For those of you who are not familiar, Crossroads built a huge Children’s Ministry building called The Boulevard that opened Easter Sunday this year. The building for our kids is actually BIGGER than our current sanctuary. (that is a huge statement)

The one area that we were not able to complete in time was The Loft, which I am excited to say is getting really close to being finished!! (like in a week or so)

The Loft is a multipurpose room that has 4 Xbox gaming systems, couches, TV’s, a small stage and sound system and a small office area for the Youth Department staff…

It is an exciting, age appropriate room that will be used for 4th through 6th graders on Sunday Mornings, thus expanding our current Children’s Church reach on Sundays, it will be used on Thursday nights for Merge, our JR High Youth Group, it will be used on Monday nights for RPM, our SR High Youth Group and it will be used on Friday Nights for our College/Career Group called theMeet. (that is what I call, multipurpose!!)

However, it has come to my attention that some folks are not “excited” about what we have done with the room. Lodging complaints about the five 42″ flat screens and the four 32″ flat screens in the room. Apparently, there are thoughts that the money could have been used more responsibly “elsewhere.” To which my response is,

“REALLY??!! Are you serious???”

Are people really complaining about the fact that we bought 9 TV’s for a youth room? A room that is going to be used 4 days a week, by hundreds of different aged youth throughout the week? Are people really upset that we are trying to provide an environment that would attract young people who DON’T KNOW JESUS?? Are people really surprised that Crossroads would be doing something OUTSIDE THE BOX from a church culture standpoint to reach those that need JESUS??

If you are one of those with an eyebrow raised, I guess I have several responses to you….

1- I bet the mother of the 16 year old kid who hates church cause it is “boring” doesn’t think it is money wasted.

2- Seems to me, spending money on 9 Flat Screens in a room to be used 4 times a week makes a lot more sense than spending it on something for the ADULTS in the sanctuary that gets used ONCE a week.

3- So, what you’re telling me is that you don’t care about the church of tomorrow?

4- If ONE kid comes to know Christ by us purchasing 9 TV’s…..was it worth it?

5- In order to reach those who aren’t getting reached, CHURCHES will have to do things that other CHURCHES aren’t doing!!

6- Isn’t it time that churches began INVESTING in the youth department?

We opened this building to be a “Community Building”….to be a place that young people who don’t attend Crossroads and don’t know Jesus would want to come too….a place where they could get together and learn about Christ in an environment that they are familiar with….. The EXACT same thing we do for the adults on Sunday mornings….

Anyways, I am excited. I know the parents of the youth are excited…..and I would pray that EVERYONE would be excited about the opportunity to reach people for Christ. After all, that is what we were CALLED to do.

To that end, I am assembling some volunteers to help us finish up the last bit of painting, cleaning and decorating and whatnot for different times this week. So if you have some spare time, let me know.

Love you guys….

~jfm3~

I have been approached with a couple different opportunities to make a new record and after some thought, consideration and a fair amount of prayer, I do believe it is time to move forward.

What does this mean?

Well, I have not written any complete material in several years, so that means I am going to have to commit myself to writing about 20 songs. I have some old stuff, and there are always the opportunities for covering someone’s song, but to be honest, I would like to do something new and fresh.

Why now?

Well, there are a several reasons. One is a sincere lack of resources. As a worship leader in a very progressive church, there are not many people putting out the type of stuff we do, which makes it very difficult for me to find songs for us to do at Crossroads…couple that with my overly critical opinion on music in general, and you end up with a situation where there is barely anything to use.

Two, opportunity. Both from a time and ability standpoint, and from an industry standpoint. Right now the industry is changing and making it much easier for a solo artist with no label support to make a dent in the music scene……there are other things, but I don’t feel comfortable putting them out there just yet.

Three, I just feel the need to be creative again. I have had the itch to write for about 2 years and have kinda been waiting to see if my old band would be interested in writing with me. You see, I love the dynamic of writing with others and the “others” I have written with before are pretty sweet. At this point, however, it doesn’t appear that my band of brothers will be heading in this direction any time soon, so I have decided not to put it off any longer.

How long will it take?

I am not sure. I sat down the other day and started pounding away on my acoustic and some cool stuff started coming out. It may happen fast….it make take a while. I hope not though. I would like to start writing regularly just to keep that side of me working fully.

So I am excited. Really excited. The crazy part is that I already have ideas and plans for about 2 or 3 other records, so it will be interesting to see where God takes me in this venture…..

Stay tuned….. And go to iTunes and buy my old band’s record! (thehungr)

~jfm3~

Which is insane to me.

