Church News: September

Spiritual or religious? Possibly both/and rather than either/or...

Father Thomas Merton said, “Nothing in the Gospels suggests that Jesus was interested in creating a religion. He was offering everyone a chance for a peaceful and fulfilling life by adopting a different set of values. The crux, of course, is a shift from judgment, competition, and aggression to the rule of an open heart. The gospels represent a movement out of narcissism and paranoia to a more mature, self-possessed life of deep community.

Father Richard Rohr writes: “Jesus came to teach us the way of wisdom by bringing us a message that offers to liberate us from both the lies of the world and the lies lodged within ourselves. The wisdom of the gospel created an alternative consciousness, solid ground on which we can really stand, free from every social order and every ideology. The preaching of the gospel pulls the rug out from under us, and we have to put our life on a new footing.”

There is good theology and there is bad theology. Any version of God who is anything other than loving, forgiving and wanting a relationship with all of us and all of creation is not good theology.

We at Trinity Community Lutheran Church are trying our best with the help of the Holy Spirit to be people who are becoming a loving community, who practice good theology. We preach good theology, we sing good theology and we are trying to create a community where people can feel safe, worship and learn about a loving God. In other words, a community with a supportive and loving heart – people who practice good theology.

Do we always succeed? No, of course not – we are human beings. Everyone is both saint and sinner. When we fail, we are reminded that God always encourages a path back to God, who is gracious, merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

What does God require of us but to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with our God?

If you are interested in being part of a deeper community of spirituality and faith, please join us at 11 a.m. on Sunday mornings and every fifth Sunday at 4 p.m. at Trinity Church, 1880 APA Road.