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In This Issue

MIDWINTER MINISTERIAL THEOLOGICAL DISCUSSION

Insights from Emerging Church Ministries and an Evaluation of Emergent Church Theology
Event registration increases January 8.  All registered participants receive a confirmation email.  To avoid higher fees, email ministerial@efca.org if you have not received a registration confirmation.   A schedule of the presentations by Dr. Ed Stetzer, Rev. Greg Strand and Dr. Gary Inrig are posted at http://www.efca.org/pastoralcare/midwinter/ along with other updated information.  The deadline to receive EFCA block rates for hotel rooms in Albuquerque was January 3.  Rooms may still be available, but block prices are no longer guaranteed.

CHALLENGE 2008

Registration for Challenge 2008, the EFCA student conference being held in Salt Lake City this summer, opens January 7 at 8:00 a.m. (central time).  Go to http://www.efca.org/student/challenge to access the registration website. It isn't too late to begin planning to attend Challenge 08, where you will join with many EFCA churches and students from across the country for this exciting and unique conference.

NEXTSTEP RESOURCES SPECIALS

Tax time - save 25% on both Dan Busby tax guides

The Zondervan 2008 Minister's Tax and Financial Guide
The most understandable, easy-to-follow tax guide of its kind -- explains complex tax concerns in plain language. To order, go to http://tenderfoot.windborne.net/nextstep/product_info.php?products_id=10074
 
2008 Church and Nonprofit Tax and Financial Guide
A complete tax and financial guide for churches and other nonprofit organizations, written in plain English. To order, go to
http://tenderfoot.windborne.net/nextstep/product_info.php?products_id=10075

EFCA GROUP LONG TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE OPEN ENROLLMENT

The EFCA offers affordable Long Term Disability (LTD) Insurance to EFCA pastoral and support staff.  Participating churches offering the insurance to their employees as a payroll deduction must inform employees who have waived coverage that the month of January is open enrollment time.  This is the only time of the year when they are able to come on the plan if they have previously waived coverage or failed to enroll during the first 30 days of employment.  To download an enrollment packet, go to http://www.efca.org/pastoralcare/disability/ or call (952) 953-1773 or email benplan@efca.org for more information.

HOPE IS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS - RIGHT NOW

EFCA TouchGlobal has officially launched the GlobalFingerprints Orphan Sponsorship Program! Go to http://www.globalfingerprints.org to begin your sponsorship today. We are praying for God to lead hearts to help bless 1,500 Congolese orphans in 2008. We know that through God's grace and sponsorship support, we will reach this goal! For $25 monthly, you can change a child's life. The GlobalFingerprints program places orphans in homes instead of an orphanage. These children are able to attend school, receive medical care, and participate in nutrition programs. Through the local indigenous church, children learn and experience God's love. They will feel love...and have hope. All of that for $25 a month! Please join us and touch one child's life!

WOMEN'S MINISTRIES

Connections Newsletter
The latest issue of EFCA Women's Ministries Connections newsletter is now available. Please view it on-line and/or subscribe at http://www.efca.org/women/resources/index.html  
 
 
Women's Ministries Leadership Internship 
Registrations are still being accepted for the Women's Ministries Leadership Internship, January 28 - February 2, 2008 at Trinity Church in Redlands, California. For more information and an application visit http://www.efca.org/women/internships/index.html or call Trinity at (888) 329-6222 or EFCA Women's Ministries at (800) 745-2202 ext. 765. The registration deadline is January 15, 2008.

Interested in taking the Women's Ministries Leadership Internship as part of your MA studies at TEDS? Register now for PT 6000 Women's Ministry Leadership Internship Wrap-around Course.
 
Registration is now open for PT 6000 Women's Ministry Leadership Internship wrap-around course offered by Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in partnership with Trinity Evangelical Free Church of Redlands, California. For the first time, participants in the event taught by Dr. Elizabeth Inrig at Trinity EFC now have the option to take the internship for TEDS Master's level credit. The cost of tuition is specially priced at $220 per credit hour (in addition to the basic internship registration fee) and the credits may be applied toward a Trinity Master's level degree or transferred to another seminary.
 
Those interested in taking this course for TEDS credit should visit the PT 6000 registration and information web page at http://www.tiu.edu/divinity/extension/pt6000 for step by step registration instructions. Don't miss out on this unique new opportunity for women!

