tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59154615243690537432024-02-07T13:51:13.944-05:00Area 10 ProjectThe journey to a new faith community in the City of RichmondBarrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14941636371015711551noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915461524369053743.post-73120469331737671702008-09-26T09:25:00.002-04:002008-09-26T09:30:34.186-04:00It's Friday...but Sunday is comin!Week 2 of Area 10 is moving along nicely. I can't believe Sunday is two days away. You spend a year planning/dreaming about the first service and the second one shows up 7 days later.<div><br /></div><div>We are talking about Jesus this Sunday. It should be a fun day, I think! I think talking about Jesus is probably a good idea for a church.</div><div><br /></div><div>One great thing this week, was I invited some people out for ice cream Wednesday and 8 people showed up. It was a great time of meeting some new people, and hearing their stories.</div><div><br /></div><div>See ya Sunday!</div>Barrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14941636371015711551noreply@blogger.com223tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915461524369053743.post-39977337106782573242008-09-23T22:56:00.002-04:002008-09-23T22:57:59.572-04:00Video of the launch dayHere it is. This is the song we used in the video we showed on Sunday. Enjoy the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X67TRZgowi8">video.</a>Barrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14941636371015711551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915461524369053743.post-63127813145185557332008-09-22T11:20:00.003-04:002008-09-22T11:22:20.572-04:00Photos Part 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFq4h2Qyd0nwvHmA4AeZq5S4xZ8l5VEd7nwS9FiuXgtI71I0p16wRiTM7vsHeza_i3JRlCIzrOxIB40O27wbnrnDC2Ymha-wdQIfe0of6iBbJcVkecHLeQd4al9InrbniG_D1dRAcDyAU/s1600-h/play+area"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFq4h2Qyd0nwvHmA4AeZq5S4xZ8l5VEd7nwS9FiuXgtI71I0p16wRiTM7vsHeza_i3JRlCIzrOxIB40O27wbnrnDC2Ymha-wdQIfe0of6iBbJcVkecHLeQd4al9InrbniG_D1dRAcDyAU/s320/play+area" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248866370999231394" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5B6zz1MAjC0JP7LJMEFfgc94TCedqSS5BvHT4etjXl6HuIJQQqjmkIIdwMtaEY_QWM2cRzoK5o8ePSANhaFLmMqKfScPavY0-uIpQz8YsoE1dGkbq4e-hd4PqdsaTOicAWiMMgiF2N9I/s1600-h/Separation"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5B6zz1MAjC0JP7LJMEFfgc94TCedqSS5BvHT4etjXl6HuIJQQqjmkIIdwMtaEY_QWM2cRzoK5o8ePSANhaFLmMqKfScPavY0-uIpQz8YsoE1dGkbq4e-hd4PqdsaTOicAWiMMgiF2N9I/s320/Separation" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248866062057365090" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEBeyr4HVpdbfgOfmBHETjemxLtYujHYQo_o0IcHTQGM2HWDQqlwtjI7255guB5sCg7WxrR9uVSyDVO0vuikqlCyZYtA2Y-OqZGGhnqKwvKnsyPp-8Z2V5kiAzqo7M2N2gzdhXKiHDUj4/s1600-h/worshippers"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEBeyr4HVpdbfgOfmBHETjemxLtYujHYQo_o0IcHTQGM2HWDQqlwtjI7255guB5sCg7WxrR9uVSyDVO0vuikqlCyZYtA2Y-OqZGGhnqKwvKnsyPp-8Z2V5kiAzqo7M2N2gzdhXKiHDUj4/s320/worshippers" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248866066885758146" border="0" /></a>Barrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14941636371015711551noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915461524369053743.post-68137786582288569122008-09-22T11:12:00.003-04:002008-09-22T11:20:10.225-04:00More Photos from Launch<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-aIQW8I04y7xPxg4BYr209jHNADNuWxXuRMLaCUDtQRF9Pa4D_g2UxbQOtpQzH0HMtvUrE2m_smaM-3W4Qih6_Yw5CP5GxlUgEUbLEpp1jlOQAES2qe2IqMcO4NCKx6B0-YnV7JOvh8/s1600-h/a10kidssign"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-aIQW8I04y7xPxg4BYr209jHNADNuWxXuRMLaCUDtQRF9Pa4D_g2UxbQOtpQzH0HMtvUrE2m_smaM-3W4Qih6_Yw5CP5GxlUgEUbLEpp1jlOQAES2qe2IqMcO4NCKx6B0-YnV7JOvh8/s320/a10kidssign" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248865742434255218" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Hd7zRGhK5rCP7dlyYaC4iyl48czVjBO47NkDWeQEODoMpPYlF3mfyDC_MbC8Jh2PaUzPNJp3B00akZaM7YC6bS1tKroOyF3eceXXjU_wVZM7xmMYsp892E840rdyHM9JuFIeeoqzgao/s1600-h/band"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Hd7zRGhK5rCP7dlyYaC4iyl48czVjBO47NkDWeQEODoMpPYlF3mfyDC_MbC8Jh2PaUzPNJp3B00akZaM7YC6bS1tKroOyF3eceXXjU_wVZM7xmMYsp892E840rdyHM9JuFIeeoqzgao/s320/band" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248865746796227138" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