The Business of Being the Church
My stately outside is crusted in bricks with a black roof topper that keeps the rain out most of the time. You wouldn’t find me in Architectural Digest for my keen design—church in the front, business in the back. I was built in stages and it shows. On the inside of the worship center, my wood frame stretches in a beautiful concave that has the appearance of a giant drift boat set upside down. My beautiful ribs stretch out to the walls that are adorned with stained glass depictions of the Lord Jesus. In colorful glass, He is in varying stages and postures of His glorious short term on the Earth. I am so proud to open my giant arms to the work that goes on here in this building. My name is Foundry Church and I want to tell you about some of the things I have seen.
Before you go wagging your right-hand index finger with your left hand on your hip to say that churches are not buildings, but the people inside, just settle down [Doh! Got me. ~Ed]. Let’s also address the elephant in the room and state that buildings don’t talk either. The big idea here is that I have played an important part in providing a roof over the heads of thousands of Jesus followers for over a hundred years. Respect your elders now and keep on reading.
When I was but a decade old, music tickled my chin, shook the walls, and rattled the stained glass. Ed Georgia was the Director of Music, and the platform was filled with bodies—people blowing horns, sawing strings, tapping keys, and belting vocals. Once the wellspring of worship had whetted the appetites with praise and thanksgiving, Pastor Keith Thompson took the stage and told God stories, life stories, and funny stories about both.
Clouds overhead float across the sky, sometimes slowly, sometimes swiftly. Inside, the people come and go. God does not change, they say. He is the same, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Times change though, and after a few adjustments, God put together a new team to serve and glorify Him at Foundry Church.
Along came Pastor Syd Brestel with his lovely family. Now Syd had a preaching style that brought the people a steady diet of meat and potatoes. He covered many books, varied topics, all of life’s stages, and circumstances too numerous to mention. He was a man of conviction, prayer, reverence, consistency, and application. He capitalized on grace and took pie-making and eating with the seriousness of a Greek scholar—which he also happened to be.
Pastor Syd did not serve alone. Syd worked with the Dream Team, including Kelley Jones, Sue Hoyt, Dan Nelson, and Marie Highland. My belly felt full almost all the time as I heard God’s Word handled with care and reverence. Dan led the people in song, Kelley took charge of the youth, and Sue taught the little ones that Jesus loves them. Marie ran the office all week and on Sunday enjoyed worshiping God in peace in the relative quiet of the balcony. You will find her there today despite that she retired from the office several years ago.
Just look around and see how Bend, Oregon has grown over the years. The town that once relied on timber for a livelihood now surfs on waves of beer, skis on slopes of snow, and luxuriates in all the wonders of outside recreation. The mainstay Baptist church on Oregon Avenue planted Eastmont Church, Antioch Church, and others, spreading wide the abundance of God’s goodness to the reaches of the city as it grew. The churches in our town trade parishioners like school children passing notes when the teacher is not looking. In come people to Foundry Church that used to go to another fellowship while others go away to other churches seeking something different.
I have heard it said that nouns are slow verbs, and I resonate with that statement. People pass by and say I am a church as though I was a static being, never changing, never seeing. I beg to differ. I am here on a triangle of real estate in downtown Bend holding my ground. I am busy housing the work of the church. My doors are open, and I hold space for the people. Folks are vulnerable when they come inside looking for God, hoping He will pull them in for a hug. They want a place among other believers, the comfort of being among friends. I stand tall to do what I was created to do. I am no Noah’s Ark. My location is on the map, and Google knows where to find me. I am here.
Church is not just for Sundays you know. My doors are open all week long. Many who come in are pre-believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. Sadly, some may never believe, but while they are in God’s house they have a good chance of getting introduced to Jesus. Members of Alcoholics Anonymous come inside. In my rooms, they are welcome to pursue recovery in the safety and fellowship of other overcomers. There is a preschool that uses the building all week and, while I love those little rascals, I breathe a sigh of relief when they are gone for the day. From time to time folks come in solely to enjoy God’s presence. I am happy to oblige them all.
In my relatively short lifetime, I have received more coats of paint than a snake has grown new skin. Just when I think I am positively the right color, it changes. My floors have new coverings, my lights have been upgraded, and if I do say so myself, I look better than ever. I am not like people who just look older and more wrinkled despite new paint and lighting. I am looking good.
Today, Pastor Trevor Waybright is the Lead Teaching Elder. He is on the Word like white on rice. The man can preach. He goes steadily along through God’s Word. Like a well-seasoned stew, he puts in humor, story, truth, and grace. Just in case you did not know, or if you need a little refresher, he plops a delicious dumpling on top of that stew that Jesus is Lord, He came for you and all the people. He came to set people free from sin. He came to Earth, died, and overcame the grave through resurrection. Jesus is alive, Jesus is alive.
Pastor Trevor works alongside other Jesus lovers. Pastor Jason wrangles youth and, by gosh oh golly, God gave him musical talent and a heart for worship. Elissa Scott is passionate for the Lord, and she helps the children to know Him also. If I had lips you could see my delight by the bow of my smile. Joy Waybright is here and there making sure things run smoothly and helping people with everything from their cell phones to Bible study. Last, but certainly not least, is Eric Norgaard. If I had a heart, he would be nearest to it. He does all within his power to keep me at my best. He knows me inside and out, every window, door, appliance, brick, camera, and lock.
I would be remiss if I did not tell you about my heritage. The original developers of the church on this site were a group of twenty-one people in 1904. Established as First Baptist Church, it was intentionally located at the “bottom” of Bend. It was not among the fancy storefronts and high establishments on Wall Street but at the end of the drinking houses and their related associations off of Bond Street. A fire in January of 1920 partially destroyed the original building. Another larger structure was erected and used until I was born in 1965 and formerly dedicated on October 5, 1969. I even have a nice plaque outside the door that illuminates my noble beginning.
The purpose of a building is to stay. The people move about. As youngsters, they follow their parents. In time they may be looking for a spouse. Some get married, and then they will be following their children, then their grandchildren, and some even their great-grandchildren. Precious Jesus lovers have used the building at all life stages. The pastors don their suits and stand to marry couples in love. They dedicate young children asking the congregation to help raise them in the knowledge of Jesus. Pastors join families and friends to memorialize the dear ones that pass from this life. I have seen so much in my life—tears of joy and mourning, beauty and ashes, life and death. God is my witness.
My less-than-bashful boasting of my beginning and many of my important activities are for the sole purpose of glorifying God. By His grace, I stand today and I serve at His pleasure to accomplish His purpose. When you enter my doors, you will see my new tattoo. It states the mission of Foundry Church:
Following Jesus and Making Him Known
I have shared with you where I came from, what I have seen, and why I will continue to stand for the glory of God. Won’t you now share where you came from, and where you are going? Are you following Jesus and making Him known? You may not think I am capable of hearing, but trust me, I am all ears.