Peterborough City Pastors Prayer Breakfast

Who we are:

A group of church leaders who have been meeting regularly since 1996, The group is open to anyone who is in church leadership in Peterborough and the surrounding region.

Where we meet:

The City Pastors Prayer Breakfast meets at Peterborough Salvation Army (in Bourges Boulevard, New England) every two weeks on a Wednesday morning at 8 am for 8.15 am.

What happens:

Arrive at 8 am and be greeted with a hot drink. Prayer starts at 8.15 am, led by one of the group, and can take a variety of forms. At 8.45 am breakfast is served and consists of toast and tea, or a full English breakfast, beautifully prepared by the staff at the Salvation Army. People usually leave from 9.15 am onwards.

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City Pastors Prayer Breakfast Report - Wednesday 18 April 2007

[Brief report - full report to follow]

A 9.30 am start for this special presentation by Mark Macklin from Purpose Driven UK. David Beer was unable to come and Mark drove up from London to speak to our group. About fifteen to twenty people were there, although some had to slip away early. Bacon Butties, tea and coffee were served by Carol - and greatly appreciated.

Mark spoke about his practical experiences of 40 Days of Community and then answered questions at the end.

A tape recording (not top quality) was made and can be obtained from Paul Larcombe.

[Full report]

Mark Macklin is a Senior Pastor of Christian Community Church in Hounslow. He has been there since 1999 and is committed to the local church. Mark is helping David Beer of Purpose Driven UK, but doesn't work for them.

40 Days of Community is a management and leadership tool. Some people may be wary of the name and the slick packaging, but Mark said that it's about developing a church that is healthy.

Mark spoke about the following, using photographs:

• Beware of recreating a church that you've seen at a conference. It is your responsibility to interpret the materials for your church. This is a health warning! The key is: How do you interpret this in your situation?
• Focusing on the five purposes brings balance into your church. It brings health. Health always brings growth
• Purpose Driven Life was launched in 2001 and encouraged people to live the purposes out individually
• Christian Community Church in Hounslow were a guinea pig church for Purpose Driven Life
• 40 Days of Community is about what we can do together for our community. It can springboard us into community action
• They became Christian Community Church in Hounslow with an emphasis on community, but it was very hard to change the name
• 40 days of Community is very similar to 40 Days of Purpose - all the main components are there
• The catalyst is the Missions Project
• They put on a day for the homeless and lonely - providing clothing, haircuts, massage, showers
• Recently they prayed a dangerous prayer: "God, mess up our church; do what you want to do."
• They fed people for 14 hours from Christmas Eve to Boxing day
• 40 Days of Community deepens community within the church and serves the community around the church
• Everyone needs to be on the same page - teamwork; not a solo work; one united witness

Main components:

• Kick-off rally with a DVD of Rick Warren explaining all about it went very well
• Transcripts - make them your own with illustrations
• Small group teaching DVD
• Daily devotional
• Celebration weekend - celebrating what you've done

Final thoughts:

• PLAN the missions project - find the people who can plan
• PRAY!
• The journey was hard, but like a mountaineer who sees the view from the peak - yes, it was worth it
• And after the first peak, there is more to do!

Mark then answered questions at the end - these are on the recording.

A tape recording (not top quality) was made and can be obtained from Paul Larcombe.

Future meeting dates:

Wednesday 14 November
Wednesday 28 November
Wednesday 12 December

These are all at the Peterborough Salvation Army in Bourges Boulevard, New England.

Make a comment on these reports:

Now that these reports are available on the web, there is an opportunity for you to make comments on the reports, or on issues discussed. If you would like to make a comment, please email Paul Larcombe, who will act as Moderator.