sGcRtomXiC31QcWb26mWATyvaMdGWCG0EOW_A95BVxxtqe02eveSm7Ex-tUVhG8V8ZOIYk7jWWcH30UJsuVwtfXm0jVQ8dpLH-1giSvchaJsAtcLjmayHsiotmsKB69vEP3M2soRL3I/s1600-h/Communion"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sGcRtomXiC31QcWb26mWATyvaMdGWCG0EOW_A95BVxxtqe02eveSm7Ex-tUVhG8V8ZOIYk7jWWcH30UJsuVwtfXm0jVQ8dpLH-1giSvchaJsAtcLjmayHsiotmsKB69vEP3M2soRL3I/s320/Communion" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248865752846928082" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtV_3TnoQcZVUXsSDB43sQhBYsZwvcxCrBOkgH_59YMzci7nG8EEfB3mMA07i8bTJ7-1tWvDjI-IPHjB6KB6xT4vlu34mDi8fmwvtH22v-JgItwfWcSxBQjcQ8kpKWHq2G3iF6IR0WSE/s1600-h/KidsClass"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtV_3TnoQcZVUXsSDB43sQhBYsZwvcxCrBOkgH_59YMzci7nG8EEfB3mMA07i8bTJ7-1tWvDjI-IPHjB6KB6xT4vlu34mDi8fmwvtH22v-JgItwfWcSxBQjcQ8kpKWHq2G3iF6IR0WSE/s320/KidsClass" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248865752786552738" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSB91FgBzMvyrMfIgAS5rem0sDfLSDfr2Dhf0J6nfAuFDjj7RH9GC45DU-Dg6Zcnt3e_PTRPGZ0L7WU-JDCe-SsdbHv43ZTaV7WeJ5NuOtuF3Tyq87R6DXhK_AxUvf-rb0u93u495_vCc/s1600-h/preaching"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSB91FgBzMvyrMfIgAS5rem0sDfLSDfr2Dhf0J6nfAuFDjj7RH9GC45DU-Dg6Zcnt3e_PTRPGZ0L7WU-JDCe-SsdbHv43ZTaV7WeJ5NuOtuF3Tyq87R6DXhK_AxUvf-rb0u93u495_vCc/s320/preaching" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248865757139272498" border="0" /></a><br />Here are some great pictures- courtesy of Dave Hileman.Barrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14941636371015711551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915461524369053743.post-35050706216844383192008-09-21T17:45:00.002-04:002008-09-21T17:48:11.430-04:00The Launch<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf6AaBmQReHUdGqWFys9cI6iZNMEQOIsrDwmIwcymCi20PVHrKoTh0G7WH3whTAx1sZ6E4tODR43YKMCmw7qcqSHIXDOphHvXtl-_mO2tM192de0MzuaOEthRzaWdn934GbVfmBsGEBO8/s1600-h/_MG_1412_3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf6AaBmQReHUdGqWFys9cI6iZNMEQOIsrDwmIwcymCi20PVHrKoTh0G7WH3whTAx1sZ6E4tODR43YKMCmw7qcqSHIXDOphHvXtl-_mO2tM192de0MzuaOEthRzaWdn934GbVfmBsGEBO8/s320/_MG_1412_3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248594715389706882" border="0" /></a><br />Area 10 held it's first public service today. It was an absolute blast. A total of 233 people showed up. People were excited and I talked to lots of people that loved it. Great stuff. God delivers up again.<br /><br />I'm watching football and relaxing now...<br /><br />Enjoy the picture of our opening service!Barrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14941636371015711551noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915461524369053743.post-44378946774511308752008-09-17T09:23:00.004-04:002008-09-17T09:35:58.237-04:00We are launching a church because...We are launching a church this Sunday because Richmond needs it. Richmond doesn't need just another church. Richmond needs more churches that speak the language of the people and deals with contemporary issues in a biblical way. Richmond needs a church that offers the love of God and hope for people. <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Our city is great to be sure. But it could be so much better.</span> </span> We need a revolution. Stop complaining...start a revolution...<br /><br />We are launching a church this Sunday because God called me to do this. The prophet Jeremiah said, "his word is a fire shut up in my bones..I'm weary of holding it in. Indeed I cannot." I can relate.<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">I'm going to tell people about Jesus. There is nothing more important in this life. </span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>Money, sex, power, everything takes a back seat to this. I will to go to the grave believing that Jesus died for all of us, loves us and wants to redeem us from this life and turn our world upside down.<br /><br />We are launching a church this Sunday, because <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">the local church is the hope of the world.</span> Politics is interesting (to me at least!). But politics does not meaningfully change things. That is what God does. God works through the community of the church to help people.