Many of us have heard about the Turnaround Synod Initiative, although its actual goal may not be on the tips of our tongues. The Turnaround Synod Initiative is designed to challenge, inspire, encourage, and equip declining congregations of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod to grow and thrive. Getting from Here...to There...will be a journey. What might this journey be?
I asked a member of Trinity's Turnaround Synod Initiative Team what he thought "Turnaround" means. He suggested we take the word literally...physically turn around...see the world around us from different vantage points...notice what may be going unnoticed in our periphery or behind us.
Turn Around and See
We are called to look around. In Luke 10, Jesus says to his disciples, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see!" And, what did they see? They saw Jesus as he pointed the way to God through his words, his relationships, and his actions. I am reminded of a favorite quote from the movie, The Abyss, "We all see what we want to see. Coffey...sees hate and fear. You have to look with better eyes than that." As we turn around, with what eyes are we looking at our surroundings?
Turn Around and Serve
Of course, opening our eyes and looking around is just part of the journey. When we see the world around us, we see innumerable ways to serve - to demonstrate the love of God in all that we do. Service comes in all shapes and sizes, both inside the walls of Trinity, and outside with our families, our neighbors, the community of Des Plaines, and the world.
Turn Around and Change
A journey in which we respond to our call to open our eyes and reach out in service connects us with God's work. And, God's work is not static - it is dynamic, always leading to change! These changes occur within ourselves, within others, and within our world. Such a journey can definitely take Trinity from Here...to There...and BEYOND!
Listen...God is calling...and God is here...
Prayer Request*
*Request will be sent to the Prayer Chain
LET'S PRAY
by Victoria Flood
Come Worship With Us
Trinity Lutheran Church
