Ken's Blog
Ken Murphy is Stonecreek's Lead Pastor, providing strategic leadership to the church's overall ministries through the church staff. As Lead Pastor, Ken initiates the development and deployment of ministries, resources and personnel that assist Stonecreek in fulfilling its mission to "connect with people and lead them into an authentic and growing relationship with Jesus Christ." Ken is a key influencer on the culture and environments of Stonecreek. He serves as one of Stonecreek's worship leaders, and a frequent speaker at Stonecreek Retreats. Ken and his wife, Kim, moved to Alpharetta in October 1999 to lay the groundwork and provide leadership to begin the new ministry of Stonecreek Church on February 6, 2000. The Murphys live in Alpharetta with their son and daughter.
Ken's Blog
May 03, 2007
Man Laws Take-aways
Man Laws was great this morning. Man Laws is a gathering of men that meets the first Thursday of every month (except July) at 7 a.m. 'til 8 a.m. at Stonecreek. Invite a friend. It's worth your time. $5 bucks gets you a good breakfast and fuel for life. Today, Steven and Jason facilitated discussion and challenged us as men regarding sexual purity. Here are some take-aways from Steven's talk. 1. Know your triggers. Good questions to consider: When are you most ... More »
Posted by Ken Murphy
Apr 26, 2007
Idol Gives Back
I enjoyed watching last night's two hour episode of American Idol: Idol Gives Back. It is always cool to see people step up to meet the needs of others, especially those suffering from the plight of extreme poverty. Watching the program brought back alot of memories from my trip to Ethiopia, Africa. As Ryan, Simon, Randy and Paula shared their experiences, it took me back to the villages I walked and the children I met in those villages. Zalalawe, Fikirte, Barnabas, ... More »
Posted by Ken Murphy
Apr 24, 2007
219 Children Sponsored!
Compassion Sunday at Stonecreek was incredible! If you missed it, you'll want to listen to the interview I had with our guest, George Jowi. We had hoped that we would see 100 children sponsored. Through the words of the interview, George's personal story and our surprise introduction of his sponsors, God moved Stonecreek to do something about the plight our global neighbors and we saw 219 children sponsored! If you did not have the opportunity to attend on Sunday, ... More »
Posted by Ken Murphy
Apr 12, 2007
4/22 :: An "Oprah Moment" You Cannot Miss!
I am pumped about April 22! You are not going to want to miss this day. Mark it down. Tell your co-workers about it. Invite your neighbors. I'm certain that Oprah would want this opportunity, but God has made the way for STONECREEK to be the place where it happens! I'll cut to the chase. On April 22, I'll be interviewing George Jowi, a former Compassion International sponsored child who has escaped the prison of poverty and is now pursuing a degree in the health services ... More »
Posted by Ken Murphy
Apr 01, 2007
Opening Our Doors For Those Who Aren't Here Yet
Our staff team has been hard at work preparing for the new series, "Life in Suburbia," that begins Easter Sunday. I thought I'd take some time to share with you some of the things we're doing to partner with YOU as you CONNECT with those in your sphere of influence and INVITE them to Stonecreek! Together, we will do everything we can to connect with the unconnected for the GLORY OF GOD, the GOOD OF OTHERS and for OUR COMPLETE ENJOYMENT! Why do it? JESUS is the only answer ... More »
Posted by Ken Murphy
Mar 28, 2007
Facing the Giants
I love that Stonecreek is a place where it's okay to not be okay. This past Sunday, I shared a part of my journey I've walked the last two years. You can download it or listen online here. Here's one of the IMPACT stories that I've heard from Sunday's worship service. Stonecreek is making a difference in the lives of people. Take time this week to CONNECT with someone and INVITE them to one of our three EASTER SERVICES. Take advantage of the E-VITE at our ... More »
Posted by Ken Murphy
Mar 21, 2007
Empty Hands
From my personal journal. Dated 10.17.2006. I'm reminded today how much letting go needs to be done in my life. God brought this journal entry to mind, and I wanted to share it with you today. Let go. When your hands are empty, God can then entrust you with a new thing. And, you'll know from the onset that this new thing is not your thing but His thing. (It is) given to you for a season which you do not know it's end ... only ... More »
Posted by Ken Murphy
Mar 20, 2007
Showing March 25 :: "Facing the Giants"
I'm having a blast preparing for this Sunday's message as a part of the "Stonecreek at the Movies" series. We'll be taking a look at some incredible clips from the movie Facing the Giants, to gain some perspective and understanding on how God uses adversity in our lives. I'll be sharing some personal illustrations from my own journey as I return to Stonecreek from an 8-week ministry sabbatical. It's great to be back at Stonecreek, and I really ... More »
Posted by Ken Murphy
