04 Sacrificial Mission
We are invited to be a part of what God is doing in the world as we sacrificially seek the spiritual and social renewal of our personal lives, families, and neighborhoods.
What is sacrificial mission?
As we follow Christ and are formed into people of love, we are driven outward into a world of need. Sacrificial mission is less “special event” and more “life posture” by which we seek the cultural, social, and spiritual renewal of greater San Diego County. Through acts of generosity, hospitality, care, and through our partnership with Hope for San Diego, we strive to be an active presence for good, both toward members of Trinity and toward others within our neighborhoods.
The cultural inertia of individualism and self-advancement can only be transformed through the simple, every day, sacrificial acts of love that place the needs of others before our own. When an entire community decides to live this way, they display a counter-intuitive and counter-cultural alternative, bringing glory to Jesus and joy to others.
We are invited to be a part of what God is doing in the world as we sacrificially seek the spiritual and social renewal of our personal lives, families, and neighborhoods.
Our commitments as a church on sacrificial mission:
01. To learn and speak the language of our culture
We resolve to avoid speaking “Christianese”, and using technical theological terms, unless we explain them. We resolve to avoid “we-them” language, which that belittles people of different political, spiritual, social positions, or is disrespectful of people who we disagree. We resolve, instead to engage people by humbly admitting our weaknesses and failures, while demonstrating the joyful difference the gospel makes. We resolve to do this not as an out-reach strategy, but as the fruit of a gospel-changed heart.
02. To listen to people and their stories
We resolve to understand, love, and respect them unconditionally, and serve them by showing them how the gospel meets their deepest longings. To do this we resolve to have a knowledge and appreciation of the culture’s movies, books, music, etc., in order to understand the culture’s hopes, dreams, stories, and fears. So, we can show people that only Jesus can fulfill their greatest desires.
03. To be a Christian community that is counter-cultural and intuitive
We resolve to show the world how radically different a Christian society is with regard to relationships, sex, money, and power.
04. To live out our Christianity in our work and recreation
We resolve to learn: what in our culture is good and can be enjoyed and celebrated, what in our culture is anti-gospel and must be rejected, and what in our culture can be renewed and adapted for good. We resolve to show gospel love and respect toward those with whom we strongly disagree. One of the biggest criticisms of Christians is that we are intolerant—but since we are saved by grace, we should be the most humble, respectful people in society.
05. To demonstrate the unity of the church in our city.
We resolve to celebrate what God is doing in other churches, instead of criticizing other churches. We resolve to develop alliances with other like-minded churches in order to serve our city together. We resolve, beyond that, to cooperate and develop meaningful relationships even with congregations much different than us. Although this will raise some areas of tension, we will continue to head in the direction of cooperation.
