Trinity Church offers video program for building inclusive faith communities
?Here Comes Everybody!: Christian Communities That Work?
NEW YORK CITY, August 17, 2006--Trinity Church Wall Street's online webcast "Here Comes Everybody!: Christian Communities that Work" is now available for on demand viewing at trinitywallstreet.org and in DVD format.
The webcast originally aired on May 25, 2006 and explores the increasing interest within the Christianity to build inclusive and progressive faith communities in the twenty-first century with a commitment to mission. Created by Trinity Television and New Media and presented by Trinity Institute in association with Episcopal Life newspaper and the National Council of Churches USA, the program provides lay and clergy leaders a resource for strengthening and building their faith communities through the renewal of basic practices such as hospitality, discernment of the church's calling, personal testimony, observing the Sabbath, and open conversation.
The complete "Here Comes Everybody!: Christian Communities that Work" program includes interviews with three leaders in church renewal, a panel discussion, and a guide for discussion and reflection. The program can be viewed free on-demand at trinitywallstreet.org or purchased on DVD for $15.00 by visiting Trinity's Web site.
As a result of declining membership, financial worries, and a sense that missions have become vague, mainline parishes and congregations are examining traditional methods of practicing Christianity, and discerning new ways of being in community in order to survive.
Rick Johnson, director of Television and New Media at Trinity Church, moderates the discussion with three prominent advocates for progressive discipleship who include Diana Butler Bass, a senior researcher at Virginia Theological Seminary and director of the Project on Congregations of Intentional Practice; the Very Reverend Alan Jones, Dean of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco; and Brian D. McLaren, founder of Cedar Ridge Community Church, an innovative, nondenominational church in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. area.
"'Here Comes Everybody!' includes thoughtful discussion of some of Christianity's current challenges such as diminishing and aging congregations, reaching out to large and disparate communities, the promise of a reimagined Christianity and the paradox of a growing interest in secular 'spirituality,' but an aversion to 'religion,'" said Johnson. "This valuable discussion provides insight from some of today's leading Christian community thinkers as well as input and questions from an online viewing audience."
Trinity Church has made this valuable resource available online as well as on DVD as part of its mission to promote spiritual formation and development throughout the world.
The Parish of Trinity Church, established in 1697, offers 18 worship services each week as well as daily interdenominational prayers for peace at St. Paul?s Chapel. The church and the chapel in Lower Manhattan attract over 1.8 million visitors annually.
The parish has several outreach programs in lower Manhattan. An exhibit at St. Paul?s Chapel, "Unwavering Spirit: Hope & Healing at Ground Zero," focuses on its unique ministry to 9/11 workers during the recovery efforts at the former World Trade Center site.
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NCC News contact: Dan Webster, 212.870.2252, dwebster@councilofchurches.org
Trinity Parish contacts: Diane Reed 212-602-0813, Donna Presnell 212-602-9672