Next Steps
We believe that a journey is all about next steps. Being a Christ follower is all about knowing we are on a journey. We want to help everyone take the next right step and keep moving so they can live the way God intended them to. To assist in your journey we have developed three classes to break things down. We'd like to think its as easy as 1-2-3.
Journey Classes
Journey 1-MEMBERSHIP- Want to know how to become a member or what we are all about? If that is the case then this class is for you. Intro to Crossroads covers 0ur Statements, Strategy, and Structure.
Journey 2-MATURITY- Living things grow! If you are alive in Christ you should be growing. Come discover the habits of spiritual maturity, prayer, quality time with God, and stewardship.
Journey 3-MINISTRY- Wanna know how you can make a difference. Find out how God has hardwired you for serving in the church. Discover Your SHAPE for ministry determining your Spiritual Gift & Serving Others.
We realize everyone is at a different place on the journey. We definitely don't expect everyone to be the same or jump through a bunch of religious hoops. We do however encourage everyone who has come to a saving relationship with Jesus to be baptized. We do mass baptisms at three different times during the year. One in the fall one in early spring and one in the summer. Check the worship guide or website news for details.
BAPTISM
What is water baptism?
Baptism is a public, outward testimony that indicates a personal, inward faith. It gives evidence of the inner change that has already occurred in the believer's life through faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism identifies the believer with the message of the gospel, the Person of Jesus Christ, and other believers. It associates the believer with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and signifies the believer's death to the old life and his or her resurrection as a new creation in Christ (Romans 6:1-8; Colossians 2:12).
Why We Should Be Baptized?
We are to be baptized because Jesus Christ commanded it (Matthew 28:19), and because we love the Lord. Jesus said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15). Throughout the book of Acts, we read how the early church gave importance to water baptism (2:41; 8:12, 38; 9:18; 10:47-48; 16:15, 33; 19:3-5).
Who Should Be Baptized?
All believers in Jesus Christ-and only believers-should be baptized (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 8:12, 36-38; 16:31-33; 18:8).
Why do we baptize by immersion?
As we read the New Testament, we see people being taken down into water and brought back up (Matthew 3:16, Acts 8:38-39). The Greek word 'baptizo' means to immerse. Immersion is a picture of being buried and raised to new life in salvation (Romans 6:4). This is not a major doctrinal issue with us- we are more concerned with our hearts' condition with Jesus. But, we want to practice scripture as closely as we understand it.