Jedi Mind Trick: Atmosphere=Worship

Silicon Valley may not be unique in its endeavor to be the center of the world, but it's in the running. Most contemporary people know this, which is why there are so many teeny tiny houses being built in the South Bay. We are attracting an incredibly diverse mix of folks wanting to taste the riches of the California Gold Rush. After all, it could happen again and at any time, right? Oh the promises made to what will eventually be highly disappointed fools who mistook lights, camera, and action for real living. The balance comes when you drive your massively expensive Hummer into the gas station and pay a whopping $3.25 per gallon. Then it hits you all at once ... you thought you were about to live the good life BUT IT TURNS OUT TO BE A JEDI MIND TRICK OF SORTS. To put it another way, you got dissed hard!

Anyone who puts up a lot of fuss and junk about the looks of our new facility should be very VERY careful not to overstate their case. I know a lot of really cool looking worship facilities where the people are inhibited and restricted from lifting up their praise to the Father. They showed up because of the lights, camera, and action ... then bolted because the worship team was mean, had wrinkles in their foreheads, and couldn't create an authentic smile if their life depended on it. I know of one place where it feels so claustrophobic from the stuffiness and restrictive spirit of the church members that I simply couldn't stand it. I would much prefer an older, traditional facility (kind of ugly actually), singing only hymns BUT THE SPIRIT ALIVE AND VIBRANT. I know several churches like this. Their facility is run down and pathetic, yet the worship was all of that and more. And if you need more to drive this point home, just ask our teens. They can worship in a barn out in the middle of nowhere, as long as the people are loving, caring, and the music and message is PHAT. Let's make sure we don't build our preferred worship facility AND MISS GOD'S COMMAND TO WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH. Atmosphere helps ... but it aint everything!

Homeless In Sunnyvale

The excitement of moving into a brand new facility is tempered with a period of time now known as "our homeless time." Approx. 6 months will pass between the time we exit our current facility and enter into our new one. And understandably, this is making people very nervous. The list of things that could go wrong is long and significant. As Staff and Elders, we recognize this and want to speak this out loud for all to hear. We are concerned about our church staying together during "our homeless time." I think that is why the Transition Team is struggling so dilligently to find an interim location which meets a criteria closely resembling current location, meeting times, space specifications, and such. They have a tough job (GO TEAM!!!).


And yet I wonder if we might be trying too hard to remain the same church while transitioning into a different church. Are we going to be Trinity -- the established church OR Trinity -- the brand new church plant? In my mind, there is a fundamental and important difference. Humanity has an irritating need to remain the same and avoid change at all cost WHILE EXPECTING the results and benefits of being cutting edge and expanding in growth. We want new people while singing the same old songs. We want increased financial giving while not evangelizing our neighborhoods. We want a joyous youth pastor while slammin' him to the curb at the same time. This is the very definition of insanity: doing the same things while expecting different results. It will never EVER work. I believe the same holds true for our homeless time. From the moment we leave 823 W. Fremont Avenue, Trinity will never EVER be the same. Get over it! We are going to look, feel, dream, explore, preach, worship, fellowship ... all in a brand new way. Our location will change, but in fact WE must also change. Yes, this is making us very nervous. And let me tell you why...

The reason why people attend Trinity is because they like the current Trinity. Otherwise, they would choose to attend somewhere else. Our homeless time necessitates that Trinity must change. And though we would love to keep the same look, feel, worship times, Bible study times, etc., that is looking more and more unlikely. So what if people who currently like us NO LONGER like us once they see who we change into? From my perspective, that is the bottom line. On the one hand, it is legit. On the other hand, this is who God is molding and shaping us to be. I for one am extremely excited about our homeless time. It is an opportunity for us to be the brand new church plant that we are WHILE BENEFITING from the established church that we are. This probably doesn't make sense and you probably will disagree. But it's workin' for me!

The Joy Of Complaining

The word "kill" should never be used when turning in a church comment card. An example would be ...

"The music was too loud, and you guys need to kill that drummer!" (ex. was from another church)

Complaining has got to be the easiest thing in the world to do. And it must give tremendous joy to the complainer. Otherwise, why would so many people do it? I have only been at Trinity less than a year, but boy have I heard some serious complaining going on. The pastors are ________; the Elders don't _________; our building _________; when will the leaders ever __________; the music is too __________; Garden of Prayer is always ___________; yada yada yada. And if complainers would admit it, there is a kind of rush during the tongue lashing experience. It gives a feeling of satisfaction, knowing that one's opinion and rights were fully and accurately expressed. So what if that opinion was adminstered with a nuclear flame thrower!

Hummmmmmm ...

I wonder if there might be some other ways to share thoughts and opinions which don't leave our church leaders whimpering in their combusted ashes? Maybe there is ... BUT COMPLAINING IS SO MUCH DARN FUN!

The Big Reveal

Good luck trying to please everybody on this one! It just won't happen. In spite of that though, I am very excited about THE BIG REVEAL of our new facility's architectural design this Friday evening. There is something about the creation of artistry out of the ideas and vision of our church family... kind of cool. We should have a lot of fun seeing what Jim (the architect dude) rendered. This guy is simply DA BOMB. We are truly blessed to have him on our team.

But first things first...
Trinity Church should not be in the real estate development business. We are in the "Go into all the world and make disciples of every nation" business. Can I get an AMEN? The new facility is much more than just a neat building design. It is a reflection of the mission and vision of ministry that the Elders and Staff have prayed about, meditating and strategized over, even argued about. When you see THE BIG REVEAL, you will also see what God has laid on our hearts for expanding the Kingdom here in the greater Sunnyvale area. I am not sure if the Leaders have done an adequate job in communicating this. OH YEAH... that's why we have this blog, huh? Bottom line -- ministry is the priority. Without well planned and executed spiritual ministries, who gives a rip about buildings? I know that I don't!

Blogging Our Journey

Welcome to the Trinity Church of Sunnyvale Leadership Blog!

This is an attempt to reach out to the members and attendees of Trinity with information about plans, events, challenges, struggles, prayer request, etc. As the Worship Pastor, I adore the opportunity to join with our leadership team for the Kingdom's sake. And every now and then, God gives us incredible revelation and vision into His will for us. But sometimes as leaders we struggle with how to effective communicate to the congregation. Even beyond plans, we also face difficulties, trials, disappointments, feelings of anxiety, etc. This will be a place to communicate all to you. Check back as often as you like. We want this to be a dynamic blog with participation from any and all who would dare enter this arena. Trinity Church is on the move -- it is very exciting. Let's hang out together and share the ongoing story of our journey!