The Mission of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church is… To be disciples of Christ, moving toward God and neighbor To make disciples of Christ To positively impact the life of our community
The
image for our vision comes from the Church Father, Dorotheos of
Gaza, 6th century monastic. He describes life with a circle
representing the world with God at the center. The radii are human
lives. The progress that each makes toward God brings him or her
closer to others. The closer we are to God, the closer we become to
one another; and the closer we are to one another, the closer we
are to God.
...the world and our lives centered around God as revealed in Jesus ...that each person is at a unique place on the journey toward God and neighbor. At Trinity Lutheran Congregation our mission is... ...to be disciples of Christ, moving toward God and neighbor ...to make disciples of Christ ...to positively impact the life of our community
. ..of being a humble, open, community; where people at every age and stage of spiritual life are welcome; where questions are valued and doubts are welcomed; where practicing the faith is learning to be for others, just as Jesus was for others. (Philippians 2:6-8; Luke 5:5 and John 3:16)
.. .of being a people willing to grow! We are convinced that God wants us to be more than we presently are, and that God has endowed each one of us in baptism with spiritual gifts. We seek ways to uncover those Spirit-given gifts, open ourselves to them, and offer them in willingness to God. Together, we'll learn to forgive, develop programs, keep disciplines and learn from failures. (I Corinthians 12:7; Ephesians 4:15)
...that others will know the Good News of God's love in and from us! In all parts of congregational life we attend to the visitor, curious, unchurched and non-participant. "Others" are at least as important here as "members" are, as they were to Jesus. Further, we seek ways to take the kindness and welcome of Jesus to those beyond our doors. Acts of kindness, large or small, regular or random toward family, friend or stranger have the power to transform others and us! (Matthew 28:19-20; John 13:12-17, 34-35)
. ..of being a people who watch out for each other and know that we need others to watch out for us. We allow ourselves to be gently and lovingly accountable to one another. Small intentional communities (i.e. small groups, organizations, circles, Bible studies) help us keep balance in life and encourage us on the journey. These small communities take time to point to the triad of worship, stable platform for life in faith (Acts 2:46-47; Hebrews 10:24-25; James 2:14-16; Matthew 18:20)
.. .of being a peop/e where tradition is appreciated and where we are enthusiastic about keeping the faith relevant and contemporary in practice. The substance of God's love never changes: the styles of offering such love can. We hold to historic Lutheran understandings, especially to ideas like: "Only Grace," "Only Faith," "Only Scripture," and "The Priesthood of all Believers.'' Whatever it takes to communicate the essentials of the faith, we're willing to do. (Acts 11:1-18; Lutheran Confessions)
We are intentional and purposeful about our faith and our lives. Each existing ministry and current member is expected yearly to measure progress against this vision, mission and dreams.
