September Young Adult Community Launch Plans
It was wonderful hosting a potential 2019-2020 intern candidate this weekend. God has blessed Trinity with an influx of young servants and leaders over her many years. We have been a learning community for many years! We are about to launch something very exciting. We are still in the experimentation stage with a few different names and variations of identity and vision statements. Inspired by the Community of Saint Anselm that meets at Lambeth Palace in London, a year-long intentional community of residential and non-residential young adult members, we are dreaming about what an intentional community might look like here at Trinity in Southern California.
We are already committed to the substantive and intentional formation of the interns that God brings our way. We have been in process and on a steep learning curve in working with our own youth and young adults as well as the interns who have served here. During the internship process, we have been curious, listening, and trying to learn everything we can. We have done serious exit interviews to try to improve on important gaps. We are super proud of those who have gone on to serve in a more healthy and equipped way. We have cared about competencies and even more about the character of the minister. The competencies needed vary from intern to intern. Some are looking for leadership growth, some in teaching, some in worship leading, etc. The areas of focus for character formation (wholeness issues) include Identity, Idolatry, Vocation, Guilt/Shame, Rest/Work, Prayer, Biblical Study.
My dream for this year is to develop this community (Theta Community?) into 2-3 residential members who live at Trinity House (Trinity's intern apartment) and 7-10 non-residential members that participate in:
1) "Rule of Life" Retreat in September 2019;
2) Monthly Community Night that includes shared dinner, worship, teaching, and prayer ministry; and a
3) Monthly Integration Night done in small mentor groups that explore more deeply the topic presented at the Community Night.
4) Community Members would also serve together.
Ideas about Residential Members (Interns). Trinity Interns have been people in-between college and what is next. They could also be in college concurrently, but live at Trinity House, and serve in ministry in some way at Trinity. Residential Interns might be taking a "Gap year" or in an online school that makes their location flexible. Residential interns might be exploring what vocational ministry looks and feels like. They might be accomplishing internship school requirements. More information about the Trinity Internship program and application process can be found here.
Ideas about Non-Residential Members. Non-residential members of this Community would also live in driving distance. They might be in school or vocational training. They may be working or looking for work. We are praying and considering what it would be like to include Seniors in High School who are interested in this commitment and preparation for their next season. All members (residential/non) are able and wanting to set aside time for a retreat in September and a weekly evening for Community Nights, Integration Nights, and serving nights.
Please pray for us as we seek God's heart about this possibility. If you are interested in this opportunity or have more questions, contact Nathan at pastor@trinitysanpedro.org
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