<br /><br />We are launching a church this Sunday, because being a follower of Jesus is a better way to live. I think some people criticize Christians for acting as if they are better than other people. Let me make this perfectly clear: <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Christians are not better than anyone. We are just better off than we used to be. </span><br /><br />3 days and a few hours until the revolution begins...Barrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14941636371015711551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915461524369053743.post-34253888359116713212008-09-15T08:19:00.004-04:002008-09-15T08:30:53.134-04:00The day the batteries died...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8FGgUOtMcYyZTDvoe1IpoH3FyaJpZ9lx5UBUFDWg-BlvTQitqIYx91nuNIgYLPABez78409IurqnFxCS_MwtMPU1kubjBhwD658MTuf0OKVkyjmTccNKK3Krn4qo-pR4x12R3SV7VQo/s1600-h/battery"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8FGgUOtMcYyZTDvoe1IpoH3FyaJpZ9lx5UBUFDWg-BlvTQitqIYx91nuNIgYLPABez78409IurqnFxCS_MwtMPU1kubjBhwD658MTuf0OKVkyjmTccNKK3Krn4qo-pR4x12R3SV7VQo/s320/battery" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246224456209801170" border="0" /></a><br />This morning I ran into a too frequent occurrence at my house. I got into my van, turned the key and then nothing. Dead battery in my 2004 Toyota Sienna. Completely dead. I looked at the dome lights and noticed they were in the "on" position. So that was the culprit...just like always.<br /><br />So I decided to walk. (gotta love city living- I live close enough to things that I can use my legs--the original fossil fuel free form of public transportation) I walked over to my favorite French Cafe for some coffee. (La Vazza coffee- I love it)<br /><br />My laptop battery was dead. So I reached in my bag for my power cable. That was gone. No car, no laptop power...this is a bad start to a Monday.<br /><br />Isn 't it amazing how much better things run when they are plugged into the power?<br /><br />The same is true for churches. This Sunday is the launch of the Area 10 Faith Community. We begin having regular worship services in the Byrd. Here's what I know to be true and I'll be as blunt as possible: If people do not pray for this church, there is a good chance this church will suck.<br /><br />So please help us out. God is the source of all power. We need to be plugged in big time. So please pray this week for our church. Pray...right now...I'm waiting...go on! Get yer pray on...<br /><br />And every day of this week at 10 (am or pm)- stop...take a moment, and pray for God to show up in a big way at Area 10 this Sunday.<br /><br />I need you all to get plugged into the power this week. The last thing I want to do is step into our brand new church, turn the key...and nothing...Barrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14941636371015711551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915461524369053743.post-42614787346352111592008-09-15T08:18:00.004-04:002008-09-15T08:19:31.456-04:00MondaysWhen I'm elected president, I'm passing a new law. All Mondays will officially begin at noon, not 8 a.m.<br /><br />Congress would not be able to stop this, because there would be a massive wave of public support.Barrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14941636371015711551noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915461524369053743.post-73779559273945299412008-09-11T10:51:00.003-04:002008-09-11T10:56:12.210-04:00Meet the Children's Director<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAc5xqsRCBzUAt0de-lWTzUC_qojFuAPu__fSuduFQ_UGe3l3PbQHYSNAXwgd0UX2pKSYP3qn1OkxI26LxqYljVs2QOJfs6Hg-3qzrwze0aTDh8-8u1uKKckrY8OhJR6Souu-71plUfTs/s1600-h/Photo+24.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAc5xqsRCBzUAt0de-lWTzUC_qojFuAPu__fSuduFQ_UGe3l3PbQHYSNAXwgd0UX2pKSYP3qn1OkxI26LxqYljVs2QOJfs6Hg-3qzrwze0aTDh8-8u1uKKckrY8OhJR6Souu-71plUfTs/s320/Photo+24.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244777492417837394" border="0" /></a><br />Ok, this is kind of old news. But it's good stuff! Amanda Peck signed on board to be our children's minister. Amanda comes to us from Cincinnati, OH where she was a Kindergarten teacher in the public school system there. She has an educator's background and is constantly looking at what we're going to do with kids through that lens...She sees children's ministry as a chance to help spiritual form our shortest church members! I'm excited to have Amanda as part of the team.