2008 Interim Director's Report

I know that this is not professional, but you see, I'm retired. Wow!

What a time to be your Interim Director.

Together, we're launching a new era. We're building upon the foundation of 206 years as an Association. I am excited.

The first reason for my excitement is that we're building upon the 19-year Walter Taylor era with his help. Walter and Linda can not be adequately described in a few words. They have been a team who have earned the love and respect of Knox County Baptists. They have given beyond measure and we are made rich by their gifts. Their time with us continues, for which we are grateful. God has given Walter gifts of love, optimism and wisdom which he has generously passed on to us. His passion for the Kingdom of God sets a good example for us. His passion for the Kngdom of God sets a good example for us.

The second reason for my excitement is potential! It can be seen everywhere by discerning eyes. The potential of 150-plus churches awakening to the reality of their important places in advancing God's Kingdom together. Wouldn't that be awesome! Here is a continuing list that causes excitement:

• 150 churches built on the same foundation, yet so different, holding hands in cooperative ministry to each other and to our Jerusalem.
• All of us having a rebirth in the realization that we are brothers and sisters. We have moved beyond the past.
• An era of shared visions, plans, ministries and experiences.
• A era of the Good Samaritan and of genuine Jesus-like servanthood.
• An era of the Golden Rule in which every person's gifts are valued and are fully used in God's Kingdom.
• An era of true Christian compassion from each church to a sister church.
• An era of bursting out, of innovation, of new horizons, of creativity, of new approaches to life, work, calling, living and being missional.
• An era in which God blesses, empowers and uses His church as never before.
• An era in which the Association is a catalyst as God creates new things and does great and marvelous works in our midst.

I can't get away from God's Word to us in Isaiah 54: 2-3a "Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left."

There are some areas in our Associational life that are not compatible with the journeys of the churches. These deficiencies have crept in causing a general malaise among our churches and volunteers in relation to the Association. The root causes of these deficiencies are not of our making, but they must be corrected on our watch. The Long Range Planning Committee report will help us move into this new exciting era.

Again, I'm excited about our journey together.

May God be praised. John B. McBride