Resolutions are easily forgotten in the shuffle of the new year. Instead of a list of resolutions, perhaps one word to guide my thoughts and intentions will keep me focused on how God wants to grow me this year....
Here's some help for finding books to give away as Christmas gifts this year. ...
How do we respond to the events in Texas that happened on Sunday? ...
Have you ever wondered why we have a kids’ music program at ECC? Of all the things we could have offered for kids to do while their siblings are at youth group, why music? ...
Discipleship is about change. Everyone wants to change......
At ECC, we are committed to at least 10 core values that guide us in our discipleship practice. ...
For the greater part of my life, I have struggled to cultivate a disciplined private prayer life. One of the reasons I am a genuine cheerleader for the Prayer Covenant is it has been the tool that God has most used to genuinely improve my commitment to personal and intercessory prayer in recent years....
Keep ReadingOver the years, God has blessed this church with strong leaders and a great staff. I personally and looking forward to seeing what He has in store for us....
Keep ReadingAs a parent, how do I tap into God’s grace and connect my children to Him?...
Keep ReadingBy now, you have learned of Isaac Gould’s (ECC’s Director of Youth and Family Ministries) new call to serve as Pastor of Riverside Presbyterian Church in Sartelle, MN. This means that ECC will not be losing one, but two of our valued staff members....
Keep ReadingThis is the fourth and final part of a brief statement approved by the ECC Session to help further clarify what we mean by the ECC Purpose Statement. Our purpose statement reminds us that our primary God given calling is to be faithful followers of Jesus....
Keep ReadingOur purpose statement also provides a process for how we intend to grow and live as followers of Jesus. We follow Jesus faithfully by loving God, loving one another, and serving the world. Hence our purpose statement, what we are trying to accomplish, is also our process for getting there....
Keep ReadingHere is the second part of a brief statement approved by the ECC Session to help further clarify what we mean by the ECC Purpose Statement. The purpose statement is designed to remind us what it is that God requires of us as followers of Jesus....
Keep ReadingThere is research that shows that the most effective churches doing ministry today are those that have a clear sense of purpose. With that in view, the Session has continued to think about what our church’s purpose statement means and how it can be used to bring clarity and focus to the ministries of ECC....
Keep ReadingHaving lived in a suburb most of my life, I can both identify and enjoy the over-the-top depiction of middle-class suburban life. Unlike the movie depiction however, there are many people who can live in their suburban homes and even after 30 years, never really get to know those who live on the same street....
Keep Reading“How do we live faithful and effective lives in an increasingly secular world?”...
Keep ReadingPastor BriefingMay 6, 2015 By now, most of you have completed your 40 Day Prayer commitments. I, personally, felt very good about the 40 Day Prayer Covenant preaching series. Based on your feedback, I believe there has been more prayer among our congregation than ever before. I hope that you have experienced personal renewal through it. I know I have! I would encourage y...
Keep ReadingIf one takes a log out of a fire and throws it in the middle of a driveway, it will soon sputter and fizzle out. But if that log is cast into a hot fire with other logs, it will catch fire and burn brightly. Too many Christians are like a log trying hard to burn on its own in the middle of a driveway....
Keep Reading"...the ten lines of the prayer covenant comprise the critical contours of our Christian discipleship. They summarize what it means to follow Jesus."...
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