Brentwood Tribe,

By now you know that the country of Haiti is in apocalyptic shambles with the recent earthquake, an already impoverished people have been hit with a nearly fatal blow. Yet, history tells us this is when God shows up “Big Time” through His Church.

For the last 24-hrs, Steve Pettit, our Life Development Pastor, has been in conversations with Blue Ridge Community Church to see how we can partner together to send relief supplies and a team to Haiti.

Here’s the 1st-draft plans:
1) Water: Brentwood people bring cases of bottled-water to the 9:00, 10:45A.M. or 4:30P.M. services on Sunday. It’s simple. Go to Sams or Wal-mart pick up some Card With Care and add a couple cases of water to your cart. We’ll be delivering them to Gleaning For The World on Monday.
2) Team Haiti: Right now, we’re making contact with a local Haitian church 100km outside of Port Au Prince. Most likely, we’ll be sending a small team of volunteers in the coming weeks. If you’re compelled, visit the NOW 10/40 table in the church lobby on Sunday.

Look for more details on Sunday.

Onward!!!
Jon

This past August, two Virginia Tech students were murdered near the Jefferson National Park in Montgomery County, Virginia. Both David Metzler and Heidi Childs were from right here in Lynchburg, so our community was stunned and grief stricken when the news was reported. So far, there’s still no leads in the case and the murders are unsolved, but the story would haunt me for weeks. Until, I finally decided to find out who David and Heidi were and why they were so special to so many people.

Lynchburg Living gave me permission to track down and write a story with few limitations. Honestly, I’ve never gotten so emotionally and spiritually involved in writing a 3rd-person story before.

Specifically, I want to thank Dr. Keith and Susan Metzler, and Don and Laura Childs for letting me into their lives and the memories and artifacts of their children.

So after many interviews and sleepless nights, here it is: http://www.lynchburgliving.com/story.php

NOTE: If you’re local, pick up a copy of the latest Lynchburg Living for more photographs and captions.

Brentwood Tribe,

Sunday will be our first Sunday of a new decade and I am stoked to dream some God-sized dreams with you. I have no doubt that our greatest years as a church are ahead of us. Already we have a goal to reach 10,000 new people with the Gospel in the next 10 years, but that’s just the beginning.

We start a series this Sunday called “What It Takes.” You don’t want to miss a week of it either. Why? Because we’re going to layout what it’s going to take to be a PREVAILING CHURCH not only in Lynchburg, but around the globe.

Let’s get this party started. See you Sunday.

Onward!
Jon

Sunday morning was a train wreck for me. It began early, no sleep and up before light. Outside, rain and ice fell like trillions of glassy needles. And there is nothing beautiful about that sound either, instead it’s oppressive and chaffing. Then I had a get-out-of-bed tug-of-war with my 5-year-old. He eventually got up, but I added more weight to his dad baggage. So, when I got to church, I was flustered and wondering if God could even use me–tired, distracted and a crummy dad.

Still, I focused on leading and teaching Brentwood for the next few hours. During the message, I paused to review the scene of Abram in Genesis 15, the moment Abram questioned whether God could still use his broken down body to start a family/nation. So, what does God do? He takes him outside and shows him the countless stars above and all around. Then, while Abram searched the sky, God tells him that his influence will be eternal. Once again, Abram trusted God to use him to impact the world. A lot is crammed inside these few verses, but what stands out the most is how God used Creation to send Abram a very persuasive message: I chose you and I will follow through.

Flash forward to Sunday night: After my offbeat morning and the all-day rain had made a swamp of things, I took a drive to clear my head. The night was cold and bullied me to go back home, to just get under the covers and sleep off the gloom, but I took that drive instead. For sure, I was supposed to witness something. What, I did not know, but it was out there waiting. So, I drove.

Not very far from home is when I realized it. The sky was clear, no more clouds and haze, but a black chaos overhead with light-pearls poking through like ice pick holes. It was brilliant. Almost immediately, I recalled the story of Abram. Then I knew that God was communicating something. What, though?

He said in my own internal voice,“Look at that sky. Just a reminder that I chose you for something, and I will follow through if you’ll trust me.”

Right then, I re-chose trust.

