Dear friends,

I’m writing to those of you who have signed up for 1820 updates to let you know the latest about all things 1820. There are lots of great things to talk about, so let’s dive in.

What started as my own study of the Sermon on the Mount evolved into a more robust small-group study curriculum. Over the past year, a number of men and women have gathered around me and shared their vision to take this 1820 project to the next level and to really develop it as a sustainable, expanding ministry.

We've dropped "the Ghost of 1820" title and are calling the organization 1820 Life!

VISION & VALUES OF 1820 LIFE

As you know, 1820 Life is rooted in the words of Jesus:

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
~ Jesus (Matthew 18:20)

This single sentence from Jesus has so much to say to us. We can draw four values from this one verse:

1. The importance of relationship (where two or three gather)
2. The centrality of Jesus (gather in my name)
3. The absence of religious institutionalism as our mediator (I am with them) 
4. The priority of grace, mercy, and peacemaking (the context of pursuing separated and shamed sheep with truth and love)

1820 Life is devoted to helping people encounter Jesus in authentic, grace-filled spaces - online and in person. It’s not about rebuilding platforms. It’s about creating a community for those who are seeking spiritual nourishment, who feel disoriented by graceless religion, or who just want to walk gently with others in their faith journey. 

Ultimately, 1820 Life is a ministry for people who need second chances and fresh starts (which is really all of us, except only some of us know it). 

Because of Jesus, 1820 Life is a movement toward three values:

• GENEROUS ORTHODOXY (Holding to “orthodox” Christian basics while accepting people with different views.) 
• ETHICAL SIMPLICITY (We love others the way Jesus loves us. That's it.)
• COMPASSIONATE INCLUSION (Making room for the poor in spirit, the wandering sheep, and God’s prodigal children.) 

If you have spent time reading our content at www.1820Life.com you will have seen how these values work their way out in our approach to learning, loving, and living out the teachings of Jesus. 

Our vision and values are expressed in three primary ways: 

• CONVERSATION: Our teaching materials invite people into relational learning and purposeful friendship.
• CONNECTION: Beyond learning, we create opportunities for small groups of people to find each other, gather together, and build community.
• COMPASSION: The ultimate goal is to help people become more Christ-like, especially in the grace, mercy, and peace we extend to one another and the world around us.

STRUCTURE, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND COLLECTIVE WISDOM

• • We're happy to announce that 1820 Life is now a not-for-profit organization, and we have also applied for full charitable status. We hope to achieve that sometime in the new year.
  • A number of wise and supportive friends have come together to form an “Advisory Council” to help give 1820 Life clear direction.
  • Within this Advisory Council, a smaller number of leaders have formed a Board of Directors. 

 PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

There is a lot happening, and we’ll have more to share in a future update. But for now, here are three things we’re working on…

GATHERINGS. Weekly 1820 Life groups (or “small churches”) and monthly larger gatherings are already happening in person and online. Get in touch if you’d like more details.

PODCASTS. I'm getting the courage to let my voice be heard again, so we plan to launch two new podcasts:

• • “Lessons Learned the Hard Way”: a more personal discussion that will hopefully be helpful for others who have experienced catastrophic failure.
  • “The Becoming Perfect Podcast”: Turning our Sermon on the Mount teaching materials into a discussion/conversation.

PUBLICATIONS: A key goal for 1820 Life is to become a Jesus-centred publishing house for small group discussion curriculum. This means we hope to publish: 

• • A discussion guide, study guide, and leaders guide to the Sermon on the Mount.
  • Other books and printed material on various topics connected with the 1820 Life.

There is so much more we could talk about, but let’s save that for a future update.

If the vision and the values of 1820 Life resonate with you – that is, if you believe, like us, that our world needs more Jesus and that broken people, black sheep, and prodigal children have their role to play in that – then we’d love your support along the way:

1. PRAY: If you believe in the power of prayer, please take time to pray for God’s guidance in taking our next steps.
2. PARTICIPATE: Be in touch with feedback and questions on what we’ve shared here. And consider starting your own "small church" or attend one already in progress.
3. PROMOTE: Share links to articles on social media and talk to your friends and family about what you are learning. (Also, I’m told that even just hitting the “like” button and/or leaving a comment in response to each article posted helps others more easily find the site.) Let's spread the love!
4. PARTNER: Thank you to those of you who already support this work financially. And for those of you who are open to donating, whether one-time or monthly, see the button below. Thank you!

Hey! Thank you for hanging in on this long email. Please get in touch with any feedback, questions, or ideas.

Grace, Mercy, & Peace,

Bruxy (On Behalf of the 1820 Life Board of Directors and Advisory Council)

P.S. Got a comment, idea, or request?  Please email us at admin@1820Life.com