A New Year, A New Way—
Or is it?
So we've started a new year. We've developed a new mission statement, a new motto, and a lot of good new ideas that we're hoping to put into practice. (If you haven't read the mission statement yet, it's printed to the left for you to peruse.) Most of you are aware that I am filling the new role of "Pastor of Growth and Outreach" for our church. If you aren't, allow me to introduce myself. I'm the Pastor of Growth and Outreach at Evergreen, nice to meet you. :)
But what does all this mean? Well, basically, what it means is that as a local congregation, we are attempting to refocus our sites and to set them on making an impact on our community and our world. For many, this may seem to be a great new idea that will revitalize our church, and I partially agree.
As our capable editor pointed out in the last issue, we have seen an excitement growing among the members of our congregation about the possibilities that exist for our little group to have an impact as God works in our midst. But is it really a "new" idea? The Church, the "Body of Christ," is based on the foundational fact that Jesus of Nazareth, God in the body of Man, in love for us accepted the total punishment for Sin, died in our place, and then rose from the dead to give us Eternal Life. Then, after He rose, He told His disciples to "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them . . . and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20). In other words, He didn't want it all to end with Him in AD 30. His intent was that His followers, His disciples—Christians—would spread the news of Eternal Life to their friends, their families, their neighbors, and their world (see Acts 1:8), and to keep spreading it! So are we not, in reality, attempting the original goal of Heaven? And isn't it exciting!?
- Pastor Mick Tiede