<br />So that's the 4 of us on staff. Me, Laura Shibut (administrative genius), Aaron (creative arts genius), and Amanda (small people genius). I'm excited to move forward with these people on the team. God brought to us who we needed! <br /><br />This picture of Amanda is pensive...I think. Or thoughtful...but I think she was going for pensive.Barrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14941636371015711551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915461524369053743.post-52102072079234366912008-09-06T10:36:00.001-04:002008-09-06T10:38:04.846-04:00Area 10 has one more preview service in the ByrdWe're in the Byrd tomorrow (after all this rain!). Come on out. 10 A.M. It should be a good time. If you can, plan on going out with some people for lunch afterwards.Barrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14941636371015711551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915461524369053743.post-60261724347973225722008-09-02T08:54:00.002-04:002008-09-02T09:02:39.986-04:00Cartwheels and Coffee gets some pub in the RTDThe Times Dispatch, the local paper ran a great <a href="http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/opinion/columnists.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-09-01-0007.html">article</a> yesterday in the Metro Business section. Thanks to Louis Llovio for some fine reporting. The article mentions the church a little which is nice. There is another article for the church that is coming soon.<br /><br />Perhaps the funniest line in the article is where it says that I might be a "genius". <br /><br />I have now been called a "genius" and a "fixture" by local media. That's nice. I'm a genius that hangs around a lot I guess. I'm like a really smart lamppost or something. Nice.<br /><br />The truth is, my wife is the genius behind Cartwheels. I really just work for her.<br /><br />I am humbled as I remember this great truth: Behind every great man, is a woman rolling her eyes.Barrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14941636371015711551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915461524369053743.post-49163384371037161532008-09-02T08:49:00.002-04:002008-09-02T08:52:57.444-04:00School Supplies for the kiddiesI'm amazed at God sometimes. You'd think that would get old but it really doesn't.<br /><br />I'm amazed by our launch team.<br /><br /><br />This past Friday, our church (with a few more turned in today!) delivered up over 70 school bags full of school supplies to kids that need them at Fox Elementary. The principal emailed me and was thrilled. I had hoped we would get that many, but I wasn't sure we would. <br /><br />One of our launch team members, Sommer, when I told her how many bags we had as of Tuesday (14!) said to me, "you need to ask the launch team again to step it up." So I did...and they did.<br /><br />Over 70 bags. God is good. This is fun. Thank you to all who rose to the challenge. You are truly loving our city beyond reason.Barrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14941636371015711551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915461524369053743.post-26548559612936335612008-08-25T15:56:00.003-04:002008-08-25T16:00:40.002-04:00The first practice service is a success!Yesterday, Area 10 showed up at the Byrd Theatre for our first practice service and it was a blast.<br />We had volunteers helping with set up, sound, lights, children's ministry, and all that. The place, once it was all set up, looked amazing. The worship band sounded great. It was an exciting time. We had several people join us for the first time which was pretty awesome. I'm always surprised when people find us, even if we've done no advertising whatsoever, for that service.<br /><br />Thanks to the launch team, who are doing the heavy lifting here to make it go. We had our share of technical glitches, but it's nothing we can't get worked out. Thanks also to Todd, from the Byrd, who helped us immensely with our setup.<br /><br />We have 13 days to work on the details until we do it again. I can't wait.Barrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14941636371015711551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915461524369053743.post-29695316308846858992008-08-25T10:21:00.003-04:002008-08-25T10:38:17.794-04:00Area 10 collects a ton of food!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaF-4BSZVOLXFKC6R_K_jyXb4hU_IcTfm7fbQuzz-E3I2QcePGwHxTKV_p4h_QMsjYEtFVjsnL5NNrUYwfVkqWS8kFIOAf_P-X90qvHP6TbhR_Cf2b5p-Vrr0SvOAKFh-Ce_gZrFaF2ZY/s1600-h/grocery+bag.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaF-4BSZVOLXFKC6R_K_jyXb4hU_IcTfm7fbQuzz-E3I2QcePGwHxTKV_p4h_QMsjYEtFVjsnL5NNrUYwfVkqWS8kFIOAf_P-X90qvHP6TbhR_Cf2b5p-Vrr0SvOAKFh-Ce_gZrFaF2ZY/s320/grocery+bag.