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In This Issue

2008 STATEMENT OF FAITH RESOURCES

Teaching Notes
In the fall of 2007, Greg Strand taught an 11-week series through our newly adopted Statement of Faith (which was at that time a Proposed Revision), beginning with an introductory lesson, followed by a lesson on each article. This resource is available as you prepare to teach through or study further the new SOF, adopted by the Conference on June 26, 2008.  This is certainly not a "finished product," but it should prove to be a helpful resource for you and others seeking to understand the new EFCA SOF.  http://www.efca.org/about/doctrine/sof-documents.html  
 
Other Resources
In addition to the resources already available for the new Statement of Faith (found at http://www.efca.org/about/doctrine/), we continue to update resources as we implement the new SOF in the lives and ministries of local churches. "This is the EFCA" (informational brochure) will be available in September, and Welcome to the Family! (membership manual) will be available in November.

CHRISTIANS AT THE BORDER: IMMIGRATION, THE CHURCH, AND THE BIBLE

EFCA Today magazine is looking for an EFCA leader (or two?) to write a review on the book Christians at the Border: Immigration, the Church, and the Bible by M. Daniel Carroll.
 
In future issues of the magazine, we'll be issuing a similar "all-call" for reviews on various selected books. And we pay for your review, if it's the one we choose to print!
 
If you'd be interested in reading and reviewing this book - or recommending others for future issues - please contact the editor asap at dianemc@journeygroup.com.

 

 

REACH ASIA SUMMIT

What: Mobilizing the Whole Church to Reach the Whole of Asia
When: September 19-20, 2008
Where: First EFC of Fullerton, Fullerton, CA
Cost: $20.00

You are invited to attend the first Reach Asia Summit, an exciting event focused on mobilizing the church to bring God's glory among the nations of Asia. The ReachGlobal Asia Division International Leader will bring challenging and relevant messages on what is happening in Asia today. The entire ReachGlobal Asia leadership team will be at the summit to represent each area and answer questions. Participants will be able to choose workshops designed to equip them to actively engage in God's work among the people groups in Asia. Saturday lunch will be a "Taste of Asia" and an opportunity for networking. Contact liza.fernandez@efca.org for more information.

A RECOMMENDATION FROM BILL HAMEL

You may know that T.J. Addington recently started a blog for ministry personnel, church staff members, boards and missionaries.  The blog is extremely helpful and practical dealing with many of the issues that leaders, staff and boards face.  I strongly recommend this tool to all your staff and board members.  You will find it at http://www.LeadingFromTheSandbox.blogspot.com.

GO SUMMIT

Not often do you find experts from three major divisions of the EFCA (ReachGlobal, ReachNational, and EFCA TouchGlobal) along with district and local leaders in the same place focusing on the same theme: reaching lost people for Christ. But the October 4 Global Outreach Summit in Trumbull, CT, brings together 11 church planters, pastors, and missions experts to discuss strategies and options for your church to engage in local, regional, and international missions. Three tracks will be offered: Short-term Missions, Community Crisis Response, and General Missions, so send your missions committees, church boards, staff and others interested in short- or long-term missions and crisis response. For a list of presenters, workshops and registration information for this EFCA CONNECT event, log onto http://www.efca.org/connect or contact roger.dorris@efca.org.

FCMM ADDRESSES IRS 403(B) REGULATIONS AND ANNOUNCES PLAN CHANGES

The IRS has established new regulations that will require all 403(b) retirement plans to change by January 1, 2009. Along with changes prompted by the IRS, FCMM has also created a "NEW FCMM" with expanded investment and benefit options.  Individuals will have the freedom to decide where both their church contributions and their personal contributions are invested.  One option will be self directed mutual funds (American Funds).  Options at the time of retirement will include an annuity or a cash payout or some combination.  Retirement payments for a credentialed individual are Housing Allowance eligible (tax-exempt).  Contact our Associate Director of Benefit Services, Bud Smith at (952) 853-1772 or bud.smith@efca.org for assistance. For more information, go to http://www.efca.org/pastoralcare/fcmm 

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

EFCA EQUIP offers several exciting learning opportunities to help you increase your effectiveness in ministry. Upcoming courses available are:

Kingdom Expansion 101: Gain a biblical and strategic framework that will assist both you and your church in making informed decisions about your local and global outreach involvement (begins August 27).

Ministering in a Roman Catholic Context: Increase your ability to minister to those from a Roman Catholic background (begins September 15).

Coaching for Fruitfulness: Gain valuable insight and tools to develop successful leadership in others (begins September 15).

Intentional Living: Learn how to follow the model Jesus gave us as He lived His life deliberately and with purpose (begins October 20).

For more information or to register, please contact equip@efca.org.

NEXTSTEP RESOURCES

Visit NextStep Resources updated web site at http://www.nsresources.com
 
This month's feature
Leading From the Sandbox - Develop, Empower and Release High Impact Ministry Teams
By T.J. Addington

Leading From the Sandbox was written out of a passion to help ministry teams of all kinds develop healthy, aligned, empowered and accountable teams that produce kingdom results.  It will help leaders lead out of greater health, teams understand how to function with intentionality and accountability, and ensure organizational alignment in the process.
 
Also available by T.J. Addington, High Impact Church Boards - How to Develop Healthy, Intentional and Empowered Leaders for your Church and High Impact Church Boards DVD seminar, a great way to enhance the principle from the book.

