The Transformation of Brentwood First Presbyterian Church

by Lee Penuel

Pastor Mike Magee

First Brentwood Presbyterian Church was founded over 20 years ago as Covenant Presbyterian Church and quickly grew to 60 members. But conflict arose and the new church shrank to half its size. With attrition it shrank again to 2 of its original members. To maintain the finances of the church, BFPC became a landlord to four additional churches, sharing worship space with them. After two or three pastors, they had been without an ordained minister since the last one died two years ago. As usual in these church case histories, the church became disheartened. Other Presbyterian churches were fairly close, and several other large churches thrived in the area. This church did not feel the love from the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee, but all that changed last year. In its wisdom, the Committee on Ministry accepted a Church Information Statement for a part time pastor and put that together with a tentmaker pastor, Mike Magee. Pastor Mike was ordained in November 2006, and a few changes have occurred since. Mike was a member of the Church Redevelopment Team. With Michael Davis’ and Mary Ev Bedenbaugh’s hands-on-help, plus the encouragement of Executive Presbyter Phil Leftwich, they used the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee Congregational Transformation Document and a survey Michael Davis did two years ago for the session to develop a plan of action for the church. The transformation document calls for 1) creation of spiritual energy, 2) coming to terms with the past, present, and future, 3) building a ministry team, 4) reentering the surrounding community, and 5) developing a ministry plan.

To create spiritual energy, BFPC's worship services now include more time for corporate and private prayer. The sermons build up the soul of the congregation yet challenge them to reach outside themselves into the community in mission and welcoming the stranger (visitor). Weekly Bible study is offered for adults and children.

Previously remote missions have become the giving of time plus dollars for the soup kitchen at Downtown Presbyterian Church and others. Two will travel on a Presbytery sanctioned mission trip to Guatemala in June. Taize worship was celebrated on Ash Wednesday, and a healing service was held every Sunday during Lent.

To come to terms with their past, present, and future, one of the elders said in a session meeting, “If you don t catch any fish on one side of the boat, it is time to change sides.” That statement made several changes possible, including changing the time for Sunday services.

Two ministry task force teams were developed: Education and Outreach Ministry, and Fellowship and Evangelism. In all these efforts, stress was anticipated, recognized, and dealt with openly. Truth was spoken in love directly. Even in disagreement, each church member was affirmed in how his or her unique contributions were of continued importance to the vitality of the church and community.

The Michael Davis community survey was most helpful in allowing BFPC to reenter its community. Those who started the church 20 years ago are now in their 70s and 80s. They get their information on churches from the yellow pages. However, only 10% of Brentwood s population is over 70 years old. About 30% are Baby Boomers (40-70) and 30% are Generation X and Y, (20-40). Age differences made a big difference in how and where people get their messages, their positive response to language, and how the word religious is interpreted. After lengthy study of those issues, they created a new church sign which reads, “Spiritual but not religious: Connect this Sunday!” And, the website is listed right on the sign for those who like to receive information on the Internet.

Other innovations include mixing traditional, Gospel, and contemporary music for worship services; plans for a weekly English-as-a-second language class, and a vacation Bible School in June. First time visitors receive a loaf of bread and a visit from the pastor. The desire is to embolden the church members to present their passions and gifts as ministries of the church rather than for the church to be program driven by the staff or session.

One of the most important things in church development is the relationship between the pastor and the church. The pastor should love his or her church. Without this, no redevelopment plan will work.

Attendance at BFPC has tripled some Sundays from the prior 10 to the current 30 on peak Sundays, and the now monthly brunches have even higher numbers. It is too soon to know if this church will reach Pastor Mike’s goal of 75 attending regularly by November 2008, but this goal now seems more than just a dream.