This coming weekend at Eastbrook Church we began our annual MissionsFest, which spans roughly ten days and covers two weekends of our services. This year's theme is "We're Family" and explores the ways we journey together on mission both locally and around the world. We will have two of our international partners sharing in services, …
Five Themes of Resilient Ministry
This week, I am spending time in reflection about what it means to be a pastor, what ministry is all about, and what it means to be the church. Earlier this week I shared some insights from Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Life Together about the church and from Dallas Willard on the nature of ministry in a consumer …
Descending [Life of Joseph, part 1]
This past weekend at Eastbrook Church we began a new series "The Life of Joseph: God's Sovereignty in Our Suffering" by looking at the beginnings of Joseph's story in Genesis 37. Joseph’s story begins with dreams, parental favoritism, and family tensions. His father’s favorite son, Joseph quickly finds the disagreements with his brothers boiling over into …
Family Secrets
This weekend at Eastbrook Church I continued our series, "Family Portrait," with a message entitled "Family Secrets." My message was a reflection on the life of Jacob, culminating in his wrestling match with the angel of the Lord in Genesis 32:22-32. My main point in the message is that we need to face into our family secrets, …
You Belong in the Family (discussion questions)
Here are the discussion questions that accompany my message, "You Belong in the Family," from this weekend at Eastbrook Church. Discussion Questions: 1. When you hear the word, ‘family’, what do you think of? 2. This week, we are beginning a new series called “Family Portrait.” Whether on your own or with a group, begin …
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Matthew Erickson 