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 ...

Dear Friends in Christ, What is the church?  This is something I’ve been thinking about since I began my doctoral work on congregational leadership, inspired partly by Norma Everist and Craig Nessan who offer “twelve foundations for the church” in Transforming Leadership . One way to answer the question is to identify the location of the church.  Our gothic church building is located at the corner of Lake and Wilmette Avenues in Wilmette, Illinois.  It stands majestically at 42.079224º latitude, -87.704113º longitude, where the ground is 607 feet above sea level.  But the church is far more than a beautiful building in a certain place.  It is also “a community of memory and hope,” remembering Jesus Christ and anticipating the coming of his kingdom.  As such, we have a location that is both local and global.  The church exists in an observable form as real people who meet together at a specific time and place.  Showing up to wors...

The words of Jesus have always been a source of inspiration for his followers.  Even while suffering from the cross, he spoke powerfully: Father, forgive them. Behold your son … behold your mother. My God, why have you forsaken me? Today you will be with me in paradise. I am thirsty. Into your hands I commit my spirit. It is finished. During Lent, I will lead a new series for Trinity Church, based on Adam Hamilton’s Final Words from the Cross .   We will explore Jesus’ last words from the point of view of those who stood near the cross, and we will consider the meaning of Jesus’ dying words for our lives today.   As a companion to the series, consider using Final Words , for a Lenten study and personal devotion.  A few paper copies are available from the Church Office for $10.  Or obtain your own copy  in a format of your choice.    

Dear Friends in Christ, Although we are putting away the Christmas decorations, the new life we have in Jesus Christ continues.  Sunday, January 11 is the commemoration of the Baptism of the Lord.  On that day, we are planning a congregational reaffirmation of baptism, reception of new members, stepping forward with Confirmation students, and the sacrament of baptism for at least six people.  In baptism, we gain new life with Christ by dying to the old ways of sin and living fully for God.  Remember your baptism and be thankful. This theme of renewal fits the arrival of a new year, which is an opportunity to make changes in our lives or take up something new.  That is certainly true for me in a significant way in 2015.  In January I am going back to school.  With the support of our Staff-Parish Relations Committee and our District Superintendent, I have enrolled as a doctor of ministry candidate at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary ...

What will make your Christmas holiday bright? The four weeks of Advent leading to Christmas are a time of looking for light, even as the days get darker. "Light of Lights" is a new series at Trinity Church to help you discover the gifts of hope, love, joy, and peace.  These gifts of God indicate the deep meaning of Christmas. Christmas is not only a celebration of the birth of Jesus.  It is also a reminder of our hope in Christ's return and the consummation of his reign in all things.   Christmas is an acknowledgement of God's love for each and every person.  You and I are beloved children of God, and God sent Jesus to bring salvation, because of God's love for the world.   Christmas is an occasion for joy.  The baby Jesus and the risen Christ point to the joy of new life that comes from God.   Christmas is a time for peace.  Many of us are so busy in this season.  Learning to let go of trivial things can be hard to do.  Thro...