Sunday, June 3rd is also known as Holy Trinity Sunday. Trinity Sunday is the first Sunday after Pentecost, a day set aside to celebrate the mystery of the Trinity and reinforce the importance of God as Creator, Savior, and Sustainer—God, Three Persons-in-One.
As is custom, Holy Trinity Sunday is also the time to celebrate the founding of Trinity Baptist Church. Trinity Baptist Church was incorporated in the summer of 1984, about a year after several families met for Bible study and prayer in the home of Joel and Carolyn Land with the intention of starting a new church in the Honey Creek community.
In his recent book entitled Nearing Home, evangelist Billie Graham writes, “For those of us nearing home, our steps may indeed be slow, but they need not be without purpose.”
Although he originally directed this encouragement towards senior saints, I think it can also apply to small churches that make up the majority of congregations in Christ’s Body. With few resources, people, and programs, our steps may be slow, but we need to fill every step with purpose and positive growth.
That said, I have already begun praying about the new “church year” (which coincides with the school year, beginning in August) and the things that Trinity needs to focus on as a church body.
Looking back at the past two years of my pastorate, I can say that there is much to be proud of: We updated our core values and vision statement; we implemented creative worship with a variety of styles; we committed to helping those in need through Family Promise.
Yet, we cannot get stuck here and become stagnate. Ours is an ever-evolving, ever-growing congregation that reaches out and follows God beyond the walls of the church. Has been for nearly 28 years.
In order not to trip over our own feet, no matter how slow, I want to ask you to pray for Trinity too! In the meantime, I am committing to visit many of you in your homes–(if only for a few minutes!)–throughout the summer to ask you and your family an important “prayer question”: What is one thing Trinity Baptist Church needs to focus on in the next year?
This will give your family an opportunity to put purpose to our steps in a positive way and to voice any concerns you may have in the course of our church’s ministry and mission in the months and years to come.
Blessings,
Pastor Joe