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238464573893981058" border="0" /></a><br />The big food drive happened this weekend. It was incredible. On Saturday, a volunteer army walked the streets and stationed themselves at Ukrops and collected up bags of groceries.<br /><br />All totaled, we delivered up just over 2000 pounds of food. 1 ton of food!<br /><br />The food bank was thrilled today. It was awesome to be a part of this. Want to hear some cool stories? Check this out:<br /><br />1) We planned this food drive months ago. We decided that we would go door to door to deliver fliers for the food drive. On Tuesday night August 19th, we hand delivered 4,000 fliers. We choose that date, pretty much arbitrarily.<br />That same day, all day long, channel 12 broadcasted from the Central Virginia Food Bank. They made a plea for people to help. So, that same night, residents of the fan and the museum district got fliers for how to help. Coincidence...maybe...but I'm just going to call that a God thing.<br />2) The volunteer teams that delivered the fliers and collected the food were pumped. Several of them reported back about how well it went and excited they were. Some of them, talked to residents who gave food, and who had already heard of our church at the byrd...word is getting out. That was pretty cool.<br />3) One lady told us at Ukrops what a great idea this was. She said by us collecting at the store, it made it so easy for her to donate.<br /><br /><br />I want to say a big thank you to a few groups. One is Velocity Church and Area 10 for handing out fliers. Second is to Journey Church for helping us collect all the food. You all were amazing and really stepped up to this thing.<br /><br />And finally thank you to my fellow Richmonders who were generous with some food! In slow economic times it would be easy to stockpile, but you all stepped up and showed a love beyond reason here in the city. THANK YOU!<br /><br />Disclaimer: No groceries were injured in the taking of this grocery bag picture.Barrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14941636371015711551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915461524369053743.post-51504456929484227772008-08-22T08:02:00.002-04:002008-08-22T08:04:41.621-04:00The Food Drive!We are doing a food drive this weekend. The Central Virginia Food Bank needs food and we want to help. We have an army of volunteers that are going from door to door through the museum district and the Fan (on the east west streets only!) to collect canned goods tomorrow morning. So if you live in those areas, put some canned goods on your porch by 8 a.m. tomorrow and we'll come get them and take them to the Food Bank.Barrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14941636371015711551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915461524369053743.post-14089038358106625652008-08-22T07:57:00.002-04:002008-08-22T08:01:55.926-04:001 month outThe countdown clock on the right has reminded me..we now have less than a month before our church launches at the Byrd. It's crunch time now...We're in the home stretch, it's the 2 minute drill...the bottom of the 9th....insert your sports analogy here....<br /><br />I'm ready. Not actually READY...but I'm ready. God and I are talking regularly about this. He has called me to church planting for years...but now is the time.<br /><br />We have a launch team that is ready too. They have that pioneer spirit...they want to see something new birthed here in the city. I'm so proud of them for seeing something that doesn't really exist. I'm humbled that God has given me these people to lead.<br /><br />So put your seat backs and your tray tables in the full upright position...this month is going to be a wild ride.Barrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14941636371015711551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915461524369053743.post-27137942815432072792008-08-20T16:45:00.003-04:002008-08-20T16:52:29.613-04:00A practice service this Sunday!This Sunday, August 24th at 10 A.M....area 10 invades the Byrd Theatre. It should just be a small group of us gathering...but we are ready to try out the systems for children's ministry, sound, lights, video...and all that. I'm excited about this. A photographer from the TD will be there...I don't know if we'll have anything great to take a picture of but we'll try! A lot of our launch team is going to be out of town, which makes sense as everyone gets in their last summer hurrah before school starts up.