I have always been grateful when I read about the church in Berea because they received the word but also examined the Scriptures to be certain what was said was true. I am grateful that the Baptists I know look to Scripture for God’s truth. We stand on the authority of God’s Word and claim it as our sole source of authority for life and practice. It is no different today.

 

We had a healthy discussion from our healthy church on August 26th regarding a healthy question pertaining to women having the opportunity to serve as servant leaders or deacons at Trinity Baptist Church. There were questions, answers, and comments. Our New Deacon Selection Task Force brought their recommendation to Trinity and allowed for our church members to share their support and concerns, as well as ask questions. The Task Force recommendation is that our church bylaws be changed to allow women to serve as deacons.

 

I have had the privilege of meeting with our staff and other church members since our meeting and the majority of the responses I have heard are regarding how we can have differing opinions and still choose to love each other in the process. I love our church. We need everybody. As a church we have been asked to pray for our Task Force since they formed in February 2024. For those who have been praying, thank you. For those who will now begin to pray, thank you. Prayer will lead us forward, especially as we allow the Scripture to be our authority in life and practice. We cannot go wrong.

 

“Why are we doing this?” is a question I heard several times at our church discussion. In any Baptist church there are a plethora of opinions. At Trinity, we are no different. As a faith family, we stress, “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; and in all things, love.” These words have been known to the church since St. Augustine in 400 A.D. They have been applied across many directions for Trinity Baptist Church from her beginning.

 

As a Christian, I would define an epiphany as a divine moment from God where a clear revelation or direction is given. I cannot say that I have had numerous epiphanies, but I can tell you about some. One was the Tuesday after our church discussion on Monday. In visiting with church members, God spoke to my spirit and told me … “This is not about women serving as deacons at Trinity Baptist Church. This is about Trinity Baptist Church having the opportunity to show others that you love each other.” You may have had epiphanies as well that tell you personal things from God that may not line up with mine. What will we do? We will choose to love one another for that is what tells the world we are truly following Jesus.

 

Jesus says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know you are My disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

 

I love you, Trinity.