To order, contact NextStep Resources at (800) 444-2665 or online at http://www.nsresources.com

PEACEMAKER MINISTRIES CONFERENCE DISCOUNT

The mission of Peacemaker Ministries is to equip and assist Christians and their churches to respond to conflict biblically. Tom Mouw, district superintendent of the North Central District, has been implementing principles that he and others have learned through Peacemaker training and materials. Tom shares:

"For the last few years I and the churches of the North Central District have been blessed to use the resources of Peacemaker Ministries. Many churches in our movement are seeing real change in how brothers and sisters are responding to, and growing through, conflict."

Join Peacemaker Ministries as we rediscover the power of the gospel in our lives through "The Power of a Peacemaking Church." The Peacemaker Ministries annual conference is September 25-27 in Orlando. Compelling keynote speakers and dynamic workshop instructors will help you see how the gospel makes an everyday difference in the lives of those called to be peacemakers, for Matthew 5:9 says "Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God." Now it's even easier to attend the conference as Peacemaker Ministries offers a special discount to you. When registering at http://www.peacemakerconference.net enter discount code "2008EFCA" for an automatic 25% savings.

2009 MIDWINTER MINISTERIAL FOR EFCA PASTORS

The topic of the 2009 Midwinter Ministerial is "The Transformation of God's People: Exploring the role of the Word, the Holy Spirit, and the Church Community."  Presenters include Dr. Darrell Bock of Dallas Theological Seminary and Dr. Dick Averbeck of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.  Join us at Faith Church in Indianapolis on January 21 - 23, 2009.  Registration information is available at http://www.efca.org/pastoralcare.

GODSIGHTINGS TELL YOUR STORY

GodSightings are the evidence of God's hand in action touching lives all across the EFCA. Let us share and celebrate God's work together! Many GodSighting stories and videos are on the EFCA Web site, and available to download in both iPod video and Windows Media Player formats. These stories are great to use in worship services, new member classes, and Bible studies. To find out more, visit http://www.efca.org/godsightings. To share your story, go to http://www.efca.org/godsightings/share/  

Every year Maywood EFC has a Family Bible School (FBS) that includes a contest to raise money for a mission project. We divide the families into three teams asking them to bring buckets filled with coins, and then weigh the buckets at the end of the week to identify a winner. While processing the coins at the bank, the gentleman standing behind me asked questions as to their purpose. I told him about FBS and the EFCA TouchGlobal GlobalFingerprints project we were supporting to help buy five motorcycles for the Congo. I shared that the motorcycles allow entry into places with the gospel where other vehicles cannot travel. I also told him our goal for was to raise $500. After listening, he completed his business and left.
 
About ten minutes later, the man walked back into the bank and handed me $100 saying, "I hope this will help you make your goal of $500." Then he turned and left. Because of privacy laws, the bank would not give us his name or address, but said if we wrote him a thank you note, they would mail it for us. What a GodSighting! We ended up with a total of $800.10 to donate to GlobalFingerprints.

-Pastor Gary Kniseley, Maywood Evangelical Free Church in Rockford, Illinois

NATIONAL PASTORS CONVENTION

The Zondervan-sponsored National Pastors Convention is scheduled for February 10-13, 2009 in San Diego, California.  If you would like to take advantage of the large group registration rate of $199 per person (available for groups of 10 or more; travel and housing are separate), contact Kathy Carter at kathy.carter@efca.org by Friday, September 19.   For more information about this event, go to http://www.NationalPastorsConvention.com.

BIBLE STUDY AND SMALL GROUP RESOURCES

The new Bible Study & Small Group catalog is now available from NextStep Resources.  Filled with the newest and best materials for your small group ministry, this resource includes DVD based curricula, in-depth Bible studies, evangelism & discipleship studies, the best from today's Christian leaders, leadership helps and much more.  Request a free copy for each of your small group or Bible study leaders. Call (800) 444-2665, email nextstep@efca.org or order on line at http://www.nsresources.com.

 

 

CHRISTIAN INVESTORS FOUNDATION

Since 1959, Christian Investors Foundation has helped hundreds of Evangelical Free Church congregations realize their dream of buying, building, or remodeling their church facility.  Our mission is to serve your congregation by providing the loan you need to make your building project a reality.  If your church is considering expansion or renovating, call or write today for a free church loan packet.  For more information and a church loan packet, call us today at (800) 995-8574; visit us online at http://www.christianinvestors.org, or email admin@christianinvestors.org.

REACH YOUR NEIGHBORS FOR CHRIST

Free Resources from American Missionary Fellowship (AMF)
 
AMF will send you their new Learning Community Starter Kit at no cost. A Learning Community (LC) is an evangelistic Bible study tool. AMF (http://www.americanmissionary.org) has developed a new Gospel of John study guide to help pastors and churches reach the unchurched peoples in their communities. The LC Starter Kits are available in English or Spanish. If you would like to receive this free kit, please contact Dr. Lee Iseley at (610) 527-4439 x102 or lkiseley@americanmissionary.org.

CHURCH LEADERS

Did you know that your ministry can benefit directly through the EFCA Foundation? 
Many people choose to support local churches, camps, districts, and other EFCA affiliates through gift planning.  Good planning now will allow future funds to flow to your ministry.  Information is the key.  We are your partner in ministry.  For details, contact Lanny Harris at (800) 995-8578, by email foundation@efca.org or check out our website at http://www.efcafoundation.org.