Brian McLaren on New Baptists

If you haven't heard of or read Brian McLaren yet, this might not make any difference to you. Brian is a pastor/teacher/writer/speaker that is helping some folks in the church really think about where we are and where we are going. Here are his comments from his blog yesterday:

The new Baptists . . .
I'm in North Carolina today, speaking to the folks at Campbell University (home of the camels!). The good people of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship will be strongly represented today - a group I am tremendously impressed with and optimistic about. Many have damaged the good name of Baptist in the recent years, but these folks represent a different spirit and are moving toward a better future.

Thanks Brian for recognizing a difference in us. I am excited about the future God has for us also. Keep up the good work CBF!
God be with you on the Journey!
Kevin

Week of Prayer #5

I have waited to give my last report on the week of prayer. I wanted to see some of the responses and what might be happening. Most folks seem to recognize that they need more time in prayer, focused on God. We have some folks that would like to have a weekly time at the church for this. Others thought that we should have this special week a couple of times each year. I cannot say that any major new directions have been revealed yet, but there is the glow of His presence that is here. On a personal note, I am able to better recognize when I am struggling with "flesh and blood" instead of seeking out the real battle with "powers and principalities". Over all, things went great and I am just waiting on God to do what He wants next! Thanks for the prayer time!

God be with you on the Journey!
Kevin

Pray some more

I don't know if anyone really reads this, but if you do and you happen not to know about it I wanted to ask you to pray for my friend, Mark. He is having surgery today on a 6mm brain tumor. He is a great guy that loves the Lord. It is interesting that I have been praying every day this week at 5:30 AM, because Mark and I prayed together for 2 years. We would meet early in the morning, often times in my office, and we had some good times. I had been thinking about those times a lot, then we found out he had this surgery. Mark was even so gracious and loving that he called me this morning before the surgery. What a guy!

Also, my friend Dan is driving back to Missouri on his motorcycle. A lot to pray about traveling over 1200 miles on a motorcycle. Thanks for the visit Dan!

God be with you on the Journey!
Kevin

Week of Prayer #4

God is awesome! It has bee great to see all the different folks that have come to the prayer times and to have the opportunity for just a little bit of interactions with one another in a way that we would not normally have. It is important to build up (edify) one another and help each other stand against the flaming darts of the evil one. Unfortunately the evil one is already trying to make difficulties in my life and come against all the good work that has been going on in me during this week of prayer, but my brothers and sisters in Christ are helping me stand against that and find my way through it. Thank you and may all praise go to God! Let's keep up the good work for one more day.
God be with you on the Journey!
Kevin

Week of Prayer #3

Prayer times were great today! Especially the special time tonight at 6:30 PM! We had a good number of folks come and seek God's direction for our church. There seemed to be good participation for something that could have really stretched some folks. Thanks for going through this experience. The atmosphere of prayer really seemed to fill the sanctuary. Thank you God for meeting with us.

On a selfish side, I was really glad that my children were there and participated well. I thought once as I looked around about how great it was for them to see so many people from our church dedicate 45 minutes or more to spending time with God in this way.

I can't wait to see what God will do next.

God be with you on the Journey!
Kevin

Week of Prayer #2

Prayer times have been great! Mostly 7 or more at each time. Each time has had it's own special feeling and experience and presence. People seem to be really touched by the opportunity to spend an hour in prayer. Letting God do the work needed on our lives.

I have have been truly blessed, spending 4 hours in prayer on Monday and 3 on Tuesday. How awesome! I don't know exactly what God is going to do, but this time has helped me get closer to Him in new and fresh ways. Thank you God!

Don't forget the special prayer time, tomorrow, Wednesday, at 6:30 PM. I am looking forward to having a larger group dedicated to praying for God's direction for our church and our willingness to go the direction(s) we are led.

God be with you on the Journey!
Kevin

Week of Prayer #1

    At Centerville we are having a week of prayer.  Everyone is invited to come and pray daily at 5:30 AM, Noon, 5:30 PM, and 9:00 PM.  You can come to one time during the week, once a day, or any time you want.  You can come and go as you want.  I will be there for an hour each time, but you can stay longer.  There will be information sheets there to help explain things better. On Wednesday we will be combining the 5:30 PM and 9:00 PM into one special convocation of prayer at 6:30 PM.
    We had a total of five folks this morning.  Thanks everyone for your dedication to your church.  I wasn't as ready as I wanted to be, but it was a quietly powerful time.  See others of you at Noon!

God be with you on the Journey!
Kevin