New Beginnings, Old Memories
New Beginnings, Old Memories
This week I was on a call with a pastor in Belfast. He was in his final days before moving his church into their new building, and our Director of Missions joined us. It was exciting to hear about all the work they'd done to prepare their congregation to take the next step in reaching their city. He turned the camera to show us the drywall, floor work and lighting that still needed to be finished. It would be close…but we knew they'd meet their deadline.
Our director was laughing along with the pastor when he turned to me and said, "We know this really well, don't we, P. Chris?"
He was remembering our second rental property for Grace Family Church. We had a temporary setup for our elementary ministry, the Zone, and he was one of our kids at the time. I had asked him to be my "sound engineer." He laughed about the five-disc CD changer hooked up to a PA system with two microphones sprouting out of the speakers. The board running all of it, CD changer included, was balanced precariously on a piano bench on the side of the room.
He was nine years old. Today he's grown up and leading for us at a high level.
If you walked into the Zone today, you wouldn't find piano benches or CD players. Yet I'm grateful for those people, memories and moments. They etch themselves into a leader as the organization grows. Here are a few of mine from growing a church over the years, broken down by buildings and milestones.
Renting the strip mall
Picking up beer bottles before services began.
The Zone in a separate storefront next to the pizza place.
The dog kennel next door letting the dogs out for their morning stretch…during the sermon.
The only time I ever sang on stage for adult worship. (We were desperate.)
Renting the Seventh-day Adventist church
Blowing out the entire speaker system in the first service.
The overhang getting hit by a bus and a moving truck on two different occasions.
Using drapes to hide the church library books from the two-year-olds.
Potluck dinners in the fellowship hall.
Moving to Van Dyke and the Youth Center
Being told we'd built too small after the very first services.
Serving grape drink instead of juice for communion…and being told never to do that again.
The two angels in front of the Youth Building that I named "Chris and Dean."
Pulling a calf muscle leading Zone worship.
Moving into the existing sanctuary on Van Dyke
Writing Scripture on the spot where my kids would stand for their weddings. (They later decided to get married outside in the courtyard.)
Sitting in the tiers and wondering if we'd ever fill it.
Too many funerals, some awesome weddings and memorable baptisms.
The stairs…my favorite place on campus during a weekend service.
Our locations
Carrollwood: My reaction when we dropped a metal building inside an existing building.
Temple Terrace: The joy of merging with the church of my college years. So grateful for P. Dale and Kaye Brooks.
Ybor: It started with the kids, then they brought their parents. Changing a neighborhood one family at a time.
Land O' Lakes: It took seven years for them to consider us for that space. Grateful they did…and amazing to see so many familiar faces.
South Tampa: I learned people will not cross Kennedy Boulevard. I love the vibe of that part of our city.
Clearwater: This congregation met in a tent through a Florida summer during construction and remodeling. True heroes in leadership and serving.
Suncoast: Tear down, set up, repeat. They are faithful and excellent.
It takes great people
You don't build a church without great people. One special couple who helped launch the church in 1995 is still on staff today. They're amazing. So is every dedicated staff member and volunteer who keeps moving the vision forward to help families find and follow Jesus.
Those memories are treasures. Our new beginning came in a different time and era. We didn't have support organizations, resources or church planting models. Our Founding Pastor had the courage to launch, and a body of believers had the strength to strategize and carry out the vision to change Tampa.
So to my friend in Belfast: the drywall dust, the late nights and the makeshift setups are tomorrow's stories. One day someone you're raising up right now will laugh with you about them.
Old memories, new beginnings, a purpose for tomorrow and a hope for so much more.
