Cross Training
A Rule of Life for
Men Who Feel Stuck
“Most Christian men want to grow. The problem is that good intentions seldom get fulfilled. Distractions keep getting in the way of discipleship. We help struggling guys build a lifestyle of putting Christ first.”
— Joe Barnard, Director of Cross Training Ministries
Core Elements of Spiritual Growth
Simple Routines
Small tweaks can produce lasting change. We focus on developing basic habits that result in long-term growth.
Bodily-Discipline
Without bodily-discipline men conform to the world around them. We help guys develop the spiritual muscles that enable self-control.
Spiritual Friendship
Men who mature as Christians are men who invest in spiritual friendship. We teach men how to develop friendships that lead to trust, support, and accountability.
“We all need that extra push and the challenge of something to aim for to get us to do what we know we ought to do but can’t do on our own.”
— Dawson Trotman
The Neglected Needs of Modern Men
Freedom
Men don’t just need good habits; they need freedom from bad habits. Cross Training helps men break free from the spiritual ruts of the modern world.
Direction
Men don’t need endless options; they need effective next steps. Cross Training is a simple path that sets men up for lasting change.
Motivation
Motivation is easily frustrated. Cross Training is designed so that men can start with a short-term commitment and progressively work their way up into more demanding spiritual exercises.
“I really loved the simplicity of the CT 12 program. It is so easy to insert in your daily routine; yet it still has a large impact on your daily life. It sets you up with a strong foundation of daily habits that are manageable so that you have a sense of accomplishment everyday as you further your walk with Christ.”
- Jared Duckworth
How We Are Different
Most men’s discipleship focuses either on reading books or eating bacon. Neither model is sufficient to meet the needs of modern men. For guys to see their lives transformed by the gospel, they need more than information and casual relationships. They need help adjusting their lifestyle so that bad habits are broken, good habits are formed, and pursuing Christ becomes the first and last objective of each day. We help guys build the lifestyle needed for lasting change to stick.
The Benefits of Cross Training
Catch a better vision of the man God wants you to be.
Break bad habits that impede focused discipleship: staying up too late, sleeping in, not exercising, social media addiction, unmeasured amusement, and more.
Strengthen godly habits that lead to lasting change: scripture memorization, daily reading, prayerful self-examination, and regular church attendance.
Experience the support and joy of spiritual friendship.
The Stuff that Doesn’t Work for Most Men:
Seminaries cost too much
Men’s groups offer too little
Self-initiative runs out of gas
Christian websites = information overload