Pastor Brian's Blog

You may know the traditional "Seven Last Words" of Christ.  But Jesus did not finish speaking at the crucifixion.  As the risen Christ, he began speaking again on Easter.  During the season of Easter, we will take up the “Seven Next Words” of Christ.  These sayings come from the resurrection appearances of Jesus: "Who Are You Looking For?" John 20:11-18 "Don’t Be Afraid" Matthew 28:8-10 "What Are You So Concerned About?" Luke 23:13-34 "Peace Be with You" John 20:19-20 "Go Into the World"  Matthew 28:18-20 "Come and Have Breakfast" John 21:1-14 "Wait for the Gift"  Acts 1:1-11 This new Trinity series for April 5 - May 17 is inspired by Rev. Dr. Shane Stanford’s book  The Seven NEXT Words of Christ  (Abingdon Press 2006).  

Why do you believe in creating a welcoming community of compassion and faith?   Why do people need Trinity Church?   What would be missing in your life if Trinity Church did not exist?    Your answer to these questions is the driving motivation for connecting others with Trinity Church.   This winter the Trinity Church Council has been discussing these “WHY” questions in terms of the “Golden Circle,” a model for inspiring others.  According to Simon Sinek’s book Start With Why , the Golden Circle is a series of concentric circles moving from “Why→How→What.”   1.       Why = Your Purpose (what is your motivation, what do you believe) 2.       How = Your Process (concrete steps taken to realize your Why) 3.       What = Your Product (what do you do, the result of your Why) As Sinek says, “People don’t buy what you do, they buy WHY you do it.”  You can w...

Dear Friends in Christ, What is the church?  In terms of location, the church is not just the consecrated site of a church building, but also the people gathered in Jesus’ name in a particular place, as well as every time and place.  According to Everist and Nessan in Transforming Leadership, the church may also be described in terms of its nature as both sinner and saint.  As Martin Luther puts it, we are simul justus et peccator, at the same time sinners in the eyes of God who has justified us by the righteousness of Christ.  You may have heard people object to the church because it is “full of hypocrites.”  They are right, in a sense.  Others can spot the inconsistencies in our faith and life, just as easily as God can.  Hans Küng writes that the church exists not merely to be admired or criticized, but to be believed.  As the people of God, the church is an instrument of God’s goodness, and as such, we are capable of doing ...