Crossroads Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, performed their annual over the top Super Bowl-themed sermon, where the church staff and congregants participate in a service that’s loosely framed as four quarter football game, but with preaching and inspirational messaging.
Though its home base of operations is in Cincinnati, Crossroads has a number of established smaller church plants through Ohio and Kentucky, totaling around 40,000 active members.
The megachurch, led by Senior Pastor Brian Tome, has not shied away from pushing the boundaries of what’s considered acceptable Christian behavior.
In 2015 Crossroads published a blog post defending their blase attitudes towards sin and Christian conduct, by one of the members and volunteers. Crossroads has adopted a mantra they call “Anything Short of Sin” (ASOS). Rachel Reider, editor for the megachurch wrote:
It was the first time I heard that Crossroads would do anything short of sin to get people in the door. At first, that phrase alone sounded too provocative, and I bristled. But then I broke it down. OK, if it’s short of sin, it’s not sinning. So, maybe it’s OK.
It began a huge unraveling of religious “hedges” I’d grown up with—the idea that we have to create new rules around God’s design for fear of getting too close to messing up. I’d always heard God wanted a relationship and not religion (read: rules). I’d even taught it myself, but I’d never felt it like this. I didn’t realize God was after oneness rooted in trust—not obedience driven by fear, control, or even good behavior.
Maybe we could talk about normal stuff in a normal way. Maybe we could let that authenticity create a bridge back to God. Maybe we could rely on the Holy Spirit to lead us into freedom instead of relying on our ability to follow the rules. Maybe we could be less afraid of sin and more aggressive about helping new people meet Jesus.
Reider wrote
She would go on to explain: “But I can promise you—we’re not after shock value. We’re not trying to be cool.”
Each and every year Crossroads hosts their “Super Bowl of Preaching.” And though they say they are “not after shock value,” the marketing and presentations definitely say otherwise.
In 2014 Crossroads released a promo building anticipation for their Super Bowl of Preaching, featuring a Bible getting intimate in bed with a football.
Crossroads has tried to outdo itself since then it would seem.
In 2020, lead-female pastor Allie Patterson was seen punting a Bible decorated as a football across the stage into the crowd.
This year’s service featured a very elaborate entrance by the participating players in a wild stage entrance, featuring hype music, confetti, a band, and contestants running through a cheering crowd carrying “spicy casserole.”
And just like before, the pastors on stage kicked the Bible like a football, only this time it appeared to be a squib kick trying to recover an onside kick, resulting in the pastors diving for the Bible in a scrum. Watch it here:
Their Super Bowl of Preaching also had a number of parody ads that played in-between the actual competition portion. One of these included a parody of the roadside assistance company AAA, instead calling it “loadside assistance” for people struggling with severe diarrhea and gut issues, and who make a mess all over themselves and need a cleanup:
Moreover, the ‘halftime show’ mid-sermon, featured music by Usher, ACDC, Toby Keith, and a pastor recreating Miley Cyrus’ viral ‘Wrecking Ball’ music video.
The entire event can be viewed on Crossroads’ website.
AUTHOR COMMENTARY
[47] Yet hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations: but, as if that were a very little thing, thou wast corrupted more than they in all thy ways. [48] As I live, saith the Lord GOD, Sodom thy sister hath not done, she nor her daughters, as thou hast done, thou and thy daughters.
Ezekiel 16:47-48
Not even Sodom – “and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire” – did not even do what is being done now, by so-called “Christians” no less!!
Allow me to put this in simple terms: these people are going to spend all of eternity burning in hell, and the lake of fire, and will be utterly destroyed along with the rest of this God-hating country, and all those who condone this and participate in it.
[7] And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, [8] In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: [9] Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; [10] When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
2 Thessalonians 1:7-10
[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).
The WinePress needs your support! If God has laid it on your heart to want to contribute, please prayerfully consider donating to this ministry. If you cannot gift a monetary donation, then please donate your fervent prayers to keep this ministry going! Thank you and may God bless you.
Whats up are using WordPress for your site platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and create my own. Do you need any coding knowledge to make your own blog? Any help would be really appreciated!
Unquestionably imagine that which you stated. Your favourite justification seemed to be on the net the easiest thing to take into account of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed whilst people think about issues that they just do not understand about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the highest as neatly as outlined out the entire thing with no need side effect , other people can take a signal. Will probably be again to get more. Thank you
Я чувствую, что эта статья является настоящим источником вдохновения. Она предлагает новые идеи и вызывает желание узнать больше. Большое спасибо автору за его творческий и информативный подход!
Я не могу не отметить стиль и ясность изложения в этой статье. Автор использовал простой и понятный язык, что помогло мне легко усвоить материал. Огромное спасибо за такой доступный подход!
Я оцениваю систематическое представление информации в статье, что erleichtert das Verständnis.
This post will help the internet people for creating new blog or even a weblog from start to end.
Автор представляет информацию в организованной и последовательной форме, что erleichtert das Verständnis.
Мне понравилась четкая структура статьи, которая помогает легко ориентироваться в тексте.
Wonderful beat ! I would like to apprentice at the same time as you amend your web site, how can i subscribe for a weblog website? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I were a little bit familiar of this your broadcast offered shiny clear idea