governance & Church updates
Here, you will be able to find our Trinity Constitution and Bylaws, Trinity Council and congregational meeting minutes, and Trinity Council's strategic plan.
Trinity Merrill Lutheran Church Preamble
We are God’s children through our faith in Jesus. We have proclaimed this individually and declare our intention to live accordingly: to pray without ceasing; to seek God’s will for our lives by continuing in His Word; to let our light shine before men so that they may glorify God; to reach out with the Good News of Jesus’ resurrection and our victory over sin, death and the devil; to give material help when someone is in need, to minister to others with Word and Sacrament according to need and opportunity; to make use of the talents and abilities with which we have been endowed, seeking the Holy Spirit’s leading in their development.
Whereas according to the Word of God, Christ is the Head of the church (Ephesians 4:15), and it is our Lord’s will that the diversity of gifts should be for the common profit (I Corinthians 12:4-31), it becomes our privilege and duty in love as Christians:
Whereas according to the Word of God, Christ is the Head of the church (Ephesians 4:15), and it is our Lord’s will that the diversity of gifts should be for the common profit (I Corinthians 12:4-31), it becomes our privilege and duty in love as Christians:
A. To preach the Gospel to the whole world (Mark 16:15-16, Matthew 28:18-20);
B. To fellowship with those who confess the true faith (Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 10:24-25; I John 2:19; I Cor. 1:10-11);
C. To endeavor to bear with one another in love and to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (Eph. 4:2-6);
D. To administer the Office of the Keys as a body (Matthew 18:17; John 20:22-23);
E. To conduct all the internal and external affairs of such body “decently and in order” (I Corinthians 14:40).
Therefore, we, in agreement with the principles outlined above, declare ourselves united as a Congregation and herewith accept and subscribe to the following Constitution and Bylaws, in accordance with which all spiritual and material affairs of our Congregation will be governed.
Trinity Council's Strategic Plan
1. Capital Campaign
2. School Fees & Tuition & Church Support
3. Child Care Financial Success
4. Motivation/Education/Stewardship Campaign
5. Assimilation: Develop a plan to present and market to non-member school families why Trinity wants them to become a full part of the Trinity family.
6. Develop an elder outreach program for those members that cannot regularly attend church or participate online.
7. Looking inward: how to educate and build engagement of current membership; create enthusiasm, excitement, volunteerism, (as a demonstration of engagement)
8. Look outward initiative: build congregation through new members; there's marketing AND ministry that can contribute.
2. School Fees & Tuition & Church Support
3. Child Care Financial Success
4. Motivation/Education/Stewardship Campaign
5. Assimilation: Develop a plan to present and market to non-member school families why Trinity wants them to become a full part of the Trinity family.
6. Develop an elder outreach program for those members that cannot regularly attend church or participate online.
7. Looking inward: how to educate and build engagement of current membership; create enthusiasm, excitement, volunteerism, (as a demonstration of engagement)
8. Look outward initiative: build congregation through new members; there's marketing AND ministry that can contribute.
Congregational Meeting
Our next Congregational Meeting is in April 2025.