GPS stands for Global Positioning System, and it is a space-based global navigation satellite system that provides reliable location and time information in all weather and at all times and anywhere on or near the Earth when and where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites.  It is maintained by the United States government and is freely accessible by anyone with a GPS receiver (Wikipedia).

When Reesa and I celebrated our 20^th wedding anniversary nine years ago, she gave me my first handheld model for use in my outdoor pursuits.  Since then I have bought a couple of more advanced models, including one for each of our vehicles.  They have been invaluable to me whether I am hiking through unknown territory or by guiding me to your house for a visit.  It would be hard for me to live without a GPS unit now days.

It seems that GPS is even invading the spiritual realm these days.  This past July 25 Trinity’s Administrative Board approved the Joel Team Report, our road map for mission and ministry for the next five years.  The Joel Team was a long-range planning team, based on Joel 2:28: “I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh.  Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions.”  That report centered around Trinity’s five core values: Radical Hospitality; Passionate Worship; Intentional Faith Development; Risk-taking Mission and Service; and Extravagant Generosity.  Those five core values form the basis for Trinity’s new mission statement.  “Trinity’s mission is to Grow in the Christian faith, Go into the world to make disciples of Christ, Praise God through worship, and Serve in God’s Kingdom.”  Grow, GO, Praise, Serve. Or, GrOw, Praise, Serve.  GPS.

God’s Global Positioning System is God’s guide for Trinity’s mission and ministry.  The Joel Report outlines several directions and waypoints for mission and ministry over the next five years.  These directions derive from demographic studies of our communities and especially from responses to our congregational survey.  “The objectives described in the plan are fluid directions for a [God guided] journey into the future.  This plan is a way to be traveled; its objectives tell us our intended destinations.  We may encounter even more opportunities along the way that, in God’s time, [and under God’s guidance,] will be presented to us.  There are people along the way who will become our friends, who will meet Christ in us, who will join us in our mission.  Godspeed to all who choose to travel this way” (Joel Report, p.2).

There are some BHAGs (Big Hairy Audacious Goals) in the plan, such as a fourth Sunday morning worship service in 2011, not to mention planning an additional two worship services over the next five years (for a total of six).  This is based on our core value of Passionate Worship, and is driven by our mission to Praise, Grow, and Go.  It is also based on the fact that our average weekly worship attendance has doubled over the past six years, and we anticipate that it will continue to grow between 20 - 58% over the next five years.  The plan outlines several exciting new ministries, such as a more diverse Wonderful Wednesday program, support group ministries based on the Celebrate Recovery model, membership mentoring and discipling and others.  These are based on our core value of Intentional Faith Development and our mission to Grow.  We plan to field at least three mission work teams per year by the end of 2010, as well as fully a support a full-time missionary in the field by the end of 2014.  These are based on our core value of Risk-taking Mission and Service and our mission to Serve.  These are just some of the exciting waypoints that God’s GPS is guiding us to explore.

Yes the plan is filled with these and other BHAGs.  And some of them may seem beyond our reach.  But I believe that where God guides, God also provides.  So with God’s GPS I believe we can achieve all that God is guiding us to achieve.  Get your copy of the Joel Report, and begin to pray over it.  And pray for me.  See you next Sunday as God’s GPS guides us to gather in His name.

I love you.             

Jeff