PROPOSED REVISION OF THE STATEMENT OF FAITH
Transitional Rules
On June 29, 2007 the National Leadership Conference overwhelmingly approved, by written ballot, the adoption of Transitional Rules for Implementation of a Revised Statement of Faith. As you will recall, the EFCA Board of Directors submitted a motion to the Leadership Conference for adoption of Transitional Rules governing the implementation of a revised Statement of Faith if the EFCA Statement of Faith is ultimately revised by the 2008, or subsequent, Leadership Conference. Transitional Rules numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7A, 7B, and 8 were adopted by the Conference without change from that which was submitted and recommended by the Board of Directors. Transitional Rule #7C, pertaining to the faculty of Trinity International University, was amended by floor action at the time of the business session. In addition, Transitional Rule #9 was amended by floor action, at the business session, to add a third sentence so that this Transitional Rule would apply, specifically, to all District Superintendents.
The entire set of Transitional Rules, as adopted by the Leadership Conference, is now available on the EFCA Web site: http://www.efca.org/about/media/sof_transitional_rules_adopted.pdf
Commentary
A commentary is available at the following link: http://www.efca.org/about/media/sof-proposed-revision-commentary.pdf This commentary highlights proposed changes from the current Statement of Faith and does not expound the theological truth common to both statements. That will be done if/when the Proposed Revision is approved by the Conference.
Proposed Revision with Scripture References
This Proposed Revision with Scripture References is a "working document." This means the Spiritual Heritage Committee will continue to add Scripture references to each article. Even at this draft stage, you will find this version helpful in expanding your understanding of the Proposed Revision. You can download it at this link: http://www.efca.orgabout/media/sof-proposed-revision-with-references.pdf
Tools and Resources
We are also providing materials for those interested in teaching/preaching through the Proposed Revision. Some beginning work was done at one of the seminars at the National Leadership Conference this past June. You can read those notes here: http://www.efca.org/about/media/sof-tools-resources.pdf We will also be teaching through the Revision this fall quarter (12 weeks - introduction, 10 articles and conclusion) in an adult class in one of our local EFCA churches. Those sessions will be taped, and both the lecture and the notes will be made available through the EFCA website in January 2008.
What additional resources would you find helpful? Please let the Spiritual Heritage Committee know. Send an email message to: president@efca.org
35 W BRIDGE COLLAPSE UPDATE
After sending out the initial special broadcast about the 35 W bridge collapse in Minneapolis, the EFCA national office received information from a number of individuals that we did indeed have church families that were impacted.
Please continue to pray for the larger Evangelical Free Church family, and for the larger church of Jesus Christ. Pray that this tragedy will be used to open people's eyes and hearts to the Lord Jesus Christ, the One who came to redeem and restore those broken and in bondage. Thank you for your ongoing prayers and concern!
HURRICANE KATRINA 2ND ANNIVERSARY
Katrina Sunday - September 9, 2007
It has been 2 years since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf coast. It seems that for many people outside the region, there is a general assumption that surely life has returned to normal. That is far from the truth. The winds and rain of Katrina continue to be felt by tens of thousands of individuals. Extensive parts of New Orleans are still empty of life, with houses stripped down to the studs and weeds growing thigh high in yards. It's hard to believe this is the U.S.
140,000 families in Louisiana are still waiting to hear if they will qualify for any state government help in rebuilding. Some may still be waiting on the 3rd anniversary. Even those who have received government help are finding that the funding received will only cover a portion of their actual rebuilding costs - if they can even find a reputable contractor.
People continue to endure depression, hopelessness and anxiety over their uncertain future. And then there is God - meeting people in their time of greatest need and showing that really HE is all they need. He has used Christians from all over the country to share the love of Christ. Over 10,000 volunteers have served through EFCA TouchGlobal Crisis Response, ministering to over 3,000 families in the last 2 years.
What a difference volunteers have made especially for people like "Sue," who lost her home in the storm and dealt with the death of her mother shortly thereafter. She came to a saving faith in Christ through the EFCA's follow-up ministry. "Sue" is now a regular attendee at Trinity Church in Covington, LA. For her, the volunteers turned her "losing everything" into gaining everything she will ever need for eternity.
Please consider making Sunday, September 9, 2007, Katrina Sunday in your church.
Pray
- For continued openness to the gospel.
- For the Body of Christ to continue to respond by sending more volunteer teams to the mission field in New Orleans and southern Louisiana.
- For tradesmen to serve in Louisiana as part of the long term staff for TouchGlobal Crisis Response.
Send Teams
- Send a mission team each quarter from your church or cluster to Louisiana to invest in the lives of people.
- Go to http://www.efca.org/katrina/team for more information on how you can serve.
Resources
Thank you for your partnership in touching one life....eternally. For more information, contact Mark Lewis at mark.lewis@efca.org or call (985) 893-0218.
OASIS CONFERENCE
Christians reaching out to Muslims in North America
Crescent Project's 4th annual Oasis Conference on will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana on October 25-27. The conference is bringing light to the darkness, educating and encouraging the Body of Christ to share the Hope with Muslims.
We are at a critical point in the history of Christian witness among Muslims. Nearly 7 million Muslims call North America home. Still, many of them have never read a page of the New Testament. But all that is changing... Barriers are falling as Christians build bridges of friendship with Muslim neighbors. Oasis 2007 will give you an opportunity to meet with over 400 college students, missionaries, pastors, and lay people from across the U.S. who are responding to God's call to be His hands and feet among Muslims.
What will you gain from going to Oasis 2007?
- Practical training
- Resources for equipping your church
- A mosque for Friday Prayers
- A chance to network with other leaders
Learn more about this highly recommended conference online at http://www.oasisamerica.org
EFCA FOUNDATION
Generations: A Great Resource for Adult Small Groups
This popular quarterly publication covers topics important to us all: wills, trusts, and ways to increase income or save taxes. And, it's free. Send a list of names and mailing addresses, and we will ensure you and your ministry friends receive future issues. For details, contact Lanny Harris at (800) 995-8578 or by email at foundation@efca.org. Check out the website at http://www.efcafoundation.org.
GLOBAL OUTREACH - SYNERGY NEWSLETTER
Are you looking for ways to get your congregation excited about global outreach? Learn about the excitement stirred when one congregation sent its key church leaders on a short-term missions trip! Discover principles and great ideas that can help bring passion to your leadership and to your church for reaching beyond your borders. For the latest issue of Synergy Newsletter go to http://www.dualreach.org/missions/bm~doc/synergy-newsletter-efca-0807.pdf
CHRISTIAN INVESTORS FOUNDATION
Who doesn't like a good story, especially when it's true! The stories and photos shared on the website are real, from real churches and real ministries. Churches both large and small, church camps, missionary housing and much more will be represented in the "Real Stories. A Real Difference" series. Christian Investors Foundation and Ministry Campaign Services are honored to come along side these ministries sharing their stories. We hope you take encouragement from the things God is doing in these lives and through these ministries. Visit http://www.christianinvestors.org/stories for examples of God's hand at work among us. You can be part of the story too, please call (800) 995- 8574 or visit the web to find out more.
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