*Chad Jarnagin

Last week, Jen and I took Elijah to Cincinnati for his 1st Reds game (a series in which we swept Houston). This night was like nothing I’ve ever really experienced. Elijah will probably not remember a thing from the night, but I will recall it for as long as I have breath. I come from a baseball family. An uncle and a cousin both pitched in the major leagues. My dad almost signed a minor league deal. And another uncle was a scout for 2 different major league clubs, including the Reds. Where my father and I weren’t very close, he and I always shared a love for the the game.

My dad passed away in DEC of 07. He and I were never close enough to go to a pro game together. Never close enough in proximity or relationship. Last Tuesday at the game w/ Elijah, I realized that 9 months into his life, he and I had already experienced something that my dad and I were never able to do together.

Growing up close to Cincinnati and loving the game of baseball just seemed to go hand in hand. Our beloved Reds are the heart beat of the culture. I remember going to my 1st game at Riverfront Stadium in 1982. It was magic. My step dad knew how much it would mean to me, and he eventually made it happen. I’m grateful for those memories.

I have gone on to make many trips to Reds games, and have actually performed the national anthem at several games over the past few years. There’s a lot of magic in Cincinnati for me. Everything from Skyline Chili, Graeter’s Ice Cream to coming over the hill in KY overlooking the Queen City… Now, I get to begin memories with my little boy… who I hope will grow up to be a Reds fan like his dad. If he were to end up helping the club’s pitching cause one day, I wouldn’t complain.

I have to add that Elijah lasted thru a 45 minute rain delay and the entire 9 innings. I was proud.

We talk a lot about relationships and community in church. Unfortunately, I’m not so sure that we are great at authenticity and follow through sometimes. I know I’m not. We can be very conditional and political. But true friendship comes with no conditions and most certainly shouldn’t be political. To have true community we have to be willing to “let people in”, be transparent, as well as genuine.

Do we allow ourselves to be as real as possible with others, especially our friends? Consistantly, I doubt it. I mean I know we can’t go “all in” with everyone we meet or work with, but there should be a level of security, loyalty, and trust with those that should know us best.

As far as friendship goes, this hit me in my mouth when I read it. ”A friend is one who walks in when others walk out” (Walter Winchell).

Ouch. I have to confess that I have not always been a true friend. To those, I am sorry. Life is indeed too short to allow things to bind away the fullness of life that we can all find in real relationships. I have always been blessed with a great group of friends over the years. I just hope I can continue to be a great friend in return to those that call me friend. It takes time to form genuine community and friendships. Here is reminder how we should process… 1 Cor. 13 (Message) says,

Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.

Did you need this reminder today as well, or was it just for me?

Here is a little more info on Rolling Hills Community Church where I will join the staff as Worship Arts Pastor in March.

Where: Currently meeting at the Carmike Thoroughbred 20 in Cool Springs (Franklin, TN).

When: Sundays at 9am & 10:30am (in theater 15).

Coming Soon: We plan on moving into our first permanent location at The Warehouse in Franklin (1 1/2 miles from historic downtown Franklin).

This is an exciting new time for Jennifer and I. We are ready and waiting to join this fine young team at RHCC. Pretty stoked to see how God uses the body of Rolling Hills here in Franklin and the planet.

So, March 8th will be my first Sunday to lead at Rolling Hills. Looking forward to seeing many of my friends! Several of you have already told me or Jen that you were planning on being w/ us that day. That would be so cool to begin this new chapter with you. We are truly bless by you all.

I was very proud to be a part of this band for 5 years. This was one of our more fun tunes. Peep it out… HERE

Buy the music here…

Rolling Hills has a great team in place and it is going to be an honor to work with along side them. Some of you have asked, what does being Worship Arts Pastor mean? Being Worship Arts Pastor means that I over see the Sunday morning experience like a Service Programming Director (audio, video, media, band, vocals, etc…) as well as lead out on the creative elements. All this in addition to the roles of RHCC pastors. And I’m sure I will get into more stuff as I get there and see how the team works.

Can’t wait.