the best is yet to come

Trinity Life Center Blessing

2012-03-22T21:40:53Z

The following blessing was spoken over our church and our people on Sunday, March 11 at Trinity Life Center. This blessing was spoken at the end of a sermon focused on Isaac speaking a future blessing over his two sons Jacob & Esau. Hebrews 11:20, "By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau." I believe this blessing was given to me by God for this church for this time!

"I speak over your families today, health and blessings, salvation and grace. I speak that your children, your grandchildren and your great grandchildren will fear the Lord, love the word, being obedient and respectful. May your children & grandchildren be blessed and provided for.

I speak over your job’s today, favor with all those who you come in contact with, favor with your co-workers and boss’s alike, may you be an example in work ethic, kindness, love, and ability.

I speak over your marriages today, may their be romance, love, laughter, joy, and fun. May you treat each other as you would want to be treated. May the cycle of divorce in our country be broken in this church, in this body, in these relationships. May we maintain purity in our mind’s and body’s for our spouses.

Finally, I speak a blessing over this church, may there be a mighty outpouring of the spirit of God in this church like few have seen, may the presence of God be so real and tangible that we leave knowing we met the savior. May we be a part of “a new thing” that God does, may we see miracles, healings, and salvations. May we reap the harvest that is plentiful in a church where the laborers will not be few, but many. May we believe that the best is yet to come for Trinity Life Center. I speak a blessing that the Spirit of God will move in this church so greatly that the city of sacramento will be transformed."

Ordinary people, Ordinary things

2011-10-19T17:46:28Z

I recently read a quote from the book Total Church that said this,

"Most gospel ministry involves ordinary people doing ordinary things with gospel intentionality."

I loved this quote because I believe we have complicated or shrugged off what it means to be a part of the Great Commission. We have reduced the sharing of the gospel to the job of pastors, or missionaries. We've made the gospel something that we share for one week a year while we are on a missions trip. Perhaps the church has been challenged regularly to share the gospel, but little has been done to equip them or train them how to do it. Maybe we've taught the church that the only way to share the gospel is to have their non-christian friends over for a small group bible study.

That's why I love this quote, "ordinary people, ordinary things, gospel intentionality." It seems so simple when I think about it this way. If I were to put it in my own words, I'd say this,

"Do what you do with Jesus on your mind, heart, and tongue, see what opportunities to share the gospel come."

Simple, yet missional. Jesus said, “as the father has sent me [on mission], so I send you [on mission]" (John 20:21) To the church today I believe God is saying, do what you do and allow me to use you.

The Big Giveaway

2011-09-15T22:48:57Z

This Saturday, September 24 from 9am to 1pm we are having a special event here at Trinity Life Center called "The Big Giveway". The name describes it perfect. We will be giving away 2,000 bags of groceries, free haircuts, and having a free flea market. Also, there will be free lunch for everyone that attends.

We're believing 2,000 people will attend from North Highlands and Sacramento. I cant wait to see what God does through this event on our lawn here at Trinity.

We already have 150 volunteers signed up from our church to serve our community on that day, amazing! If you want to volunteer it's not to late. Email me at calebc@tlcsac.org.

Love, Live, Give!

VIP Connection

2011-08-15T22:12:09Z

Are you new to Trinity since January? This coming Sunday we would like to invite you and all your family out to our VIP Connection. This will be a free, relaxed event, where you will have the opportunity to meet our pastors, learn more about our ministries and get a tour of our campus.

Dont miss it, Sunday, August 21 at 5pm.

Independence Celebration

2011-06-30T18:29:58Z

This Sunday we will only be having one service at 10 a.m. Don't miss out on this awesome Independence weekend celebration here at Trinity Life Center.

Show me the money, friend

2011-06-22T16:55:00Z

Recently I sent a text to a missionary friend of mine out of the blue because I hadn't talked to him in about a month. I just wanted to say hello and see how he was doing. He is a missionary to Japan currently living here in the states for a year of itinerating (this means he's traveling to churches with the goal of raising enough money to meet his budget). His plan is to head back to Japan in August for the next three years straight.

So after sending him a text, I immediately receive a response. The response was not what I was expecting.

"I'm doing alright. BTW, I have meen meaning 2 tell u it seems like ur support hasnt been coming in. I know u just want 2 say whats up & im like SHOW ME THE MONEY. Sorry about that."

