1. Who attended? Erica. (Bradley was out of town today.)
2. CHURCH HOP RANKINGS:
How was the experience?
1: I was so uncomfortable and/or offended that I did not stay to the end of services.
10: This church was welcoming and thought-provoking. I would recommend that others experience this church.
ERICA: 9.9? It was really awesome!
3. Picture(s) of the church
4. Name/location of the church:
Crossroads Community Church
3500 Madison Road
Cincinnati, OH 45209
http://crossroadscommunity.net
5. Was it recommended to Church Hop?
Yes! My friend Kim attends this church and she invited me along. (Thanks Kim!)
6. Time/duration of services:
10:30am--11:30am
7. What type of religion did the church cater to?
I asked Kim if they were non-denominational, and she said that they were inter-denominational. Maybe it's a small distinction but I think it's an important one-- it sounds a lot more accepting, to me.
8. Who did you meet?
I met Kim's friend Christine, who was very nice and eager to introduce me to other people.
9. If applicable, scans of handouts, tracts, etc
(sorry for the terrible scan)
10. Church Hopper’s personal experience with the church, additional details:
ERICA: The only reason I couldn't give this church a full-out ten is that it didn't "convert" me. (I have to leave some room for that, don't I?!)
Kim lives pretty far away from this church, and on the way there I was trying to figure out why she didn't go to one that was much closer. Well, it all made sense when I got there. This church is amazing.
It's huge, for one thing. The picture shown in #3 is merely the atrium where people gather, chat, pick up free coffee/juice, pick up free recordings of past sermons, etc. The auditorium is enormous (Kim says they cater to 6,000 people per weekend, roughly), and the A/V was spectacular. I am definitely going to go back to this church when Bradley is in town, because I know he will love it.
The sermon itself was really relevant and down-to-Earth. I loved the part when the speaker (Brian Wells, who Kim says is an assistant pastor) mentioned that there was a broad spectrum in the room, between people who read the Bible as a piece of interesting fiction, and those who read it as the Truth. He didn't harp on which side of the spectrum was "right," only that it's up to you to decide how you're going to read it, and how literally you're going to take things.
He was a great speaker... very articulate, good vocabulary, humorous, like when he mentioned that you could come to him with questions about "the Bible, soccer, or how to please a woman." He never followed that up with a "just kidding," or anything, and the whole congregation was laughing hysterically. He kept the mood really light but he dealt with some serious subject matter, and he did so in a very academic sense. Good anecdotes, good life analogies, good metaphor, the works. Finally, a sermon where I wasn't counting the minutes.
Brilliant. Loved this church. If I were going to settle down I would have to consider this one. There were so many different types of people there, and there was such a great atmosphere. Everything was relaxed but obviously not just showy for the purpose of being showy-- it really seemed like a place where you could get in touch with yourself. I see why Kim spends so much time volunteering with them and everything. I can't wait to see it again with Bradster.
6 comments:
This church sounds wonderful. I want to go! I like the sound of inter-denominational, but I always thought of myself as Pandenominational. "Inter" is nice, but it still gives me the feel of groups that combine for function, but seperate themselves in belief and discussion of those beliefs. "Pan," from the latin for bread, gives me an image of group of people unified in the way a family of differently-minded people might share their thoughts around the dinner table. I could really get into my feeling about faith deeply here, but I'll just say I think these people sound like they've got it right.
And, really, where better to get tips for pleasing a woman than from a representative of the designer. :-P
This is the church where many of my church-going friends go and none of them has a single bad thing to say about the place. It is apparently the church for young people in an area that caters to young people. Plus I drive past it on my way to Target all the damn time.
My brother lives in Cincinnatti and attends Mt. Carmel Christian Church and he recommended this blog to me.
I am apart of the "christian conservative" and found your view absolutely refreshing. I wish more people would at least look at a church or even God before dismissing it. Also, it is really good for churches to see because they often don't see how weird church can be for those who have never gone, a kind of can't see the forest for the tree thing. I hope you will consider going into other areas.
Having been raised in the Methodist and Assemblies of God churches, Crossroads was the first church where I found God to be exciting and intriguing. Not to mention, they not only accept artists but have so many opportunities for artists (of all types) to use their gifts. This is a very diverse community from both a racial and age standpoint. My kids are super excited to go to Crossroads, and I don't ever remember feeling like that about church as a kid.
I love Crossroads! I have gone there many a-time, facing close to 30 minutes driving time there and another 30 back. I haven't been lately, but I need to go back. I felt that it didn't matter if Tome (head pastor) or Wells (associate) is delivering the message, it feels like they are speaking directly to me. It's just amazing. I'm glad you had a good experience.
I have been attending Crossroads for about a year and a half now. I was raised Catholic and quit attending church when I was about 13ish. I went here one day to see my second cousin get baptized and have been back every weekend since!! Like you stated, there are a wide variety of levels of "beliefs" that attend. This is one of the reasons I love this place. It is a great community of people. I could go on about this place for a while, but let me just say that I'm so glad to have found this place. Going here has helped me look at my life and change things that I needed to change and see things, good and bad, that I might not have seen or chose not to.
I'm glad you had a nice experience here and hope that you might stop back and see us again!!
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