Threshold

Moving from CONSUMING to CULTIVATING

learn about our 2025-26 ministry vision

Threshold: A Three Part Invitation

To cross a threshold is to move from one place to another. We speak of this when we pass through a doorway from one room to another. We use this language to describe when we enter into a new stage in life...be it in our vocation, or in a relationship, or in some other area of life we value. Thresholds are being crossed all the time. But the ultimate threshold is to move into deeper discipleship to Jesus.

Moving from "Christians" to Disciples

Moving from "Christians" to Disciples

Becoming disciples is the goal. This cannot and will not change year to year. Therefore, it’s imperative that we always start here, remembering the invitation of Jesus…Follow me.

Watch Sermon
Moving from Consuming to Cultivating

Moving from Consuming to Cultivating

For the 2025-26 ministry year, we are focusing on the threshold of moving from consuming to cultivating. By God's grace we desire to be a gospel greenhouse where people are seen, welcome, and known.

Watch sermon
Moving from Trying to Training (spiritual practices)

Moving from Trying to Training (spiritual practices)

But how do we move from consuming to cultivating? That’s where we must embrace training, not simply trying. In other words we are invited to follow the very practices of Jesus. To that end, we are inviting you to recover the ancient practice of hospitality.

watch sermon

Practices & Resources 

Helping you move from CONSUMING to CULTIVATING

If you haven’t already, please watch or listen to the sermon from Rusty McKie on Fasting from Food to better orient you to this practice. It’s important not to simply jump into the what without understanding the why of fasting. 

At it’s core, fasting is to intentionally abstain from food, for a period of time, for spiritual purposes.

Fasting is intended to help direct our attention toward God, rather than on self. 

To fast is to abstain. It’s a practice we are moving toward as a church to help combat the rampant consumeristic tendencies we all battle.

We are praying that fasting becomes a means by which we experience more of God’s grace to become cultivators of relationships where people can be seen, welcome, and known. 

Now if you’ve been around CrossPointe the past few months, you know we spent the Fall of 2025 focused on the practices of feasting and hospitality. These are practices focused on partaking rather than abstaining. 

Both are needed. 

Our desire is that we would see and experience fasting as the other side of the proverbial coin that includes feasting and hospitality. These various practices are again intended to help us combat consumerism and move us toward cultivating relationships. 

Ideas for Fasting from Food

  • Though people fast at various times, we are choosing as a church family to fast during the season of Lent (February 18 - April 2)
  • Pick a day that works for you. Throughout church history, Wednesdays and Fridays have been prioritized as fasting days, but there is a ton of freedom here. So again, pick what works best for you. 
  • One of the most common, historical ways to fast is to abstain from breakfast and lunch, and then break your fast at dinner. So for example, if you decide to fast on Wednesday, you would conclude your eating with Dinner on Tuesday night, and then abstain from breakfast and lunch on Wednesday. 
  • Though some people choose to fast from food and liquid, we would recommend fasting from food but staying hydrated with water throughout the day. 
  • If you’re used to drinking coffee, feel the freedom to do so but consider drinking it black to stay in a fasting state. 
  • If a full day seems overwhelming, try abstaining from breakfast and then break your fast at lunch or mid-afternoon. 
  • If you’re looking to do more, consider picking two days per week to fast for a period of time. 
  • You can also do a partial fast, where you choose to fast from particular kinds of foods for a period of time (like Lent). 

Got Questions

Check out this helpful resource (used with permission from Citizens Church in Charlotte, NC)

  • Fast from "Want" Purchases
  • Fast from Categories of Purchases
  • Fast from using Credit/Debit cards
  • Fast from spending for Self & instead Give to others
  • Fast from Acquiring or Replacing
  • Fast from Advertising, Influencers, and Research of Products
  • Fast from Impulse purchases
  • From from Entertainment spending

If you haven’t already, please watch or listen to the sermon from Rusty McKie on Fasting from Food to better orient you to this practice. It’s important not to simply jump into the what without understanding the why of fasting. 

At it’s core, fasting is to intentionally abstain from food, for a period of time, for spiritual purposes.

Fasting is intended to help direct our attention toward God, rather than on self. 

To fast is to abstain. It’s a practice we are moving toward as a church to help combat the rampant consumeristic tendencies we all battle.

We are praying that fasting becomes a means by which we experience more of God’s grace to become cultivators of relationships where people can be seen, welcome, and known. 

