Church – Pastor Robby Brown

Water Baptism: What It Is, What It Is Not

Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” So, he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. (Acts 8:36-38 NKJV)

One of the most beautiful and powerful moments in the life of a New Testament Church is the observance of water baptism. But it often becomes a source of confusion for many believers. However, the Bible offers many answers to our questions about baptism.

Water baptism is:

• Identifying with Christ in a way that pictures outwardly our inner spiritual rebirth, the old man having been buried with him and spiritually raised to walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:3-11)
• Our word “baptize” is not a translation, but a transliteration of the Greek baptizō which means to completely immerse in water. This is because it pictures a death and burial of the old man and the resurrection to new life in Christ.
• An immediate step of obedience after trusting Christ as Lord and Savior. There is nothing in Scripture that indicated a delay among early believers to see if their faith was genuine. In fact, baptism was the first opportunity to demonstrate the genuineness of their faith as we see in the story of the Ethiopian and others in Acts.
• An identification with Christ’s church. Thus, baptism is to be done with the witness of the local church whenever possible (1 Cor. 12:13). The Ethiopian’s case is a rare exception, for he would be launching the church in Africa as a first-generation believer and witness.
• A sign or symbol of the New Covenant. All the biblical covenants seemed to be established with a sign. Examples include the rainbow for God’s covenant with Noah and circumcision for God’s covenant with Abraham. Many argue that the Lord’s Supper, specifically the part of the Passover that Jesus reinterpreted as a foreshadowing his body and blood broken and shed for us, is the ultimate sign of the New Covenant. Perhaps that is true. But when Jesus gave the church its mission statement, it was to go and make disciples “baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28)

Water Baptism is not:

• A saving sacrament. It was virtually unheard of for the early believers to not be baptized, so much so that baptism was almost synonymous with conversion (Acts 2:38). However, we must remember that the ritual of baptism is not a work that saves. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). Water baptism, as mentioned above, becomes an outward expression of an inward reality. Unfortunately, too many place their trust in religious ritual for salvation, rather than in the finished work of Jesus Christ.
• An often-repeated experience for spiritual renewal. There are many calls for believers to renew their faith and love in the New Testament. None of them call for believers to be baptized again. Instead, they are to let their repentant and victorious life be the evidence and picture of renewal and rededication. Just as “there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism… (Ephesians 4:5) spiritually speaking, the believer only needs to be baptized once after trusting Christ as Savior and Lord.
• A mere emotional “jumpstart” to a new spiritual plateau. We sometimes hit a wall or feel like we’re in the doldrums spiritually. In moments like this we may need to dig deeper into the Word, pray more fervently for breakthrough, or invite counsel and accountability into our lives. But, if you are a born-again believer who has already experienced the biblical baptism described above, we should not view additional baptisms as the key to breakthrough. This could lead to a form of ritualism in your life.

Understanding what baptism is and what it isn’t, let us endeavor to lead people to faith in Christ as we witness in the power of the Holy Spirit. If you have not trusted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, won’t you do so today? If you have, but have never experienced believer’s baptism, please speak with your pastor today and schedule that as soon as possible!

Form, Substance, and Formalism

I love variety in the church! Though I am committed to and unwilling to compromise the fundamentals of the faith (the inerrancy and authority of Scripture, the exclusivity of the Gospel, the urgency of the Great Commission, etc.), I am grateful for the different forms of worship that I’ve had the joy of experiencing.

I grew up in a small rural Baptist church where the windows only had a hint of stain in the glass, the old hymns were sung with a southern twang, the day of worship started with a Sunday School assembly (including the obligatory birthday and anniversary recognitions and songs), and every verse of “Just As I Am” was sung at least a couple of times during the invitation. Of course, this church consistently presented me with the Gospel of Christ!

That traditional rural church also took me to children’s camps, youth retreats, and youth rallies where I was saved and challenged to grow much deeper in my faith. In fact, those events were the most exciting and God-encountering moments of my childhood and teen years. And the form of those experiences was much different than that of the worship in the church that sent me. Yet the substance was the same solid Gospel. It was straightforward J-E-S-U-S.