That was his exact text. At first all I could think was dude, I say what's up and the first thing you ask me is why my monthly support hasn't been coming through. But I quickly conceded that thought only to realize I was actually glad that I have a friend that will keep it real with me. No pleasantries, just "I'm a missionary and I need my money so I can win people for Jesus." I couldn't help but laugh, and laugh hard. But I was mostly grateful for friends that keep it real and missionaries who see the kingdom of God being preached as the most important thing in this world.

Proverbs 27:6 says, "Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses."

Now, obviously I wasn't wounded by my friend here, but when I read this scripture I become appreciative of the friends who speak the truth, keep it real, and challenge me in my life. Too many of us are engaged in surface relationships with people who just want to blow multiple kisses at us when really we need a good kick in the butt.

Choose your friends wisely, be real, get rid of the fluff and see it as a blessing when your missionary friend asks you to SHOW ME THE MONEY.

A Church of Power

2011-06-09T21:21:11Z

This past sunday I preached on "the power of a perfect pattern." I know, it's alot of p's. I talked briefly on the pattern of power. You see I believe that the church should be a place of dynamic presence. By that I mean a dynamic presence of God in every one of our services.

We live in a church culture that is all about the presentation, consumer christianity is what many people have labeled it. People hop from church to church until they find the church with the most skilled communicator, most sleek and cool looking building, most gifted musicians and worship leaders, the best kids & youth programs. There's nothing wrong with all of these things, in fact, we strive to make all of these areas the best they can be in our church. I wonder though, do we spend as much time inviting God's presence to be in our worship services as we do planning & promoting a sleek service.

My prayer for our church and for all churches is that they would be a place of dynamic presence, a place of power. A place where people step in to the building and the power of God is already at work on peoples hearts. My fear is that one day we will put together a sleek service with all the desirable things people are looking for all the while lacking that which is most important, "God's power." May we always be mindful that the presence of God is what changes people, not our manmade and facilitated service schedules.

Lord, give us the same power in our services that we see in Acts 2 when 3,000 people came to the saving knowledge of your son after one sermon.

WE NEED YOUR POWER!

I Love My Schedule

2011-06-06T21:02:00Z

If you're like me you enjoy a regimented schedule. You may get ready the same exact way every day, eat the same breakfast every morning, drive the same route to work day after day. If you're like me you enjoy the comfort level of your schedule, the safety of that pattern.

While there is much good in having a regimented schedule and importance in making sure we accomplish our daily to-do lists, sometimes our pattern can have us bound by the schedule and enslaved to our next check mark. We get so locked in that we miss things God may be trying to show us or asking us to do.

We must follow Jesus' example in handling our daily schedules. Nothing was too small or too great for Jesus to take interest.

Luke 4:40 says, "When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them."

Jesus was a man on a mission, He was led by the spirit, so essentially He had the most regimented schedule of any of us.

After finishing a long day of preaching in the synagogue, Jesus heads to the home of Simon, probably hoping to rest and recover. Instead, Simon's mother-in-law is sick so he heals her. The next thing He knows, people bring all their sick from the area to Him.

I love that we see Him take the time to lay his hands on every one of those who were brought to Him, every single one. It also mentions that the sun was setting when this happened, meaning that for a while Jesus was laying his hands on individuals, healing people in the dark.

We must be people who learn to get over our schedules and busyness and are open to being used by God. It makes it really hard to serve others when we are always focused 100% on serving ourselves. Today I am praying against my regimented schedule and for the Holy Spirit's leading in my life, will you join me?

It's Not About You

2011-05-04T17:22:00Z

When I was younger I grew up thinking that Church was something most people attended just to make themselves feel better about all the bad stuff they'd done during the week. The more I watched people's lives as I grew up, the more I thought "people don't really want to live for God, they just want to live for themselves and hope God let's them into heaven."

It wasn't until high school that I realized I didn't want to live for myself. Romans 12:1-2 hit me one day while I was reading my Bible and to this day it has been one of my favorite verses.

"Therefore I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

At that point in my life, I realized that we are called to worship God with our lives ... every aspect of it. I also realized that I wasn't very good at it because naturally I wanted to live for myself. I've always wrestled with the idea that most people live ordinary, normal lives and don't feel like their lives are worship to God. I preach that their lives are worship, I challenge them to make every aspect worship, but that doesn't mean it always clicks. I'm reading a book called Total Church by Tim Chester and Steve Timmis and I came across a quote that I think is perfect for those of us striving to live a life of worship to God.

"Most gospel ministry involves ordinary people doing ordinary things with gospel intentionality."

