What comes to mind when you hear the word "church"? What feelings, thoughts, or memories surface? Maybe you have a vivid memory of attending church with a friend or relative. Perhaps you recall a time when the church provided a safe haven during a tough period in your life. Or maybe the word "church" brings to mind more difficult associations—hypocrisy, racism, or homophobia. For some, "church" might not evoke anything at all.

 

The reality is that church, and our experiences with it, are complicated. Your experience matters, and your feelings are valid. We can't dismiss them as relics of the past because our past shapes how we approach the church today. Whether your history with the church has been positive, negative, or somewhere in between, thank you for showing up. Thank you for taking a risk to understand what this church strives to be amid the often rough and rocky landscape of religion in America.

 

In the past 20 years, it’s become common to hear the phrase, “Church is messy,” as if it's inevitable and absolves us from responsibility for that mess. But we can’t ignore the damage that has been done. Perhaps you bear the emotional, mental, or physical scars of that damage. In my view, messiness isn't a given. It's a product of how church is conducted, not a necessary outcome. The antidote to messiness is not perfection, but clarity. When a church has clarity around its values, vision, and goals, it minimizes confusion and harm.

 

This nine-week class offers a clear, honest look at Crossroads Church. We'll explore how this community seeks to be a light of justice, hope, and faith in a world where church is often linked with injustice, judgment, and rules. Explore what it means to connect with a faith-filled, hope-driven community in a world longing for healing. From embracing a Jesus-centered, action-oriented faith to cultivating spaces of laughter, creativity, and radical inclusion, this series equips and inspires everyday peacemakers to participate with others and model for our world a faith that is compassionate, resilient, and transformative.