But this substance was celebrated in a variety of new ways. I remember the guitar around the campfire on a dark night, the introduction of those Keith Green songs and other choruses (that are now in hymnbooks), and the pageantry and lighting of the coliseum rallies. I never felt like it was a show, just that they were making large of Jesus and inviting us to worship Him. I was still committed to the Sunday morning services in my local church but longed for the freshness, passion, energy, and intimacy of those events planned for youth and children.

Those various “Baptist” experiences have not provided my only context of form in worship. Being called into the ministry I continued to attend the Pentecostal college that was close to home. At that time, most of the Baptist colleges of my denomination were struggling with serious substance issues related to the nature of Scripture. Besides, I assumed I was Pentecostal because of my love for the aforementioned passion, energy, and intimacy in worship. No doubt, I discovered some theological differences fairly quickly. But I also made some genuine friends, served on some ministry teams committed to sharing Jesus, and dug deeper in my personal relationship with Christ. I am so thankful for that time and the ongoing impact it has had on my life.

I met my wife while attending seminary in North Carolina. She had grown up in a large Presbyterian church. I was able to attend worship there on several occasions. The form was very different from the rural Baptist and Pentecostal churches that I had attended. But believe it or not, there were elements of liturgical worship that inspired me. The large organ, the recitation of the Apostles Creed and Lord’s Prayer, prayers of confession, while having become vain ritual for some were a welcome change of pace for me.

I could go on. I have attended predominantly African American churches where the choir sings a special that lasts nearly twenty minutes and the pastor preaches with organ accompaniment. I have been in worship in different countries all around the world that looked, in form, nothing like what I had experienced in this nation. In other words, I have experienced a variety of forms and styles in worship. But I have never abandoned the substance of my faith, THE FAITH once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3).

Here’s the thing…

The New Testament does not reveal a legalistic order of worship, description of facilities, or partiality toward styles when it comes to form in worship. However, the New Testament focuses big time on substance. Jesus Christ is the focus of New Testament worship. The exaltation of the risen Lord is primary. The saints of God are to be equipped in the Word of God to do the will of God. And the lost who choose to attend should hear the Gospel of Christ clearly articulated. Certain substantive elements and principles like preaching, teaching, fellowship, accountability, and the environment of praise are laid out again and again.

This substance of authentic, Christ-centered worship can take on a number of forms. Some early Jewish believers placed Jesus at the center of the passion and pageantry that was already part of their temple worship and festivals. The New Testament contains no instructions telling them to reject the multi-instrumental music and dance style of worship described in the Psalms (see Psalm 150), the torch lighting at the Feast of Tabernacles, or the hanging of colorful banners or curtains like they saw in the Temple. Nor does the New Testament require the Gentile believers to embrace Old Covenant forms (Colossians 2:16-17; Acts 15). Form would vary in the early church, but the substance was always the crucified and resurrected Christ!

That brings me to the subject at hand. Form is what helps us contextualize and celebrate substance. Formalism is equating form with substance or elevating it over substance.

Form is helpful. Ritual does not always mean ritualism. Whether high church liturgical, old-fashioned non-liturgical, or new contemporary, the form can give us tangible ways to magnify the substance. Different forms are likely necessary to engage different cultures and accomplish the substantive mission even in one given geographical area, especially if a community’s demographics are wide and varied.

It is important to know that all these categories of form have been embraced by theological liberals and theological conservatives. I completely reject attempts to classify a local church as liberal or conservative based on their form. Bible-believing churches are churches that refuse to compromise the substance of the Gospel and the authority of the Word of God, regardless of form. If form incorporates something the Bible blatantly calls sinful, you have a substance issue. In fact, heresy is not a respecter of forms! It manifests itself in all types of form.

The issue that concerns me the most today is the rise of formalism that is manifest not so much in one’s elevation of form over substance in their own worship setting. It is the elevation of form over substance when criticizing the worship setting of other churches that seems to be on the rise. This criticism of form can be a type of formalism. A quick scroll through social media will reveal this elevation of preference in form in a way that divides even Bible-believing followers of Christ.

