Trinity Church | Joppa, MD

• Steve Hartland
• Nov 3, 2010
• Series: Church Profiles
• Categories: Latest News, Church Planting Articles

Briefly describe your story of your call to plant a church

In the past few years we've rebooted Trinity Church.
Prior to the reboot we were theologically accurate but somewhat insular and out of touch with real people in the real world.
Since the reboot we’re still biblically rich but we’re also seeking to be missionally effective (disciples who make disciples) and culturally accessible.
We’re got a ways to go but good things are happening.

What were the biggest challenges you faced in planting your church (and/or currently facing)?

Currently - Helping more of our people connect with their friends. People in our area live fiercely independent lives and are stretched by long commutes and innumerable family activities. Getting in touch with non-christians is challenging.

How did you become involved with Acts 29? What have been the biggest benefits of being in the network?

I love what A29 is and is doing and am looking forward to gospel-shaped friendships and co-operation in church planting.

What advice do you have for men who are wrestling with the decision to plant? 

1 - Make sure your wife's 100% in.
2 - Make sure your identity is in Christ, not in being a successful church planter. Keep it that way.
3 - Don't wait 'till you have it all figured out and have everything in place. You never will.
4 - Expect to suffer. Learn to spare your wife all the suffering that you can.
5 - Hire a coach. Church planting success increases with good coaching.
6 - Have some guys that you can call and tell the truth to and then tell it. Be real with them. Give one of them a list of accountability questions and let him ask you about them monthly.
7 - Know pretty much what your vision is from before day one because lots and lots of people will test your commitment to it.
8 - Don't let people with money derail your vision for the church. Pursue your vision. The cash will come. You need people who get the vision more than you need people who have cash.

How do you pastor your family?

When we had kids at home we had a family worship time after almost ever dinner. We also sought to keep up a steady stream of Deut 6 style conversation, and I spent lots of time having fun with our kids.
Now that kids are grown Debbie and I pray together daily, discuss books we're reading, and do lots of ministry stuff together.

Outside of the Bible, what is the most helpful book you have read for church planting?

 Stephen Gray's "Planting Fast-growing Churches"

Church Profile: Trinity Church
Launch Date: re-launched 2010
Location: Joppa, MD

Mission, Vision, Values of Church 

We live to love God, love people, and turn the world upside down.

What is your philosophy of community in your church and what does that look like practically in your church? Of evangelism?

Community - In biological terms, a community is a group of interacting organisms sharing an environment. In Christian terms, a community is a group of people sharing life with Jesus at the center. The Christian life cannot be lived in isolation. Jesus intends that all of his followers participate in Christian community. More than participate, He intends that his followers immerse themselves in Christian community! We want to experience the love of Christ in authentic relationships with one another and with our friends who are learning about Jesus. So we’re cultivating a rich climate of love, joy, and fellowship in Christ. Our Community Groups are our primary means for developing authentic community.

Evangelism - Jesus tells us to make disciples and to teach them to do all that He commands. So we want to be disciples who make disciples who make disciples. Pastors have to model this and talk about it a lot. Our primary place for helping one another to be disciples who make disciples is in our Community Groups. Everybody's expected to write down some names of people who aren't disciples and to pray for them often. In every group meeting, time is spent giving reports about how it's going with the non-Christians in our lives. Then the community prays for the situation and asks "what's the next step?"
We also encourage folks to invite their non-disciple friends to community group and to church meetings.

What are some examples of God's grace that you have seen in your life and/or the life of your church?

Some friends have recently become believers, been baptized and are part of my community group and of Trinity.

How can we pray for you?

That we'd be able to help more Christians to get on mission and to reach many more with the gospel.