our vision

We are imagining a way for Trinity Grace Church to move forward towards change, repair and reconciliation as it relates to racism, racial justice, and diversity. While we don’t yet know exactly how we will move forward and create this change, we are starting with imagining what it will look like. With a shared vision, we can then think through the practical steps needed to bring about the change.

This page was last updated Tuesday, August 11, 2020.

We will be gospel-centered, Holy-Spirit led, and prayerful in our approach

We believe that the Gospel provides a beautiful frame for living out a radical hope of racial equality. In living out TGC’s vision of joining with God in the renewal of all things, we want to make sure that all we do, say, and think is grounded in the hope of Jesus and a witness to His work on the cross.

We will not go back to “normal”

We are committed to work for the righting of wrongs, the healing of wounds, and reconciliation in our church, city, and nation. We will not be complacent. We will push for, and model, a new normal.

We will build a capacity within our church for awareness and lament

Before anything can happen, we must be aware of the deep pain inflicted on people of color. This includes the historical and current pain brought on by our nation, the Church, and our church in particular. Once aware, we will enter a season of shared lament. Out of this will form the imagination and creativity for moving forward. 

We will have a church that reflects the diversity of the Kingdom

The fullness of the Church cannot be experienced in a homogeneous context. We will value diversity and the beauty it reflects, and build towards it. In doing so, we commit to embodying a diversity within our body that goes beyond mere appearances. 

We will advocate for the oppressed

At the heart of the Biblical narrative is a movement towards freedom from oppression. The heart of Jesus was for the lost, the oppressed, and the marginalized. Our church will reflect the Biblical narrative and heart of Jesus.

We will move beyond activism into long-term, sustainable change

Often, activism is a reaction to injustice. And, we should react. But, we want to offer more than this initial response and instead be part of a long-term solution. We recognize that this will take a sustained effort over a long period of time. We are ready.

We will pull from a diverse set of source materials

Our growth as a church will not be guided by a single set of voices. We will broaden who we listen to and learn from beyond white men. This richness of perspectives will shape our thinking and allow us to experience God in new ways.

We will be present in our community  

As Brooklyn (and NYC at large) wrestles with inequality we want to stand alongside our neighbors in a show of support. Often this means simply “showing up” and listening. While other times it looks like advocating for change, providing resources, and rolling up our sleeves.

We will be vocal about our position

Our voice will not be a silent one. We commit to using our voice to acknowledge when we've been wrong - in both willful and unintentional ignorance. As we move forward we will share our thinking, approaches, and vision with the community. This means we will take public, and often uncomfortable, stances in the name of Jesus for the oppressed.