Here are some statements revealing the prevalence of formalism:

“That church is too old-fashioned.” For whom? Are they preaching and exalting Christ? As the senior adult population grows in this nation, and lostness among that group, it may take more old-fashioned churches to engage them. And, by the way, a few young people enjoy that style.
“That church is too liturgical. Dry orthodoxy! Dead!” How do you know? The liturgy may keep their passions for Jesus fresh. Do you know their hearts? Some liturgical churches are doing an outstanding job using the liturgy to establish a generation in biblical truth.
“We’re losing sound theology by not singing the old hymns!” The old hymns were new at one point. And believe it or not, theologically sound hymns and worship songs are being written today. Perhaps we are losing sound theology because parents aren’t being equipped to teach it in the home to the next generation. There are old hymns that are rich in theology and old hymns that are not. The same can be said of the new songs. There are churches that only use the old hymns that are failing to engage and disciple a generation in sound truth. There are churches that sing predominantly new songs that are winning people to Christ, enlisting them into disciple groups, and growing deep in the doctrines of Christ.
“The lighting in the sanctuary should be…” You finish the statement. “Jesus is light, so the entire sanctuary should be well-lit!” Or “The light shined in the darkness, so the sanctuary should show the contrast with bright lights penetrating darkness.” Or “Contemporary lighting turns the service into a man-centered concert!” Each statement places form over substance if you are being critical of how other churches light their sanctuaries. Do you know the hearts and motives of the individuals seeking to engage believers in the exaltation of Jesus Christ? Be careful here. There is room for a variety of preferences. But don’t elevate your preference above substance. Worship can be a “show” in both well-lit sanctuaries where parishioners only go to be seen and in sanctuaries with only well-lit stages. What might be a “show” to one can be the elimination of distractions to another to get their eyes on solid lyrics and a timely message, form designed to place attention on substance.

I will go to battle, and often do, when it comes to defending the substance of our worship! But when it comes to form, I can worship in a spontaneous environment and in a liturgical setting. I can worship in a sanctuary as well-lit as the Crystal Cathedral or as dark and intimate as a theatre. I can exalt Christ with various genres of music. I love my Reformed and my Charismatic friends and the elements of worship each have helped me to appreciate. We may have theological disagreements in some areas of substance. Let those discussions continue. But let’s not belittle one another because we don’t embrace the same form.

The next time we find ourselves criticizing the form of worship in another church, let’s try asking these questions. First, listen to the preaching and teaching that’s taking place. Is it solidly biblical? Is Christ being exalted? Is the body being equipped? Does the lead pastor seem to have a biblical vision and mission? If so, there is also likely much thought and prayer given to how the form of worship facilitates this substance and the mission of the church.

Second, ask yourself, “How well do I know those who plan and lead the worship?” Have you spent enough time with them in worship and outside of worship to speculate concerning their motives? Finally, ask, “Is this church reaching people that a different church may not be reaching?” If so, is that the real cause of the criticism? I know that many of us, perhaps especially ministers, have been tempted to delegitimize that which we envy.

Quick note: Explaining why you choose the form you embrace is not necessarily an act of formalism as long as we do so without being highly critical of those who choose a different form.

I pray that those of us who stand firm on the Gospel of Christ and are committed to sharing Him with our world can learn to respect the various forms that contextualize the mission. Arguing our preferences only causes us to slip into subjective areas of pragmatism and divide the body of Christ. May we focus on the substance with greater passion than ever and see a new awakening of the church in this day!

Independent Thinkers

“There is no new thing under the sun.” -Eccl. 1:9

Independent Thinkers. I love them! I am one of them. I encourage them.

But I also want to speak a word of warning: Embrace the journey of an independent thinker with grace and humility.

“There is no new thing under the sun.” -Eccl. 1:9

What is my concern is for so many of us independent thinkers? It’s that we avoid arrogance! A sacred desire to be different for righteousness sake can sometimes be a disguise for being different for difference sake. The latter can lead to an isolationists mentality robbing an individual of one of their greatest needs, relationships.

To the high school seniors about to enter college: Be an independent thinker. That state university philosophy professor is going to throw a lot at you. As will the science and English departments. And let’s not forget the students and peers who will want you to scrap your moral convictions. You might be tempted to say, “Wow my parents and that country preacher never thought of these enlightened challenges to the faith.”

