I is for Invitation

While "crossings" (as the spiritual process whereby God recreates life through the way of the cross of Jesus Christ) has been around since the death and resurrection of Christ, Crossings, Inc. (a servant of that process) began in 1984. In those early, pre-internet days, Crossings ministered primarily in two ways: this newsletter and workshops (usually led by Ed Schroeder). When Ed retired and the internet emerged, the means of the ministry became a different pair: this newsletter and the present listserve ministries of Sabbatheology and Thursday Theology.

While these print and cyberspace ministries have given Crossings a public that far exceeded our wildest imagination, increasingly Crossings partners have expressed interest in renewal of the workshop ministry. For, while cyberspace is a great place to transmit information, something is added (something incarnational) when people meet in "real space" to do crossings face to face.

The weekend format is popular for a Crossings Workshop. Participants meet for three, three-hour sessions (Friday evening, Saturday morning, and Saturday afternoon) to "cross" the Scriptural message with our own lives. In Session I, the group under the direction of the leader "programs" the message of the upcoming Sunday morning text. The resultant "Grounding" is an organization of the text, such as the listserve users receive in Sabbatheology. We discover how the Biblical Writer diagnoses the human problem of daily living in a way that reveals why the Good News of Jesus Christ is the only sufficient solution.

In session II (called "Tracking") the group constructs an honest account of someone's "slice of life." This could be an episode in the life of one of the participants, or a novel or movie or piece of oral history that everyone is acquainted with. It could also be an incident or issue from current events, or a panel of "experts" expounding on an issue. The choice is up to the Workshop Host and would be advertised before hand.

Session III, the "Crossing," then attempts to re-think and re-tell the "Tracking" in light of the "Grounding." This process is like rubbing wool of the gospel story on a glass rod of our present life to see what kind of electrical sparks emerge.

The possibilities of topics and interests to be explored in a Crossings Workshop are as broad as the creation itself and as deep as the gospel we hold dear. It may serve to clarify the faith and strengthen the spiritual health of the members of a congregation. It may help to bring together around the Gospel people from different denominational traditions. It may serve to broaden the ministry horizons of church leaders. It may work to enhance the stewardship possibilities of business people.

If you are interested in exploring the possibility of providing a workshop for your congregation or group, give us a call at (314)576-0567. While you, the host, are responsible for organizing the logistics of the workshop, assistance in planning is available through Crossings, Inc. and the Workshop Leaders. Costs include travel and lodging for the Workshop Leaders plus a stipend that varies based on the length of the Workshop. A brochure is available from Crossings, Inc. to help in your planning. For a taste of what a workshop is like, come to the workshop this June 29 in St. Louis. Robin Morgan and Jerome Burce will be leaders in "The Gospel after Enron: Just Compensation and Real Net Worth."

Steven Kuhl