Dr. Kenny Flaming's Blog !

The Blog featuring the events surrounding Wardline Church of God an the thoughts, messages and special news items from Pastor Kenny Flaming.

Monday, March 03, 2008

The Demise of Flannel Graphs and Penny Marches

The Demise of Flannel Graphs and Penny Marches

Something that is really clicking with me lately is the word “Missional” it epitomizes what the church should be all about. Doing the “Mission of Jesus” We have to become missional or we might as well just close the doors!

Why are we here? Are we here just to have a place to show off our newest suit or fancy illustrated sermon? If we are not about the “mission” of Christ then we are no more that a social club.

This past weekend I attended Engage 21 conference in Cleveland TN. This conference was sponsored by my denominational leadership and was geared to open the dialogue between the “Emerging Pentecostal Leaders” (Someone must think I am an emerging leader) and the more current more “Established Leaders” in addressing the future of the church.

The first night session was a bit strained; it seemed they weren’t sure where to go or how to get there. Our General Overseer Dr. McGuire spoke that night; he had just returned from some extensive travels and it showed. Dr McGuire is a great man and a great leader but this wasn’t his best night, the next day after some rest he was on his game!

The 2nd days sessions were very good, after a “round table” type discussion on connection, Sam Santana a pastor from Tucson and Brian Hunter from Tallahassee shared their success and their burdens- it was an emotion time and very encouraging to see God work in the lives and ministries of these two men.

Dr Oliver McMahan is a true Pentecostal scholar; I met him 20 yrs ago when he worked at the seminary in Baton Rouge. I have heard him many times and I have never been disappointed!

Dr. Ed Stetzer is a leader with the Southern Baptists and he gave two tremendously informative sessions on the missional church as well as some church history. I was impressed with his insights and candid comments- I knew where he was coming from when he said “If the 50’s ever come back in style- our churches are ready for it”! How true it is.

I came away from this conference more proud on my denominational leaders than ever- It took real guts to open up the dialogue and to be able to address the hard questions, I feel that the church must be ready WITH the next generation of leaders if we are going to face the next generation of the unsaved. We can pretty much bank on the demise of flannel graphs and “penny marches”

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

The privileges of ministry

Any one in the ministry will tell you that being a preacher is not all slaps on the back and high fives. Oftentimes ministry is difficult and thankless.

But this past week I received some awesome blessings; I traveled to California to attend the graduation of Golden State School of theology where I received my Doctoral degree.

I also had a couple very unique and special privileges. On Thursday I was allowed the privilege in officiating my sister Lorrie's wedding.

Sunday I performed the dedication of Lorrie's grandson (My Great-Nephew) Luke Anthony Owens held at Calvary Temple Worship Center in Merced CA.

The unexpected blessing came on Saturday. My sister Janice and I went to visit some special family friends; Junie and Regina McDowell. Junie was recently diagnosed with cancer. When I got to the McDowell’ I was told that Junie wanted to be baptized.

It wasn’t feasible to baptize him in the traditional way (immersion) but I knew the Lord knew the intention of his heart. I guess you could say I transformed from a “Pentecostal” to “Presbyterian” for a few minutes!

I took a pitcher of water and baptized that night one of the greatest men I have ever had the privilege of calling “friend”. I do not think there was a dry eye in the house!; we hugged each other and just relished in the sweet presence of the Lord.

It is good to be in HIS Service

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

It Stinks When Your Kids Grow Up!


I have determined that it stinks sometimes when your kids grow up!!!

Yesterday we said goodbye to our daughter Bekah as she loaded her car up and begin her trek to Ellendale North Dakota to attend Trinity Bible College.
It was a little over 21 years ago that I saw my parents cry as I loaded up Tammy and Katie and headed to Baton Rouge to attend Bible College myself, now I know how they felt.

Yes Bekah is 18 and legally an adult but maybe I am not ready to give her up yet. I know that she has prayed and sought the Lord about this, but it is still hard to let her go and take on the world so far away.

I still remember her as the “Kamikaze walker” at 7 months old; I remember her getting down from the dinner table and walking over to slam the microwave door shut- because she could not stand it being open.

I remember her having to have her hair just right and the frilly things around her socks. I remember her willing to beat up the big girl on the bus that was giving her older sister Katie a hard time.

I remember her determination to make the cheerleading team in New Mexico, and standing up for what was right when one of the girls on the team was messing up real bad!

I remember her driving that “hot pink” VW bug (with lips and eyelashes painted on the front) it didn’t matter that it never stayed running right or that it had no A/C.

I remember her feeling guilty about taking a hot bath after she evacuated to her grandparents home in CA after Katrina because “she knew many others still were without”

I better quit rambling on, I guess I am just a proud Dad, that loves all his Kids, and hates to say goodbye.

Saturday, July 22, 2006

General Assembly

The 71st International Church of God General Assembly will begin tomorrow evening and continue through Saturday July the 29th. Pastor will be leaving immediately following this morning’s service to attend.
Audio updates on the proceedings will be posted here on our blog. Please check back often for updates.

Thursday, May 18, 2006

What a ride!

What a ride!

The last couple of weeks have been a wild ride to say the least and there are a few more turns left.

On May the 6th I celebrated my 40th Birthday- just a few days before our church; Wardline Church of God honored me with a surprise “Over The Hill” party after the morning service. (Kenny Hinson sang it best “It may be the truth I’m getting over my youth but I will never be over the Hill”)

The next week Tammy and I celebrated 19 yrs of marriage. And just this past weekend I was honored to receive an Honorary Doctorate from Amherst Theological Seminary in Lynchburg VA. Amherst Seminary recognized not only our years of ministry but also our work post-Katrina. Tammy and I traveled to Lynchburg and had a great time with all the great folks there. We then took a trip up to DC and saw as much of our nation’s capitol as we possibly could squeeze in in the amount of time we had.

We will be attending our State Camp Meeting in just a few days and will be going through the ordination service and will become an Ordained Bishop in the Church of God.

I feel it is an honor to serve here at Wardline Church of God, I feel we have had tremendous spiritual growth as a church in the last 12 months- And I see greater days ahead.

Thanks to all that have made this last few weeks very memorable-And a special thanks to my wife for putting up with me for almost 20 years of her life!

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

The Evolution of Dance



Being a child Born in the 60's and raised in the 70's and 80's
( I have to to admit, I never was much of a dancer)

I found this on a friends Blog and had to share it with you!

If we are going to be true to our calling we must be as Rush says "On The Cutting edge of societal evolution."

I present to you- The Evolution of Dance!

Friday, April 14, 2006

PodCast's Are Now Up!

Well we have worked out all the details and we are now online with the “Cross In Action” PodCast.

We will be in the coming days putting many of our radio programs up on the web for you  to download to your IPod, If you (like me) do not yet have a IPod you can still download the programs and listen at your convenience.

Please follow this link http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=146634204&s=143441  

and it will take you to our PodCast site.

Feel free to contact us with any problems or comments that you may have

Media@wardline.org