Truth is our minds have traveled those roads: The generation before you were the first to question everything. Some rationalized away their faith. Others kept digging until they found answers. Just know that there are folks with more education, secular and religious, than that professor you have who do find solid footing in the faith once for all delivered to the saints. And, by the way, you might be shocked to know how many philosophies of this world that country preacher had to grapple with along the way.

Think with grace and humility.

To the young adult millennial who has seen the hypocrisy in the church or assumed a blind and shallow allegiance by the faithful. You might be tempted to think that you’ve discovered a new way of looking at things in order to reject everything about the current structures of our worship, faith and practice.

Truth is our minds have traveled those roads. There is now a generation of midlife believers who didn’t settle for a “well that’s just the way things are supposed to be” answer. We grappled with sources of truth. We explored the various components of religious structures, biblical interpretations, denominations, and various factions of Christianity, and we listened to those who would deconstruct every aspect of our way of thinking. Some slipped into isolationism, others dug deeper until they found answers as to why we still hold fast to the core elements of a biblical corporate faith experience.

Think with grace and humility.

To the midlifer who DID NOT actually grapple with all these challenges: You woke up one morning not knowing why you’ve lived a certain way. Your kids are grown now, and you were “doing church” and holding the marriage together for them. And now your mind is wondering what you’ve missed out on. Do you really assume the godly Christian scholars, pastors, and revivalists of the revolutions, reformations, and awakenings didn’t mentally attack these challenges?

Truth is our minds have traveled these roads. Some, even vocational ministers, walked away from the church (and at times their families) while spiritualizing a midlife crisis. Others dug deeper, and their roots have tapped into the True Vine in ways they never imagined. They have become leaders in the Body, not for political clout but motivated by genuine John 15 love.

May we think with grace and humility.

Finally, to the senior adult who has found more time to think in the fourth quarter of life: You feel that you have served your time, that the church is not so much for you anymore, or that your maturity and experience has brought you to a place of spiritual retirement and permanent retreat. You aren’t even so sure you were right all of those years.

Truth is the Bible is full of examples of those whose best works for God took place in their old age. Their minds had traveled these roads. A few did not finish well. But Moses, Abraham, Sarah, Simeon, and many more saw God’s glory in the most magnificent ways in their latter days. Stay in the fight.

Think with grace and humility.

The good thing about independent thinkers is that we are not satisfied with the status quo, nor are we comfortable just going along for the ride. But if we aren’t careful, we will arrogantly assume that we must be pretty smart since we are thinking of things that no one else (at least no one around us) has ever thought of.

Humility says, “Check your motives.” Perhaps God is illuminating His Word to help us grasp something many have overlooked; in which case it will take grace and humility to engage others that need to be awakened to this truth. But, perhaps our flesh has desires for which our faith has not previously made allowances. In this case, we could be subconsciously using our abilities as an independent thinker to reconstruct (or deconstruct) our faith. All the while we are thinking of ourselves as spiritual revolutionaries going where others have been hesitant to go, we could actually be guilty of a blind iconoclasm making an excuse to neglect what our flesh rejects and embrace what our flesh desires.

There is nothing new under the sun.

Think! But think with grace and humility.

An Open Letter from a College Dad during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Dear Kent and Karis,

I remember being on vacation at Oak Island, NC with you both, a toddler and a 4 year old, on September 11 of 2001. That’s the day that our nation was rocked like never before in my lifetime. We watched in awe as the Towers fell, the Pentagon was hit, and terrorism left its ugly mark on our land and on our souls. Oh, but you were so young, and we shielded you as much as possible. But you would grow up in world that was different from the world in which I had spent my first thirty-one years. At least in the USA. We had been victims of terrorism, but never-before like this. The world was different.

Though thousands lost their lives that day, and thousands more since then by fighting the war on terrorism, this nation bounced back. And from the day President Bush stood on a pile of debris at ground zero and promised that the world would hear from us, I had no doubt that America would rise quickly. And we did!

In fact, the past two decades have been filled with life, love, joy, challenges, and opportunities. You have grown up watching the political pendulum swing back and forth in prototypical American fashion. You have seen a resurgence in appreciation of the military. You have been a part of a family that values and passionately celebrates faith in God. You have said good-bye to dear friends and family members who are with Jesus now, some leaving us too soon. And you have LIVED!! You have embraced life’s hurts and blessings knowing ultimately that there is a Sovereign God who is the giver of life, and that He has blessed, and often judged, his people and the land in which you have lived.

