The Next Step

I'm writing this post to let all of you out there know that we will not be resuming our Thursday Celebration Women meetings, at Midtowne (Deerwood) and OP in the fall. Beginning in the early spring of this year I became unsettled about the CW meetings and began to really seek God about how they fit into the bigger picture of what He wanted to do in Celebration Church as a whole. Late in the spring, God began to speak to Stovall's heart strongly about groups, and I knew that the season for the Thursday meetings had come to a close.

Celebration Women has been great as it has rallied together a group of women who have a heart to see the women in our church rise to their fullest potential. Its been a great training ground and a very precious season in my life. But now I feel like we have to take all the energy we were spending on those meetings and put that into groups.

I want to thank all the women who are on my ministry team that made those meetings happen every week. They are awesome world-lifters, and I am so honored to have them on my team. Many of then will transition into the role of group leader, so I am sure the ministry and leadership will continue to increase in their lives.

I want to stress that Celebration Women is not about a meeting, but is about the caliber of woman that arises from the ranks of Celebration Church. About 2.5 years ago I wrote a vision of womanhood for the women in our church called, "The Woman that I see." That dream resounds stronger than ever in my heart today, and groups are the next step in developing the potential in all of the precious women and girls God has entrusted to our care. Here it is for those of you who have never read it before. Love you girls!

Kerri

LB xoxo

VISION FOR MINSTRY TO WOMEN

The woman that I see…

…Knows her value in the eyes of God, and seeks to live a life of choices that attest to her intrinsic worth.

…Understands that she is invited to participate in God’s amazing adventure to rescue humanity, and that she is integral and irreplaceable in His plan.

..Loves her femininity, and values the unique contribution that womanhood brings to the table of life.

…Lives generously, opening her heart to ever-increasing capacity for the kingdom of God.

…Walks in wisdom and kindness, strength and dignity and confers worth on every person she encounters.

…Is filled with joy, and a passion for life. Even when life brings trials her way, she brings forth treasure from them.

…Knows who she is, where she is going, and how she is going to get there. She equips herself to finish strong on the journey of life.

…Is in love with the House of God, desperate for the presence of God, and positions herself to encounter God, to hear from God, and to be used by God.

…Surrounds herself with friends who inspire and encourage her to live her best life for the kingdom. She positions herself to inspire others.

…Knows and values God-breathed friendship; she fights to protect those she loves.

…Shines like a star in the universe, holding out the Word of Life, and clothing her world in salvation.

Back in Business!

Well, I've come to the end of a long summer of travelling, and I am so glad to be back home! I just returned from Hillsong Conference in Sydney, Australia. It was truly the most incredible conference I've ever been to. The theme of the conference was, "Future." It was all about moving into the future as the body of Christ and empowering the generations that follow to carry the cause of Christ forward. One recurring theme of the conference was leading when you are certain, but not defined. In other words, there are times when you know God has called you forward, but you don't have the details. It takes courage to move forward when you don't know the exact outcome. But when we step out in courage and faith without the details and lean completely on God, it works humility in us.

On night during worship I looked out over the crowd of 30,000 people. Hands were raised everywhere and people were singing these words:

Let now Your church shine as the bride

That You saw in Your heart

As you offered up your life

Let now the lost be welcomed home

By the saved and redeemed

You've adopted as Your own

I just thought, what an honor that God allows me to lead in His body and to help welcome home the lost that reurn to Him. As I looked out over the crowd of people there, I had a small glimpse of how vast and diverse the church is. And while I suddently felt very, very small, I also realized how magnificent our God is. He is bigger than the universe, yet through the Holy Spirit inhabits each of us and empowers us to do our part. In the end we will see the big picture as He sees it, and I know it will be more beautiful than we can imagine!

I am sitting here in the Jacksonville airport getting ready to head out to Australia for the Hillsong conference. I have been to Colour (the women's conference) several times, but I have never been to the church conference. It is going to be really exciting to be with over 30,000 pastors and church leaders from around the world.
But man-- I have to say what a joy it was to be back in Jacksonville this weekend at Celebration Church with all the awesome people that call Celebration Church home. In my book, there's no place like it!
We had a great time in Louisiana. Stovall preached at Healing Place Church where his good firend, Dino Rizzo is pastor. We went to hang at a camp in Mississippi, and had a great time riding 4-wheelers through the creek and shooting BB guns. Annabelle did get her tooth knocked out in a 4-wheeler accident and got stung by several wasps, but other than that, it was fun.
Stovall and Stovie went fishing in Grand Isle and caught 60 fish! While they were cleaning the fish, dolphins came under the dock and scooped up the leftovers for dinner!
Its hard to beleieve summer is half way over. It flies by! If any of you are in groups this summer, I'd love to hear from you. If you could post some comments about good stuff from your groups, I'd love to hear about them.
I'll try to post from Sydney to keep in touch. Ya'll are the best!
Love,
Kerri
LB xoxo