10 Wineskins

by Doug Balzer

As a kid growing up, those in my school largely watched the same T.V. shows, listened to the same music and looked as if our families of origin were from the same part of the world.  Culture was a little simpler, less diverse and more predictable that the environment I am raising my kids in today.  Times have changed and there is no indication that the process is slowing any time soon.  ABBA, however, is still cool.

Back in those days church multiplication (referred to then as ‘church planting’) was also relatively simple, straight forward and somewhat predictable in terms of the methods used.  With an increasingly diverse culture we are witnessing a growing number of expressions of the church in society and this is good Continue Reading »

Crosspoint Church is launching in the fall of 2010!  Beulah Alliance Church, several other area  CMA churches and the WCD are partnering together to see a new church emerge in the NE region of Edmonton.  Pre-Launch services begin on September 12 and the Public Launch is scheduled for October 17th!  Check out their website @ www.thecrosspointchurch.ca/

The Sol Cafe is being relaunched in Cafe Dabar on Whyte Ave on May 30th, at 5:07pm.  The sol café is a Christian community that formed in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, on a quest to learn more about God in an “un-church” environment.   Next Christian Community (St. Albert) is partnering with them to see a strengthened faith community in this part of Edmonton.

Crosspoint Church is still in its infancy stage of growth. Like most babies, we are marked by curiosity, first words, baby-steps and the promise of a bright future.  When parents raise their kids, they have hopes and dreams of who they will become.  They do their best to nurture and lead their children towards these aspirations.  Sometimes life comes along and helps, sometimes it gets in the way.

We too have dreams about who we will become in Crosspoint Church.  We’re trying to envision our future together.  But we know that our journey with God doesn’t always turn out exactly how we planned it.

In these pages you will discover our vision for who we will become.

Continue Reading »

www.airdriealliance.com

Avatar is now the highest grossing movie of all time at close to $1.9B worldwide. CNN.com recently posted an article titled: Audiences Experience “Avatar” Blues.  (http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/11/avatar.movie.blues/index.html). The article sheds light on the deeper impacts of the blockbuster movie on some viewers, including depression and suicidal thoughts. To be honest, I too felt an emotional low when the movie ended. In the hours and days that followed however, I sensed a need to provide a thoughtful response to the diverse reactions that the movie going masses have had to Avatar. The following is a summary of those reflections. Continue Reading »