In this issue:
Strategic Planning /
C
lass Packages
/ RCL Notes
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MY WAYS ARE NOT YOUR WAYS
/ AUGUST 2018
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For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you a hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
Is it not ironic how often we are faced with uncertainty in our lives? A loved one becomes ill, we face stress at work, or we are uncertain what path lies before us financially, in health, in relationships. We find ourselves asking God, ourselves, or others meaningful questions. Questions like, “Why?” or, “What could possibly happen next?” or “What is it that God wants from (or for) me?”
God’s promises throughout the Bible are always true, and in Jeremiah 29, the Lord even declares it: He knows. In fact, He knows exactly what plans He has for us—and even more so—plans that are going to prosper us and not harm us. Even when life is filled with uncertainties, God is still in control!
Recently, the Crossways International (CI) Board of Directors, Theological Council and I have begun a planning process to ensure the continuation of the ministry for CI. In the months ahead, the outcome of these planning efforts will be presented to you—our friends—and all who commit to support CI as members.
We are working intentionally—and prayerfully—to extend the life of the mission, but we cannot do this without God’s help—and yours. We can count on God’s promises. Please join the Board, the Theological Council, and me in continuing to expand God’s kingdom today.
Thank you and may God bless you.
Kate Silvas / Executive Director
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C
rossways International
®
(CI) is looking for followers of Christ who would like to become Members of CI and be
eligible to serve on the Board of Directors and elect two members of the Board annually
.
A Member is a follower of Jesus who is willing and able to commit time, talent, and treasure to enhance, expand, and extend Crossways International's mission and ministry.
Please click on the below link to access the application.
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STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS UNDERWAY
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The Board of Directors and Theological Council met for a day and a half for a strategic planning retreat. With the assistance of Board Secretary, Cindy Beaver, the retreat convened at the Dakota Public Library on Friday, July 13 and resumed on Saturday, July 14 at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Apple Valley, MN.
The purpose of the retreat was to confirm the missional vision of the organization, set a course for the future of Crossways International
®
(CI) and to begin to create a strategic business plan. Margo Bush of Margo International facilitated the discussion.
Participants included: Tim Schmitt, board chairman; Cindy Beaver, board secretary; and board members Alan Erickson, the Rev. Jim Vehling, and the Rev. Jacob Hoyer; the Rev. Dr. Harry Wendt, and Chloris Wendt, co-founders; and theological council members Tim Schaefer, the Rev. Barry Kolb, and Dr. Catherine Cory. Executive Director, Kate Silvas, also attended the event.
Chloris and Harry Wendt enthusiastically embraced the vision being cast for the organization. “I am so pleased to see the legacy of CI being carried forward into the future,” said Dr. Wendt. “I’m astonished and overjoyed by the direction being laid out for Crossways International.”
The Board has directed Mrs. Silvas to continue development of the business plan with the assistance of Mrs. Bush. Please stay tuned for more details.
Kate Silvas / Executive Director
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SCRIPTURE AND THE AUTHORITY OF GOD:
HOW TO READ THE BIBLE TODAY /
N.T. WRIGHT
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This book is not what I thought it would be about. When I purchased the book, based on the title, I thought I would be learning about how we can be assured that the Bible is the authoritative Word of God. Instead it describes the challenge the church currently faces in trying to answer the question, “What does Scripture say?” The debates on this topic often wind up undermining people’s confidence in the authority of the Bible. In Wright’s words: “Taken as a whole, the church clearly can’t live without the Bible, but it doesn’t seem to have much idea how to live with it.” In this book, Wright provides helpful guidance on how to read the Bible today, providing definitions of what the authority of Scripture means in action, thereby restoring Scripture to a place where we can find God’s voice today.
Wright spends quite a bit of time providing the history of scriptural interpretations and biblical scholarship throughout the past two millennia which has resulted in the confusion we now face. He then provides a series of recommendations for how we can get back on track. He ends the book with two case studies, on Sabbath and monogamy, that demonstrate how the proposals he suggests can be applied.