IRON SHARPENS IRON MEN'S CONFERENCES

Men With a Purpose is partnering with the Iron Sharpens Iron Network in 2008 to present 34 men's conferences.  As in the past, there will be great resources and encouragement for the men of your church.  In addition, Men With a Purpose will provide men's ministry leadership training for pastors and men's leaders at many of the conferences.  Go to http://www.ironsharpensiron.net for more information and registration.  Dates and sites for February and March are:

February 2 - Parker, Co
February 9 - St. Louis, MO; Richmond, VA; Jacksonville, FL; Oxnard, CA
February 16 - San Jose, CA; Burlington, VT
February 23 - Flint, MI
March 1 - Riverside, CA; Springfield, IL; Washington, DC
March 8 - Hartford, CT; Bakersfield, CA; Colonial Heights, VA; Rockford, IL; Hollywood, FL
March 15 - Lansing, MI

ATTENTION: TREASURERS, ADMINISTRATORS, EXECUTIVE PASTORS

The IRS is establishing new regulations that will be required of all 403(b) retirement plans by January 1, 2009.  The FCMM Retirement Plan staff and Board of Trustees are following these developments closely, and we're available to answer your questions.  FCMM is well positioned to provide your church or ministry with the necessary documentation and other requirements that are coming with the final establishment of these new regulations.  We invite you to contact us first as you take the necessary steps to bring your church's staff retirement benefits program in line with the changes in the tax code.   Feel free to call on PCM Associate Director of Benefit Services Bud Smith at (952) 853-1772 or email bud.smith@efca.org 

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/ (Please attach related pictures whenever available, and be sure to advise if the story should be communicated anonymously.)

Taking Care of All People

My brother, Doug, drives for Pepsi in the San Francisco area. On his route, he saw a couple living out of their car. That night he dreamt that Jesus was with him and the homeless people who lived in the car. Jesus said to him, "What are you going to do about this?" While on his route the next day, he saw the couple again. He pulled the truck over and began to talk to the man, asking what he could do to help. Then he told the man his dream.  The man introduced himself as Joe and called over his wife Mary to talk with Doug. Doug then led them to the Lord. He asked what their greatest need was. The man asked for a place that he could get a shower and clean up so he could interview for jobs. He was a computer guy and his company had downsized. Doug found a little motel close by and asked the manager how much he would rent it to the couple for. The manager said it was $300 a week, but after hearing Doug's story dropped it down to $100 a week. Doug gave the manager $200 dollars. He then took the couple to a local church and shared his story with the pastor. The pastor and an elder of the church said they would help the family (and they have been). The elder also shared that he was a re-builder of homes and had one for them at the end of the two weeks. He also mentioned another elder had a computer job at his firm and if the guy had the skills he would help him get the job.

Doug was rejoicing, but also concerned as he drove home that night. How was he going to tell his wife he spent $200 dollars he really did not have to spend? When he dropped off his truck that night, he went into the office to check his box. There was an envelope. He asked what it was for and the office told him it was some forgotten commissions (and they were sorry they had missed them). Doug said he did not remember any commissions being missed, but accepted the envelope. He opened it and it contained $200 dollars. Pretty cool!

- Pastor Greg Braly - New Hope Evangelical Free Church

CHRISTIAN INVESTORS FOUNDATION

"Build a Church without Picking up a Hammer" is part of what we do at Christian Investors Foundation (CIF).  As an organization, we are able to make loans to churches and EFCA ministries like yours.  In fact to many, mortgage lending is the only ministry for CIF. However, that is only part of the story.  You can invest for yourself, earning competitive interest rates, and invest in the future of EFCA ministries.  For more information or to request an investment packet, call us at (800) 995-8574, or visit us online at http://www.christianinvestors.org.
 
This shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of Investment Certificates in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale is not authorized.  The offering is made solely by the OFFERING CIRCULAR. * EARLY REDEMPTION PENALTY: (i) 90 days' interest on the principal amount redeemed if the original maturity is one year or less, (ii) 120 days' interest on the principal amount redeemed if the original maturity is over one year to two years and (iii) 180 days' interest on the principal amount redeemed if the original maturity is over 2 years.  Christian Investors Foundation reserves the right to discontinue offering these Investment Certificates at any time.  AN INVESTMENT IN THE INVESTMENT CERTIFICATES INVOLVES CERTAIN RISKS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN THE OFFERING CIRCULAR, INCLUDING THE RIGHT OF CHRISTIAN INVESTORS FOUNDATION TO REDEEM THE INVESTMENT CERTIFICATES PRIOR TO THEIR FINAL MATURITY. THE INVESTMENT CERTIFICATES ARE NOT FDIC INSURED.

EFCA FOUNDATION

Better Estate Planning
Many people would leave a bequest to your ministry, but they tend to procrastinate.  Many times they simply do not know where to begin.  This is a great way to honor the Lord with blessings accumulated in life.  Send for a complimentary brochure that covers better estate planning.  For details, contact Lanny Harris at (800) 995-8578, by email at foundation@efca.org, or online at http://www.efcafoundation.org.

 

 

 

TIU PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH (Repeat)

Like no other time in its history, Trinity International University is poised for growth and increased Kingdom impact.  The spiritual ethos of the community is strong.  TIU is in the center of conservative evangelicalism, remaining true to biblical inerrancy and the centrality of the Gospel.  The integration of faith and learning is considered key to equipping students to think Christianly and prepare to be servant-leaders who will impact the world.
 
The Board of Regents invites nominations and applications for the position of President at Trinity International University.  Would you help us by getting this word out?  There may be people in your congregation or community who might be perfect for this leadership challenge.
 
Visit http://www.tiu.edu/president for complete information about nomination and the application processes.