Crossroads has a particular need at present. It’s a concrete numbers need in the short-term and also a conscientious response to the rapidly-changing landscape of Church in the long-term (more to come on that soon). But before we get to the need, I’ll start with where we are right now.

Last week, we wrapped up our Shame-Less series. I heard from many of you that the Sunday messages, the small groups, reading Kelly Flanagan’s Loveable book, and hearing him speak in person have been helpful and inspiring and have allowed you to release (or at least lessen) the burdens of shame so you can live happier and more fulfilling lives. What great news!

A central part of Kelly’s message focuses on connecting with the loveable child within us all. This child is loveable for being curious and for asking questions. This child is loveable for being creative and for coloring outside of the lines. This child is loveable for expressing emotion. This child is loveable for making mistakes. This child is loveable just for existing. This child is loveable as a child of God, which each of us are. No matter what age, no matter what we do, no matter how connected or disconnected we may feel, we are all loveable as God’s children.

One way we can remind ourselves of this truth is by being with children, with young people, with developing minds and spirits who are often unashamedly curious, creative, emotional, and mistake-making and yet who, blessedly, have not yet been conditioned to think that this somehow makes them unlovable. By reminding them that they are children of God, we’re simultaneously reminding ourselves that we are too.

This is certainly something you can practice with your own children and grandchildren, as many of you already do in your daily lives. I’ve heard you speak of the joy it brings to you to be fully present and connected with your children and grandchildren, especially whenever that inner light gets sparked inside them and they light up with joy or inspiration or laughter and you’re able to remember who they are and who you are at the core, if only for a moment. Did you know that I have a granddaughter? Indeed, you do. And, indeed, she’s my greatest teacher.

What about within our church community? How can we assure our children and students that they are loveable? As a church family how can we remind them of God’s love for them?

Here is the need. Within the next few months, we need to mobilize around 65 adults to be with our children and students on Sunday mornings and some Sunday evenings, at Passage events and overnight retreats, and at occasional gatherings on afternoons and weekends throughout the week.

Now you might be reading that and saying to yourself, “I’m no Biblical expert. How can I teach Sunday School?”. Don’t worry. All of the materials you need will be provided for you and thoroughly explained in advance.

Moreover, the model for traditional Sunday School, which was based on memorization and repetition and an “all-knowing” teacher standing at the front of the room lecturing and providing information, is changing. Today, spiritual formation is about asking questions, admitting where you’re curious or challenged (for both young people and adults), sharing spiritual practices together (and snacks!), and, above all, being authentic.

We need you to be there to talk with our children and students, to encourage them, to listen to them, to befriend them, to laugh with them, and, all in all, to embody the love of Jesus for them by leading from your heart.

Every year we raise nearly $300,000 in both the Lenten/Easter and Christmas offerings. At first glance, it would be easy to say there is no way we can do that. Yet year after year we do. Some will say there is no way we can mobilize 65 people to be with our children and students. But I say, if we can raise $300,000, then we can surely mobilize 65 people and connect, one loveable child of God to another, in an intentional ongoing way.

I am inviting you to partner with me to pray about this matter. Pray about how you might be able to invest one Sunday a month to be the hands of God’s love and compassion for our children and students. Each day in the morning email, there is an additional prayer for you and me to pray called Prayer For Generations to Come. That’s the theme of our initiative - For Generations to Come: Building a Legacy of God’s Love in the World.

If you’re ready to sign up right now, all you have to do is click here . Thank you for doing the work of boldness and courage by being a church family that shows up for our children and students with a willingness to learn and grow alongside them. Thank you for being the presence of God’s love with skin on. Our children and students need us, and we need them.

Blessings and Gratitude Abound,