J.R. Briggs

Lansdale Farmers Market :: a missional expression

July 15, 2009 // 6 Comments »

“When you plant a church don’t try to build a great church; instead, try to build a great city. Because when you have a great city, you’ll have a great church.” -Tim Keller

Saturday morning July 4th was Lansdale’s first ever Farmers Market. I can’t tell you how much fun it was to personally walk around and observe all that was happening. Fresh fruits and vegetables. Artisan bread from a local bakery. Organic coffee brewed locally. Live music. Neighbors giving handshakes and hugs. Children being pushed my parents in strollers.  It truly was community at work.

It was almost a year in the making…

Last summer I sat on the back patio of a borough council member’s house asking questions, attempting to learn about the DNA of the community, its needs and its personality. As we drank Cokes and talked, I broke in: “Renew is here to serve the community – to be an ally and an advocate. And we’re asking the question, ‘How can we bless the neighborhood?’ Would a farmer’s market be one way that would really serve Lansdale well?” I threw out other suggestions during that meeting as well, like starting a community garden (which we’ve started as well), having a centralized recycling program in the borough, volunteering at the newly re-developed Center for the Performing Arts, etc) but the farmers market idea was received with the most enthusiasm.

There are an estimated 65 farmers markets that happen in the city of Philadelphia on any given weekend in the summer (and that’s a conservative number). The state of Pennsylvania has rich farm land and is one of the top states for producing sustainable agriculture. Needless to say, farmers markets are a big deal in Pennsylvania. But so is the need in Lansdale to create a viable downtown area (which has been struggling for years and has been intensified in a sour economy) and to promote a sense of much-needed pride for the borough and an identity in something other than a major stop on the R5 SEPTA train route. (See the Wikipedia entry for Lansdale here). The excitement for a farmers market in Lansdale loomed large and we got the green light to proceed forward. And we were off to the races…

The best part about all of this is after that first initial meeting, I was officially out of the loop. I had no further responsibilities and never attended an official meeting. Others on the launch team of Renew saw this as a significant opportunity and took ownership of it. Bill Stevens spearheaded the operation early and eventually passed it off to Brooke Wasser, the Market manager. For months there were meetings with potential vendors, with borough council, with the community and with people who wanted to volunteer (who were both from Renew and from the local community). A website was created. Subsequent visits were made to the farms of potential vendors. Hundreds of calls were made. A sizeable grant was applied for – and received – from the North Penn Community Health Foundation. We partnered with The Food Trust of Philadelphia to consult us on how to pull off something like this.

I’m a visionary. That’s my strength. But my weakness is my inability at connecting Point A to Point B with some of these big, passionate plans. Had it not been for Bill, Brooke and the dozens of volunteers in the communtiy who have servant hearts and who are good at getting things done, this would have remained in some file folder in my desk drawer in my office. (By the way, if you’d like to volunteer for the market there are plenty of opportunities and if you are a vendor looking to sell at the LFM check out the website). You can also follow us on Twitter. It’s these people who deserve a hearty pat on the back for the months and months and months of hard work to see this vision become a reality.

In the first two weeks, the Lansdale Farmers Market, held at Railroad Plaza next to the train station from 9 am to 1 pm, has been a success. So many people showed up the first Saturday morning two weeks ago that vendors started selling out of their goods at about 10 am. Several had to return to their farm multiple times to pick more produce. It was estimated 1,000 people came through the market. And this past Saturday was fantastic as well. A few vendors sold out again…

Many have asked us the question: why would a church spend so much time doing this? Because we want to bless the neighborhood. We want to be an ally and an advocate for our community. We want to earn the right to be heard. We want to serve before we speak. We show up and ask the missional question: How can we help? – then shut up and listen to their answer…and then do it. We want to gain trust. In times of emergency we want to earn the right that so that one of the first thoughts that run through the minds of emergency personnel and government officials is “I wonder if Renew could help us out right now…” We’ve operated under the challenge that if Renew ever had to shut its doors would the community mourn (or would they even notice at all)? We believe our efforts are moving in that direction. The old adage remains true: people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. We serve to follow the example of the Great Servant himself. If Jesus lived in Lansdale in 2009 we think he would want to pull off something like this.

But as great as the Farmers Market is, the truth is this: Farmers Markets don’t save people or communities. Jesus does. We’re committed to that at Renew. Unabashedly, we are a Jesus community. We’re attempting to be a faith community that attempts to pay attention to God and learn to respond appropriately. But its important to know that we refuse to hand out tracts at the market, stand up with a bullhorn and preach loudly on the corner as people come and go. Instead, we’re being intentional in subtle yet significant relationships that have been and are being established, bridges that are being built and conversations we’re finding ourselves engaged in with people who would never give a rip about what we say, think, feel or believe otherwise. We are convinced that putting a nice marquee outside a building that says, “Everyone welcome!” won’t draw in people that are intrigued by the person of Jesus, but turned off (and in many ways, rightfully so) by all the religious baggage that they carry.

