we get the opportunity. For now, here's a few things to remember:

 

 - You can't cancel church. We are Jesus-followers. We ARE THE CHURCH! Let's live like it. We are full of hope and good news, even in the midst of scary stuff.

 

 - This circumstance is an opportunity to care for people... like really care for them. Remember the church in Acts 2? Check it out:

 

⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³ Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. ⁴⁶ Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

 

 - Reach out to people: your small group leader, your friends, etc. Share prayer requests. Read the Bible together on YouVersion. Keep growing your faith and encouraging others.

 

 - I'd encourage you to follow our social media, particularly our Instagram. We want to create ways to engage and be in community even if we can't gather physically. Social media will be the place to do just that.

 

In the meantime, stay tunes for updates as we get them. I'll be in the office and keeping my regular office hours during the week. There's still lots to do! And if you need anything, reach out to either myself or your small group leader!

 

Love you guys!

 

 - Pastor Rich

Hey Dive families!

 

This month, we're wrapping up our Wisdom series. Over the next few weeks we'll be looking at how wisdom pushes us towards patience, and how wise people use gentle words.

 

After we wrap up this series, we've got a couple of weeks where we're planning to show The Riot and the Dance. It's a nature documentary with a unique twist. It's put together by Dr. Gordon Wilson, a Christian biologist who helps us view creation differently by looking at the effects of sin in creation. And yet, even in the brokenness, the beauty of God's redemptive plan is evident. We're hoping student gain a new perspective for our world and a better understanding of God's handiwork and our relationship and charge to care for it.

 

On the horizon, we'll have info for graduating seniors, summer plans, and more. Stay tuned!

 

Blessings,

 

Rich Gamble

Next Gen Pastor

Crossroads Church

by Matt Markins from https://churchleaders.com/youth/youth-leaders-articles/371115-rhett-link-youtubers-ear-biscuits-popular-with-youth-deconstruct-their-faith.html

 

My kids love Rhett & Link’s Ear Biscuits podcast, but a recent episode where the hosts deconstruct their faith really rocked their worlds. How should youth leaders respond when these things happen?

 

Just this past week we were punched in the gut when our 17-year-old son asked, “can we sit down and have a conversation?” (Gulp, those dreaded words.) Rhett & Link have announced they are no longer Christ followers. In their most recent episodes of Ear Biscuits (episodes 226 & 227), they walk listeners through the deconstruction of their faith. Our son Warren had questions. Lots of questions. Concerns. Doubts. Emotions. Honestly though, I was secretly thinking to myself, “Warren, bro, you’ve been following Jesus for over 12 years now. How is it that a single two hour podcast rocked your world?” Like you as a reader, I’ve heard dozens, even hundreds of stories of people walking away from their faith. So Katie and I checked this out for ourselves. This one was different. After I listened, I was sitting right beside Warren—gut punched. 

 

Read the full article here.

 

Rich's thoughts: Parents, this is a big one. You may not be totally immersed in the online celebrity and influencer culture, but our teens and preteens certainly are! While this article is written more towards church leaders, the author is a parent of a teen and I think there's lots for families to digest here.

 

Honestly, It’s heartbreaking. I’ve followed these guys for a long time. Seemingly, these guys were the "model" Christian church kids – highly engaged, spiritually mature leaders, well versed doctrinally and theologically – and yet they chose through a variety of scenarios over many years, that they no longer believe what used to be so real to them. Their stories will resound with many. And I believe their stories paint a picture of the cultural climate we find ourselves parenting and ministering in.

Yet there is hope! As one thoughtful blog responded: "Rhett and Link’s collective spiritual deconstruction isn’t ultimately a deconstruction of the Christian faith but of Christian subculture." Likewise, The Gospel Coalition said this: "Our cultural moment is a cauldron of information and celebrity worship in which the cult of personality can ferment and grow. With every hit of the like button, the personalities we’ve subscribed to have become our authorities for truth." The Jesus of the Bible, not the many cultural 'Christianities' that are prevalent today, can stand up under any trial, scrutiny, question, or doubt. Let's be strongholds of grace. Let's be people who lean into doubt and ask hard questions as we search for truth. And let's fix our eyes on Jesus - the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Let's be disciples who make more disciples of THAT Jesus. Let's train up "Jesus followers who are resiliently faithful in the face of cultural coercion and who live a vibrant life in the Spirit" (Faith for Exiles).

 

It's possible. It's biblical. Are you in? I am.

 

 - Pastor Rich

by Tony Bianco from https://ministrytoparents.com/3-ways-to-use-technology-to-connect-with-your-kids/

 

Parents have been struggling to connect and understand their children for generations. Your parents wondered why you did the things you did, pondered how to better relate to your interests, and even tried to create moments where they felt less like a parent and more like a friend.

 

It seems like the increase in innovation and reaches through technology would have made that task easier. But the majority of parents find it difficult to break into their kid’s life and connect with them. This blog can help you leave the majority and move into the minority who are connecting to their kid. The surprising hint is that it involves the use of technology!

 

Read the full article here.