In Hebrews 12:1 we are told to: "run with perseverance the race marked out for us." We've begun a new church year (1st Sunday of Advent) and we’re just about (can you believe?!) to start a new calendar year: 2008. I'm hoping, praying, and planning for us to get off to a mission-focused start, so that we might be well conditioned for the race "marked out for us."

On January 6 we'll be starting an 8 week study. Every Sunday, each Wednesday, in worship and Bible Study, we’re going to be engaged in seeking to understand two things: 1) what Jesus said about his ministry, 2) what that has to do with us. See the texts and topics in the Kinder (news section).

In worship a couple of guest speakers and I will be speaking on the day’s text. In Adult Bible study, with the help of a few others, I will be teaching on the same passage, focusing on its practical implications. On Wednesday nights (6pm), Daniel Johnson and I will lead a multi-generational “round-table” on the previous Sunday’s topic. I’m excited about this “winter Bible study” and the way it should “guide our feet” for the race of 08.

Our text, Luke 4, will be the theme of the “New Baptist Celebration” meeting in Atlanta (Jan. 30 – Feb. 2). The point of this text and of our study is to focus on what unifies us as
followers of Christ. KBC will be taking a delegation to this meeting of some 20,000 Baptists and there are still spots available.

My heart’s prayer is that this would get us off on the right foot, so that we might better use our hands to serve our living and loving Lord, and persevere in the race before us.