MEET PASTOR JOE
Hello!
I have been serving at Crossroads in a variety of roles since December 1999 and am happy to now be serving as Senior Pastor. As Crossroads Community Church moves into its sixteenth year of existence, we look back at the people who have led us, the founding families and the Pastors Rick Miller, Kelly Voigt and Mark Freier, and say thanks for getting us here.
Danny DiVito, that short, funny actor starred in a film called "Other People's Money." The theme of the movie, which I hope they show at Wildwood, is how to make a fortune on Other People's Money.
That is also the theme of Church and Change.
No one asked for a Popcorn Cathedral of Rock. A few rich people funded it for a time. Don't ask who or how much, because it is Other People's Money.
Jeske, Sorum, and Company are building a new Hope school, costing millions - with Other People's Money.
Jeske had his hand out for $250,000 for Time of Grace - and got it. Don't criticize: it is Other People's Money.
Parlow neeed a Lifecoach grant, so he got $50,000 for St. Mark Depere. That may sound silly, but it was from Other People's Money.
Rock and Roll Lutheran (in name only) got an Antioch grant for $20,000. They wanted $200,000. Perhaps they did not pray hard enough. The Catholic Church invented meatless Fridays, but Rock and Roll invented Lentless Sundays. If Buddy Holly's birthday falls on Easter this year, it is hard to figure which event will be celebrated.
Church and Chicaneries have a good scam going. Most of their money comes from faithful church members, who are guilt-tripped into buying Thrivent insurance or die hoping that their money is a Means of Grace. Where does all this loot go? Churches aimed at people who hate church. Their so-called evangelism theme is - We have an entertaining and exciting place for those who hate sermons, hate the cross (Willow Creek), hate traditional hymns, hate Creeds, and hate the liturgy. Read the Ski website for their message, which is anything but fidelity to the Word. Mockery of the Word is their theme.
And this is not new. Just as Ski's sermons are modeled after Craig Groeschel's, his website is a copy of CrossRoads in S. Lyons. I do not mean that the genius minds behind the CORE sat down to copy CrossRoads. It is just the same old Dreck decade after decade. Here are a few choice quotes from the WELS mission that is now Evangelical Covenant:
"Church music doesn't have to sound 'different.' It can sound just like the music people listen to every day. At Crossroads you won't find a pipe organ, but you will find great music appealing to a variety of tastes...Who says church has to be boring? In many of our services the Crossroads Drama Team makes us laugh or cry, and take a hard look at ourselves."
Crossroads Community Church,
Pastor Rick Miller (WELS),
"Would you be interested in a church that offers...Practical and Relevant Messages? Contemporary Music and Drama? Friendly People Who Are Interested in You? A Non-threatening Environment Where You Can Investigate a Relationship with God? Maybe Crossroads Is For You!...Targeted for September, '92, Sunday morning 'seeker' service designed to introduce Christianity in the most practical relevant way possible!"
Crossroads Community Church,
Pastor Rick Miller (WELS),
"PREPARING FOR HOLY COMMUNION. BECAUSE...I am very sorry for my sins...I trust only in Jesus as my Savior from sin...I receive from the Sacrament the forgiveness and strength I need to amend my life...I believe the words of my Lord that His Body and Blood are REALLY PRESENT in Holy Communion. Therefore I announce my desire to partake of the Lord's Supper:...
Crossroads Community Church,
Pastor Rick Miller (WELS),
"Since several brothers have asked about the status of Rick Miller, I provide the following information. Rick has asked for a release from his call at Huron Valley Lutheran High School in order to serve a group of people as their pastor and to help organize them as an independent Christian congregation. The group is composed of some former members of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Plymouth, of some former members of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Livonia, and some people who have left LC-MS churches. The group has stated that it has a different philosophy and style of ministry, which includes drama, contemporary music and a thematic form of worship and liturgy, which allows for greater personal participation by its female members. The group has also stated that it would like to retain fellowship relations with our Wisconsin Synod."
