C - R is for Cross Roads,

as in "Dancing at the Cross Roads Youth Gathering." This mega-event in the year 2000 will bring to Saint Louis thousands of young Christians, more than Pope John Paul II did last week. One of the planners responsible for the "learning experiences" at the gathering has wondered whether Crossings might have suggestions. Her request provides an excuse to explain, once more, the basic idea behind Crossings. I'm taking the liberty of making my letter to her public.

Dear Dr. G,

For your interest in Crossings, thank you. We have found that young people are not scared off by the kind of tough thinking and talking (and laughing) that go into doing theology Crossings-style. Truth is, Crossings started with young people.

Lutherans have long insisted that theology comes down to one thing, to show the need of Jesus Christ -- "making Christ necessary." To do that, where do we start? Answer: in the world. I know it's popular to talk about helping Christians cross over "from church to world" or "from Sunday to Monday." We try to start with the world, as Jesus did, with the needs people already have out in their respective "Monday" worlds.

Trouble is, those worldly needs don't look like they need Christ, not at first glance. And Crossings doesn't encourage the sort of cheap bumper sticker theology that simply declares, "Jesus is the answer." Answer to what? To what all? Is he the answer to acne? On the other hand, before I scoff at the question, I'd better give it a second look. Or even a third look. Maybe there's a depth dimension to the problem that we're overlooking. That's the first thing Crossings tries to do, deepen the diagnosis to where Christ, the gutsy biblical Christ is clearly needed.

So what starts as a skin-deep diagnosis may turn out to be a deeper problem of the "heart." (That's where biblical writers located things like unbelief, insecurity, despair.) And down under the unbelief, very likely, is a problem with God or, to put it bluntly, God's problem with us. If not, if the problem is not a God-problem, it's pretty hard to "need" something so drastic as a God who takes on our flesh and dies in order to rescue us. Who needs all that? Sure, if the problem were only skin-deep, so could the solution be. And in fact isn't that what we're often tempted to do, preach a little Jesus who saves people from little sins?

But now, once the diagnosis hits bottom, it's time to "Cross" over. For that's where Christ meets us, so does the church: not just on the surface of our lives, nor even in our inwardness but in the pits, where God is part of the very problem. In Christ God is saving us not just from the world, not just from ourselves, but from God -- the same God. And here, says the church, is exactly where God wants to be met, at his wondrous cross. Is that what you planners mean by "Crossroads? What a bold pun!

But the Solution doesn't stop there -- I mean, with the cross. Things get even better. The Good News invades the sullen "heart," now retargeting it on Christ, for a whole new Spirited outlook on the world. Which, to complete the loop, is exactly where the Solution brings us back, out into the world, from which originally we had hidden our faces. And once back out there, what do those who have been so dearly Crossed do? Well, you and your planners put it best. They dance -- with the world yet.

The medium we often use is biblical texts, like case histories. See the sample, here enclosed. Hope that helps. Peace and Joy!

rwb