Dear Members of Trinity Grace,
Happy November! It is hard to believe that we are nearing the end of another year. As we approach the holiday season, it is an opportunity to praise God for his care and provision through 2021. God has promised to work all things out for our good because He loves us and wants what is best for his people. Of course, it is sometimes difficult to discern how God might be caring for us through difficulties and challenges. Yet we believe God’s promises to us. We see God’s care and provision most clearly in the gift of Jesus. It was Paul who encourages us with these words from his letter to the saints in Rome: “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32) As we approach the holiday season, it is worth remembering that God is extravagantly gracious in the way he provides for all of our needs, both spiritual and physical.
One of the ways we practically experience God’s care is through one another. As the body of Christ, we are able to act as the “hands and feet of Jesus” as we intentionally serve each other. The fact that we are members of Christ’s body is evidence of God’s gracious care in our lives.
As many of you know, we recently established formal leadership at Trinity Grace with the election and installation of Ruling Elders this past February. Our Ruling Elders are called to spiritually nourish and care for those who call Trinity Grace home. According to our Book of Church Order (Chapter 8): “It belongs to those in the office of elder, both severally and jointly, to watch diligently over the flock committed to his charge, that no corruption of doctrine or of morals enter therein. They must exercise government and discipline, and take oversight not only of the spiritual interests of the particular church, but also the Church generally when called thereunto. They should visit the people at their homes, especially the sick. They should instruct the ignorant, comfort the mourner, nourish and guard the children of the Church. They should set a worthy example to the flock entrusted to their care by their zeal to evangelize the unconverted, make disciples, and demonstrate hospitality. All those duties which private Christians are bound to discharge by the law of love are especially incumbent upon them by divine vocation, and are to be discharged as official duties. They should pray with and for the people, being careful and diligent in seeking the fruit of the preached Word among the flock.”
One of the blessings of being a member of Christ’s Church is that we receive spiritual nourishment and care from those whom Jesus has placed in positions of servant leadership in his church. In an attempt to be faithful to the structures and intentions God has for his church, and to provide spiritual care for the members of Trinity Grace, the session (board of elders) has prayerfully engaged in a process of dividing our congregation into what we are calling “Shepherding Groups.”
If you are a member of Trinity Grace then you have been placed in a “Shepherding Group.” Each of our current Ruling Elders (Matt Valdes, Dave Sisk, and Garfield Green) have been assigned a “Shepherding Group.” Our Ruling Elders are eager to spiritually care for the members of Trinity Grace Church. They have committed to serving their Shepherding Group through prayer, encouragement, and relational engagement.
In the coming weeks, you should expect to hear from your shepherding Elder so that you know who has committed to pray for you and offer any spiritual care and guidance you might desire. It is our hope and prayer that splitting our congregation into different Shepherding Groups prevents the possibility of members from “slipping through the cracks.” These groups will also give our Ruling Elders a defined trellis upon which organic care and service can begin to grow in our church family. Over the coming months, it is our hope is that your shepherding Elder will be the person you can reach out to for prayer, for spiritual encouragement, and for practical ministry needs. These groups will also give our Ruling Elders a specific portion of our church that they can be praying for and connecting with on a regular basis.
We long to see one another conformed more and more into the image of Jesus. We long to see our church continuing to serve and love one another. We long to reach and renew our friends and neighbors with the hope of the Gospel. As we move toward those worthwhile goals, please know that your church desires to see you flourish and experience spiritual health. With that in mind, we are excited to put this structure in place and pray that God would use our efforts to accomplish our mission of reaching and renewing San Antonio with the hope of the Gospel.
As always, if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at michael@trinitygracesa.org.
Grateful to be a part of what God is doing through us,
Michael