District President Robert Mueller,
President's Report to the Conferences,
Fall, 1991
Note: the congregation has women lectors
p. 2f.
"As an independent group it does not plan to use the name 'Lutheran' in its title. It will be known as The Crossroads Christian Church...For the present, Rick Miller is still a pastoral member of the WELS...At that time [January 31, 1992, submission of a constitution] the fellowship question will be determined on the basis of the group's doctrinal statements and practices."
District President Robert Mueller,
President's Report to the Conferences,
Fall, 1991
p. 3.
"Several of our brothers have been warning us to be careful about the leaven of The Church Growth Movement and the insidious Reformed doctrine contained within. Not a few of us have heard their warning and have thought to counter the danger by saying we will weed out the erroneous material and use only that which is proper and beneficial to the Lord's work in our congregations. Fellow-shepherds, there is some evidence to show that that is exactly what the devils wants us to think. That seems to be used to lull us and our members into sleep, and without our intending it, the soul-harming false doctrines creep in undetected, under the guise of religious printed materials and programs."
Michigan District President Robert Mueller, (WELS),
"President's Report to the Conferences, Spring, 1991,
p. 2.
"Crossroads Community Church. Comfortable Contemporary Creative Services Sunday Evenings 6 pm South Lyon High School Pontiac Trail and Eleven Mile (313) 591-4087
Newspaper ad Crossroads, Pastor Rick Miller (WELS)
See District President Mueller's report
"You may not have noticed, but Crossroads has changed its name!...Why the change [from Crossroads Christian Church]? First, we were told that the original name implied a denominational affiliation. Also, we believe that the 'community' label identifies us more closely with the philosophy of ministry at Willow Creek Community Church. We want to begin referring to ourselves more and more as a 'community' of fully devoted followers of Jesus."
Pastor Rick Miller, (WELS),
Crossroads Community Church,
News and Information for January, 1992,
p. 1.
"CROSSROADS CALLS SECOND PASTOR. On January 5th, Crossroads extended a call to Kelly Voigt, currently pastor of a mission church in Tallahassee...Kelly would be responsible for heading up outreach activities and the preparation needed before Seeker Services can begin. He would be the speaker for the Seeker Services, while Pastor Rick would continue delivering the New Community messages."
Pastor Rick Miller, (WELS),
Crossroads Community Church,
News and Information for February, 1992,
Seeker Services are endorsed by Pastor Robert Hartman,
Pastor Jim Huebner, in the evangelism seminar video tape.
p. 1.
See Indianapolis Star story on Dan Kelm.
"PHILOSOPHY OF MINISTRY AT CROSSROADS...Conduct seeker services... Provide small group leadership. At Crossroads, as people come to know Jesus they are encouraged to participate in groups of 8 to 10 people who meet weekly for 2 years of fellowship, holding one another accountable, discipleship training, encouragement and support. 1 Thess. 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up."
Pastor Rick Miller, (WELS),
Crossroads Community Church,
1 Thessalonians 5:11.
"There is no Church Growth Movement Program in our synod. Our church body is opposed to the false theology of the Church Growth Movement. We have no programs inside or outside the budget with that name. Nor do we have any programs with a different name which utilize Church Growth theology."
Wayne D. Mueller, Administrator for the BPS, WELS,
"A Response to 'Saving Souls vs. New Programs,'"
The Northwestern Lutheran, November 1, 1991,
February 1, 1992
p. 50.
"There may be pastors or congregations which use methodology which church growth people use. This does not mean they have adopted the theology of the Church Growth Movement. Our Lutheran Confessions allow complete freedom among our churches in methodology that does not conflict with the gospel."
Wayne D. Mueller, Administrator, Parish Services,
"A Response to 'Saving Souls' vs.'New Programs,'"
The Northwestern Lutheran,
February 1, 1992
p. 50.
