A warm welcome to recent newsletter subscribers. I’m glad you joined me in this space. Though you will find less “likes” and “shares” on this site, there is more substantive engagement. The comment section isn’t purgatory (like other media sites), but is usually filled with heart-felt encouragement and good-willed disagreement. Join your voice—please! As NEEDTOBREATHE sings, “More heart—less attack”. Please know that my thoughts are my own (mid-process), mistakes are my own (nominal editing), unless I link to and give credit to others who are typically more processed and edited. May the Lord bless and keep you, Nathan
It was a delight to meet or reunite with some of you at a recent Alliance of Renewal Churches LeaderCare retreat. I am so glad for the work the Steve Perkins and the ARC is doing to connect leaders together for equipping, care, prayer, and play! It is much needed.
During the retreat I mentioned some initiatives, and wanted to give a bit more information.
Trinity Internship
Trinity Lutheran in San Pedro offers a school-year-long discipleship-in-community internship. Participants live on the block in intentional community (gratis housing), committing to a rule of life and rhythm of daily prayer while giving 20 hours of service in the congregation and community while also managing work/school during other hours. Over 25 young adults have been ‘trinterns’ over the last 5 years. Our goal is that participants leave healthier than when they came, that they find a rhythm of prayer that could sustain the spiritual life for a lifetime, all in an ordinary parish in an ordinary year. God does extraordinary work through ordinary means. Link here for applications which are open now for the 2024-2025 cohort.
Pastoral Leadership Seminar
15-20 people join me on Tuesday mornings for Pastoral Leadership Seminar, which is a group made up mostly of folks exploring a ministry vocation, and joined by a few current and retired pastors. We usually pray, read, and discuss a book. This coming Tuesday is our first gathering for this term, and we will be reading Bishop Bo Giertz’ The Hammer of God, a classic novel about the care of souls. Comment or communicate with Nathan to join him and Emma Wollan for discussion on this great resource. In-person or on-zoom. Link to the kindle version of the book.
Trinity’s Rule of Life
The smaller communities (Theta and Telos) at Trinity San Pedro share a common rule we call the Rule of Life. A number of other communities have started to share the same or similar ways and commitments. We have a growing webpage of resources connected to our Rule of Life, including introductions to the 7 ways and commitments, supportive teaching, the actual words of the Rule, and integration questions for each way or commitment that helps participants more deeply reflect.
Greenhouse Openhouse
We are in an allied relationship with a few other groups that are devoted to gospel-oriented, discipleship with young adults in residential community. Canadian Lutheran Bible Institute, Mount Carmel Ministries, Awaken Project, Faith Greenhouse, and World Mission Prayer League Discipleship House. Once-a-year, Trinity offers a one day open house to explore young adult discipleship community-style. It is free. You buy your own lunch and find your own housing. Set aside Tuesday, May 14th to join us this year! Sign up by emailing Nathan at nathan@trinitysanpedro.org.