So here we are at the beginning of a new decade. And suddenly, like in 2001, the world is not the same anymore. This time the attack didn’t happen in a manner of minutes. The COVID-19 Pandemic didn’t happen suddenly by surprise. It hasn’t been like a fatal car accident or a fatal heart attack. It has been more like the cancers that have taken from us so many we love. We saw it coming a couple months out, prayed for the impact not to be so severe, and realized how fragile life is this side of heaven.

Well, what does a father say to his college age children at a time like this?

First, don’t quit believing in a Sovereign God. We are talking a lot about the mortality rate these days. I promise you this: Jesus Christ is alive forevermore! And those who know Him have nothing to fear. For we will live forever with him. For the believer, to live is Christ and to die is gain (Phil. 1:21). While a healthy respect for this virus is warranted, I am saddened to see so many believers trembling in fear for their lives.

Unfortunately, though, the mortality rate for the human race is 100%. “It is appointed unto man once to die, and then the judgement (Heb. 9:27).” I know we aren’t hoping to go to heaven on the next load, but life is a vapor compared to eternity. So always live as a pilgrim here, always on mission, holding on loosely to things of this world, and always ready to report to your eternal home when God calls. No need to fear when your faith is real!

The second thing I want to tell you is: don’t quit believing in the resiliency of the values that have brought this nation back again and again. In fact, our very Declaration of Independence from our beginning would cost this nation nearly 7000 lives in a war. Some 25,000 when you count deaths due to disease, imprisonment, and civilian casualties of the war. Yet this nation would prevail because of convictions like those of Patrick Henry who would rather risk death for liberty than pursue a safety that compromises freedom.

A Civil War and the depravity of humanity would cost this nation over another 600,000 lives, not to mention the collateral damage. Many around the world thought that would be the end of America. But, once again, we would prove stronger once the war was behind us. What about the First and Second World Wars, including the attack on Pearl Harbor? Over another half million lives, but we emerged as one nation under God, still in the pursuit of liberty and justice for all.

Well all of that was before my lifetime. And while we have not always lived out our principles as fairly and passionately as the great generations who fought for them, we’ve come a long way. I’ve seen soldiers return from a war for which they got little respect fighting. But that is beginning to change. Better late than never I suppose. I’ve seen this nation place men on the moon and land spacecraft like airplanes. I’ve seen hostages return from Iran, and watched a president bankrupt our enemies during a cold war. I’ve lived long enough now to have watched the market rise and crash enough to know that I should not put my faith in it, nor should I panic when collapse seems imminent.

What I am trying to say is, we have a history of rising from the ashes when we value liberty over safety, when our government realizes its limits and depends on the people, and when circumstances bring us to our knees again. And I didn’t even mention the famines, depressions, diseases before the age of modern medicine, assassinations or civil rights movements.

I am not saying that you should throw caution to the wind during this pandemic. I have advised otherwise. This is a serious virus that could take someone we know and love. I am saying that you should keep a discerning eye on the national leadership and on your friends and classmates. Don’t let folks slip into having an unhealthy dependency on government mandates. Make it clear that the answer to this and most crises is personal responsibility, not excessive government intrusion.

Third and finally, don’t quit enjoying life. Some who avoid this current virus will shorten their lives in a practical sense. Stress, worry, and fear will cause them to cease to truly live and will lessen their quality of life and possibly the length of their life.

At some point, hopefully sooner than later, it is going to be advisable to get back out among people. And the virus will still be out there. When the risk versus reward factors loosen the social restrictions currently in place, the chance of you catching and dying from this disease could probably still be somewhere between dying in an automobile related death (40,000 Americans per year) and dying from heart disease (650,000 Americans each year). I don’t think we will hit those numbers this year. And who knows, if we flatten the curve, find better treatments, and the disease weakens over time (all things that have happened before with other diseases) we may not come close to the heart disease numbers, ever.