Mar 16, 2007
Back in the Saddle
My sabbatical concluded with a trip with our team to the Unleashed conference at New Spring Church in Anderson, SC. It was great to hang with our team once again and to be challenged by Perry Noble with our greatest opportunity -- leading people to Jesus. I keep coming back to Isaiah 61. Only Jesus can do the Isaiah 61 thing! What's even more incredible, is that He chooses to use us to personally share that message of life and freedom in Him with others! Sunday, March ... More »
Posted by Ken Murphy
Mar 06, 2007
Out of Africa / Unplugging for Now
I'm home! I made it back safely from my travels in Ethiopia, Africa, with Compassion International. Thank you for your prayers and support while I was away. I look forward to sharing some of my sabbatical experiences on Sunday, March 25, as a part of the "Stonecreek at the Movies" message series. I'm Unplugging for Now I am in my final two weeks of my sabbatical. I have decided to "go black" and unplug from blogging, the internet and cell ... More »
Posted by Ken Murphy
Feb 25, 2007
Ethiopia Images - 25 February 2007
Here are some images from our ministry and cultural experiences today in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with Compassion International. VISIT COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL'S WEBSITE TO SPONSOR A CHILD NOW. This is a common scene in Addis. This child is selling small Kleenex packets. There is no sign of any guardian to be found. Children worshipping, singing, "Lord, our God, you have given assistance. We worship you forever." Ethiopian man worshipping at ... More »
Posted by Ken Murphy
Feb 24, 2007
Greetings from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Ken with children at ET-408 / Wolisso Mulu Wongel Believers' Child Development Center An Atlanta icon in the desert of Ethiopia, shown with Ethiopian pancake-like bread. The eyes of a toddler in Ethiopia are no different than the eyes of a toddler in North Atlanta, Georgia, USA. I had the opportunity to visit Compassion International's Ethiopia Country Headquarters and spend time with thier incredible staff. Over 53,000 Ethiopian children benefit ... More »
Posted by Ken Murphy
Feb 22, 2007
Compassion in Ethiopia, Africa
Tomorrow I leave for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in Africa with Compassion International. I cannot wait to get there and experience the culture and see first-hand the ministry of Compassion. During our ministry time in Ethopia, I will be visiting the plains of Obi, home to 5,500 residents; Wolisso, home to 52,000 residents; Akaki Beseka, home to 173,000 residents; Guele, home to 3,000,000 residents. It is shocking to learn that most adults in these communities earn the equivalent ... More »
Posted by Ken Murphy
Feb 20, 2007
Lion Manifesto by Mark Batterson
I've finished reading Mark Batterson's In a Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day. Incredible book. Kim has almost finished reading it, too. Mark recently posted this "Lion Manifesto" on his blog and I thought I'd share it with you. If this doesn't inspire you to RAISE YOUR GAME for the glory of God and the good of others, I hope it at least motivates you to get the book. Don't just read it ... act on it! "Lion Manifesto" by Mark BattersonQuit living as if the purpose of life ... More »
Posted by Ken Murphy
Feb 18, 2007
My Dad, My Hero
My dad is my hero. At 70 years of age, he is living his life to intentionally be a blessing to others. His life is marked by living life for the glory of God and the good of others. In the process, I watch him fully alive and completely enjoying his purpose and place on this earth. Although he has retired as a pastor, he has not retired from the game. He's stepping up to the plate to serve his local church as an Elder. Instead of declining, he's raising his game for the cause of ... More »
Posted by Ken Murphy
Feb 18, 2007
I Found My Brown Coat
Okay, call me stupid. My brown coat was in the downstairs coat closet. I do not know how I could have missed it! I got my red coat out of the downstairs coat closet, because I could not find my brown coat! My red coat was only two hangers to the right of my brown coat. Late Friday night, Kim went to hang up her coat in the downstairs coat closet and quietly said to me, "Ken, I found your coat." "Where?" I asked, in a tone that would indicate, "that ... More »
Posted by Ken Murphy
Feb 15, 2007
ZAG: #1 Strategy for High Performance Brands
"When focus is paired with differentiation, supported by a trend, and surrounded by compelling communications, you have the basic ingredients of a Zag." - from ZAG: #1 Strategy for High Performance Brands I'm half way through this book. I'm already learning a lot that we can use at Stonecreek. I can't wait to lead our staff team through this tool to help us continue to focus, simplify and differentiate our unique place in God's Kingdom! I recommend this book to anyone starting a new church, ... More »
Posted by Ken Murphy
Feb 15, 2007
Have You Seen My Brown Coat?