Origin of the Seeker Service (see Crossroads Community): "When he challenged them to invent a service that would induce their friends to attend, they suggested including contemporary music, dramatic sketches and sermons about problems that are relevant to teen-agers--parents, peer pressure and homework."
WELS Evangelism Workshop IV,
LOCATING THE LOST,
Tom Valeo,
"Market Wise Pastor Strikes Deep Chords with Soft-Sell Pitch,"
Crain's Chicago Business, January 16, 1989
p. C-2.
"Several churches have found a creative and effective way of maintaining an active membership from year to year. Basically, they ask their members--each year--if they wish to continue as members for the coming year...Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (Irvine, CA) also has a 'Covenant of Membership' card. On their 'Covenant Sunday' Pastor Jim Hale encourages persons to come forward in the service and place their card on the altar."
Win Arn,
Win Arn Growth Report, copyright, 1986
709 E Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91101
818-449-4400
Same plan at Crossroads Community Church,
Luther on the Cross
"If, here upon earth, the body is unwilling, not capable of grace and Christ's leading, it must bear the Spirit, upon which Christ rides, who trains it and leads it along by the power of grace, received through Christ. The colt, ridden by Christ, upon which no one ever rode, is the willing spirit, whom no one before could make willing, tame or ready, save Christ by His grace. However, the sack carrier, the burden-bearer, the old Adam, is the flesh, which goes riderless without Christ; it must for this reason bear the cross and remain a beast of burden."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, I, p. 53. First Sunday in Advent Matthew 21:1-9.
"But when our good work is followed by persecution, let us rejoice and firmly believe that it is pleasing to God; indeed, then let us be assured that it comes from God, for whatever is of God is bound to be crucified by the world. As long as it does not bring the cross, that is, as long as it does not bring shame and contempt as we patiently continue in it, it cannot be esteemed as a divine work since even the Son of God was not free from it--(suffering for the sake of the good He did) --but left us an example in this. He Himself tells us in Matthew 5:10, 12: 'Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake.. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven.'"
Commentary on Romans, trans. J. Theodore Mueller, Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1976, p. 55. Matthew 5: 10, 12.; Romans 2:6-10
"On the other hand, we are outwardly oppressed with the cross and sufferings, and with the persecution and torments of the world and the devil, as with the weight of heavy stone upon us, subduing our old sinful nature and checking us against antagonizing the Spirit and committing other sins."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VIII, p. 145. Sixth Sunday after Trinity, Romans 6:6 John 16:20 –
"Such people, however, do not understand divine things, they think they will suddenly enter death with Christ, whom they have never learned to know except in words. Thus was Peter also disposed, but he stood before Christ like a rabbit before one beating a drum. Notice, how the old Adam lacks courage when under the cross! The new man, however, can indeed persevere through grace."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed. John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, III, p. 85. Third Sunday after Easter John 16:16-23
"But wine is sharp and signifies the holy cross that immediately follows. A Christian need not look for his cross, it is always on his back. For he thinks as St. Paul says, 2 Timothy 3:12: 'All that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.' This is the court-color in this kingdom. Whoever is ashamed of the color, does not belong to this king."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, V, p. 30. Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity, Luke 10:23-37; 2 Timothy 3:12
"Observe, God and men proceed in contrary ways. Men set on first that which is best, afterward that which is worse. God first gives the cross and affliction, then honor and blessedness. This is because men seek to preserve the old man; on which account they instruct us to keep the Law by works, and offer promises great and sweet...But God first of all terrifies the conscience, sets on miserable wine, in fact nothing but water; then, however, He consoles us with the promises of the Gospel which endure forever."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, II, p. 69. Second Sunday after Epiphany, John 2:1-11.
