Finish the Race…and watch the replay
February 11th, 2010 § 4 Comments
If you were a member of _tag over the last decade, you might dig this stroll down memory lane. Tim Dumais, Drew MacAlmon, and Jon Egan put this together and showed it on our farewell night at _tag a few weeks ago. I was honored and overwhelmed with the outpouring of love that night. The past 10 years were some of the best of our lives and I'll never forget all the miraculous work that Jesus did. I know there's a lot more coming.
Some of you know I recently posted the story of what God is calling Maria and I to do in this new season of our lives. We're heading down to Austin, Texas with my brother, Ross, and his family to plant a church called ONEchapel. You can read about that in my previous post if you like.
If you have 4 minutes or so it might be worth it just to see the different hair styles. Oh, and the fact that I look 12 years old through half the video is pretty fun as well. We're proud of the fact that Jesus gave us the strength and the grace to finish well. If you watch this video, maybe take some time to ask Him to help you finish your assignment well too…2 Timothy 4:7
_tag’s farewell to Brent from Brent Parsley on Vimeo.
Glimpses of the last decade of ministry with Brent and _tag. Put together by Tim Dumais, Drew MacAlmon, and Jon Egan and shown on Brent’s farewell night at _tag.
Turning the Page
February 4th, 2010 § 4 Comments
About a week ago I did something I thought I would never do.
After 10 years as the youth pastor for _tag student ministries at New Life
Church in Colorado Springs, I had my last night as the youth pastor here. If
you know me at all you will know that this was no easy decision. I believe in
staying put. I believe in longevity in working with teenagers. I also believe
I’m a lifetime youth pastor. I don’t expect that I will always pastor in the
same way that I have pastored here. No doubt, I’m getting older. Some might
think that would disqualify me as a youth pastor. I happen to think it makes me
better. Sure, I’m not as energetic as I used to be. All nighters are no longer listed
among my favorite activities. I’m not as quick with youth and pop culture
(though I’m not too shabby). But I also won’t make the same mistakes I used to
make. I have learned a few things along the way. I’ve grown in wisdom. I’ve
gained experience in ministry in the midst of some of the most difficult situations
life has to offer. And now we’ll see what God has in store. One thing I can say
for sure is that the past 10 years here have been some of the most incredible,
challenging, and rewarding years of my life. As my wife, Maria, and I move on
we take with us memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.
I planned on pastoring _tag and New Life for the rest of my
days and then thought about possibly being buried somewhere in the floor in the
_tag auditorium. Creepy, I know. My secret hope was that all these incredible
students would fail their classes so I could be 70 and they could be 50 and we
would continue to pursue Jesus and change a generation together. I’m not sure that
was a great plan. And even though students seemed to think it was a good idea,
parents never seemed to like it much. Though that was my secret and, albeit
strange, heart’s desire I have always left a little room in my heart for God to
anything and everything He ever wants to do with me.
About one year ago Jesus started working in that portion of
my heart, and I realized some new things were beginning to stir. Around this
same time my brother Ross was stirring with God’s call to plant a new church.
So Maria and I started asking questions of one another, of trusted friends, of
spiritual authorities in our lives like our parents and pastor, and, most
importantly, of Jesus. We sensed Jesus had plans that did not include my being
memorialized in the middle of the _tag auditorium. Then the whispers began. Not
the “LOST” kind of whispers that are super scary and unexplainable. I’m talking
about the quiet whispers of the Holy Spirit. You know, the kind that are
unsettling and comforting all at the same time. Along with those whispers
started to come the confirmations that God was indeed saying we were to partner
with Ross, his wife, Aimee, and their 5 (yes, 5) children. (Hey, instant
student ministry). As we continued to pursue God’s whispers and subsequent confirmations
we knew that God was leading us to our next season.
The confirmations have been vast, varied, and too numerous
to list here. But they all culminated as we wrapped up our Fall Retreat at the
end of October. We were finishing a strong night of worship, prayer, and
ministry. I said a closing prayer from the stage and as I said “Amen” I heard
the words in my heart, “Good job. You did it. You crossed the finish line. You
finished well.” It was a powerful moment for me. Unbeknownst to me, my wife
heard the same thing in her heart in the back of the room at the same time. So,
we knew this was it. The time had come to close this wonderful chapter and open
the next one.
So my family and I are planting a church called ONEchapel in
Austin, Texas with my brother, Ross, and his family. What does that mean for a
“lifetime” student ministry guy? I’m not sure yet. No doubt we’ll fulfill a
number of new duties, but I will continue to pastor teenagers and will, most
likely, add to that children and college. We think Jesus is giving us some
fresh ideas on the family in the local church and we’re really excited about running
with that vision. More to come on that later. I’ll also continue to connect with and coach youth pastors
because I believe God has called me to do that and it’s something else that I
really love. I’m also going to work on this blog a little bit and see if I have
some helpful things to add to the church and youth ministry conversations. It
might be interesting to be the guy from the Mega Church who goes back and
starts from scratch. But hey, I make no guarantees.
One thing is certain. I’m going to love Jesus, love my wife,
love my kids, love teenagers and their families, love youth pastors, and love
the Body of Christ. To me, that sounds like a really great life.
And If you’ve read this far you’re either really bored or
you’re my Mom. In either case you’re welcome to come along for the journey if
you would like.
Thanks. Here we go. Let’s equip a generation to be life-long disciples of Jesus.
Brent
Follower of Jesus, Husband, Dad, and Pastor
