Reply to my letter: Quest for the godly church

Bill,

Thanks for your inquiry. I will try to answer your questions below to the best of my ability. I think our website will answer a lot of your questions, but I will try to fill in some of the blanks (see answers below). May God bless and guide you in your search.

Blessings,
Jeff

1. Do you have small/community groups? I believe this is essential in fostering encouraging/accountability relationships.
Yes. Please see our website for a complete list according to geography.
2. Do you have an active singles/young adult group? I'm single, but I'd like to get married when it's God's will, yet I don't want to be a part of a group which is essentially cut off from the rest of the body.
We do not have a separate group—these folks wanted to be assimilated into the existing groups.
3. Do you not only believe (many churches I've attended accept, but don't seem to believe) but also actively pursue the laying on of hands and annointing of oil by the elders for physical healing? (see James 5:14-15) It is equally important to me that a church both believe and pursue this miracle within the congregation for the glory of Jesus Christ and the furtherance of His gospel.
We do anoint with oil and practice the laying on of hands on a regular basis, but most often it is done in a home or in an individual meeting with the person who is ill. We do have periodic “Healing Services” where that is all we do.
4. How many members does you church have?
About 180—with an average Sunday attendance of about 500.
5. How many services?
2
6. How long have you been at your current location?
6 Years—we are a church plant.
7. How many expansion/building projects have you engaged in?
0—we were given this building by a church that closed.
8. What is the church's beliefs on women leading & teaching men?
Male elders.
9. What is the church's beliefs on personal finances and tithing?
10% is a good benchmark, but should not limit the giving of the believer.
10. Where do most of the tithes go? Internal or external?
Last year we gave away about 25% of our annual budget to external causes. That has been pretty consistent since the founding of the church. We have never given away less than 15%.
11. How much do the pastor(s) make per year, ballpark?
$50-60k (including benefits)
12. Are the pastors actually held accountable regarding their tithing, personal finances, personal perceptions (leading to pride), messages, leading of the church body and other sin areas of their lives?
Yes. We have a unique leadership team that functions as equals (we have no senior pastor). We meet together monthly for strategy and business; we meet separately on a monthly basis for encouragement and accountability.
13. What is the church's take on musical worship? What style of music? Tone of worship?
Content is the key—not style. Each church we plant will take on its own style and tone of worship music. Our particular style at Crossroads is contemporary. However, we’ve helped plant churches that are post-modern and even liturgical.

I realize this is alot, but I'd appreciate your answers.

Thank you and God bless,

Bill