Pastor Brian's Blog

What is the church?  I've previously explored the church in terms of its location (the people gathered in Jesus’ name in a particular place, as well as every time and place) and its nature (sinner and saint).  According to Everist and Nessan in Transforming Leadership , the church may also be described in terms of redemption. Easter is the story of redemption.  It combines the Passover celebration of God’s delivering the people from slavery in Egypt and the Paschal celebration of Christ’s victory over sin and death.  In the Easter story, we celebrate Jesus Christ as our redeemer.  One of the great sayings of Easter comes from the lips of Job: “I know that my redeemer liveth” (Job 19:25, KJV).  Before every sermon, I pray in the name of the Lord, our strength and our redeemer (Psalm 19:14, KJV). What does it mean that Christ is our Redeemer?  Well, if you buy Oberweis milk, you have to pay a deposit and then return the empty bottle in ord...

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 ...