My prayer is that we all realize we are all ordinary people out there doing ordinary things, but that we can do those things with intention. That intention is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Living your life for Him is so much better than living your life for yourself. It's not about you, it's about Him. When you strive to live that way there's no way you're going back.

Easter Recap

2011-04-28T17:43:00Z

Just thought I'd let you all know what kind of Easter we had here at Trinity Life Center. We are praising God for all the guests, lives changed and people impacted by the power of our risen savior this past weekend.

Here's a recap:
We had a total of 1740 in attendance at our services this past Sunday morning.
We had our biggest ever contemporary service attendance.
We had 267 kids in attendance at our Kidsquest.
We had 62 first-time guests in attendance.
We had over 20 salvations between the two services. (Many more raised their hands and prayed the prayer, but those were the actual commitment cards we received.)

We are just praising God for his surpassing greatness. To think that 3 years and 4 months ago this church was averaging 150 total people in attendance and here we are with an Easter Sunday that was pushing 1800. We can't do anything but praise God and stand in awe of his miraculous power. I'm so proud to be a part of what God is doing here at TLC.

The best is yet to come!

It Don't Matter If You're Black Or White

2011-03-30T22:22:00Z

This past Sunday we had another amazing day at Trinity Life Center. God is really moving in our services and we are seeing true growth.

At the beginning of the week I call all the first time guests and thank them for visiting with us. One conversation with a first-time attender was eye opening. She told me how much she enjoyed the contemporary service. She and her mother attend a large church on the other side of town. She told me how the service was, in her words, "a little different though." I originally thought she meant it in a negative way. I inquired further as to what she meant by, "different". This was her response, "The other church I attend just looks different. It kind of caught me off guard when I came in and saw the people and experienced the worship." I grasped what she was referencing so I just came out and said, "You mean our congregation is more diverse ethnically." She responded, "Exactly."

It was a great conversation, she proceeded to tell me how TLC is closer to her house (we aren't trying to steal anyone from other churches by the way). They were driving a long ways to church and this was a blessing to have a good church so much closer to her (gas is $4.00 a gallon in CA, if you feel me). She also said how she enjoyed worshiping with people of all ethnic backgrounds.

Now before you think I'm gonna bash any predominantly singular ethnic churches, relax. I realize that some communities are made up of a singular ethnic groups (Just drive up to Roseville. It's creepy, nothing but white folks). I doubt in China many churches have anything but Chinese people in them. However, I believe our churches should reflect our communities. Our church happens to be in a very diverse area of the city, so unless we want to ignore certain people groups our worship and style must be attractive to people of all ethnic backgrounds. Sometimes this is hard to do. We are still figuring all this out, but when we came to TLC, one of our goals was to have a "multi-ethnic church" because our city and community is multi-ethnic.

Martin Luther King Jr. said, "It is appalling that the most segregated hour of Christian America is eleven o'clock on Sunday morning." Thank God that in our church this is slowly becoming a reference to the past. I praise God for the people He has been bringing to our church and I truly believe the best is yet to come!

Running Red Lights

2011-02-17T19:39:00Z

We are back on the west coast. I haven't lived here since the summer after my second year of college in 2001. Since then I only made it out for a few brief vists. Many things have changed a considerable amount in the last 9 years - different roads, built-up communities, run-down areas. As I contemplate change, one thing that has become especially evident to me is things are always changing. And as many have observed before me, dealing with change is tough.

A few days ago I was headed back to my parents' house with Chrissy (We are currently living there while we wait for our condo in Massachusetts to sell). I came to an intersection, waited for the cars to turn left in front of me and then began to accelerate. The only problem was that the light was still red. My whole car was almost into the intersection when my wife yelled to get my attention and I slammed on the brakes. You see, not long ago, that light was a stop sign. I was so used to waiting my turn, then proceeding through the intersection that I didn't even realize the light was red or that this intersection no longer had a stop sign.

A similar pattern happens to Christians spiritually during their lives. Sometimes we don't realize it, other times we don't want to acknowledge it. Life keeps changing, marriages keep changing, we keep changing, yet too often we go on living our lives the same way, proceeding the same way day after day and before we know it some stop signs in our lives have become stop lights. A problem that once was a tiny little stop sign has become a giant stop light, which holds us in the past longer than when it was just a little issue. Constant spiritual growth is very crucial in helping us move forward in our lives the right way. Sometimes we want to zoom pass and ignore the stop signs and red lights. When we do, we not only hurt ourselves, but we hurt others too.

