"Not a resting place"

I just read the report of an Anglican church plant in Midland, Texas, which will be moving into permanent facilities on June 17. As the Rector described the process of leaving the diocese, establishing a new congregation and building a building he said (of the building), "This is not a resting place." What a powerful statement. Establishment is not the goal with all of the feelings of rootedness, security and comfort that come with it. Mission is the goal. God gave His people a mobile tabernacle before He gave them a permanent temple. The call to Abraham to leave and go is echoed in Jesus' command to go and make disciples. We are a people on the move. There are no resting places; just mile markers.

Tabernacle or Temple

While the last weeks have been a bit of blur, I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of the Trinity community. The enthusiasm, joy, hope, and passion are heart-warming and contagious. I look forward to the journey that we are on together.

When Fr. Eric Dudley preached Trinity's inaugural sermon, he used the image of Exodus. How apt that is. I sense the same joy and release in this community that God's people must have felt as they left Egypt. But it is important to note that they didn't get on a plane in Cairo and land in Tel Aviv a short time later ready to settle into their new life. The Lord led them first into the desert for a season of preparation and formation. Before he gave Solomon instructions on building the Temple, He first showed Moses how to construct a Tabernacle. We are clearly in the Tabernacle phase. God is forming and transforming us as a community. As we follow Him in this season, He will lead us into a deeper understanding of who He is as Father and Lord. He will lead us into a deeper understanding of who we are as His people.

I don't really know what this Tabernacle phase will hold, or how long it will last. But I do know that the One who has led us here will lead us on, stage by stage, until one day we find ourselves in the land that has no need of Tabernacle or Temple (see Revelation 21:22).

May God meet you today in a surprising way!

Jim Hobby
Priest-in-Charge

A New Tool for an On-going Conversation

Welcome to Trinity's newest communication tool. In an attempt to open as many ways of talking to each other as possible, we hope that this blog might be a helpful way of chatting reflectively about what we see God doing in our midst. We will continue to use email and bulletin inserts to announce activities. This blog is a place to share insights, questions, observations, and concerns in a way that all of us can hear what you are thinking.

In order for this to be most useful, here are a few simple guidelines:

1. Posts should be fairly brief. Think in terms of 3 or 4 paragraphs rather than 3 or 4 pages.

2. Posts should be humble and open. This blog is a conversation at the kitchen table. We want to discern together what God is doing in our midst and where He might be calling us as a community. Leave the preaching to me on Sundays! :)

3. Posts should be personal and local. We are interested in hearing what's on your heart. There are lots of blogs that allow us to stay abreast of happenings in the Anglican Communion. As much as possible stay in the kitchen table mode and speak in the first person.

4. Posts should be communal. Remember you are talking to a whole community. If there is something that you want to work out with one person, do that privately. We want everyone included in the conversation.

I look forward to hearing from you all; and in our listening together to hearing from the Lord.

Peace,

Jim Hobby
Priest-in-Charge