My point is, if we were daily following the numbers of all other diseases and activities that cause you to live at risk, you would never leave the house. Let’s cooperate with our communities as an act of love while we strive to keep our hospitals from being overwhelmed, show love to our vulnerable citizens, and give health professionals and national leaders time to get their minds around this. Let’s pray for healing in our land, grow in ability to communicate creatively at a distance, and serve those who are hurting physically, emotionally, and economically. But don’t be frozen by fear. And don’t feel guilty for loving life, despite its risks, and quickly and courageously getting back to normal social interactions sooner than others. God didn’t call us to risk-free living, but to a life of faith and courage.

The Apostle Peter spoke of the ability to “love life and see good days (1 Peter 3:10).” This doesn’t mean trials will not come. The church Peter was addressing was under great persecution with a very high mortality rate. But believers in Jesus knew the deep secret of abundant life. You know it, too! And one day the Coronavirus Pandemic of 2020 will be added to the events listed above as another trial that this nation overcame. And you will remember that when your kids are in college!

Love Always,

Dad

PS. And if one of the crazy conspiracy theories turn out to true, God is sovereign over that as well!

The Seven Summits

The life of a Christ-follower is a journey. Jesus offers us a full and meaningful life (John 10:10). He is the only source and giver of eternal life and the one and only way to the Heavenly Father, the one true and living God (John 14:6).

The choice to trust Christ, embrace His Gospel, and follow Him as a disciple is a choice to take a narrow trail in life. Most of humanity will take a wide road and enter a broad gate that leads to destruction. But followers of Jesus Christ have decided to walk through a narrow gate and embrace a difficult path and become part of the few who really experience life this side of heaven and for eternity (Matthew 7:13-14)

Though the trail we take is difficult and unpopular, I agree with the words of singer and song writer Steven Curits Chapman who testifies decades ago that “there is no better place on earth than the road that leads to heaven!”

The Seven Summits at Trinity Baptist Church refers to the fact that our spiritual journey is along a narrow and adventurous trail. Each section of this trail, however, leads to a beautiful summit of celebration. Though the way is not easy, it is an empowered way. We are guided by the Word of God and the Spirit of God. We have taken Jesus by the hand and said, “I will walk with you through this life until you say it is time to step into eternity.”

This way is also a fulfilling adventure. Our souls are redeemed by the blood of Christ by grace through faith in His atoning death and victorious resurrection (Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4). This places us on a new path of discipleship.

The Seven Summits provide us with competencies to actualize our core values and biblical vision. That vision is summarized in the words “leading our neighbors, the nations, and the next generation to know love and serve Jesus Christ.” These competencies are both sequential and concurrent. First, we look at them sequentially as a paradigm for coming alongside the home to bring up a generation of Christ-followers from birth until they are launched from the home in pursuit of a calling, career, continuing ed, marriage, family, etc. Second, we look at these summits concurrently as a tool for spiritual check-ups in our lives as adults, in our homes, and in evaluating the various ministries and programs of our church and their effectiveness.

So, what are the Seven Summits?

(Click here for the sermon series that introduced the Seven Summits to Trinity.)

(1) Provision Summit: We are committed as a church to provide, and equip families to provide, an environment where the love of God is made manifest and where His Word, the Bible, serves as His perfect authority in our lives. The passage known as the Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and quoted by Jesus as the greatest commandment is central to this summit.

The corporate expression and celebration of this summit is seen our parent/child dedications. From the moment of birth and throughout the preschool years children are able to be established in the facts that God loves us and His Word is true, and a love for God and His Word will always remain foundational for the journey on the narrow road for all ages.

(2) Presentation Summit: We are committed to present, and equip families to present, the Gospel of Jesus Christ and call for a faith response to the Gospel. The fact that God loves us is the basis for His sending of His only Son to die for us that we might have everlasting life by believing in Him (John 3:16). During the grade school years children are becoming able to express remorse for sin, the need for a savior, a comprehension of the Gospel, and what it means to express repentance and faith.

The celebration of this summit is water baptism. This is the first step of obedience for the one who, at whatever age, turns from sin and self and places their trust in Jesus Christ and His death and resurrection for forgiveness and new life.

