Crossroads Moving into Old St George

[kjbrill]

Originally Posted by flashes1

500 guys at the Mason Crossroads mens' retreat last weekend. 500 on the waiting list. I'm not a member, but they're doing something right. My in-laws know the lead pastor from his youth----sounds like he's matured and grown into a fine fellow. A little liberal for their tastes, but seemingly everything else is okay.

I agree they must be doing something right as their rise is phenomenal. Until I see something concrete that they are not what they portray I am not about to knock them

[kjbrill]

When I suddenly saw the church I grew up in was about as hypocritical as it gets when it comes to practice what you preach I had a very pessimistic attitude to organizations like Crossroads.

Until they exhibit the extravagant wastes of a Tammy and Jim Bakker organization plus the constant public appeal for more money, I am more than willing to give them their lead. As said, must be doing something right, people are thronging behind them.

[Sarah Perry]

Originally Posted by Misfit Toy

I know that in 20-years-behind-the-times Cincinnati, it can seem threatening to have church like Crossroads take over the old St. George. But please know, the old St. George is now in very good hands, though I am admittedly biased as a member of Crossroads.

If one of the "mainstream" churches in Cincinnati had the means and the will to take on this project, they would have done so by now.

Crossroads, on the other hand, has a risk-taking spirit that is sorely lacking in most parts of our fair metro region. Yes, I know that their current stock of square box arenas may not inspire much confidence in a project like this. But would you prefer old St. George sit empty as yet another symbol of urban blight?

If you all have a church that works well for you, by all means please keep doing what works for you. As for me, I just know if I'm going to a church that receives both a ton of praise and a ton of criticism...I'm exactly where I need to be.

A bunch of polls and studies have begun saying that the generation of 20-something people (is that post-Millenial?) is hungry for a more traditional, intimate, reflective style of worship. I'd be super-impressed if Crossroads has tapped into that and plans to turn old St. George into a worship space which is--in relation to their style--"counterculturally traditional." That would be a TRULY exciting innovation, and that's what I'll be watching to see--whether whatever is left of the interior remains, or whether it's stripped and turned into just another big box like the one in Oakley.

But to answer your question, absolutely no, I wouldn't rather see it sit empty--regardless of what happens.

[Wilson513]

I think CR is pretty innovative. But, someone has to tell Brian that the music needs to be a little more edgy. When one combines bland rock with Christian lyrics, one get a weak result. Brian needs to learn that some of the best most moving rock and roll had lyrics that no one knew or understood. They would do better by amping it up a little and losing the lyrics. People's imagination is what connects them to the music anyway.

But, CR is light years ahead of the Catholic Masses with the pathetic guitar and flute and no drummer. One cannot reach the soul of an audience without drums.

[Sarah Perry]

Originally Posted by Wilson513

I think CR is pretty innovative. But, someone has to tell Brian that the music needs to be a little more edgy. When one combines bland rock with Christian lyrics, one get a weak result. Brian needs to learn that some of the best most moving rock and roll had lyrics that no one knew or understood. They would do better by amping it up a little and losing the lyrics. People's imagination is what connects them to the music anyway.

But, CR is light years ahead of the Catholic Masses with the pathetic guitar and flute and no drummer. One cannot reach the soul of an audience without drums.

When I talk about counter to Crossroads' existing culture, I'm talking about something like this--just for instance. Must have something going for it, in light of the fact that tens if not hundreds of thousands of people--mostly in their teens and 20s--flock to the monastery from all over the world every year.

If something like this is what's on the radar of the leaders of Crossroads, I WILL be impressed.

http://youtu.be/t4Svh-9ohg4