Amarillo Central

07.08.20 - Greg Dowell joins Allan Stanglin on today's episode for a conversation about the next phases in our transition from scattered to gathered at Central. The "Covid Committee" is identified and the planned next steps for children's programming and Bible classes are unveiled --- as long as it is "safe and sensible" to do so! Speakers: Allan Stanglin & Greg Dowell

07.05.20 - Everyone's in a hurry. We seem to have an insatiable desire for the immediate and the casual. We want church and transformation on our terms; the faster and more convenient, the better. But, that is not the way of our God. Our Lord demands a slow, long, deliberate dedication to his ways; he expects a determined commitment and endurance that lasts a lifetime. Speaker: Allan Stanglin

07.01.20 - Today's episode of the Central podcast has dropped on the Central app and the Central church website. Greg Dowell joins Allan Stanglin for a conversation about community in smaller groups. This podcast is for every member of Central who's looking for some kind of church expression, some community option, between another Zoom meeting and worshiping with 200 people in the auditorium. Speakers: Allan Stanglin & Greg Dowell

06.28.20 - Let's consider the harmony we share in Christ, the actions we take that bring him glory, and the mission we’re on to change the world. We need a vision for what’s possible. We need a clear target to aim for. We need a prayer. We need hope. Speaker: Allan Stanglin

6.18.20 - On today's episode of the Central podcast, Allan talks to Anthony Harris, the Pastor at St John Baptist Church in Amarillo, about the "Uniting as One" worship service on June 28. The conversation centers around Anthony's hopes for increased racial harmony in our city and beyond, and why he believes any significant change must begin with God's people. Speakers: Allan Stanglin & Anthony Harris

06.16.20 - On today's episode of the Central podcast, Allan talks about the upcoming "Uniting as One" worship service with two of the event's organizers. Isaac Butler, associate pastor at St John Baptist, and Chris Brown, a minister at Temple of Praise, discuss the origins of the city-wide, all-church, interdenominational, interracial, worship service scheduled for the evening of June 28. The conversation moves from our combined hopes for this worship event and where this might lead our churches and our community to the particulars of what the service will look like and what we need in terms of volunteers. Speakers: Allan Stanglin, Isaac Butler, & Chris Brown

06.14.20 - The start to 2020 has been anything but boring. What do you do when the storms of life grow turbulent? Worry is a common default…but that gets us no closer to the other side. Join us Sunday for a dose of hope from the last two chapters of God’s Word, Revelation 21-22. Speaker: Mark Tidwell

06.07.20 - The Kingdom of God, our eternal salvation, the defeat of sin and death, our Lord’s ultimate reign, and the restoration of all of creation --- it’s here. And it’s all still to come. Already and not yet. So, we wait. We hope for what we do not have and we wait for it patiently. And while we wait, we groan. Speaker: Allan Stanglin

06.04.20 - Today's podcast features Bivins Principal Benny Barraza and Central Children's Minister Mary McNeill. For the second time in three years, Central has won the Amarillo School District's Partner of the Year award for our work with Snack Pak for Kids, the money we send, and the volunteer hours we spend at Bivins Elementary. Speakers: Allan Stanglin, Benny Barraza, & Mary McNeill

06.02.20 - On today's episode of the Central podcast, Allan introduces us to our new summer youth interns, Emily Cochran and Eli McCoy. Emily and Eli discuss the influences that led them to pursue vocations in congregational ministry, the relationships that led them to Central, and the complications of doing youth ministry during the social distancing of a global pandemic. And Eli gives us stunning insights into what it's like to live with Larry Borger! Speakers: Allan Stanglin, Emily Cochran, & Eli McCoy

05.31.20 - What will you see and what will you hear when we worship our Father together in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day? What is God going to show you? Let us draw near to God and to one another and find out. Speaker: Allan Stanglin

05.24.20 - All of us are experiencing loss related to the Covid-19 virus. Some level of grief. The list is long of things we’ve lost, things we miss, things that were canceled. There is injustice and insecurity, tension and strife. And always the uncertainty. We’re all suffering in a variety of ways. The biblical way to express this grief is by lament. And we’re going to do that together as a church family this Sunday morning. Speaker: Allan Stanglin

05.19.20 - Today's episode of the Central podcast features two of our elders, John Todd Cornett and Craig Gladman, discussing the re-opening of Central for in-person worship on Sunday May 31. The conversation revolves around the current coronavirus conditions in Amarillo, our plans for a gradual restart to our Sunday morning assemblies, and the need for love and extra grace as we carefully transition from scattered to gathered. Speakers: Allan Stanglin, John Todd Cornett, & Craig Gladman

05.17.20 - The Hebrew and Greek words for “church” in the Bible are literally translated “assembly.” We are a gathered people first. It’s the very definition of who we are together in Christ. It embodies our incarnational God who joins us in bodily form and calls us to come together in community in one another’s physical, bodily, face-to-face presence. Speaker: Allan Stanglin

05.14.20 - Today's episode continues and expands the earlier discussion about lament. Allan Stanglin lays the biblical foundation for this spiritual exercise and gets you ready to participate in Central's lament service on Sunday May 24. Speaker: Allan Stanglin

05.12.20 - In today's episode, Hannah McNeill and Allan Stanglin walk through the spiritual practice of lament. In the midst of pain and suffering, uncertainty and loss, Christians faithfully take their complaints and petitions directly to God. Hannah and Allan explore the biblical basis for lament and the spiritual benefits of this mostly neglected form of prayer. As you listen, use the provided worksheet (link below) to organize your own thoughts and prayers related to whatever hardship or injustice you may be suffering during this virus crisis. Speakers: Allan Stanglin & Hannah McNeill Worksheet: https://707da324-e6ba-42d6-9aa2-d2dbd3988e0d.filesusr.com/ugd/07f904_114d7ed83f4c461ab7e48ffa0081006f.pdf

05.10.20 - We are made from dust and we are returning to it. But the Bible proclaims that our God raises us from the dust to seat us with princes. God’s commitment to us and his faithful actions for us mean that our Lord is raising us from this dusty existence to live with him forever in glory. Speaker: Allan Stanglin

05.05.20 - In today's episode the chairman of our elders, Larry Borger, joins Allan Stanglin for a conversation about May 31 as the targeted date to reopen Central for public worship assemblies. Larry and Allan discuss the thoughts behind the date, the restrictions and guidelines that will be in place that day and the Sundays to follow, and the encouraging news we keep getting from you, the Central family. Speakers: Allan Stanglin & Larry Borger

05.03.20 - When looking at any painting, your eyes are almost always directed to what’s in the foreground. But it’s the background of the picture that puts the main focus of the painting in proper perspective. God alone gives us the whole picture. Speaker: Allan Stanglin

04.30.20 - Allan Stanglin and Greg Dowell take apart the Little Debbie Sweet Sixteen in today's episode of the Central Podcast. If you've ever wondered about the merits of Zebra Cakes and Oatmeal Cream Pies versus the qualities of Nutty Buddys and Swiss Cake Rolls, this podcast is for you! Speakers: Allan Stanglin & Greg Dowell