I can’t always say that I “get it” when God uses something peculiar, like a night sky, to encourage me; but when He does, I want to cherish it.

Brentwood Tribe,
As 2009 is almost complete and it has been one of the most exhilarating years in our brief history.

Here are some highlights that you were a part of:

Decade: Brentwood turned 10-years-old this past February, so we had a birthday party like none other. Hundreds showed up at “Amazement Square” downtown to celebrate a momentous decade.

The Gospel: 81 people surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ. Those are just the ones we could count.

Baptism: 23 men and women told their redemption stories and were baptized.

Global: Four teams from the Brentwood tribe went to Asia. Our India team helped construct a village community center that is a stage for proclaiming the Gospel to thousands. Already a hundred follow Christ, because of this on-going initiative. And still, three different teams traveled to Thailand to continue our labor to stamp out sexual exploitation and slavery at its epicenter. Finally, Africa, we commissioned an unbelievable married couple to begin a groundbreaking effort in Sudan, one of the deadliest places on earth.

Amazing Race: To top it off, our church helped organize and launch one of the largest charity-based races in our city. Over 800 runners flooded the streets of Lynchburg in the maiden voyage of Run For Their Lives. It was astounding to see so many give their blood, sweat and tears to start a movement to set the sexually enslaved free. And it shows that we are not a church that just prays about injustice, but takes action to defeat it.

New Beginning: At the Big Vision event in September, we launched a new vision to reach 10,000 new people in the next 10 years. Of course, that means we’ve got to get very creative in space and strategy.

Four Services: So this January, we take a bold and innovated step to reach our 10K in 10-years goal. How? We’re going to four services, two in the morning and two more at night—yes, that’s right, a new kind of “night church.” This adjustment makes it possible for us to reach 600 more searching-people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ at minimal financial cost.

These are just some of the audacious things God has done through our church community this year. You could compile your own list just as bold.

Can’t wait for another year!!!

Jon

Donald Miller recently wrote, “What makes a great story is one that has great characters in memorable scenes.” That is so true.

I showed a clip from “It’s A Wonderful Life” this Sunday, the scene where George Bailey runs down the streets of Bedford Falls yelling “Merry Christmas” to anyone and anything. Classic. I was surprised, though, by people’s response. Some, who had never seen the movie (which is a crime), still knew that scene from random places in our culture. That’s how powerful the story is; it’s scenes are part of American culture. Bottom line, characters and scenes are what people remember about a story.

So, what if we applied this same principle to our family? What if we worked on building memorable moments (scenes) for our spouse? Our children? Furthermore, what if we looked back on those moments, brought new light to them and started telling our family story that way. “Do you remember when…,” you might start. “…we went to that Christmas tree farm and it started snowing as we cut down our tree. And then we got back in the car and the heater was broken and the tire was flat…” You get the point.

Here’s an idea: Sit down in front of your computer and type out all the memorable scenes of your marriage and/or family for the past five years. Put a heading on each scene and describe it in your best five-sentence paragraph. Collect 8 or 10 on a couple pages, package it up however you want and then give it to your spouse as a random gift–major points, by the way.

After you’ve practice this looking backward, then go forward with more intention. Start creating memorable scenes that become a part of your family’s culture.

Personally, I just bought a “very used” popup camper. Our first outing was disastrously beautiful. And my kids can’t stop talking about it. Now, I can’t wait to make that camper a key character in the scenes of our ongoing family story.

Let the memories begin.

Family is one of the toughest things we’ll do in life, especially extended family. Yet, if done wisely, it is one of the greatest gifts God offers our days on planet earth.

Why is family tough? Because unlike great friendships, family relationships are designed to be lifelong. Most friendships will change like seasons, but family stays and requires tons more energy. That means there’s more time and opportunity to inflict wounds and experience calamity, and yet there’s equal time to forgive, grow closer and change one another.

For some, family gatherings are like getting a root canal–I can hear the drill and smell the burning. For others, these get-togethers are bursting with fun and meaning. Still, whichever side you’re on, your family has the potential to go to the other side. Crazy and dysfunctional families can move closer to being tolerable and even transforming. But also, close and highly functioning families can take a major plunge into a downward spiral. Bottom line, messed up families can get better, and put-together families can fall apart.