Understand the process. I spent the better part of 10 years trying to get to the point in the music industry where the records my band was making was available to the world to hear. In 2004 we did sign a recording contract with Word of Mouth Records and got to make this awesome record with them (The Rose.) Shortly there after, things went sideways and I never got to see any type of distribution of that project.

As a band, on the road we sold over 2000 copies at shows within the first year which is amazing, but then in 2006, we stopped playing together as a band.

Now, to see it available to everyone and anyone, it is quite overwhelming.

Anyways, go to your iTunes store, search thehungr and it pops right up. If you don’t have it, buy and download it. If you ALREADY HAVE IT, buy it and download it…..IF YOU HAVE A BURNED COPY OF IT, buy it twice for stealing it the first time!!! lol (jk…..but not really) Just buy it.

A couple notes, the price was suppose to be $7.99…..and no, I am not giving a $2 rebate after you purchase it. Also, it was released in 2005, not 2010……but who cares, it is up there and I am EXCITED!

~jfm3~

Most of you know I am from Buffalo NY originally.

Buffalo, though a large place like Columbus, is a somewhat small community when it comes to “church.” Mainly because, in Western NY, Protestant churches are not the norm. Heavily gripped in Catholicism, you will find a Catholic church on every corner, much in the way you find a Protestant church on every corner here in the Mid-West. Heck, Buffalo is even home to the Basilica, which, I am told is a miniature version of the Vatican.

Anyways, back home, I have a lot of “friends” in the ministry. I grew up with them and they were all there to watch me grow as a worship leader and a man of God. We worked together and helped each other. We labored together.

Now, since moving to Columbus, I am sorta out of touch. I don’t really know anyone outside my Crossroads family. I am feeling the need to be close with some other guys whose hands are to the plow, plowing the same ground I am and trying to grow the same crop.

I sent some emails out today. I am praying in faith they are received well and I can begin to lock arms with some folks here locally.

(just some thoughts for the day)

~jfm3~

I have had the itch to start writing again. By that, I mean music.

I am unable to find what I would call “ideal” resources when it comes to finding songs for Crossroads mainly because, as all of you will know, we are not normal worship on Sundays. Some of the stuff we do is standard, but a lot of what we do is pretty progressive and to be honest, I want to continue pushing the envelope.

Ironically enough, I had an idea/dream/vision to create and run a Worship Leaders resource website about a year ago and actually registered the URL, www.wiredworship.com.

That would be a place where worship leaders, like me, could go and get HELP. Serious help. Everything from songs, to ideas, to worship structure to whatever else they need.

Right now, there is nothing out their for young worship leaders who have aspirations of doing more than Passion stuff. (I am not knocking Passion, just saying, not all of us are huge fans of their stuff)

So, I think I am going to actually get that site launched and to go along with it, I registered a facebook page to go along with my blogsite…. It is simple, just www.facebook.com/joemillerwired/138255769529883.

Go there and click “Like” if you could!!

I have another potential announcement, but I still need to soak it in some prayer….. stay tuned.

~jfm3~

VACATION.

I have not been on an actual vacation in 9 years. That was for my honeymoon and that my friend, was the only one I have ever been on.

Obviously, I have done the couple days here or there thing, but this past week I took the whole family down to North Myrtle Beach where we stayed in a condo right on the beach. Man, it was an amazing time. (before you start thinking “must be nice”…..it is still offseason rates and it really wasn’t that expensive)

To just sit there and relax. Watch my little girl enjoying the beach and playing in the sand……it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. McKenna had a blast and cried when we told her we were headed home. Addison actually loved it too. We would just put her in her Bumbo and set her on step or in the water as the waves gently came in…..it was so cute.

It actually took me a couple days to unwind. To be honest, I almost didn’t know how to “shut down.” I am an “always going” kind of person….I always have been. Very spontaneous and I hate to be stuck in the house…..so to just sit all day took some adjustment.

But once I got in the right mind frame, it was pretty cool and can see why it is important. Not only for personal reasons, but also to be able to stop and spend quality time with your family.

McKenna learned how to swim with just her floaties on, and she was getting brave enough to put her face underwater.

Everything went well until the last day there…..on the last day McKenna skinned her knee, we ruined our camera and I lost my sunglasses. lol. It was still worth it.

~jfm3~

So, as everyone here knows, Crossroads is a bit of a different ministry. We are what I would call, ahead of the curve….. Musically, media wise and probably from an Evangelical standpoint as well. Now that doesn’t mean there aren’t other churches out there like Crossroads, but right now there are few. Interestingly enough, the number of churches that have begun shifting more towards what I would call a more culturally relevant vision is astounding in my opinion.

