Mission Statement Strategy: “Learn the Word, live the life, love the body, and lead the world”

1. Learn the Word. Since the Bible is our supreme authority (Josh 1:8; 2 Tim 3:16), nothing is more critical than knowing God’s Word. As we learn God’s Word, we will discover how to love God the way He wants to be loved (John 14:21, 23; 15:14-15). One way to learn the Word is by listening to biblical preaching and teaching at Emmanuel. You also are encouraged to listen, watch, and read other preachers/teachers who can help you learn the Bible. In doing this, you must examine the Scriptures personally to ensure the teaching is biblical (Acts 17:11).With the privilege of owning a Bible comes the heavy responsibility of learning to feed yourself biblical truth. This must include a steady diet of reading, memorizing, and studying the Bible (2 Tim 2:15). The goal is to soak in God’s Word like a roast slowly simmering in a crock-pot. Eventually, the roast becomes tender. In the same way, if a believer soaks in the milk (1 Pet 2:2) and meat of God’s Word (Heb 5:14) he/she will become tender and responsive to God’s heart.
2. Live the Life. We strongly believe that you haven’t really learned the Word until you live the Word. Or as the street-smart, half-brother of Jesus wrote, “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves” (Jas 1:22). We must always be conscious that God’s Word is continually changing our lives, as information that doesn’t result in transformation can lead to an unproductive life (2 Pet 1:8-9). To live the life is to “.put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth” (Eph 4:24; cf. Col 3:10; Rom 13:14). It means that our thoughts, words, and actions are “conformed” to the image of Christ (Rom 8:29). This happens when we take the Bible and apply it to our lives. You would never think about eating without chewing. Reading the Bible without applying is like eating without chewing.We live the life when we apply the Bible in every sphere of our lives such as:
   • Relationships (family, friends, believers, neighbors, co-workers)
   • Conflicts (in marriage, with children, at work)
   • Personal burdens (sickness, family pressures, death, loss)
   • Difficult situations (stress, debt, hindrances)
   • Character sins (dishonesty, anger, lust)
   • Lack of resources (in time, energy, money, materials, information)
   • Responsibilities and opportunities (work demands, church programs, home projects)
   • Future plans (college, vocation, marriage, children, retirement).

   It has been said, “The most powerful influence on earth is a soul on fire for God.” As you learn the Word and live it out in your daily life, you will become a man or woman on fire for God.

3. Love the Body. One of the final truths that Jesus shared with His disciples was this: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35). The future of Emmanuel Bible Fellowship rests on this commandment.The greatest testimony to the world is when the body of Christ unites and loves each other. When the world sees Christians loving each other, Christianity becomes nearly irresistible. Paul writes, “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith” (Gal 6:10). We are to love the world, but we must first love our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. If we fail to love our spiritual family members, how can we expect to be able to love those outside the body of Christ? We must begin with an all out effort to love our spouse, children, extended family/relatives, and church family. As we manifest love for those with whom we will spend eternity, we will develop a greater love for those who need Christ.Paul sums up our strategy when he writes, “.the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Tim 1:5). We learn the Word and live the life so that we can love. When Christians draw close to Christ, they draw closer to one another. This leads to a loving unified church. Our mission and strategy can be summed up with this catchy slogan, “A church with one heart and one mind will make for a won world.”