CrossFit athletes run, row, jump rope, climb rope and carry odd objects. They frequently move large loads quickly over short distances, and use powerlifting and Olympic weightlifting techniques. CrossFit athletes also use dumbbells, gymnastics rings, pull-up bars, kettlebells, and many bodyweight exercises.[7] CrossFit is used in nearly 2,000 gyms worldwide and by many fire departments, law enforcement agencies, and military organizations including the Canadian Forces, and the Royal Danish Life Guards.”

What I experienced blew me away and made me start thinking about the church and how the church could benefit by being more like the Crossfit box. So below are five lessons the church could learn from Crossfit.

First: from the time I walked in the door, everyone there made me feel welcome and immediately made me feel like part of the family. Not one or two people, not the people who are greeters and it’s their job to welcome people, I mean everyone there made a point of making me feel welcome. There is a sense of family and authentic community within the box. How many times do we see visitors at church and walk past them to talk to someone we already know? What type of first time experience are they having when they walk through our doors? Do they feel welcomed; do they feel like they are immediately part of the family, do they want to come back? It wasn’t until I experienced this in the secular setting that I realized how meaningful it is and should be to us.

Second: even though everyone at Crossfit does the same workout every day, there is a huge difference in people’s abilities and the stronger or more experienced obviously finish the workout first. What surprised me is that even though those people are wiped out and gassed, they come over to those who haven’t finished and encourage them. Again this is not one or two people doing this, but it is the common theme in the box. It becomes infectious and there is the genuine attitude of wanting to see everyone do their best. One of the slogans posted is to “leave your ego at the door.” I understood this right away when we were doing deadlifts. I was excited when I lifted 205 pounds for the first time only to set the bar down and see the girl beside me lifting 215. This is not discouraging; moreover, it is truly inspirational. What type of atmosphere would we have in the church if we all spent time encouraging one another and it was genuine?

Third: I have also learned that if you participate in Crossfit, you are going to suffer. It will push you to your limits and then you will be pushed farther. Most of the time, at the end of the workout, you are lying on the floor just trying to breathe and hoping you won’t lose whatever it was you last ate. You will suffer; however, the results are worth it! Is that how we view being Christ followers? Do we not read in the scriptures how we should be joyous when we suffer? Do we understand that if we are truly following Christ we should expect to suffer? You should expect this but you should also know that the results are worth it, far beyond anything physical we could enjoy here on earth.

Fourth: the box has become someplace I look forward to going to. I get up early to go and it has become a part of my everyday life. I can proudly say I have only missed two days since I started and on those days I felt like something was missing. Is this how we view church? Is it something we long for and look forward to, get up early for and hate to miss? When we do have to miss spending time with our family, does it feel like something is missing in our life or is it no big deal?

Fifth: the place is so special to those who attend there; people are always talking to their friends about it and bringing people to see what it is all about. It is not uncommon to have visitors or new members because of the excitement people have in sharing this awesome place. How come it is so easy to get excited and invite people to come work out and to strengthen their physical bodies (which is temporary) but it is sometimes hard to invite them to work out their spiritual lives which has eternal consequences? Just saying.

If anyone at the Zoo reads this; thank you for making me feel welcome. For those from the church, I pray you will make someone feel welcomed, encourage one another, take joy in your suffering, long to be with family, and become so excited about it that you must share it with others.

and free food/drinks including ; sno cones, popcorn, hotdogs,  chips and at the end of the evening Trunk-or-treat.

On Sunday, Oct 30, 2011 3pm-6pm for more information call 352-732-9867.

This is a free event!!!

Facilitated by Tom Jeffers and Steve Kennedy.  This class is held in the Auditorium.

by Craig Groeschel, author of The Christian Atheist
9:OO -9:45 Sunday mornings in the Blue Pod