Romans 12:11 says, "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." How does this happen? How can we constantly keep our passion for God and the things of Him? It happens by daily looking around us, seeing what has changed in our lives, seeing where we need to grow, recognizing the stop signs or personal hang-ups and which issues have become even larger.

Mix it up, try new things, pray different ways, read new scriptures, attend a small group, study with a friend. We've got to make sure we don't go running red lights... that usually doesn't end well.

Contemporary Service Launch

2011-01-14T00:57:00Z

This past weekend we held the first ever contemporary service at Trinity Life Center. We launched at 11:15 am on Sunday, January 9 and had 376 people in attendance. I must say that it was more then we expected. We saw the overall attendance at our church up more than 300 from the week before. God was so good, as we saw 5 people come forward to either rededicate their lives or accept Christ for the first time in our second service.

I post the numbers here not to brag, or gloat, but to let you know that numbers matter. Here at TLC we are all about numbers because every number represents a soul. Our prayer is that every week we see more people coming to church, more people being saved, and more lives being changed.

We continue this Sunday at 9:30 a.m. (traditional) & 11:15 a.m. (contemporary) in "The Power" sermon series as Pastor Glen Cole speaks on the "Power of praise & worship." Come join us!

2 styles, One church!
Love, Live, Give

Two Syles, 1 Church

2011-01-07T21:03:00Z

This sunday we launch our new schedule at Trinity Life Center, 9:30 am (traditional) 11:15 am (contemporary). We are beginning an all new sermon series entitled "Power". This first week Pastor Glen Cole will be preaching on "The Power of Faith". We are expecting huge God things at TLC as we launch this new schedule so bring your kids, bring your wives and bring your husbands because we wantin everybody up in here! In fact, why dont you just bring everyone you know.

The Best is yet to come!

COMING SOON to TLC

2010-12-01T17:00:00Z

Be Here Now Part 4: Life-giving

2010-11-17T00:21:00Z

In John 10:10 Jesus says, "I came that they may have life and life to the fullest." Jesus came to this earth to give us a full life, not a perfect life, not a problem free life, but a full life. Jesus knew that a life with Him, led by Him, full of Him would be the best life anyone could ever have. Our heart is to see that full life revealed in peoples lives through Jesus Christ. The best way for that to take place is for the local church to come along side people and empower them to live a life completely led by Christ.

As a church our goal is to bring Christians to the place of full discipleship. Our aim is to see them go from life-receiving to life-giving. We want our church to be comprised of individuals who have received the love and life of Christ to then in turn spread the love and life of Christ to all they come in contact with.

Our process for doing this is simple...Love, Live, Give.

Step 1: LOVE - We Love God through weekly corporate worship of God, celebrating our Creator.

Step 2: LIVE - We Live life together through small groups and discipleship classes, growing in the Word and in relationship with one another.

Step 3: GIVE - We Give of ourselves through serving others in various ministries within the church as well as outreach opportunities outside the church both locally and globally.

Be Here Now Part 3: Multi-cultural

2010-10-27T14:08:00Z

After considering a multi-generational church, today we'll focus on our goal to create a multi-cultural church body - a church consisting of all races of people.

You see, I am a boring white boy. When there is a lack of diversity, our churches become just that, boring. We get comfortable when people who are exactly like us in every way surround us. If we choose to only spend time with people who mirror ourselves, it can sometimes turn into a form of self-worship. However, when we get out of our comfort zones and live in diversity, that's when things get interesting.We are challenged, perspectives are widened and we avail ourselves to new experiences. God created this world with diversity of people that are wonderful, beautiful, and worth celebrating. My wife (who is Filipino) and I want to see people of all races coming together in one church to worship our creator.

Sacramento is one of the most culturally diverse cities in America. We want to reach this city, this community, by building a church that doesn’t reflect our limited, earthly people preference, but that reflects a vast, eternal, heavenly body.

1 Corinthians 12:13 says, "For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink." We are one, one in spirit, one in body,united by one common savior Jesus Christ. We can't wait to celebrate our creator together with people of all styles, races, and backgrounds.

Be Here Now Part 2: Multi-generational

2010-10-25T15:37:00Z

As I said in my previous blog, for Trinity Life Center's contemporary second service, We have envisioned a multi-generational, multi-cultural, life-giving church.

"Two Styles, One Church"
One of our first goals is to be a multi-generational church - a body consisting of all ages and generations. Today's churches fall under one of two categories - traditional or contemporary. Rarely do you see both in operation. It is very important to us that even with different worship styles, we are still ONE CHURCH.

