Off the blog and onto the printed page...

I had dinner with a friend from college this weekend. We were catching up on life; now & then. We've been through a lot together; experienced quite a few seasons of change. As I sat and listened to her reminisce and replay some of our past together I was shaken & motivated. Reminded of my resolve and gratefulness for today and tomorrow. If we had stayed the girls we were back then, our lives would look very different today. If we had continued to make the series of little decisions we were making on a daily basis, we would have followed that path to a destructive dead-end. Some of the stories we talked about this weekend were horrifying to hear; to realize I was that girl. You wouldn't have recognized me.

The stories brought the reality of my life back then into clear focus. I was chasing everything that might compensate for the feelings on the inside I didn't know what to do with. Feelings of fear, insecurity, lack of purpose, loneliness, individuality, acceptance--I had them all; even if I didn't recognize them for what they were. Things in culture clearly captured my attention; they were not hard to find: things of beauty, art, excitement, fun, adventure. I tried to fill the void with a career, toys and an active social life. On the outside, I was happy. I had it goin' on. But, on the inside, I was empty. Without a foundation in Christ, I lacked the filter to know which paths were empty facades and which paths would bring real life.

I was looking for inspiration and real answers that would make a difference in my life, but there was nothing about the church that captured my attention. Even when I sought answers at the church, I could not find my next step. The church was like another world; one I couldn't find a handle to hold on to. It didn't match anything I knew so I left bombarded and confused and continued to chase the wrong things.

Obviously, something happened along the way to turn my feet in a new direction. I was able to find real answers and see the tangible difference Jesus would play in my life. I was able to take steps and learn how God created me the way I am and that he has a plan for me. Don't you want to know how a church finally got my attention in the midst of all of the chaos and cultural momentum?

Life’s hard and normal people are bombarded, used, abused and skeptical. It doesn’t matter if they’re active in church or not…they live day to day in a stressed-out, over-committed, over-extended survival mode. They simply don’t have the margin for more. As a church, we need to be effective at reducing the confusion.

I'm dedicating the next season of my life to write a book that will stretch and encourage church leaders with fresh observations about an audience they need to know better. The working title?

Less Clutter. Less Noise.
   Beyond church bulletins, brochures and web sites.

So, pray for me friends. The book comes out in the spring. I'm praying for you.

Comments

[Crystal Renaud]

praying for you and congrats. it will be really great!!

[Bobby Chandler]

I told you a long time ago you needed to do this. Yea!

[D.Lake]

I am excited for you and this next season. I look forward to the formation of your book and finally - THE READ!

Thanks for your inspiration.

[Steve]

Hey Kem!

Let the buzz begin...

Count me in.

I'll spread the word
down under!

[Lou Ann Muehleisen]

Kem
Thanks for speaking what so many of us believe. Life is hard, those in the church and outside the church need encouragement. Church leaders really need to understand where people live each day.

Speak the truth friend. May God give you all you need to put your thoughts and understanding into words that will help those in ministry.

Grace

[Dawn Nicole Baldwin]

I'm so excited for you, Kem. The world needs this book.

Can't wait to read it

[Dawn Nicole Baldwin]

I'm so excited for you, Kem. The world needs this book.

Can't wait to read it

[Dawn Nicole Baldwin]

I'm so excited for you, Kem. The world needs this book.

Can't wait to read it

[Greg on the Run]

Reserve an advance copy for me.

[anne jackson]

go you! :)

[caryn]

thanks for sharing. I will definitely pray for you during this season - as I was reading I was reminded of my life before Jesus and church and where I would be now if I continued that path. I am forever grateful I, too, turned my feet in a different direction.

[blair farley]

you always stretch my thinking to another level of clarity. can't wait to see your thoughts on the topic of compelling/effective communication refined into one book. it is going to be amazing! praying for you.

[kim]

what a great post! I'm looking forward to the book.... so, so, so necessary in the life I'm living as a part of my church.

[Jeremy Scheller]

Who can freakin' wait for this?
I can't.

I need this book three years ago.

[brent(inWorship)]

"Life’s hard and normal people are bombarded, used, abused and skeptical. It doesn’t matter if they’re active in church or not…they live day to day in a stressed-out, over-committed, over-extended survival mode. They simply don’t have the margin for more. As a church, we need to be effective at reducing the confusion."

AMEN!

I am excited for this book.

[Clayton Bell]

Kem,

I can't wait for this book! As someone who spent the last two years in the communication profession, I know how much the church needs to improve, and can think of no one better than you to do it.

And perhaps it will finally lead to the answer...is it web site or website? I like website, because that seems to be common vernacular.

Maybe you just write the whole thing in leet speak and make it 15 pages!

Kem's writing a book FTW. Now you know what that is!

[jennifer]

What a fantastic testimony. Thanks for sharing this. I was so encouraged.