09-14-2025 Sunday So when the pastor goes on vacation for the week, what did Nadia and I do? We took the opportunity to visit Crossroads Community Church (PCA) in Somerville. The preacher was Daniel Liu. So far so good. I told Nadia that though it seems topical, Liu's preaching was more expository; while the sermons of Pastor Chris of GCC, though expository-wannabe, are more topical in reality. And obviously, both Nadia and I noted coherence in Liu's preaching. The whole experience was like Redeemer PCA of NYC on her best day. The sermon was on the Power of the Gospel, Galatians 1:10-24. Nadia said that at least Daniel Liu gets out more (than Pastor Chris), referring to the reference to a lake Liu came across in his sermon. That's a minor note for me. I did however find myself looking up for the reference to Thomas Jefferson denial of miracles and Christ's divinity. I certainly appreciate that what seemingly to be Dan Liu's vision (though not stated directly), in his sermon, that while he recognized that not all should be preachers, but he hoped that ministers will come out of this congregation.
Overall, Crossroads certainly is many times ahead of our Grace church in most areas: Spiritual health, rationality, finance (2025 YTD budget $490,664 vs. GCC's $184,590, which is 2.6x of ours), sermons, music (though all modernized, still better than GCC's modern music), evangelism, ministries, etc. The only exception at this time, as I do not have enough time to ascertain the character of its church members and elders, I maintain my stand before that Pastor Chris' one pro, is that he held the Bible studies/Sunday Schools (an area most professional pastors would prefer to play safe and save their jobs, if not uninterested) himself and invite challenges/questions. This is a small advantage Chris has over most pastors/preachers, as his other areas (sermons, communication, etc.) would be mediocre if not weaker. People like Chris' sermons I think mainly because of the classic elocutionist oratory style speech. If so, any well trained theater actors can pull the same trick. However, I do believe there is some importance on how we proclaim the message in a pulpit, that is, the early pulpit orators tend to do better art than your typical casual TED talk style preaching today. But this is a minor art because the contents are to be weight first.
I remember Eleni once argued with me about music, that she thinks we would not like the music at Crossroads. I beg to differ now that I have seen it. I once told her that I wouldn't mind their music if they don't mind my broken English. "Quality is in the eye of the beholder" she said, without realizing that she just insulted the whole of the liberal arts department. Imagine if you tell your Literature professor, "your grading means nothing, for quality is relative/subjective". I told Nadia, the primary key to a good music in the church, is clarity.
People I've met at that church: We were greeted by Pastor Dan and elder David Mark before the service. The during greeting time (mid service) we greeted the couple (Steve & Karen) who were also sort of new (5th times or so, from a Grace Community Church in Piscataway, probably an independent church) behind us, and to my right was an "empty nester" as she considered herself, Joana, I think. After service, I was greeted by someone from India, Narendar, whose daughter is freshman at Rutgers and they all go to this church.
So, in order to know the pastor and the others better, I would like to check out their men's groups. Starting with their Pastor at the Pub on Tuesday 9/30, at 6:30pm. I would need a day off to do so. Nadia was not interested in their women's ministries, as they were doing bible study using Kathleen Nielson's material. I don't see an issue, unless one goes the Solo Scriptura route. But I leave it to her, as she is pitting GCC's Denise's Women's Bible Study against this.