"Not only is Christ hidden from the world, but a still harder thing is it that in such trials Christ conceals himself even from His church, and acts as if he had forgotten, aye, had entirely forsaken and rejected it,since He permits it to be oppressed under the cross and subjected to all the cruelty of the world, while its enemies boast, glory and rejoice over it, as we shall hear in the next Gospel."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, III, p. 67. Second Sunday after Easter John 10:11-16.
"Not only is Christ hidden from the world, but a still harder thing is it that in such trials Christ conceals himself even from His church, and acts as if He had forgotten, aye, had entirely forsaken and rejected it,since He permits it to be oppressed under the cross and subjected to all the cruelty of the world, while its enemies boast, glory and rejoice over it, as we shall hear in the next Gospel."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, III, p. 67. Second Sunday after Easter John 10:11-16.
"If we would be Christians, we must surely expect and count on having the devil, together with all his angels and the world, as our enemies. They all will bring misfortune and sorrow on us For where the Word of God is preached, accepted, or believed, and where it produces fruit, the dear, holy cross cannot be wanting."
What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, I, p. 357. Large Catechism
"O Lord, look down from heaven, behold And let Thy pity waken; How few are we within Thy fold, Thy saints by men forsaken! True faith seems quenched on every hand, Men suffer not Thy Word to stand; Dark times have us overtaken. (2) With fraud which they themselves invent Thy truth they have confounded; Their hearts are not with one consent On Thy pure doctrine grounded. While they parade with outward show, They lead the people to and fro, In error's maze astounded. (3) May God root out all heresy And of false teachers rid us Who proudly say: 'Now, where is he That shall our speech forbid us? By right or might we shall prevail; What we determine cannot fail; We own no lord and master. (5) As silver tried by fire is pure From all adulteration So through God's Word shall men endure Each trial and temptation. Its light beams brighter through the cross, And purified from human dross, It shines thru every nation."
The Lutheran Hymnal, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1941, Hymn #260. Psalm 12.
"But now, since the prince of this world and the Holy Spirit, the kingdom of Christ and the kingdom of the devil, are directly opposed to one another, and the Holy Spirit is not willing that anyone should parade his own deeds and praise himself on account of them, the holy cross must soon follow. The world will not consent to be reprimanded for its blindness. Therefore one must willingly submit and suffer persecution. If we have the right kind of faith in our hearts, we must also open our mouths and confess righteousness and make known sin. Likewise we must condemn and punish the doings of this world and make it known that everything it undertakes, is damned."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, III, p. 120. Fourth Sunday after Easter John 16:5-15.
"The deeper a person is sunk in sadness and emotional upheavals, the better he serves as an instrument of Satan. For our emotions are instruments through which he gets into us and works in us if we do not watch our step. It is easy to water where it is wet. Where the fence is dilapidated, it is easy to get across. So Satan has easy access where there is sadness. Therefore one must pray and associate with godly people."
What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, III, p. 1243. 1532
"This a true definition of marriage: Marriage is the God-appointed and legitimate union of man and woman in the hope of having children or at least for the purpose of avoiding fornication and sin and living to the glory of God. The ultimate purpose is to obey God, to find aid and counsel against sin; to call upon God; to seek, love, and educate children for the glory of God; to live with one's wife in the fear of God and to bear the cross; but if there are no children, nevertheless to live with one's wife in contentment; and to avoid all lewdness with others."
What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, II, p. 884. Genesis 24:1-4.
"This is a true definition of marriage: Marriage is the God-appointed and legitimate union of man and woman in the hope of having children or at least for the purpose of avoiding fornication and sin and living to the glory of God. The ultimate purpose is to obey God, to find aid and counsel against sin; to call upon God; to seek, love, and educate children for the glory of God; to live with one's wife in the fear of God and to bear the cross; but if there are no children, nevertheless to live with one's wife in contentment; and to avoid all lewdness with others."
