I was working on this blog and thinking about how crazy our life
is as a church family...everything from our final Sunday in our former
auditorium, to working to redo our website, setting up how our schedule will
run over the next month, preparing to meet with the City regarding our future
facility, having staff meetings in a home, and just "craziness" in general. Then, I
realized these were just normal days over the last 9-10 months. I would venture
to say that few, if any churches will experience what we have gone through by the
time all this is said and done. There are have been parts of this year that have been
overwhelming, other parts that have been frustrating and a few parts that have
actually been fun…or tolerable at least.
One of the many things in transition right now for TBC is our website and technology. While making sure all our content is
in order for our website, we have asked different people to be in charge of
writing specific parts. One of our members who has been part of TBC since before I
arrived, was asked to do the “Our Story” section of our website. We gave her
very little direction, and below you will find her “assignment” and to say the
least, it is amazing. So, special thanks to Amy Rainey for letting me post this
on my blog today. Also, after her article you will find a reminder of our
schedule.
In a culture where churches strive to
build bigger temples and expand its wall, most look at our church and question
why...well, the "why" or shall I say the "who", is what our
story is all about.....let me explain:
Our story, for most, is confusing at best
and down right stupid at its worst...no wait, let's try that again...
Once upon a time was the greatest love
story ever known....hmmm not exactly what I was going for...
It was the best of times, it was the
worst of times...well, that's actually pretty true but that is not our
story.....
You see, our story began at the moment
The Gospel collided with our lives. This gospel brought us to salvation but it
didn't stop there...no, it's work had just gotten started. As the grace
of the gospel started to work in our lives we were stretched and strained as we
began growing in our knowledge of The Lord. Though our footing seemed
shaky at first, we were finding that the foundation of our theology was getting
stronger. The gospel began to move from our mind to our hearts. Within
all the inadequacies of our messy lives....God was working. As we began
to learn the hard truths of biblical manhood and womanhood...God was working.
As we were teaching the hearts and training the minds of our
children...God was working. As we struggled to become peacemakers in a
world filled with conflict....God was working. Then finally as we used the Word
of God to strengthen our church and covenant....God was working. As we
grew alongside other believers, we not only learned to give grace but also how
to receive grace. It was evident through trials and tears, through joy
and years of love and fellowship, we were becoming a family. The gospel
continued to move and permeate every area of our lives. We began to
experience the highest expression of worship from the outflow of our love for
God and His body....and it was amazing.
With fresh eyes we have a clearer vision
and a new passion to move outside our walls...to share that same gospel with
the world around us. We were commanded to "Go"! In obedience,
our desire is to be intentional in our walk with Christ....In the community...in
the commonplaces...where we live life. That is where we go, where we
minister, where we build, where we love...where we are planted. In this time of
sweet surrender, our hearts cry out together. That we "may with one voice
glorify the God and Father of The Lord Jesus Christ"(Romans15:6).
Our desire then is this....That we will
not be casual Christians but we would be a white-hot passionate people of
Christ, that we may fully know Him, following hard after Him. May we never
again be a body trapped within our walls, waiting for others to come but may we
be The Church! A church overflowing life and light to a dying world. To
God be the glory forever!
Schedule:
Sunday 9:00am worship at Grace Bible
7145 Malone Road in Olive Branch, MS
Sunday 5:30pm AWANA—Hope Sullivan Elementary
7985 Southaven Cir W in Southaven, MS
BFGs are meeting in various homes right now. Please see the church website for more details:
www.trinitysouthaven.org
