brandonberry.net

“True spiritual authority does not start with organization; it starts with family.  When the church ceases to be a family she loses her true spiritual authority.  The greatest authority for accomplishing true spiritual advances will always come from relationship—with the Lord first, and then with His people.   The Lord will always give the greatest authority to His closest friends.  All time spent seeking intimacy with the Lord will pay great dividends.  Time spent developing spiritual friendships will also pay much higher dividends than time spent developing either theology or strategy.” –Rick Joyner

This quote from the introduction to Rick Joyner’s book Visions of the Harvest, makes me think back about 10 days when I was hanging out with some of my true brothers in the faith: Brad Cooper, Andrew Armstrong, Justin Perdue, Craig Caudill, Zach Cooper, Tyler Tatum, Riley Cummings, Lawrence Frost, along with Big Tom and Bill Perdue and a few other guys who I didn’t know as well ‘til then.      

The reason for all of us getting together was because we, along with a few other guys who couldn’t make it, are all honored to be members of Brad Cooper’s inner circle (our boy is getting married in about a month)…and we had a Bachelor Weekend set aside just to hang with BCoop at the lake.  Most of these guys I’ve known for the majority of my life…so you can imagine the stories we’ve got to tell...especially about Coop (www.bradcooper.us).  

And though there was more theology discussed than I would have predicted, especially by our most recently turned-zealous scholar Dr. Perdue J, the majority of our time was spent just hanging out…and man it was a blast: telling stories, eating LOTS of meat and beans, riding the boat and watching each other ‘eat it’ on the tube, trying to get the jetski going (and I emphasize trying), laughing about crazy memories from the past, talking about what’s going on right now, and dreaming about what might be one day. 

But with all of the dreams, there was not a single strategy meeting.  Not one.  All of these emerging leaders in the Kingdom…together for such a time as this…and nothing productive! 

Yet, these brothers…even one whom I had never met until then, Christopher Haymes (I think that’s how you spell it)…I feel like these guys would fight Hell for me whenever I needed it. 

And…you know…I think we just might need each other in that regard one day. 

There are many things that I wonder about concerning the providence of God, but there is one thing that I KNOW is for sure: God planned this whole thing out a long time ago.  J  And HE knew that 2 boys name Brad and Brandon would need to grow up together, play ball together, lead FCA together, go to college together, and now be youth pastors at 2 mega-churches (Newspring & Redemption) during the same season of their lives.  And God knew that all those connected to us would through us be connected to each other…and the Kingdom “fishnet” would get bigger and stronger with each moment of renewed covenant. 

Family.  I think that’s a good word for us in this season.  I have heard the Kingdom described as an army with order and discipline and rank and all that…and I think it’s all true.  Heck, I’m the one with Revolution plastered everywhere you look!  But I think I remembered something the past few weeks that’s really important to remember:  Family first!  If you’re family…you’ll fight for one another…guaranteed. 

So, ACTION PLAN: who’s in your spiritual family?  Do you have any friends that stick closer than a brother?  What could you do to help solidify those ever-important relationships? 

As one of the guys put it that weekend…there was some serious “bro-mance” going on at the lake.  2 guys would hop on the tube together and work as a team to stay afloat, 2 guys would tag-team the grilling action, 2 guys would snag some time away to try to complete a task or serve the others in some way.  And, as funny as that is to say, I think we all need a little more ‘bro-mance’ in our lives…some good time with family…some David & Jonathan—‘exchanging clothes, hugging and weeping like real men’ moments. 

I’m looking forward to getting together with my Redemption family tomorrow during my staff meetings.  I think it’s good for me to remember that no matter what titles we may have, when it all comes down to it…we are all God’s kids…we’re all FAMILY. 

Much Love Fam,
~BB

P.S. May we always remember that people are more important than progress…because building and loving people IS progress…at least, it’s the only progress that’ll last.