Now if you’ve been around CrossPointe the past few months, you know we spent the Fall of 2025 focused on the practices of feasting and hospitality. These are practices focused on partaking rather than abstaining. 

Both are needed. 

Our desire is that we would see and experience fasting as the other side of the proverbial coin that includes feasting and hospitality. These various practices are again intended to help us combat consumerism and move us toward cultivating relationships. 

Ideas for Fasting from Food

  • Though people fast at various times, we are choosing as a church family to fast during the season of Lent (February 18 - April 2)
  • Pick a day that works for you. Throughout church history, Wednesdays and Fridays have been prioritized as fasting days, but there is a ton of freedom here. So again, pick what works best for you. 
  • One of the most common, historical ways to fast is to abstain from breakfast and lunch, and then break your fast at dinner. So for example, if you decide to fast on Wednesday, you would conclude your eating with Dinner on Tuesday night, and then abstain from breakfast and lunch on Wednesday. 
  • Though some people choose to fast from food and liquid, we would recommend fasting from food but staying hydrated with water throughout the day. 
  • If you’re used to drinking coffee, feel the freedom to do so but consider drinking it black to stay in a fasting state. 
  • If a full day seems overwhelming, try abstaining from breakfast and then break your fast at lunch or mid-afternoon. 
  • If you’re looking to do more, consider picking two days per week to fast for a period of time. 
  • You can also do a partial fast, where you choose to fast from particular kinds of foods for a period of time (like Lent). 

Got Questions

Check out this helpful resource (used with permission from Citizens Church in Charlotte, NC)

Remember & Recount 
how you’ve been welcomed and received 

Linger
Resist the urge to rush out—stay a few extra minutes after church, group, or events. Give space for spontaneous connection and meaningful conversation.

Engage Someone New
Make it a habit to introduce yourself to someone you don’t know. Ask questions like, “How long have you been coming here?” or “What brought you today?”
Extend Invitations
Invite someone to coffee, lunch, a walk, or to join you for an activity you enjoy (sports, crafting, hiking, etc.). Be specific and follow through—“I’m free Thursday; want to grab coffee?”
Celebrate & Honor Life Moments
Recognize and celebrate milestones like birthdays, new babies, graduations, new jobs, retirements, moves, or even the “last first day of school.”
Host Something Casual
Cultivate low-pressure gatherings such as:
  • Game or Puzzle Night – Pull out a simple board game, card game, or community puzzle. People can join in or just chat on the side.
  • Soup & Bread Night – Make one pot of soup (or even buy it pre-made) and serve with bread. Super easy and comforting
  • Potluck Snack Night – Ask everyone to bring a snack or drink to share. That way the burden doesn’t fall on the host.
  • Fridge-Clean Out Potluck – Everyone brings a container of leftovers from their fridge (or pantry odds and ends). You lay it all out buffet style, and people try small bites of each.
  • Outdoor Firepit or Porch Hangout – If you have outdoor space, just gather with blankets, chairs, and maybe s’mores. Very casual.
Write Words that Build Up
Send a handwritten note, email, or text message to affirm someone—share what you see in them, how they’ve encouraged you, or just that you’re thankful for them.
Follow Up with Care
When someone shares about an upcoming appointment, test, or challenge—set a reminder to check in afterward. A simple “Been thinking of you—how did it go?” means a lot.
Take Someone a Meal
Sign up (or initiate) a meal train when someone is sick, had a baby, or is overwhelmed. Keep it simple—order takeout, drop off frozen meals, or make a double portion of your dinner.
Share Resources
Be willing to allow others to use/borrow what you have
Pray for Guests and New Opportunities 
Got plans with someone, pray for them before your meeting. Going to a gathering, pray for opportunities to extend welcome to others.
Grow as an Illuminator
Learn the art of question asking
Books on Spiritual Disciplines in General

Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer

Books on Hospitality & Community in Particular

The Life You're Looking For by Andy Crouch

Making Room by Christine D. Pohl

Reaching Out by Henri Nouwen

Find a Group

Discipleship is not a solo endeavor. Get connected with others from CrossPointe to grow in your discipleship to Jesus.

Find a Group

The greatest issue facing the world today, with all its heartbreaking needs, is whether those who…are identified as “Christians” will become disciples—students, apprentices, practitioners—of Jesus Christ, steadily learning from him how to live the life of the Kingdom of the Heavens into every corner of human existence. 
– Dallas Willard, The Great Omission