Andy Stanley’s church in Atlanta is a huge ministry that functions a lot like ours, and they made a video that picks on themselves and I must say, it is dead on!!!

“Sunday’s Coming” Movie Trailer from North Point Media on Vimeo.

Com’on, you know you are laughing!!

We are a little different but the core meaning is there and I love it.

What I find more awesome is I have heard of some people using this video as a “slam” of sorts against this new movement of God. Showing the video to their people and asking, “what do you think of this?”

Meanwhile, not realizing the creators of the video are SPOOFING themselves.

I believe with all my heart our God has a sense of humor, and I think this video makes Him chuckle as much as it does me!!

~jfm3~

I am not saying that I am better than anyone else, in fact, if you pinned me down, I would probably admit to some things that may shock you. Although, with the knowledge that the man who wrote most of the New Testament admitted to at least feeling like the “Chief of Sinners” I guess it shouldn’t shock you that all men in ministry on this planet actually sin. (oh wait, there are a number of people who believe when Paul said that, that he was speaking of his former life and somehow had transformed to perfection) ~sarcasm~

Regardless, when I come into contact with various other people from various other religions, I always find it interesting that I often get looked down upon because of the type of ministry we do here at Crossroads.

You see, to the hardcore mainliner, we are watering down the Gospel. Because we are not having church the same way they are, we are not “creating disciples,” nor doing a positive work for the Kingdom. I have gotten plenty of “yeah buts….” as well. Like,

“Yeah but, I bet you guys aren’t baptizing people!” Well…..I think we are over 100 in the last 20 months.

“Yeah but, I bet your congregation doesn’t have any diversity!” Actually, we have plenty of folks from other races and we range in all age brackets. (usually this one is spouted by someone whose church actually doesn’t have any diversity, but they feel they are open to it as soon as “God opens the door”)

“Yeah but, you guys don’t have true salvations or transformations….” Funny thing, as I posted yesterday, I have never been in a place that has more people striving after Jesus who wouldn’t step foot into a church 2 years ago.

There are more…..and I bet you get the point.

I find it interesting that when Christians try to gauge themselves against other Christians they use a legalistic Religious measuring stick that Jesus never told us to use. Jesus said to judge people by their fruits…..well, there is a lot of fruit being produced at Crossroads and I thank God every day just for allowing me to be a part of it.

I find it interesting that we get judged the hardest by others whose ministries have not changed in 50 years and dare I say, bear little fruit.

I think this “Evangelizing the World” thing that Jesus asked us to do would go a lot better if we (the church) would work together to try to reach those who don’t know Him, instead of slamming the ministries that seem to be reaching people, even though they look and sound a little different than others. I often wonder what this country would look like if THE CHURCH started working together like we were THE Church and not just a bunch of CHURCHES.

THAT, I would find interesting….

~jfm3~

I will soon be an actual Executive Pastor instead of a construction worker here at Crossroads Church.

Since the day I came on full time staff, I have been inundated with projects. From the completion of the BLVD, which still isn’t completed, to the remodel of the downstairs area…..formerly our Childrens Church area that is now our Administrative Staff area.

Regardless, soon and very soon I will have an office, with a desk, a door and a phone. SWEET.

I am so proud of all the people that God has brought to this church that have abilities and skills to help where needed. I cannot begin to describe what an awesome privilege it is to simply be a part of such an amazing ministry.

If you don’t already realize it, let me assure you that God has some amazing plans for Crossroads Church in Columbus and the surrounding area.

I have never been a part of a ministry where literally, I am daily given news about a people who either never knew God or walked away from God that now have a passion for Jesus because of what God is doing at Crossroads…… If you are not a part of what God is doing here, I beg you to jump in and get your hands dirty for Jesus. You won’t regret it!! I promise.

And if you do, come talk to me about it in my new office space….lol.

~jfm3~

Yes, there are only 12 of you.

12 of you who are either the coolest people in the world, or 12 of you who are giant dorks just like me……not sure yet, but if I get an answer, I will let you know!! (jk obviously)

Actually, I am very grateful that there are people who are interested in what I have to say and actually don’t get infuriated with my opinionated ramblings! lol.

Anyways…..Pastor Rob and I have been remodeling the entire basement of the church over the last two weeks and I have not been on my computer AT ALL!! (not even to check the BILLS Messageboard)

So I apologize and pretty soon I will actually have an OFFICE at the church and once this craziness is over, should be able to resume a regular scheduled blog-cast!

~jfm3~