A church for everyone, ministered by musicians and their instruments.
Founded by musicians, open to all, in the Davidic Order. Our ministers lead with their instruments. Online every second Sunday. In person every quarter.
David played strings before he was king.
Musicians Cross Church is a church for everyone. Its ministers are musicians who play an instrument. We believe the calling of the instrumentalist stands close to the calling of the priest, and that playing with devotion is ministry.
Many of us live like nomads: on the road, in other people's rooms, often feeling left out. This church is where we come home, find closure and are known. We connect in the spirit by playing together.
No angel appeared to found this church. We founded it ourselves, as musicians, to talk honestly about our lives here on earth.
We are non-denominational, and our focus is this life, not the next. We respect every religion of the world and honor the ancestors. Anyone is welcome to attend.
What we believe, in the life of David
Anyone may attend. To become a member you must believe this creed, empathize with our ways and laws, and profess it aloud before the church.
The Davidic Order
Playing an instrument with devotion is ministry. The instrumentalist's calling stands close to the priest's.
David: his harp calmed Saul, and he set musicians as ministers before the ark. (1 Sam 16:23; 1 Chr 25)
Not founded by a vision
No angel, spirit or apparition founded this church. We did, as musicians speaking honestly about our humanity.
David: a shepherd and a player before he was anything else.
This life, this earth
We do not concern ourselves with heaven and hell. We have not been there. We focus on what happens to us here.
David: his psalms are about this life: fear, grief, joy, the land and the night sky.
All that breathes, dies
Anything that breathes dies. That is why we give our attention to this life, and to how we live it while we have breath.
David: at his child’s death, “I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me”; and at his own end, “I go the way of all the earth.” (2 Sam 12:23; 1 Kings 2:2)
Land, not salvation
No one needs to be saved. Worship needs territory: a space set apart where we can worship the spirit.
David: he bought Araunah's threshing floor for worship and would not take it for free. (2 Sam 24:24)
We sin against the world
Not against God. Our wrongs land on fellow people, on animals and on plants, and are measured by the harm they do here.
David: his wrong against Uriah fell on a husband, a wife, a child and his own house. (2 Sam 11–12)
Every action is a seed
What we do grows and comes back to us and to our generations, here on earth.
David: the sword did not leave his house, and his kindness to Mephibosheth was remembered. (2 Sam 9; 12:10)
Custodians of the world
Humans are custodians of this world, not its owners. We look after people, animals, plants and land, and work toward a better world.
David: a shepherd who risked his life for the flock. (1 Sam 17:34–35)
Ministers are public servants
A minister serves the people the way David served with his harp: for the good of others, not for status.
David: he played for a troubled king who later hunted him.
We give because we were given
We do not give to be blessed. Giving is part of being human.
David: "Of thine own have we given thee." (1 Chr 29:14)
The Ultimate Mantra
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Greater still: the greatest among us is the one who lays down their own interests for the interests of others.
David: Jonathan gave David his robe and sword, laying down his own claim to the throne; David poured out the water his men risked their lives for. (1 Sam 18:4; 2 Sam 23:15–17)
The instrument is the altar
A service is a gathering where the ministers' playing moves the spirit.
David: he danced and played before the ark with all his might. (2 Sam 6:14)
A home for the nomad
Musicians who feel left out of the places they play in come home here, find closure and are known.
David: years on the run, with his harp, before he had a home.
Respect for all faiths
We respect every religion of the world. We are non-denominational, and we encourage members to keep the church they were born into.
David: he found shelter among foreign peoples and honored those who sheltered him.
Everything David lived through as a human being
Our sermons are about this life. Each one takes a part of being human that David struggled with, and speaks to how we live it today.
- JealousySaul's envy of the young player
- LoveJonathan loved him as his own soul
- FriendshipThe covenant with Jonathan
- WarGoliath and a life of battles
- PeaceRest from his enemies at last
- CreativityThe harp, the psalms, new instruments
- RejectionLeft in the field, scorned by his brothers
- AdoptionTaken into Saul's house; Mephibosheth at his table
- MarriageMichal, Abigail, Bathsheba
- PartnershipThe mighty men who stood with him
- Loss and griefSaul and Jonathan, his infant son, Absalom
- BetrayalAhithophel and his own son turn on him
- Exile and wanderingYears on the run, living in caves
- FearFeigning madness to survive at Gath
- Desire and temptationThe rooftop and Bathsheba
- Guilt and accountabilityNathan: "Thou art the man"
- Fatherhood and familyAmnon, Tamar, Absalom: a divided house
- Anger and restraintNabal's insult and Abigail's wisdom
- MercySparing Saul in the cave
- Joy and celebrationDancing before the ark with all his might
- Humble beginningsThe youngest son, keeping sheep
- WaitingAnointed as a boy, crowned years later
- Power and leadershipThe weight of ruling a people
- Ageing and legacyOld age and handing on to Solomon
The order of the sermon
- Written. The preaching minister writes the sermon in full.
- Read by another. A minister who did not prepare it reads it aloud to the church first.
- Addendum. The reading minister may add a short word of their own.
- The sermon. The minister who wrote it then gives the sermon and speaks about it.
Online every second Sunday. Together every quarter.
A minister leads on their instrument, and we talk about the issues of our lives here on earth. Join from anywhere in the world.
We gather in one place to play, ordain ministers and set the quarter's theme: what we will work on here on earth.
To get the link and the next date, write to us.
Every devoted instrumentalist can minister.
- Every member who plays an instrument and has given their life to it may become a minister.
- Only ministers lead services: our own, or visiting and guest ministers they invite.
- Ministers are ordained in writing at an in-person gathering and kept on the church's register.
- Ministers serve the people as public servants, as David did.
Come as you are. Belong when you believe.
We are non-denominational. We encourage members to stay part of the church they were born into, or to join other churches as well. No one is ever put out for belonging to another church; we welcome that union. Our concern is our lives here on earth.
Attend
Anyone may attend a service, of any faith or none. You do not need to play an instrument.
Become a member
Members believe our creed and empathize with our ways and laws. They profess it aloud before the church and are received by the ministers.
Land. Legal aid. Learning.
Belonging here should be felt in daily life. These are the three ways the church stands with its members until they see results.
Land
Worship needs territory. The church holds land for worship and for people to commune.
When a member seeks land or housing through a government program, we guide them through every step: the application, the paperwork, the loan. We stand with them until they get it.
Legal aid
We partner with pro bono and volunteer attorneys and legal organizations, and we refer members to the right professionals.
Whatever the issue, including immigration, the church stays with the member until it is resolved. In time we plan to become a recognized organization with accredited representatives for immigration cases.
Learning
Music training from our ministers, and help to learn and grow: skills, education and the next step.
We connect members with schools, programs and scholarships, and walk with them as they apply.
The church does not give legal advice itself or buy land for individual members. It guides, connects and stands with them.
We take no offering.
We give because we were given, not to be blessed in return. Members give a monthly membership gift to support the church's work, and anyone may give a donation.
Online giving opens soon
We are setting up the church's account now. Musicians Cross Church is organized as a church under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, so your gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Every gift receives a contemporaneous written acknowledgment: the official donation receipt the IRS asks for, which you can keep with your tax records. Monthly givers also receive a year-end giving statement by January 31.
Write to us to be told when it opens.
Write to us.
Mail: Musicians Cross Church, 798 Lighthouse Ave #104, Monterey, CA 93940
Email: hello@musiciansx.org