Never have i ever been somewhere so inconsistent and worked with people so manipulative under the disguise of a push for "authenticity". I've seen people pushed away to make way for the "pastor's friend". I've seen passionate people with Go given gifts shot down and fired. I've seen inconsistent ministry that changes with the wind from month to month. I have gone there for 10 years. I have grown closer to God but not because of Cross Timbers. I feel like I knew no one there and the few I did were either pushed aside, fired, or moved in to a healthier and better more consistent church to work at. The majority of people I got to know were in the tech and worship arts team. I've seen pastor's that don't give a darn about you. You can go 10 years at a church and still be able to count your interactions with a pastor on 2 hands. When my family was going through the thick of it, not one person reached out. When my brother was in the hospital and the youth team knew, they did nothing. The church I spent my younger years at, someone would have always been there. This is very much a who you know church. If you want to truly be plugged in, you have to know the right people.
It's funny how thier recent push for "authenticity" has involved pushing away dedicated musicians that have played with the band for years as well as audio engineers that knew CT services like the back of their hand. The audio engineers and contract staff of several years got rewarded for all their hard work by being forced to become part time employees and having their pay and hours essentially cut in half. This deterred most of the experienced and consistent techs. it's funny how any internship opportunities that funds were raised for ended up being given to the pastor's friends and people less qualified and new to the church ended up being picked over the more qualified candidates.
It's interesting how every time someone gets fired, the staff either turns up their nose to pretend they know nothing or it's a "God took Will and Crystal in a new direction". Really? When did worldly and fleshly desires within the inner workings of a church become "God's plan"? "God's plan" is not a term that can be thrown around as a license for churches to treat people how terribly they want.
Also, it's the middle of August and this church still hasn't opened. Life church is open. Gateway is open. This world needs the church now more than ever and all Cross Timbers can seem to be concerned about is money to build their new campus. Multi millions to establish a new campus when they struggle with consistency at their existing campuses. I remember when there was a Keller campus. I remember when there was an Eagle Mountain Campus. I even remember Corinth. What do all of their have in common? They're all closed. Here's a thought. Before expanding, try being good stewards and build consistent ministry with what you have.
You can start with the audio console that costs about the same as 2 decent cars and fix the monitor connection. Instead of running it 24/7/365, try servicing it. Get it fixed. The dust it's collecting from not being covered can damage the delicate components on the board. Running it constantly is not good for the overall life of the board. Also, it's pretty lazy and stupid when you don't shut something down ever just because 1 of like 5 screens happens to not work some of the time.
If you like CT, all power to you. Don't work there tho. If you have a creative mind with big and new ideas, don't work for their tech or creative department. You'll leave feeling like your ideas are worthless and everything you do has to fit in a tiny box. I'm thankful to have found a church that has champned my gifts and is loving to their tech team and musicians as God would be. If you want a good church with community, keep searching. They are out there and totally worth not settling for less like I did for over 10 years. read more