What is required of both? A lot of things are necessary, but a commitment to gather and genuinely share life with each other is a nonnegotiable. If the family stops gathering, the family grows apart and snuffs out its ability to be the gift God offers in family.

Here’s some random things to consider in protecting the family gathering:

1) Don’t expect the family elders to always call everyone together. You might have the Gandalf grandfather or dad who still calls the tribe to meet and everyone heeds the call, but most people do not. Maybe those elders were the catalyst decades ago, but they’re aging and covet their ruts and routines. Therefore, getting the kids and grandkids scheduled on the same calendar day might as well be writing healthcare legislation. And, if no one else is planning the reunion or gatherings, then plan it yourself and invite anyone who wants to come.

2) Don’t let the holidays be your only days. It is easy to get so busy with your immediate family–paying bills, raising kids, etc.—that your extended family gets reduced to a two-hour lunch on Easter or Thanksgiving. Try to gather more than once between holidays. If you live on the other side of the world, save your money for an extended trip every other year.

3) Don’t expect some other family member to make the gathering fun and meaningful for you. Instead, take the lead and become the family cruise director. I hear people complain sometimes about their family gatherings being a paint-dry watch, so if they do attend, their stopwatch is set for a quick, clean getaway.

4) Don’t settle family strife at the gatherings. Sure, the family needs to deal with the skeletons in the closet, but do those offline and in more intentional settings. This will take the burden off you feeling like a hypocrite, because everyone acts like it’s okay…when, of course, it’s not. Don’t misunderstand me, conflicts and old sins need to be handled, but not right before you slice the turkey or take the family photo–Hey, Dad, can we talk about how badly you treat mom?

I haven’t, obviously, covered everyone’s strange and unique considerations, but these are some general ways to gather up the family.

Finally, it’s easy to wine about your family expectations not being met–no one every wants to do anything, and when we do it is like eating glass–but it’s more worthwhile to be a catalyst for change and growth in your family. Instead of being a complainer, be a sustainer; instead of being passive, become active and bring your family together. Who knows, you might be the reason the family becomes great again or better than ever.

We start a series this Sunday called Blocks: Something To Build On. Plain and simple, it’s going to both inspire and freak you out.

Here’s the deal: God built us all inside a unique family. Maybe that family was functional, dysfunctional or something crazy in-between. Either way, we are products of those family blocks. In the same way, God is building a family through us. Yes, whether we are married, parents or single, God intends to forge a family through our lives. A marriage and generational legacy will flow from us into the world and throughout eternity. Pretty cool, but also pretty sobering.

Which brings up a question: Where does my family begin and grow, and how does it become prevailing and Christ-centered? Those building blocks start in our character and values. To get to those blocks, however, we must first uncover the family that first shaped them in us.

So, on Sunday, there are blocks you will have to tear down and other things you will build upon. Come and see what they are and take a radical step into God’s next move.

(Here’s a re-post from my former blog. Thought it needed some new readers.)

I met my wife in high school. We weren’t love-at-first-sighters, but pretty close. Two months after meeting, we dated. Five years later—through one 15-minute breakup and the college years—we married. The past 11 years has been a journey of fortunate mistakes, valiant dreams and whole lot of faith, hope and love. Now, I’m more in love and more attracted to this remarkable woman than on our wedding day.

These days our three children grow up at rapid pace and I wonder what vibrant skies we’ll face next. Yet, while I get ready for those horizons, I can’t help but sift through our voyage—along with the stories of others I’ve counseled over the past decade—to offer some advice. These thoughts are for someone who is about to begin a marriage or perhaps for a couple who have somehow lost their way. So here’s some guidance from someone a little ways ahead.

I think we should all ask this question before we get married: Do I know who I am? Know the answer. Why? Because we’ve all heard a story like this before: A woman wakes up in her marriage one day, looks at her naive family and says, “I really wanted to be a Broadway star, not a cook and carpool mom.” So she runs off to the Big City and leaves the rubble behind. Sounds extreme, but as a pastor I hear it all the time, just different names and places. Early on, I had to realize that my marriage is not a cute puppy I brought home from the pound that I might return if it messes on the carpet. No, it’s an allegiance to someone, another soul whom I’ll love and grow and change with for life, thick and thin. So, if you’re not ready to turn in your “Me Card” for an “Us Card” then my advice is grow up some more before you say, “I do.”

