School resumes soon! For some of you, it’s next week, and for those with the longest wait, it’s still only about 10 days. While our culture has set the expectation that school is this “place” where learning happens, I’d like to offer that school is only one of the places where we can learn....
Have you ever wondered why we make such a big deal about community?...
Some of you already know, but in case you don’t, our Student Ministry camp – Citizens Mission Camp – ended early due to illness. Citizens Mission Camp pulled together over 80 students from Trinity and our daughter churches. Part of their work was to serve 2 of our daughter churches by providing Vacation Bible School in Mulberry and Highland City. ...
As Trinity’s Worship Director, It is my heart and ultimately, my job, to lead us in worship. Not just Sunday mornings, but throughout the week. ...
How good is your vocabulary? As you mature, hopefully your word bank is filling. But regardless of how many words know, you use them to connect with other people! I want to suggest that learning songs is like building your vocabulary....
Have you ever had cookies or cake that tasted a little off and you wondered, “Did they leave something out?” Most people have, so what are we leaving out?...
Most of us have learned the importance of a good partner. Whether it’s a partner on a project, a partner in a business venture or a partner in marriage, having the right support can make all the difference in both the enjoyment of the flight and the ability to arrive at the correct destination. ...
Let’s talk stats. At Trinity, there are about 450 communing members and regular attenders. Then in addition there are 260 kids under 18 (that’s non-communing members and the children of regular attenders). This means that just over a third of the people of this church are under the age of 18, and it also means then that we need more volunteers than the average church....
Last week at the Mayor’s Annual Prayer Breakfast the keynote speaker told of a rare invitation he had to not only attend an NBA game, but to sit courtside. He marveled at the sense of privilege, at the amazing food (not hotdogs), and at the sense of immersion in the game....
I realize few if any in our congregation have ever been involved in mining. But I want to make a point that may seem absurd – until I make the connection I’m trying to make. In mining, notice that it is not creating a valuable mineral (gold, diamonds, copper, etc.). ...
When was the last time someone criticized your work? And what is that like? Surely we learn from feedback; it helps to know how we can improve, even as it can sting. To learn how to work better is a good thing. So why can criticism be so hard?...
Keep ReadingThis past Sunday I mentioned Stan McMahan's transistion and wanted to give you a few more details. Stan is a product of our ministry where, after graduating college, he started attending. Then as he grew in his involvement, he grew from being a member to training for pastoral ministry to being a staff intern to Associate Pastor to leading a church plant. And time flies w...
Keep ReadingFor many at Trinity, you may have little idea that just over a year ago we hired a consulting firm. Our leaders wanted help assessing whether or not we were ready to undertake a fund-raising effort to fund comprehensive renovations for our facility....
Keep ReadingBuildings are tools. And thankfully our church building is a valuable tool to help us to get done the work we believe God has called us to do. We don’t merely host worship services. Our physical home is a base for ministries to Trinity’s children, students, women, men and beyond. We’ve hosted a myriad of other ministries (like Parker St. Ministries, counselors, SeeJe...
Keep ReadingI heard a woman say with some excitement, “We’re getting a new home!” When talking of home improvements, common terms get used but what is meant can vary significantly. “We’re getting a new home” can mean 1) we’re building a new house; or 2) we’re buying an existing house that’s new to us; or 3) we’re fixing up our existing home so considerably that it ...
Keep ReadingBecause of my involvement with the Navy SEAL Foundation, I recently got to be with some of these very special warriors. They’re more trained in weaponry than probably anyone else on our planet. And yet they do not wall themselves in with their skills. They go out beyond the safety of fortresses to engage dangerous enemies. They risk their lives to protect people like you...
Keep ReadingWhat does it mean to steward something? What exactly is a steward? The verb means simply: “to manage or look after another person’s property.” The noun describes a person who does that ...
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We are looking for A/V volunteers. We need a few willing souls who are looking for a unique way to serve the church. Have you ever been interested in learning about sound and lighting equipment? We will train for each. Or are you already experienced and knowledgeable? The time commitment is Wednesday nights 7-8:30, Sunday mornings 7:30-9 and then the service. You will be r...
Keep Reading Greed and materialism are part of the air we breathe in our culture and we need to talk about it. In our sermon series on The Seven Deadly Sins, this week is about greed. If talking about selfishness or money makes you nervous, you are in good company....
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A neighbor on our street radically pruned their oak tree, and its bare, cut-back state was a shock to my eyes, even as its vigor and size were undeniable. While my neighbor’s tree just looks different, it’s still the same essential tree ...
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