I love progressive churches striving to bring in un-churched, disenfranchised, and hurting people. However, sometimes these churches consist of people 30 years old and under. Is something missing? Perhaps a lack of maturity? Younger Christians and younger people in general need the wisdom, guidance and love of an older generation. On the other side of the spectrum, older congregations may believe anything contemporary in a church service is somehow of the devil. According to them, Beelzebub himself created electric guitars and choruses, which is what they call anything other than a hymn. So that might be an exaggerated statement, but sometimes an older congregation's disapproval of style and their openness to share their disdain could cause a person to believe the statement is true! The truth is, older Christians need the vibrancy, creativity, excitement and passion of younger people and younger Christians. The energy they bring could potentially facilitate a fresh, new move of God in the church.

Psalm 148:12 -13 tells us, "Young men and maidens together,old men and children! Let them praise the name of the Lord."

We are instructed to worship God together,not separated by churches, styles or denominations. So, at Trinity Life Center, we will include a second service that we hope will bring in younger families and young adults. We are striving to build a multi-generational church where young and old come alongside each other to encourage, disciple, build up and worship God as one. We do not intend to give the older generation the boot because our worship style is more "relevant"; rather, our heart as a church is to provide styles that appeal to all ages and all generations. So at TLC, we are "Two Styles, One Church"

Be Here Now

2010-10-19T22:19:00Z

"Be Here Now!" With zeal, my grandfather charged our congregation with this on Sunday morning in regards to our Missions Convention. With the same zeal, we want to let you know about the here and now of our church. Currently we are here planning for the launch of the TLC (Trinity Life Center) contemporary service on January 9,2011.

Considering that we are only two and a half months away, it's time for us to lay out the plan and get people on board. Obviously, we have a church building already in place, but the demographic of our congregation is much older in age. Since the church body is experiencing a shortage in young families and young adults, and the fact that we were brought on staff to start a contemporary service, the hope is that the service would attract young families and young adults. In Pastor Cole's words, we are "planting a church within a church." Our approach and plan has in many ways been that of a church plant.

We have envisioned a multi-generational, multi-cultural, life-giving church. I believe the church is the most essential, important, relevant institution on this planet. The church creates opportunities to make disciples who in turn make more disciples. Isn't that the command of Jesus?

God has called us to this region, this city and this church for such a time as this. While we already have a church body here, there is a great need for individuals who would be inclined toward a contemporary style of worship to come and serve here at TLC.

We need people to launch with, people for sound, lights, worship, greeters, ushers, set-up/tear down, video and the list goes on. If you are from the Sacramento area looking for a church or interested in being a part of something new, then we are the place for you. We will be having our first "Vision meeting" at TLC on Sunday, November 14 after the 10 a.m. service in the Atrium. We'll start around noon and lunch will be provided.

If you would like to attend the vision meeting RSVP at calebc@tlcsac.org or call me at 916.348.4681. Help us spread the word and the love of Jesus Christ in Sacramento and this world.

Be sure to follow this blog over the next few days as we further explain multi-generational, multi-cultural, and life-giving in regards to our church.

Trinity Life Center

Two Styles, One Church.

Starting New

2010-10-12T22:58:00Z

Starting something new is one of the hardest things to do. This is true with anything in life, whether it's a new church, a new band, a new business, or a new habit in your life. First, you experience the initial challenge of breaking ground, of forging something from nothing, of essentially creating newness from the resources at hand. Often times the resources are abundant, other times they are few or non-existent.

We are starting a new service here at TLC (Trinity Life Center). The advantages we have are resources: a building, instruments, a sound system, screens, people... amazing people, etc. We are doing all this because we know God has called us to aid in the building of His kingdom. That's what it's all about for us, building the kingdom of God.

Today ask yourself, what's something new that I need to start today that will aid me and others in building God's Kingdom. Maybe it's the habit of telling your spouse you love them everyday; maybe it's a new workout regimen (you've been watching the biggest loser and know it's time to get your butt in gear); maybe it's a daily devotional or morning prayer walk; maybe it's taking a younger person or new Christian under your wing to mentor. Whatever it is, make sure you ask yourself the right questions and take the necessary steps to implement it into your life.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

What is something that's missing in my life?

What resources are in place already in my life that I can use to make an impact in the world?

What could enhance my life in order to better influence the people's lives I impact?

Am I being the best ME possible?

What's God asking of me?

What more could I do to enhance the kingdom of God?