The focus of this portion of our web guide is on belief, faith, religion, and spirituality in the City of Traverse City, Michigan.
By definition, belief can be as simple as the acceptance that something is true or real. In the context of religion, it might simply suggest a belief in God, but not necessarily the worship of a deity. For example, the Bible tells us that Satan believed in God and recognized that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, yet Satan was not a worshipper.
Faith is more difficult to define because it means something different to every individual. In the context of religion, faith might be described as the thing that allows an individual to believe in something that cannot be proven through empirical evidence. Faith adds trust, obedience, and worship to belief.
By most definitions, religion is an institutional system of beliefs, attitudes, and practices, usually conducted in the service to, or the worship of a god or supernatural being. Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism are examples of religions.
Spirituality is the way in which an individual expresses meaning or purpose in life. In the context of religion, it might imply a greater involvement in religion or religious service. In the absence of religion, spirituality might be a worldview.
Belief, faith, religion, and spirituality are often used interchangeably, and appropriately so in some contexts. However, they are individual words with unique definitions and are not truly synonymous.
In Traverse City, Christianity is, by far, the most common religion. Protestants outnumber the Catholics, but Catholicism is the largest single denomination in the city. The Catholics are followed distantly by the Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists, Mormons, Pentecostals, Episcopalians, Baptists, and other Protestant or Anabaptist denominations and non-denominational churches.
Other than Judaism, no other religions are claimed by even as much as 0.1% of the population in Traverse City.
Although Judaism accounts for only 0.2% of the population, the city's Jewish congregation has a long history. The oldest continuously operating Jewish synagogue in Michigan is in Traverse City. Perry Hannah, often cited as the city's founder, contributed the land upon which a Jewish synagogue could be built, although he also donated land for a Congregational Church.
Construction of the Jewish Temple Beth El was completed by the spring of 1886, and its founding trustees included several local civic leaders, including Julius Steinburg, who built the city's second opera house above his mercantile store, which remained in his family for more than fifty years.
Regardless of the particular religion, denomination, or sect, places of worship or ministries in Traverse City, Michigan are appropriate resources for this category.
 
 
Recommended Resources
Central United Methodist Church
The UMC congregation meets at its facilities on Cass Street in Traverse City, Michigan. The history and beliefs of the United Methodist Church denomination are enumerated, and an introduction to the local church is provided for those who may be attending for the first time. Sunday services may be attended in person or viewed via Livestream. Program schedules and a calendar of events are posted, and contacts, as well as volunteer and employment opportunities, are included.
https://www.tccentralumc.org/
Available in-person and via live streaming media on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings, the congregation meets at its facilities on North Keystone Road in Traverse City, Michigan. Service schedules and a calendar of upcoming programs and events are posted on the site, which includes an overview of its youth programs, an introduction to the church's pastors, videos of recent sermons, and announcements. Contributions may be made online, via mobile texting, or by check.
https://www.citychurchtc.com/
The small Jewish congregation in Traverse City, Michigan was built in 1885, and is the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the state. The current congregation is the result of a 2015 merger of Ahavat Shalom and Beth El. Today, the congregation offers monthly services and Torah study, educational programs, and congregational events concentrated on the High Holy Days, Simchat Torah, Hanukkah, Purim, and Passover. Its history, religious school, and membership information are offered.
https://beth-shalom-tc.org/
First Baptist Church of Traverse City
Affiliated with the American Baptist USA denomination, the congregation is located on Washington Street, behind Park Place Hotel, next to the Family and Probate Court. The congregation meets every Sunday morning for worship services, fellowship, and coffee. The address, map, telephone number, email address, and online contact form are published on the site, which includes a calendar of events, announcements, and videos. Church distinctives, and a brief profile are included.
https://firstbaptistchurchoftraversecity.org/
The Traverse City, Michigan congregation is part of a fellowship of churches known as the Great Commission Collective. Included on its site are a statement of beliefs, an introduction to its pastors, leadership, and staff, its location, a map, office hours, telephone number, and an online contact form. Sunday service times, a calendar of upcoming programs and events, and an overview of its group programs, educational programs, and other activities. A sermon archive is included.
https://harvesttraversecity.org/
Meeting at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation building, the ongoing practice schedule of the Traverse City, Michigan Buddhist Community includes Tuesday meditation and book study, Friday morning block sits, and Sesshin on the last Saturday of each month, some of which may be attended via Zoom. Its full schedules, an introduction to the congregation's head teacher, and an informational blog are set forth. Contributions may be made online, and contact information is set forth.
https://sokukojitc.org/
Traverse City Church of the Nazarene
The Traverse City, Michigan congregation meets on Sunday mornings, and services may also be viewed through live streaming on Facebook. Its small group programs, missions, and activities are announced. The church's pastoral staff, ministry team, evangelistic prayer team, and healing prayer team are introduced. Ministry opportunities are published on the site, which includes study and sermon resources, and worship materials. Its address, telephone number, and email address are included.
https://www.tcnazchurch.com/
Trinity Lutheran Church & School
Chartered in 1883, the congregation's first sanctuary was built on the corner of Oak and 7th Streets, where it still stands. In 1948, Trinity purchased a half-block section of land on Maple and 13th Streets, where it built a new sanctuary, one that has been expanded and improved upon several times. The church's history, location, service times, a calendar of events, and an overview of its ministries and fellowship programs are included. A video archive of past sermons is available.
https://www.tctrinity.org/
The core values, beliefs, mission, and profile of the Traverse City, Michigan congregation are featured on the church's website, which includes an introduction to its pastors, elders, and staff. Program schedules, a calendar of events, and an overview of its ministries to children, youth, young adults, groups, and the community are included, along with its fellowship programs. Online forms are available for prayer requests, requests, and general contacts. Volunteer opportunities are posted.
https://www.tcwscc.com/