CHURCH!
Have you ever sung that song "I am the Church, you are the Church, we are the Church together; all who follow Jesus all around the world, Yes! We're the Church together!"
It goes on to sing about that the Chuch isn't a building or a steeple, but the people.
What does it mean for us to be the Church in this time and place? How are we the Church in the world? Where is God calling us to be the Church in the midst of the lives of others?
There are many perceptions of the Church in the world. And not many of them are good ones - its called hypocritical, judgment, old-fashioned, out of touch and more. Many people of God today are having to re-examine what it means to be the Church. This isn't so much about re-inventing ourselves for the consumer culture, but getting back to the core of what it means to be part of the Body of Christ.
Brian McLaren (author of A New Kind of Christianity) using Paul's verses about love in Chapter 13 of I Corinthians (you know, the one we often hear at weddings) says the following: "The church, then, in Paul's mind, must be above all a school of love...its goal is not simply to pump knowledge into people, but to train them in the "way of love," so they may do the "work of the Lord" empowered by the Holy Spirit, as the embodiment of Christ."
How is Trinity already walking and living in the way of love? How are you doing the Christ' work of love in the midst of your daily encounters? Help me to learn more about how God is using the good people of Trinity to further the kingdom of God. Share with me (and with each other) the stories of faith that exemplify what it means to be the Church in this time and in this place - for it is in doing so that we give glory to God!
Every Member Visit
I'm seeking to not only meet each member of Trinity, but to get to know each of you. I am (and will be) making contact with you. I am looking to set up a time we can meet - just to get to know you (more than just a face and/or name). I've left a number of messages and will continue to follow up. Since there are SO MANY of you, it may take awhile - if you haven't been contacted yet, please feel free to contact me (easiest way is to call the church office: 279-5181). We can meet wherever you like - out for coffee, your home or place of work or even here at the church building. We can have dinner, lunch or even breakfast.
I'm looking forward to getting to know better the people of God that have been called to be the Church in this place!
peace in Christ, Pastor Jen
