The Crossing Church

My home away from home. Family, fellowship and God’s word being taught and lived!!

My Bride and I were looking for a church where teaching through, not from, the Bible is the pastoral focus. We were looking for a place where we could safely send others, regardless of where they are in their spiritual journey. We were looking for a place where transparency and genuine fellowship are modeled and promoted. We did not want to travel more than 15 minutes, so we could participate in the life of the Body.

Initially, I thought we got all that. Unfortunately, we would learn this is mostly superficial.

I am not saying the skylight should be a (physical) portal to Heaven. In fact, I do not think there is a skylight. But there should be people who make Eternity with Jesus Christ a place where you just gotta be! And if you do not know Him, they should make you want to know Him.

Now, on that Heaven thing, there is a description in the Revelation of the demographic there. This was a secondary feature for us. We were willing to accept a demographic that reflected the church's physical location (@Livingston, New Jersey). We wanted a place where demographics were only seen as primarily external, not defining characteristics. The Crossing Church is that and more. Expect genuine smiles and greetings from people who do and do not share your background, lifestyle, ethnicity, language, etc. Expect to be embraced. Expect to be encouraged in your growth and life of faith in Jesus Christ.

If you are broken, fallen, bewildered, lost, searching, growing, exhausted, you are welcome here - at least initially. The motto here is to the effect of "fallen or broken people stumbling in the right direction." While the atmosphere is generally non-judgmental, you should not question leadership, especially not lay leadership.

We started attending in February, 2024. I originally wrote this in June, 2024. I originally gave them a five-star rating.

We left in January, 2025. It is February, 2025. As I became more involved with the ministry, I learned that of the seven churches of Asia in the second and third chapters of The Revelation, this would be most akin to the dead orthodoxy of Ephesus. They are faithful to the letter, but dead to the Spirit of the Word. I do not say this with any anger or bitterness. They are lovely, Godly people. It is a place to be among decent people who love Jesus Christ and are committed to the truth of Scripture. Unfortunately, and I blame this on leadership, there is little to no depth in the pews, and consequently amongvthe lay leaders. The small groups run 5 to 6 week sessions with the summers off. They are always based on an approved author's topical rendition of Scripture, pretty much the way sermons are done. There is no commitment to whole Bible teaching. Their small groups and Sunday sermons foci are topical and thematic. They do not practice "proof-texting". But theirs is not expository verse-by-verse. Great things can and do happen here. They are just not sustained here. The people are not fed well enough.

Much to their credit, there has been a deliberate move fto the Bible model of gifted members leading. They are deliberately working to allow and encourage the laity to lead in ministry, while the paid staff leaders guide and facilitate. This could mean more maturity and depth in the future.

I cannot recommend this church.

Overwhelming love is what I felt visiting for the first time today. This will become my wife, and I church home, and we are excited for what the lord has in store for us.

I love this place. I really been very welcome there. No pressure, not hard words and pastorTim and Peter are amazing. I consider them my family.

If you are find a place to worship and find your faith, just come and see for yourself. Its about freedom and peace!!!

God bless you all.

I enjoyed the service. Pastor preached a great sermon. The praise and worship was awesome. Pastor and church members were very friendly and greeted me with a warm welcome. I enjoyed the refreshments before service. I got a nice gift for being a first time visitor. I will visit again.🙏✝️