What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols. ed. Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, II, p. 884. Genesis 24:1-4
"Human works and doctrines at all times yield much revenue and carnal gain, while the doctrines of God and the work of Christ bring the cross, poverty, ignominy, and all kinds of calamity, which the holiness of Herod cannot endure. Thus it happens always, that they who have ensnared and oppressed the poor with an erring conscience and with human doctrines, do not like to hear that poor, miserable consciences receive instruction, attain a right understanding, and seek the simple pure Word of God and faith."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, I, p. 376. Epiphany Matthew 2:1-12.
"The apostle says 'our,' 'our sins;' not his own sin, not the sins of unbelievers. Purification is not for, and cannot profit, him who does not believe. Nor did Christ effect the cleansing by our free-will, our reason or power, our works, our contrition or repentance, these all being worthless in the sight of God; he effects it by himself. And how? By taking our sins upon himself on the holy cross, as Isaiah 53:6 tells us."
Sermons of Martin Luther, ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VI, p. 180. Hebrews 1:1-12; Hebrews 1:3;
"This, mark you, is the peace of the cross, the peace of God, peace of conscience, Christian peace, which gives us even external calm, which makes us satisfied with all men and unwilling to disturb any. Reason cannot understand how there can be pleasure in crosses, and peace in disquietude; it cannot find these. Such peace is the work of God, and none can understand it until it has been experienced."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VI, p. 111. Fourth Sunday in Advent, Philippians 4:7.
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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Other People's Money":
Pastor Jackson, I disagree with your blog (especially the tone) on many occasions.
However, I am genuinely sorry about your wife's health concerns and I am truly thankful her tests came out well. I'm writing to let you know that, and to add that I am absolutely appalled by the last poster's comment ("will your wife be going in for more testing soon?")....
I assume you have genuine Christian sympathy for Pastor Stolzenburg (Columbus) upon the death of his wife earlier this week. She was a fine Christian lady.
God bless you and your family.
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GJ - Which wife? Floyd Luther Stolzenburg did not have a Scriptural divorce, as he claimed, a false assertion repeated by WELS pastors. I was genuinely sorry for the trials he imposed on his previous congregations, his first wife, his children, and the marriages he destroyed. One of his conservative associates said, "He betrayed his wife, his children, his congregation, and his conservative friends." He did not leave Missouri voluntarily but was kicked out by his Missiouri District President, who described the reasons for Floyd's defenestration. Jack Preus confirmed the same, but WELS faked innocense.
If his second wife died of cancer, then I am very sorry for that. I knew her from St. Paul's in Germantown. I don't wish disease on anyone. Recently someone hoped for the day when I "finally died," expressing the thought that there would be universal relief. I don't recall any objections posted.
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Anonymouse has left a new comment on your post "Other People's Money":
"The Catholic Church invented meatless Fridays, but Rock and Roll invented Lentless Sundays. If Buddy Holly's birthday falls on Easter this year, it is hard to figure which event will be celebrated."
Uhh...The Lutheran Church has celebrated "Lentless Sundays" for hundreds of years. That is why the 46 days of Lent are only counted as 40.
GJ - As in "Invocabit - The First Sunday in Lent," etc? Mouse is confusing the Easter-y quality of Sunday always being noted, even in Lent. Joe Krohn lamented his Rock and Roll Church not celebrating Lent. I am sure he will elaborate on it in great detail in his defensive blog. Does that mean the Rockers and Lil Rockers will not have to abstain from wearing metal piercings during the Holy Season? I am sure the Holy Father in Rome--or Austin--would be curious.
If you think I am kidding about the Lil Rockers, check out this link. That strikes me as something a shopping mall would do to be cute, but I objected to Bible Babes at another church.
Kenneth Schmidt has left a new comment on your post "Other People's Money":
"Most of their money comes from faithful church members, who are guilt-tripped into buying Thrivent insurance or die hoping that their money is a Means of Grace."
I laughed so hard at that sentence that I nearly spat my tea across the room! Funny and true! That whole paragraph was masterful.
