Another Pastoral Epistle 5/29/19

Can you guess the company behind the mission statement?

“To inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time.” 
“To give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected.” 
“To organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.”  
“We save people money so they can live better.” 
“To be earth’s most customer-centric company where people can find and discover anything they want to buy online.” 
We are dedicated to the highest quality of customer service delivered with a sense of warmth, friendliness, individual pride, and company spirit.  
To make transportation as reliable as running water, everywhere, for everyone.  
To prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.  
To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.  
To mobilize local churches to transform lives and communities in the name of Christ. 

How did you do?  (Starbucks, Facebook, Google, Walmart, Amazon, Southwest Airlines, Uber, American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Love INC).

What is EBC’s mission?  We exist to make disciples.  There is no attempt to be creative or profound or unique with this mission statement.  It is rather basic and simple.  It is easy to remember, yet difficult to carry out.  Stating it is one thing, living it out as a church is another matter entirely.  What has been on my heart since arriving here as your pastor in 2015 is for EBC to become a disciple-making church.

We exist to make disciples.  That begs the question, “What does a disciple look like?”
A disciple is a growingChristian who is in the process of knowing Christ better and becoming like Him by being engaged in the life of the church, established in meaningful relationships with others, and equipped to do the work of the ministry.  A disciple is also a going Christian by actively evangelizing others.  This is done by remaining in Christ which will produce fruitfulness for the glory of God.

As your pastor, I desire this mission be lived out as a church.  So, as I prayerfully develop a ministry plan, that really is a continuation of what I set out for us as a church back in 2015, pray with me and for me that God’s will be done in us and through us at EBC.  There are some essentials we must strengthen in order to truly be about making disciples.  You will be hearing more on this in the months to come.  I am excited for what is next for us.

Don’t forget about the workday this Saturday beginning at 9:00.  I know that there are many other things happening on this same day, so even if you could put in a couple of hours, that would help!

Blessings to you,
Pastor Brian