My day started off bad. Not like you care or anything. (Can't you hear the self-pity in my voice?) I couldn't find my brown coat. Not my red one. My red one is down-filled and for colder weather. It's too thick. Not that one. The brown one. It's not as thick, but thick enough for today's weather. It's just right. It's my brown coat. It's 7:15 a.m., and I've got to take Miles to school. I've timed it exactly, and know that we ... More »
Posted by Ken Murphy
Feb 14, 2007
Made to Stick
During my recent visit to Willow Creek Community Church (Chicago, IL) and Granger Community Church (South Bend, IN), I finished reading Made to Stick by Chip Heath and Dan Heath. I highly recommend this book to anyone who teaches, drafts organizational communication or delivers public presentations of any kind to any audience (regardless of age). When I return from my sabbatical, I will be taking our entire staff through this book. Here's the communication framework for Heath & Heath's ... More »
Posted by Ken Murphy
Feb 14, 2007
Building Castles
I laid on my son's twin bed last night, just watching him hard at work. He was building a castle from cardboard puzzle pieces I had brought him from my recent travels to Illinois and Indiana. His back was to me, and all I could see was his 8-year old body hunched over a pile of puzzle pieces, crafting them with careful selection into the castle he envisioned in his head. Sure, he could have followed the "samples" listed in the guidebook that came with the set. But it would ... More »
Posted by Ken Murphy
Feb 05, 2007
Monkey See, Monkey Do, Monkey ...
Monkey Talk! The February 2007 issue of National Geographic reports, "For the first time, scientists believe they have evidence of a nonhuman mammal combining signals to create entirely new meanings." The article describes how the male putty-nosed monkeys in Nigeria string together utterances of pyow and hack to communicate to their spouses and children. Pyow: used like an alarm, warning that a predator is nearby. Hack: also used as an ... More »
Posted by Ken Murphy
Feb 02, 2007
Sabbatical Travel Schedule
Sabbatical Travel: 01.20.07 - 1.23.01 / Meet with Mike Bodine, Senior Leader, and Jud Wilhite, Senior Pastor, Central Christian Church, Henderson, Nevada. Attend worship services at Central and their new video venue campus in Summerlin, Nevada. 01.29.07 - 02.01.07 / Private marriage retreat with Kim at WinShape Retreat, Mt. Berry, Georgia. Meet with Dr. Shawn Stoever, Director. 02.09.07 / Meet with Gene Appel, Lead Pastor of Willow Creek Community ... More »
Posted by Ken Murphy
Jan 26, 2007
Tastey Day :: January 26, 2007
Today marks the one-year anniversary of the surgery that enables me to manage my achalasia (a rare esophageal disease that effects one out of every 100,000, with no known cause or cure). The surgery (heller myotomy with partial fundoplycation) was performed by Dr. Ronald Hinder, a skilled surgeon of the Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida. Last night, Kim and I reflected on the past two years, and the days leading up to my surgery. There are alot of ... More »
Posted by Ken Murphy
Jan 22, 2007
Resting in God.
What is a sabbatical? A sabbatical is an extended period of time granted for development and spiritual renewal away from normal leadership responsibilities that is not possible during a typical work year. Sabbaticals are not vacations, but carefully planned periods of time devoted to study, reflection, rest, and renewal. They frequently become a path to understanding one's calling in new ways or as a vehicle for a transformed sense of identity. Thank you, Stonecreek, for this ... More »
Posted by Ken Murphy
Jan 19, 2007
Yukon Find Rest at Starbucks
Today is the first day of my sabbatical. I'm not quite sure how to act or what to do. But, I've made my way to Starbucks to figure it out. Whenever I've heard of someone taking a sabbatical, they've gone to Starbucks. So, here I am. In fact, I opened the door to Starbucks for someone this morning, then got in line to order. I let that person go ahead of me and they were so appreciative that I thought I'd try it again. So, the next person that came in, I offered, ... More »
Posted by Ken Murphy
Jan 18, 2007
It Won't Go Away.
As much as I wish it wasn't there, it won't go away. It raises its ugly face to remind me, it won't go away. No matter how much I think it away, it won't go away. No matter how much I wish it away, it won't go away. No matter how much I pray it away, it won't go away. The cold settles in, and I'm reminded, it won't go away. With determination, I fight it. It won't go away. With fierceness, it fights me. It won't go away. God, take ... More »
Posted by Ken Murphy
Jan 13, 2007
Inoculations and Imodium
It is hard to believe that my trip to Ethiopia, Africa with Compassion International is six weeks away. Friday, I met with a doctor who is a "travel immunization specialist." I was amazed at his knowledge of diseases and bacteria that could cause a potential problem for me during my visit. He consulted with me for about an hour or so, encouraging me to "refrain from petting the cute puppies" and to beware of fresh water contaminated by bilharzia, a parasite whose ... More »
Posted by Ken Murphy