I married my best friend. Yes, I’m serious. And I’d tell you to do the same. Sounds trite, but so much of marriage is shaped by the chemistry and trust of two friends, not infatuated lovers. It’s a man and woman who sense the safety of being real in every way, thoughts and emotions especially. They don’t hide or perform to keep up fairytale illusions of themselves.

Here’s a twist: Imagine Prince Charming prepares a candlelight dinner to captivate Cinderella, but spends the time confessing his inadequacies and past regrets to her—not exactly her idea of an evening out. Best friends, though, can welcome this. They laugh and cry and work through each other’s junk patiently (and we all have junk) and then love each other more deeply than before. Don’t misunderstand; the fire of romantic attraction is critical and needs to be kindled, but major decisions and changes rarely happen over seduction games. So if we can’t be authentic with someone, then married life will be lonely and exhaustive. It is, after all, impossible to be “enchanted” 24-7.

It’s tough for me to accept, but my human love can’t sustain my marriage. And if we’re honest, we’d all like to think we’re competent enough to hold a relationship together on our own—livin’ on love. The reality is confirmed for me that a Christ-driven love is needed to thrive and finish strong in marriage. Otherwise, our odds are 50-50.

Think about it, our natural love is fickle and self-focused, at best. We release and deny it with conditions that change by the second and fade over time. Get two selfish people together who try to make it on the “factory installed” love and everything gets really blurry. Personally, my faith and followership in Jesus Christ, and my church community have been the greatest coaches in higher (or divine) love for me. This belief and embrace of God’s love has helped me weather some pretty intense seasons as a flawed husband. It’s taught me how to truly say, “I’m sorry” and “I forgive you.” So, don’t just find a religious building to book your ceremony; discover some true believers to do life and faith and family with for the long haul. Trust me, you’ll find what you’re looking for.

There’s so much more to unfold, but if I only had five minutes to condense a decade, these three would be the big ones for me. So quick review, 1) Know who you are (Am I selfless enough for marriage?), 2) Know who your fiancé(e) is (Is this person just my boy/girl friend, or my best friend?), and 3) Know where true love really comes from (Do I believe and embrace something bigger than human love?). Now, go enjoy a life in this heroic journey of marriage. I promise, you’ll never be the same.

Brentwood Tribe,

Pretty awesome weekend!!! Record attendance again–more people in our building than ever before. You guys are bringing guests every week despite the crazy parking and space demands. And your guests come back despite the beautiful insanity. Keep it up, because we’re finding creative ways to cram adults and children inside until we go to four services in January. We don’t want one person to not hear and experience the Gospel because of overcrowding. It reminds of the paralyzed guy in Mark 2; his friends ripped open the roof, so he could see Jesus.

About four services, we have almost reached our goal of 400 early adopters; just 60 more to go. Reminder: We’ll see all you PM-people at 6:15p.m. this coming Sunday (11/15) for the pre-launch experiment. It will be the same as the A.M., but with some special sauce.

Finally, here’s a BONUS. My friend Jonathan Carone got this little Top-Ten list started on his blog. I thought I’d share these inside jokes with the Brentwood Tribe:

The Top 10 Ways You Know You Go To Brentwood Church

1. You’ve ever been given free McDonald’s to leave church.
2. You refuse to wash your car before going out on Saturday night because you know how dirty it’ll get on Sunday morning.
3. You have a Freedom 4/24 sticker on your car.
4. Along with your computer, water bottle, book-bag, frying pan, cell phone, and tooth brush.
5. There is always one overly affectionate couple around you during service.
6. You’ve ever looked in the mirror and wondered if your v-neck shirt was cut too low…and you’re a guy.
7. You listen to Steve Fee on your way to church and then hear two songs from that album during worship.

8. You’ve ever worn the same dress you wore out with your friends on a Friday night to church on Sunday morning.

9. You’ve described the church as “You know, the one with the rock concert for praise and worship.”
10. You feel like you know every funny or embarrassing thing to ever happen to Jon Dupin.

Thanks Jonathan for making us laugh at ourselves.