Blog
Dear Trailhead family,
“Are we there yet?”
That is the profound question that becomes the soundtrack on most trips with kids.
After Christmas, my family and I took a train from Montana to Minnesota, and a few minutes into our trip, one of our kiddos asked if we were there yet. We were not even remotely there yet; we still had 24 hours on the train and hours in a car.
“Child, we are far from there yet. Let’s enjoy the journey.”
And that applies to most areas of our lives. And that certainly applies to us as a church.
The “there” we are aiming for is to be fully formed apprentices of Jesus. To habitually think and act as Jesus thought and acted because we have become so immersed in communion, in union, with Him. That is our destination.
The way we explain being a fully formed apprentice to Jesus is summed up in our purpose for existing as Trailhead Church. Our mission is to practice the way of Jesus, together in community, for the sake of others.
That is the journey we are on.
“But what are we doing as a church? Where are we going?”
We are on a journey to practice the way of Jesus, together in community, for the sake of others.
What else could a church be about?
But a little explanation might be helpful, I'm sure. So let's take this in three pieces.
First, practice the way of Jesus:
The Oxford Languages Dictionary defines practice as “the actual application or use of an idea, belief, or method, as opposed to theories relating to it.” (A friend pointed this definition out to me and I am most grateful).
We want to organize our lives around the actual application of the Jesus Way, the Jesus Truth, the Jesus Life, as opposed to theories relating to it.
We want to go all in on being with Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and doing what Jesus would do if He were me.
Second, together in community:
In my opinion, one of the most harmful lies we believers believe is that our faith is primarily personal. Jesus’ invitation of “Come, follow me” feels individual because it is. It’s a personal invitation. A personal invitation into a family, that is. It may be more helpful to view the invitation of Jesus as “Come, follow me alongside all these others that I have invited.” Read the Gospels, the New Testament, or scripture through the lens of companionship, and you will see that most apprenticeship and ministry was done together in a community.
Lastly, for the sake of others:
Teresa of Avila is said to have put our journey as Jesus followers like this, “When one reaches the highest degree of human maturity, one has only one question left: How can I be helpful?”
When God came to earth, it should have been so we could serve and honor Him. Yet Jesus came to serve us, asking, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51)
Jesus came to give His life away for others ("Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies…”) and Jesus invites us to do the same.
So are we there yet?
No, not yet.
But we will dedicate ourselves to practicing the way of Jesus, together in the community, for the sake of others.
And we’ll get there.
Eventually, that is, (and I suspect it will take a lifetime).
So let’s enjoy the journey.
Grace and peace be upon you,
Grant