Why do we do this? To build bridges for relationships and to be an ally and an advocate.

Now that the Farmers Market is up and running, the wheels are already beginning to turn in my head: What other needs exist in our community that we could help meet?What are other ways we could serve Lansdale and bless the neighborhood?

What about you?

What are the needs in your community? If you could snap your fingers and change three things about your city what would it be? (If you don’t know the needs of your community, who could you ask?) How can your local faith community be an advocate and an ally for your community? How can you ask the question with credibility, “How can we help?” What would it look like to earn the trust of local officials and community leaders? How are you blessing the neighborhood?

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True Christianity: foolish + dangerous

July 13, 2009 // 3 Comments »

“Insulated Western Christianity is waking from the dreamworld that being a Christian is normal or safe. More and more, true Christianity is becoming what it was at the beginning: foolish and dangerous…In other words, the center of Christianity and the center of pastoral life is a dishonorable, foolish, gruesome, and utterly glorious reality of the tortured God-Man, Jesus Christ. More and more, He must become the issue. Not a vague, comfortable, pleasant Jesus that everybody likes but the one who is a ’stumbling block’ to Jews and ‘foolishness’ to Gentiles. The closer you get to what makes Christianity ghastly, the closer you get to what makes it glorious.” -John Piper

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JR Woodward interviewed by Shapevine

July 10, 2009 // No Comments »

JR Woodward is a friend and church planter in East Hollywood, CA. JR pastors Kairos LA and is a fantastic thinker (and a stellar first name). I have the privilege of serving on the Ecclesia Network board of directors with him and enjoy learning from and working with him. He’s also an avid blogger.

Recently he was interviewed by Lance Ford at Shapevine (a Christianity Today missiona resourcing site). It’s worth watching the video on the Shapevine website (scroll down under Video Exclusives).

Watch it here.

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What the Church can learn from Apple stores

July 6, 2009 // 11 Comments »

The Mac vs. PC debate continues to surge. We’ve all seen the brilliant commercials – so brilliant that Microsoft’s counter-marketing campaign came off as weak and defensive. But nonetheless, the debate continues…and I’m not sure why. There is just no comparison. Macs are simply amazing.

My skeptical PC friends remind me that Macs are pricier. There’s a reason: you pay for what you get. I tell my PC friends, “Once you go Mac you will never go back.” Trust me. I used to be a Mac hater…until I tried one a few years ago. And the rest was history. No comparison. Few companies have created an ethos of innovation and creativity as good. Few brands are as powerful and recognizable. No company in America has created such a loyal, passionate, committed fan base.

A few months ago Megan and I were visiting good friends of ours who live in New York City. During the weekend we visited one of the Apple stores.  I’ve been in a few Apple stores before (including the Apple store on Fifth Avenue next to Central Park, which is one of the most innovative, creative and bold modern architectural structures I’ve seen) but for whatever reason the visit to that particular store was inspiring.

As I walked around the store and took it all in I began to think, Wow, there is so much that the Church can learn from Apple. Here are several things I noticed during my Apple store experience that I found extremely helpful and challenging as I thought about the role of the local church.

1. 1. Accessibility + Presence: All employees at the Apple Store wore turquois T-shirts with a name tag lanyard. Apple intentionally hires more employees in each store – more than is needed (but not too many) so as to have a ‘presence’ in the store looking to help people. The Genius Bar is just, well…genius. It says, “How can we help?” You drive the agenda. We help you.
2. People come first. I asked one of the employees if he was on commission. He said no. The question his boss asks him at the end of the day isn’t “How much product did you sell today?” but instead, “Who did you talk to today and what were their stories?”
3. Honesty: I asked an employee about a certain product. He asked me about my job and how I might use that product. And he simply and politely said, “If I were you, I wouldn’t buy that product. It doesn’t seem like it would be the right fit.” Wow. How refreshing! It communicated that he cared more about getting me the product that would fit me than about making the sale.
4. Innovation + Creativity: the technology and the design of each product – and the beautiful marriage between the two – is always amazing. Sleek. Beautiful. Intuitive. Powerful. Bold. It’s enough to take your breath away…
5. The melding of old +  new: the physical building itself, an old building with exposed brick walls and stark cement floors was met with cutting edge technology. Tradition meets innovation. (Jesus had something to say about that, too).
6. No cheap frills or gimmicks: the store isn’t cluttered. In fact, if anything its so simple. No shelves stacked to the ceiling. Little furniture. No maze to walk through. No announcement over the loud speakers. No overwhelming blinking neon lights announcing “SALE!” Just…simplicity. It communicated “We’re comfortable with who we are. We’re not trying to impress you with mere appearances.”
7. Experience is important: Apple stores and their employees encourage you to play with their stuff. Surf the web. Hold it in your hand. Sure, listen to music – maybe even crank the volume up a bit. Sit down and try it out. Ask questions. You don’t shop at Apple. You experience it.
8. Laid back environment. No suits and ties – not even in New York City. T-shirts, jeans, tennis shoes. It’s chill. And somehow the dress code sets a chill mode to the pace of work, too.
9. Fun: The Apple store had an area for kids to explore and try new products. I asked a 20-something employee named Malcolm on a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being low, 10 being very high) how he liked his job. “It’s a 12.” Why? “I’ve never had a job where I get up everyday and think, ‘I can’t wait to get to work today.’ I love my coworkers, the customers, the environment and the products I get to sell everyday.” Dang.
10. An environment of learning: I saw a schedule of workshops and classes that the store offers. There are several every single day. For free. Workshops like How to make a podcast. How to set up iChat. How to work an iPhone. How to use Garage Band. Its a space for education, empowerment, creativity and learning. Equipping, equipping, equipping.

