Hey Brentwood,
Today is the one week mark from our Big Vision launch last Wednesday-10,000 people in 10-years. I'm still reeling from that night's energy and have heard a lot of tremendous feedback from all of you. Bottom line: We want to elevate the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our city and to everyone we can.
However, not everyone had the opportunity to be there and others who were just need a little more clarity. So, here are some FAQs to help crystallize things a little more. But, I also encourage you to listen (or re-listen) to the talk online (listen to "Big Vision Event" here).
FAQs & Next Steps:
Does the 10,000 people goal mean Brentwood will become an impersonal mega-church? Short answer, no. Here's why: Whether a church is mega, medium, or small its relationship culture has more to do with connection pathways and strategy than seating capacity. For example, we are a church that organizes and invites everyone to commit to a community group. These groups break down the numbers of any size church into 10 to 12 personally linked people (click for more on community groups). Right now, we serve over 1000 adults each week, but nearly one-third are doing life and faith together in a community group. Also, we've recently introduced other relationship environments such as teaching and connection groups that will continue to improve and change throughout our history.
Finally, we are confident that our church can directly influence 10,000 people; however, we are not certain that all of them will be in one space at one time. When you listen to my talk online, you'll hear me discuss "The Mystery Box," which is God's hopeful unknown for all who follow Him. Part of our strategy to reach this number may include satellite/multi-site campuses that can span locally and regionally throughout our area.
What was our Campus Develop Team's (CDT) timeframe and how did they reach conclusions about our current property's use? The CDT met almost weekly from September 2008 to March 2009, and presented their findings to our leadership teams in April 2009. This team was comprised of professionals with years of design, construction and development experience. Over their study period these members communicated with county officials, VDOT representatives and hired engineers to determine the most effective use of our acreage. Furthermore, they utilized industry metrics to estimate construction cost for the necessary square-footage on each realistic scenario. Ultimately, they presented eight construction possibilities with maximum seating and cost in mind. (see slide sketches below).
Why are we not proceeding with any of the CDT's construction scenarios? The major reason is price per future impact. Essentially, each scenario requires a lot of money for a lot of limitations. The major limitation is traffic; the coming and going of cars on English Tavern Road would produce major disturbances to both Brentwood participants and our surrounding neighbors. Or, it would require us to spend several million dollars widening the road. Bottom line: If we built the space, it'd be a nightmare getting to it.
What are Brentwood's plans for the profits of the 12-acre land sale? The money we raised was for purchase and study of land for future growth; therefore, our leadership team resolved those eventual profits will go towards any future land purchase and study. Those funds will not be used for monthly church operations. Bottom line: We will likely need land to build on someday and now we've got an investment to quantum leap us ahead on acquiring it.
What is an Early Adopter? This is a person who commits to attend and serve for the upcoming evening service strategy (4:30P.M. & 6P.M.) that begins in late January 2010. This team will meet strategically to pray for and prepare our church to launch it for success.
How do I sign up to be an Early Adopter? Sign up here.
Please pass these on to anyone you think could benefit by it. When you hear that someone might need more clarity, encourage him or her to listen online, give him or her a copy of these FAQs, and/or have them call me at the office (434-239-4891).
Big Vision Power Point
