In the Gospel of Mark, the writer refers often to “the way” – not just as the road one walks on, but the course one’s life takes as they follow Jesus. Our goal as people of faith is to traverse this particular “way” with intentionality and with each other.
In 2019, I want to invite each of you to join me in a journey – a spiritual pilgrimage, if you will. I want to invite you to join me “on the way”
WHY “ON THE WAY”
It’s been a pretty busy couple of years at Trinity, and we’ve done some amazing things together. We’ve grown ministries and mission, we’ve sold some land and turned those proceeds into things that will be transformative for our church. It’s been an exhilarating time, and an exhaustive time too – and not just for me, but for many here at Trinity.
Five years ago, we began our relationship as pastor and congregation. As I begin my sixth year here, I want to lead you on a pilgrimage of renewal – something that I’m calling “On The Way.”
WHAT’S “ON THE WAY”
On The Way will consist of three separate but linked endeavors that’ll be open to not just Trinity members but to our Trinity friends and neighbors – anyone who wants to take part in the journey.
INTRO TO THE OLD TESTAMENT
Our spiritual pilgrimage will begin in January by teaching a class on the Old Testament to give folks a broader understanding of what those scriptures meant back then, so we can discern what it means for us today. The class will be on Mondays at noon and finish at 1 – so basically your lunch break, or right before you come to pick up your kids from Weekday School. There will also be an online component so folks who can’t attend in person can participate virtually. We’ll use the classic The Mighty Acts of God as our textbook.
Order the textbook HERE
Access the class syllabus and other materials HERE
- Jan. 7 – Old Testament Canon & Geography
- Jan. 14 – Creation Narratives and Patriarchs-Matriarchs
- Jan. 20 – Book of Exodus and Moses
- Jan. 27 – Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges
- Feb. 4 – Samuel, Saul and David
- Feb. 11 – David and Solomon
- Feb. 18 – Divided Kingdom, Elijah and Elisha, Amos and Hosea
- Feb. 24 – Southern Kingdom, First Isaiah and Micah
- March 4 – Fall of Jerusalem and Exile
- March 18 – Second Isaiah, Ezra and Nehemiah
- March 25 – Wisdom Literature
- April 1 – Song of Solomon and Psalms
- April 8 – Prophets, Ruth, Jonah, Esther, Final Things
SPIRITUAL GIFTS
During the summer our pilgrimage will lead us in a spiritual gifts survey. This survey will help folks discern what gifts they have – not only in the life of the church, but in their neighborhoods and larger community. This will be quite different from the old-school “time and talent” surveys many of us have done before, where we sign up for things we are interested in. This will be about discovering gifts and skills you didn’t already know you had – digging deeper in your own self and engaging your sisters and brothers in faith in the same.
To begin the Spiritual Gifts Survey, click HERE.
INTRO THE NEW TESTAMENT
In the fall I’ll lead a class on the New Testament with the same basic structure as the Old – Monday in-person class, online virtual component. We’ll use The Mighty Acts of God for our textbook in this class as well, so you’ll only have to buy it once!
Order the textbook HERE.
Access the class syllabus and other materials HERE.
BREATHE
And in between each of these individual journeys we’ll take time to breathe – because we need to breathe in our spiritual growth. This will be a simple gathering – maybe dinner at someone’s house, maybe a hike, maybe meeting up at a brewery. Something where the focus is on fellowship and the building up of the body of Christ.
Old Testament – Breathe – Spiritual Gifts – Breathe – New Testament. This is our spiritual pilgrimage in 2019. This is what we’ll experience together “on the way.”
JOIN ME ON THE JOURNEY!
I want to invite all who are watching this to join me on this pilgrimage. Do it as a favor to yourself, a commitment to your spiritual growth, your spiritual well-being. Join me in being intentional about your faith in 2019. Join me “on the way.”
TO SIGN UP FOR THE SPIRITUAL PILGRIMAGE, CLICK HERE.
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CONTENT
Here you can access all content as it becomes available. For audio only, subscribe to the On The Way podcast (coming soon!)