The Crossing College - Part 1

This is the first in a series of posts on The Crossing College.  At a cursory glance it's obviously an environment that is ripe for spiritual abuse.  I fear the stories that will come from this mockery of education.

This first post has only two main points:

1. This is not a real degree.
2. You will be paying to work for The Crossing.

The Crossing College is offering a Diploma in Biblical Studies and an Associates in Church Leadership & Ministry.  As stated on their website, they qualify for religious exempt status from the Degree Authorization Act.  The exemption requires the following:

● Aimed for and attended by individuals who hold or seek to learn the beliefs of the organization

● Designed to prepare students to become ministers of the church
● No programs not closely related to the organization's beliefs

This "degree" will only be good at The Crossing Church.  You are paying for training to work at The Crossing Church.  Your "credits" cannot be transferred to an actual institution of higher learning. 

Now the Internship program really gets interesting! 

So to be in their "college" you have to also serve for them.  If you are on vacation you are still expected to attend church.  Think they won't be tracking this?  They will be watching your every move!

More posts to come.  You know what this is really all about, don't you?

Spiritual Fathers & Mothers at The Crossing Church

Father's day gave us The Crossing's talk on Spiritual Fathers and Mothers.  Teaching from II Timothy 2: 1-2 [You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.] they teach that you need a Spiritual Father or Mother to teach us to be spiritually strong and successful in life.  

"We can’t change you..only the relationship of someone teaching you the word of God.  Who is the  person you invited into your life to speak to your soul?"  

“You need someone to spiritually mentor you in the gospel”

He says earlier in the talk that Jesus/God will give you the words to say to mentor someone else.  He says that it's God doing the changing in people.   "If this doesn't happen for you, the likelihood of you making it is like watching a DVD and trying to fish."  

So God is limited to your ability or willingness to have a Spiritual Mother/Father?!  

If God is doing the changing then isn't God/Jesus really the Spiritual Parent?

We've already seen the outcome of The Crossing's Spiritual Parenting on One Mother's Journey.  

“The mind of Christ is in you.” “He’ll give you the words to say.”  “I’m probably gonna put some of you that are 15 or 16 IN CHARGE of some of you that are 25.  Because they already have more spiritual learning that some of you that are 15.” 

What the hell!?!?   

From Live Science ""The brain of an 18-year-old college freshman is still far from resembling the brain of someone in their mid-twenties," said Craig Bennett, a graduate student who was involved in the new research. "When do we reach adulthood? It might be much later than we traditionally think."  But hey...if Jesus is in you giving you the words then go on and put a 15 year old with a 25 year old....no possible issues at all!

There are two key words I want you to notice: IN CHARGE.  The Crossing Church loves to be in charge, and loves a hierarchy.  In a relationship no one is in charge.  One might have more wisdom but there is still mutual respect and equality.  This has submission issues written all over it.

Now the gist of this is to have a relationship with someone, a mentor, to walk through life with you.  Mentors, guides, teachers and friends are great.  We certainly all need a hand to hold onto.  But can we truly not learn, mature or grow without another person?  "Your spiritual fathers determine your spiritual success."  Spiritual success?  Is this a competition?!

It gets better:  “I know who I’m going to be in the gospel 10 years from now – the guys I hang out with are taking me there.  I know where they've been, what they've accomplished and how they've succeeded. I want their life!!” 

What if Jesus wants you to simply feed the poor in your town (like he actually said)?  What if Jesus wants you to care for an orphan (like he actually said)?  What if Jesus wants you to just love your neighbor and not be trying to achieve fame and fortune (like he actually said)?  

"Always only about Jesus" Crossing Church?  Not by a long shot. 

The Crossing Church does Twirl - All hail to the Queen!

Oh dear; it's Twirl time again.  Twirl is the Crossing Church's special event for the ladies.  It's a mindless, vapid, inane event where women go to the church to hear about cooking, how to wear high heels and absurd information on being a woman.  But really isn't that all women's church events?  I'll give them credit for at least not forcing everyone to make a craft!  So they like screaming in high pitched wails and dancing with their church girlfriends; why should I care?

Though I find the whole thing to be belittling to me as a woman, that really isn't my core issue with Twirl.  Twirl is primarily to glorify Kelly Dykstra.  From referring to her as "the first lady of the Crossing", having her sit on a type of throne to wearing a tiara; it's all really one big narcissistic jamboree.  You pay $10 (notably up from $5 or nothing if you couldn't afford it) and get a mini dessert (Not too much as we girls need to watch our figures!) and a trinket which is one of Kelly's favorite things.  Others do grace the stage but these are only the Crossing elite.  The women directly under Kelly will come out and give their wisdom or thoughts on a subject while the audience cheers their every word.  Even Kelly's daughter made an appearance to preach (again, only the elite).

What is implied but not directly said is that those on the stage are above you.  These are the top of the Crossing hierarchy and to whom you should honor and submit.  It becomes abundantly clear who is "in" and who is not.  As with everything at the Crossing church, the women are clamoring to get to the top and be one of them.  It's disgusting, enraging and most of all just plain sad.  Sad in that many, if not most, of those women don't have a snowflake's chance in hell of making it to the elite Crossing ranks.  They don't have the looks, the talent, the ability to kiss ass or the know how to get with the in crowd.

You are encouraged to join a Twirl group and/or make a new friend while you are at Twirl.  But just know that you'll have to do this with one of the underlings and certainly not with anyone on that stage.  You are only in their "circle of concern" and not their "circle of influence".

Please tell me: is this what Jesus wants?  Is anyone getting helped here?  Sure there is an passionate message, build up music to get the tears flowing and a 1-2 punch at the end to ensure an emotional response.  Yet you can get the same thing at a movie or concert.  Did "life change" happen?  I say, no.