Eastiew Community Church
Eastview Community Church

Today at Eastview

From the Pastor's Desk: How to Set & Reach Goals

Pastor Delbert Enns - 2008-09-24

We had an incredible beginning to our fall ministry year. It was so good to see so many people at our Kick-Off Sunday. From our children to our youth to our adult and seniors’ ministry...all of them are fully engaged in fulfilling Eastview’s vision – God’s vision!

I’m excited about this coming ministry year. We are blessed to have a few new team members on staff plus hundreds of volunteers that have said YES to the call to serve at Eastview.

No doubt that the challenge to sustain and maintain the passion, energy and commitment level is a huge task. None of us could do it without God’s help and intervention. Each morning as I begin my day in prayer, I pray for wisdom, courage and for a clear mind in understanding God’s plan for Eastview.

What does God have to say about goal setting? The Bible says in Proverbs 24:3-4 (LB), “Any enterprise built by wise planning becomes strong through common sense, and profits wonderfully by keeping abreast of the facts.” God says it makes good sense to plan. It’s good to have goals in every area of your life – marriage, family, finances – and at Eastview.



If that’s true, then there ought to be some models in the Bible on how to set goals. Just take a look at Genesis 24 and the story of Abraham and his servant. Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for his son Isaac. In the NIV version of this chapter, you’ll find the word “success” five times. The word success is used more times in this chapter than any other chapter of the Bible. You could say it’s the success chapter of the Bible. If you look closely at this passage in Genesis, you’ll find a few steps that Abraham and his servant followed to reach their goal.

1. Determine your position.

Abraham knew God had promised to multiply his life, his seed, through many generations. He had a son, a miracle child, but Isaac didn’t have a wife yet. Abraham determined his position and decided to do something about it.

Here at Eastview we continue to look very closely at the second part of our vision statement “To lead people to Christ and on to maturity in Him.” The spiritual growth process is vital and imperative for all of us. We are on a life journey and we require basic spiritual tools that will help us to live out God’s purpose in us.

2. Define your purpose.

Abraham told his servant, “I want you to go to my country and to my own relatives and get a wife for my son Isaac.” The goal was clearly defined. Later on he gave other conditions: “I want a wife of the same nationality, from the same hometown, same faith, someone who is beautiful, a virgin.” Those are not vague goals!

At Eastview we need to know where we are going in our "Spiritual Growth Process" (right). Allow me to share a few fundamental components that over the next while you will hear us talk about it.

Belong – You were designed to be a part of a church family. And that’s exactly what Eastview is intended to be - your family. A healthy family has common beliefs, purposes and commitment. Our goal at Eastview is to increase our understanding of commitment to God, as we explore biblical truth in a relevant way.

Grow – Spiritual growth is not so much about “doing” as it is about “becoming” - becoming more like Christ. Ultimately, the Christian life is about building an intimate relationship with Jesus as the Holy Spirit changes us from the inside out.

Our Spiritual Growth Team is excited to launch our first SundayXL on October 19. We invite you to explore the various opportunities we offer to help you take your next steps of spiritual growth. 


Note: My heart longs to see that each congregate at Eastview
would grow spiritually and take on the challenge to expand and see their own faith journey move into places that they have never been before.

Serve – We all are shaped by God with individual gifts and talents that are to be used to support the Body of Christ.

One of Eastview Community Church’s principles is that every member is a minister, and when you do not play the role that God has designed you to do for the church, the Body of Christ suffers.

Share – God created you with a purpose. That personal, yet church-wide purpose, means connecting flawed human beings with our perfect and eternal God.

Your own story of how God has worked in your life is one of the most effective tools you have for connecting people to God. Your life experiences can be a bridge to a friend or family member who is seeking Christ. Find out how you can be part of His global plan as you take a course during our SundayXL program.

Worship – Our praise and worship expression comes as a direct response to God’s great character and our reflections on His truth and work in our lives and in the world around us.

We continually seek to give adoration to God in creative ways that make it both meaningful and expressive of our hearts desire to draw near to Him.

Now, one final observation from Abraham’s goal setting strategy.

3. Desire in prayer

Abraham’s servant prayed continuously through this entire process. He prayed before he went (v. 12). He prayed after he arrived (v. 15). He prayed in front of the family of the girl (v. 52). He constantly bathed his goal in prayer.

Praying for our spiritual growth process at Eastview does two things: It reveals desire, and it shows our dependence. It shows God how much we want something, and it shows Him our trust in Him, to help us.



I have two questions for you. Are you totally satisfied with your spiritual growth? Get alone with God, take a planner, and take a Bible. Life is too important to waste it. Participate in a life group experience or register for a course on the next SundayXL.

And then, what are you doing right now that’s “worth it?” Are you working toward your goal? Life is too short not to do so. Consider your serving gifts and participate.

As I’m praying for you, would you join me?