<br /><br />Well come out if you are in Richmond! It should be fun. We'll be there...10 o'clock.Barrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14941636371015711551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915461524369053743.post-11704651971347259692008-08-16T07:30:00.002-04:002008-08-16T07:33:21.840-04:00Getting the gang togetherTomorrow night, Sunday the 17th at 6 p.m. the Area 10 launch team is meeting up. We will be talking about the food drive, the school supplies, and discussing everyone's roles for Sunday morning. Our first preview service at the Byrd is one week away, so we have lots to discuss.<br /><br />See ya there!Barrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14941636371015711551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915461524369053743.post-50988850589062172432008-08-14T21:23:00.005-04:002008-08-15T09:46:47.150-04:00So what are we?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGh7WanW6QATZKGudYzGJzXARFi3l1qji12WlhuIhl56SRXp7t_QjLYA7ZYdnd2Xj9fv1BGeBVuX7icp-DE5G61cmwJrMgPydmm1jDRaIS9hE-QLwNO2uMiTRcs64JIbKjtKdl0SOi1S8/s1600-h/Threetenors.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGh7WanW6QATZKGudYzGJzXARFi3l1qji12WlhuIhl56SRXp7t_QjLYA7ZYdnd2Xj9fv1BGeBVuX7icp-DE5G61cmwJrMgPydmm1jDRaIS9hE-QLwNO2uMiTRcs64JIbKjtKdl0SOi1S8/s320/Threetenors.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234554154862936418" border="0" /></a><br />I'm perplexed here. Our church is called the Area 10 Faith Community. We chose that name because the heart of Richmond is called Area 10 on a real estate map. And I like it. It's original. It makes people think of Area 51...which has this nice mysterious UFO like vibe (OK- that part wasn't really intentional) and it's super easy to get a URL for area10church.com or churchatthebyrd.com. Surprisingly no one has taken that name.<br /><br />Area 10 really is a nice name. It's way better than my other choice which was: Upper Room Tongues of Fire, Holy Trinity Discount Baptist Tabernacle. Or URTFHTDBT for short.<br /><br />My issue is what do we call people who attend our church? I once went to Willow Creek church in Illinois and heard Bill Hybels refer to people at his church as "Creekers" which I thought was very funny. Especially for a church wanting to be "Seeker" sensitive...do they have Seekers and Creekers? Can you be a Seeker Creeker? As you grow in your faith are you a Meeker Seeker Creeker?<br /><br />Where does that leave Area 10? Could we be 10ers? If there are three of us...does that make us the three 10ers? You see my problem here. And churches go nuts with their name too. We could call our people 10-acious! (I could be 10-acious C!) Or have a compassion ministry called 10-der Loving Care! Could we have some marketplace ministry called 10t Makers?<br /><br />I'm open to suggestions here people. I'm hoping we can call our people insanely awesome radical followers of Jesus. But that's a bit cumbersome and slightly weird. Any good ideas out there?Barrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14941636371015711551noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915461524369053743.post-2767138579899212132008-08-14T21:10:00.002-04:002008-08-14T21:22:12.505-04:00Letting God do His thingThis week I've felt a little overwhelmed. There are, by my last count, (warning:exaggeration ahead!) about 81,000 little details to get covered before we launch this church publicly on September 21st. And I had this great revelation today:<br /><br />I'm not going to get all those details covered.<br /><br />I'm just not going to. I'm one dude. I've been in Tennessee all week. Our whole church staff is in the mountains this week. We are all doing great stuff, but not a ton of it is directly related to all those little details. And today...I just don't care that we aren't cranking on all the details.<br /><br />When I get home, I'm going to play with my kids on Saturday. I'm going to chat and snuggle with my wife. That's all I want to do. I don't want to write, memorize, strategize, or network. I want to just get home and BE.<br /><br />But here's the thing I was challenged with today. This church is God's not mine. He's got this...He really does. <span style="font-weight: bold;">It's my job to live like I believe that.</span> How easy for us to try to play His role...for us to live like we're the world changer or world sustainer.