Read more.
Cindy Beaver / Board of Directors Member
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NEW RESOURCE CATALOG AVAILABLE
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We are excited to announce this valuable resource tool is now available! To request a copy, call our office at (800) 257-7308 or email your address with the subject "catalog" to
info@crossways.org
and we'll mail one to you.
New items include teaching graphics for all courses on
USB
flash drives
, and
The Biblical Tell-Tale Time-Lines
translated into Spanish and French. We have also added special mission p
ackages which include the new time-lines.
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Follow us on
Twitter
to keep up with all of our latest news and events!
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REVISED COMMON LECTIONARY NOTES
"
In asking for a sign, the crowds refer to the fact that God provided their forefathers with manna during their time in the wilderness (John:6:30–31; see also Exodus 16:4–35). Although the manna ceased to fall after the Israelites entered the land (Joshua 5:10–12), they believed that it would fall again when the Messianic Age broke in:
- And it will happen at that time that the treasury of manna will come down again from on high, and they will eat of it in those years because these are they who will have arrived at the consummation of time (2 Baruch 29:8).
Some thought that although the manna was hidden by Jeremiah (2 Maccabees 2:4–8), it would reappear miraculously at Passover in the last days. However, Jesus declares that He is the True Bread of Life come down from heaven and that He gives and sustains true life throughout time and eternity.
”
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SIGN UP FOR INSPIRATIONAL PASSAGES
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Colossians
3:15-17
15
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.
16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.
17
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (NRSV)
To receive a daily inspirational Bible passage like this one, send an
email with the subject "Daily Verse" to
info@crossways.org
or change your email preferences by clicking on the "update profile" link at the bottom of this newsletter and selecting "A Daily Bible Verse."
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JOIN A CLASS OR WEBINAR
Looking for a Crossways International
®
class near you? Visit our
Class Map
for locations and details! Interested in starting your own class? We're happy to help you with planning and promotion. Just call
800-257-7308
or email
info@crossways.org
.
You can also join us online! Our
webinars
provide an interactive way to promote discussion and answer questions. They're the perfect resource for leaders preparing to teach a class within their own congregation, and a great opportunity for learners who prefer to study on their own. Click on a webinar below to learn more!
September 13: 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. (CST)
October 17: 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. (CST)
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MINNEAPOLIS TRAIN
ING SEMINAR
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Crossways
®
Training Seminar
August 27-31, $350
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church
Apple Valley, MN
Register today! This Training Seminar provides an intense overview of the grand sweep of the biblical narrative and will help you feel well-prepared to teach or facilitate discussion of
Crossways
, our most in-depth course.
- August 27: 8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. — Check-in & Presentation
- August 28, 29, 30: 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. — Presentation
- August 31: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. — Off-Site Presentation of Best Practices
Or
Click Here
for more information on materials, lodging, and group discounts.
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Get ready for your next Bible study with
Class-Size Package Deals
.
Each narrative package includes: 10 student manuals and 10 workbooks, plus a variety of helpful items combined for added savings and convenienc
e.
Short course packages include the DVD of Dr. Wendt teaching the course.
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They are available for all CI courses and may be d
ownloaded for free at
www.crossways.org,
or you may order professionally printed copies through us.
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It features four lectures
from the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Bailey.
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1" and 2 1/2" sizes are perfect for easy access to your manuals and workbooks.
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It features CI's logo—a silent witness and great conversation starter.
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Dear Lord and Savior, we thank and praise You for all that You did for us, and for all that You continue to do for us. Empower us through Your Holy Spirit to grow in our understanding of Your Good News and to share it with others. Inspire and equip us to bear witness to those around us so that more might experience joy and meaning in this life, and have a sure hope for the life to come. In Your precious and saving name we pray. Amen. (From
The Apostles' Creed for the New Millennium
student manual)
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