I shared this experience on Friday night with good pastor-friends Tom Ward and Laurence Tom. LT pastors Chinese Christian Church and Center in Chinatown in Center City Philadelphia. He used to be the head employee trainer for an Apple Store in New Jersey several years ago. He told me he was hired by Apple to train the employees by and large because he was a pastor – they believed he was wired to inspire, equip and shepherd people into a certain direction – not for Jesus, but for Apple products! Here’s what he sent me regarding The Apple Way, straight from the handbook.

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Churches: Becoming Centers

July 3, 2009 // No Comments »

Two weeks ago I was driving to attend a training session hosted by an organization that serves people with developmental disabilities. The training, hosted by an organization that Renew partners with, was geared towards pastors and leaders to help equip them to know how to best serve and love those with developmental disabilities in their churches. Since we have a handful of people with mental retardation and mental illnesses I felt this was important for me to attend. And I’m glad I did.

On my way back I drove past a place in Ambler, PA that had a large sign that said The Becoming Center at Artman. Its a health and wellness center that uses classes, aquatics and rehab for physical health.

The name – The Becoming Center – is so hope-filled, so saturated with potential and life change. It’s internal – and yet its an expectation for action. Present and future-oriented.

As I drove past, it sent my mind racing: what a perfect name for what the Church should be! Imagine if every church – and every church plant – saw themselves as becoming centers. What if they were centers to help people become everything them were created to be? Jesus said that he came to bring life – and life to the fullest extent and measure possible (John 10). Isn’t the church’s role to be a center where people grow into understanding, embracing and experiencing this immeasurably magnificent life that is extended to us? It also makes me wonder: how can our churches become becoming centers?

Spiritual formation is becoming more like Jesus. This means that the local expression of his people – the church – who are being formed and shaped to be more like Him should be places for life change and hope and action. The problem is that most of our churches are Doing Centers. Activity, events, programs. Doing more, more more…

I think of the bumper sticker: “Jesus is coming back. Look busy.” It’s supposed to be funny, but isn’t it sadly all too true? Religious activity is not what we are called to. We’re invited into a relationship with the Living God and with others who help us become who we were truly meant to be – from the inside-out. The Holy Spirit helps us to become that. Others (who depend upon the Holy Spirit) help us to become that.

Churches – all spiritually healthy churches- are called to be Becoming Centers, helping people become more of who the Creator intended them to be.

I hope and pray that Renew continues to become a healthy, throbbin-with-life Becoming Center in the region.

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Exploring Bethlehem, PA

July 1, 2009 // 1 Comment »

For the past several months I’ve been guest-teaching on Sunday nights at a church in Bethlehem, PA in their “alternative worship” service. As they search for a pastor they’ve asked me to fill in to teach – and it seems from all indications its been a good fit for everyone involved. As long as it doesn’t impinge on family stuff or Renew involvement, I don’t mind serving in this role. Since Sunday evenings are fairly light regarding Renew responsibilities its works out well. They are loving people, hungry to learn, kind and compassionate. Teaching in Bethlehem has kept me sharp and, to be quite honest, the opportunity has helped to pay the bills, too. I’ve developed some good relationships with them over the past several months. Read more about Bethlehem here.

Bethlehem itself is a quaint place in the Lehigh Valley, a mixture of a blue collar past and an artsy potential. It’s known as the Star City (due to its biblical name) it was founded on Christmas Eve 1741 by Count Zinzendorf and the Moravians (which has a rich tradition in the area to this day). Very historic. It’s not Pittsburgh, but its also known for its steel, most notably the now defunct Bethlehem Steel Company (which was just turned into Sands Casino this month). Over the past few years, Bethlehem has been going through a bit of a revitalization – and its an appealing area.

On Sunday nights, I usually make the 55 minute drive into town, head to church, do a sound check, teach and head home, eager to see Megan before heading to bed. But this past week I went up an hour early and walked around the downtown area to discover a bit more of it by foot. It’s ‘anchors’ include the Central Moravian Church, historical Hotel Bethlehem and a quaint strip of coffee shops, outdoor eateries, Bethlehem Brew Works, galleries and boutique shops. Here are a few pictures I took as a wandered around the downtown area.

Central Moravian Church

Beautifully preserved stone buildings

I felt like I stepped into the Colonial era

Intriguing water fountain

thought-provoking art piece hanging in a gallery window

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