<br /><br />Go ahead God. Do Your thing. Sorry for the times I try to take Your job.Barrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14941636371015711551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915461524369053743.post-21773715208246297002008-08-06T21:33:00.000-04:002008-08-06T21:34:17.795-04:00The American Idol ChurchThe other day, I was flipping through the channels when I saw one of those idol type shows. I think it was "so you think you can dance"...it had 3 judges...one of whom was British. It had music and staging strangely familiar. The whole thing basically looked like American Idol. It was a complete American Idol rip off. And you could tell that's what they were doing. And it was lame. There is nothing worse than a rip off of some other show. You can almost smell it a mile away.<br /><br />So this got me thinking about our church.<br /><br />In 1997, I read Purpose Driven Church and thought it was amazing. I wanted to try to "catch a wave". I thought Rick Warren was the smartest pastor ever.<br /><br />Then I read "when God builds a church" and became convinced that all a church needs is to have great preaching and worship and then it will grow.<br /><br />I read Brian McClaren's stuff and met him in 1999 (before he was all famous and awesome) and went through my emergent phase. I started using words like "conversation" and "journey" all the time. After journeying for a few years and not getting anywhere I got tired of the journey and moved beyond that.<br /><br />I've learned from Andy Stanley that vision leaks so now I want a clear vision, that sticks..or is sticky.<br /><br />I've read Mark Driscoll and thought that I should probably cuss more.<br /><br />Over the last dozen years, I've figured out what color my parachute is, I've developed my purple cow and taken it from good to great. I've identified my 5 dysfunctions on my team, and have been wowed by the latest leadership parable. I've seized my divine moment, fell in love with the divine romance, practiced the art of the start. I've pushed the flywheel in an effort to find my tipping point. I've orbited the giant hairball and overdosed on Nooma.<br /><br />All these things have been just fine. But none of it <span style="font-style: italic;">is authentically me. </span><br /><br />If I try to Frankenstein all these things together and hope it builds a great church here in Richmond, I am doomed to fail.<br /><br />I want to start a church that fits Richmond. This church is not being planted in mine or anyone else's head. It's being planted in the city and culture of Richmond.<br /><br />So, in the next few weeks I'll be fleshing that out a little bit on this blog. I'll be talking about what our church will look like based on the vision God has given us here.<br /><br />I'm done reading the books. I'm done going to the conferences. The temptation to rip off everyone else's ideas and make them my own is too great. I want to plant an original church.<br /><br />The day our church has three judges, one of which is British...is the day I quit.Barrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14941636371015711551noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915461524369053743.post-44312241227994992772008-08-06T20:28:00.003-04:002008-08-06T20:41:34.062-04:00Cartwheels and Coffee is Open for business!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi51goBajDTB_rT-J8icQHeNFDrS2H0YpuoR_XvJxWlJjGW9K9dsru8MozlQ0-g2Po9_Cu7MyJdXg6xr5yyskaQPlRCPAaix99DXj0Msf5dvisytKs4Jf7bB5nsKfuCGMTQFxeerSnQbk4/s1600-h/Photo+17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi51goBajDTB_rT-J8icQHeNFDrS2H0YpuoR_XvJxWlJjGW9K9dsru8MozlQ0-g2Po9_Cu7MyJdXg6xr5yyskaQPlRCPAaix99DXj0Msf5dvisytKs4Jf7bB5nsKfuCGMTQFxeerSnQbk4/s320/Photo+17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231568958201668322" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DgT_iRzKGudHB5bsBnkdw5piDOpaMrTmjOvQbw80MwWf_VDEkb6hyQAwPJ4mJHEDbsmteJiXuTYOCuckgLP8TyuIUMsO7Za51lgB4nYWcJo4-OxVHlI0GdpNRpKuD1Ul51YYuM9GcAo/s1600-h/Photo+12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DgT_iRzKGudHB5bsBnkdw5piDOpaMrTmjOvQbw80MwWf_VDEkb6hyQAwPJ4mJHEDbsmteJiXuTYOCuckgLP8TyuIUMsO7Za51lgB4nYWcJo4-OxVHlI0GdpNRpKuD1Ul51YYuM9GcAo/s320/Photo+12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231568958242005554" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUsKI5_3IMHEpSYfH8oPjZuuigMKmnRnY3dhg6iFrigsG7ea-h4XKAzN6toqRyMrixwOcucXHk4WRJjxWktTbn4B80p0mw3lLZS1f_q5885aZC4qmV94F9pUa3YZiH81jkSO8J0XC84M/s1600-h/Photo+16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUsKI5_3IMHEpSYfH8oPjZuuigMKmnRnY3dhg6iFrigsG7ea-h4XKAzN6toqRyMrixwOcucXHk4WRJjxWktTbn4B80p0mw3lLZS1f_q5885aZC4qmV94F9pUa3YZiH81jkSO8J0XC84M/s320/Photo+16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231568962013598242" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY31P-MWm0pyy-CwDh-Ecndv9q7vGD6inumNR-eAtdeGp3lZvWRjo-fYs-N3yiMhgW-Qy3M3Xbv4t4P6RzvCdy6ix6IjbfKrgdGbZnKXQT2tacjNmS6yvbMlqnk44_7vbIFJXis1LmhYo/s1600-h/Photo+14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY31P-MWm0pyy-CwDh-Ecndv9q7vGD6inumNR-eAtdeGp3lZvWRjo-fYs-N3yiMhgW-Qy3M3Xbv4t4P6RzvCdy6ix6IjbfKrgdGbZnKXQT2tacjNmS6yvbMlqnk44_7vbIFJXis1LmhYo/s320/Photo+14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231568969433086082" border="0" /></a><br />After about 64 days, thousands of dollars, hundreds of hours of volunteer labor, 20 or more gallons of paint, and about 5 city inspections, Cartwheels and Coffee is now open. Thank you to SO many great people who all pitched in to make this happen. I looked around today...saw kids playing in there for the first time and I was soooo happy. This whole process has been incredible. I want you all to see. Check out the pictures of the finished product. I used my built in camera on my laptop so all of the pictures are reversed...whoops.Barrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14941636371015711551noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915461524369053743.post-58451024916033766032008-07-28T14:51:00.002-04:002008-07-28T14:55:55.832-04:00The Launch Team GathersThe gang came together last night for our first launch team meeting. We had lots of yummy desserts, and some coffee (some hot, and some cold due to technical difficulties!). <br /><br />It was also the unveiling to everyone of Cartwheels and Coffee. It is not finished yet, but it's mostly finished. After the meeting last night we primed the floors, and this morning we painted them. So, a bit more plumbing, electrical, and about 3 city inspections and we'll be open. At this point we're hoping for Friday, but we'll see.<br /><br />I'm thrilled with the people that turned out last night. There seemed to be a great energy in the room and people were pumped about what we're doing.<br /><br />It really is an incredible thing, when the church you plant in your head starts to become the church that is planted in reality. God is up to good things. We'll keep you posted as it unfolds.Barrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14941636371015711551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915461524369053743.post-7597067463077507862008-07-22T07:06:00.002-04:002008-07-22T07:09:00.780-04:00I'm drowning in Cartwheels!This is crunch time...We are pushing to get Cartwheels and Coffee open by this coming week so I'm wrapped up in contractors and painters and volunteers and stuff. That's where my head has been.<br />I just keep telling myself..."this will be over in a few days"<br /><br />It will be totally worth it...but it's a pain right now. I guess some of the best stuff in life requires hard work to get. Hopefully life will return next week to just normal church planter lunacy rather than church plant and open a business lunacy.Barrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14941636371015711551noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915461524369053743.post-3230314265838540682008-07-10T11:35:00.005-04:002008-07-11T12:22:12.116-04:00Who made America?This is a conversation my kids had in the car today that I had to share:<br /><br />Colin (5yo): Mom, did you know that Scrabble is America's Favorite word game?<br /><br />Mom: I guess that's right.<br /><br />Colin: And do you know what America is?<br /><br />Mom: What? (ya' gotta humor them, you know)<br /><br />Colin: The United States!<br /><br />Mom: That's right<br /><br />Colin: And do you know who made America?<br /><br />Declan (3yo): Jesus!<br /><br />Colin: ...and?...<br /><br />Declan: God!<br /><br />Colin: ...and?...<br /><br />Declan: Emperor Palpatine!<br /><br /><br />So there you have your history lesson for the day. Props to my 3 yo for answering Jesus. He has already been in church long enough to know that if someone asks a question very excitedly, the answer is usually Jesus.Barrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14941636371015711551noreply@blogger.com1