(3) Preparation Summit: We are committed to prepare, and equip families to prepare, the next generation and all of those who have been saved by grace to grow in their relationship with Jesus. Sequentially, as children are “preparing” for adolescence it is important for them to be established in their identity with Christ and His Church. At this point they can learn the various spiritual disciplines like prayer, worship, Bible study, witnessing, and serving in the church. Concurrently, all believers need to be sharpened on this section of the narrow road.

The celebration of this summit is to encourage a retreat with parents and their “tweens” where they set aside time to discuss identity in Christ, spiritual disciplines, and prepare them for adolescence with talks about the changes that they are beginning to experience in their body, mind, and emotions. Yes, this includes having the birds and the bees talk!

(4) Purity Summit: We are committed to promote a lifestyle of purity and consecration unto our Lord. Holiness as a way of life particularly begins to be tested during those latter middle school years. If habits of purity and personal commitments to live a life of virtue aren’t made during these years, the high school and college years can be an almost impossible season to right the ship. In an age of smart phones and laptops, the purity of our students is under attack like never before. The church and the home must step up and teach that God’s will for our lives is our sanctification, specifically that we are guarded against sexual immorality (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5).

The celebration of this summit includes a right of passage ceremony for young men and the presentation of a purity ring (during a special father/daughter date if possible) to young ladies as near their thirteenth birthday as possible. Concurrently, the life of holiness and a commitment to biblical manhood and womanhood shall be constantly admonished in our student and adult ministries.

(5) Purpose Summit: We are committed to equipping our families to understand their biblical purpose and mission in life. As we look at the summits sequentially, we realize that those early high school years demand that Christ-followers know what they believe and have something solid to stand on and stand for. They can only say “no” to sin for so long unless they say “yes” to something of far greater value, that pearl of great price (Matthew 13:45-46). As we embrace the joy of living life on mission for Jesus Christ, we find the motivation to continue in purity and power as an effective witness. Again, concurrently, this is an area (as is each summit) of sharpening for students and adults of all ages.

To celebrate and reinforce this summit we encourage students, accompanied by parents if possible, to participate in a mission trip. We offer opportunities in our community, throughout North America, and even internationally. Our church is committed financially to backing such endeavors. We pray that it will be the beginning of a life lived on mission for Christ.

(6) Passion Summit: We are committed, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to igniting a passion in our students and adults for a life of service to Christ through and alongside His Church. During the latter high school years students are full of passion that can be righteously channeled for the glory of God. This should be a season of discovering one’s spiritual gifts, developing talents for Christ, committing to biblical stewardship, committing to God’s standards for marriage and family, and growing deeper in the spiritual disciplines and Christian apologetics. This is most certainly a section of the trail that adult believers should revisit again and again.

The celebration for this summit is a junior/senior retreat where our 16 to 18 year-olds are challenged with the aforementioned commitments. While our parents and small group leaders will be presented with resources to assist their leadership in these areas, our church staff and leaders desire to be equipped to answer life’s most difficult questions encountered when hiking this section.

(7) Pursuit Summit: We are committed to continue alongside our young people as they launch out from the home to pursue God’s plan for their lives. As they pursue a career, a season of continuing education, a spouse, military service, or anything else, we want to empower and commission them to do so for the glory of God with great enthusiasm (Colossians 3:23-24). Concurrently, the principles of this summit will be reviewed often in the pulpit and in various small group ministries within the church.

The celebration for this summit is two-fold. Corporately we will have a Graduate Recognition service each May where we recognize and publicly charge our high school graduates to pursue God’s call on their lives. We also encourage families to host their own celebration at a venue and in a context where parents can speak words of public affirmation into the life of their child.

These are the seven summits. While the philosophy behind the summits seems very “next generational,” you need to know that it is never too late to enter through the narrow gate and join the exciting journey down the narrow path that leads to life!

We will continue to develop and sharpen each of these summits. This process will include an evaluation of curriculum and programming for our preschool department, children’s ministry, and student ministry. We will also continue to recommend and provide resources to parents and all adults to facilitate this discipleship strategy in the home. Finally, if you pay close attention you will notice the themes of these summits continually resurfacing in the pulpit ministry at Trinity.

So, grab your hiking gear and join us for the journey of a lifetime that continues until Christ calls us home!