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In This Issue

MIDWINTER MINISTERIAL - LIVE!

Insights from Emerging Church Ministries and An Evaluation of Emergent Church Theology
January 23-25, 2008

Many of the sessions at the 2008 Midwinter Ministerial Theological discussion will be available LIVE as a course offering on the EFCA EQUIP Web site.  If you already have access to EFCA EQUIP, you can link directly to the site at http://equip.efca.org/course/Midwinter08.  The course enrollment key is Winter08.  If you need to create an EFCA EQUIP account, follow the instructions at http://equip.efca.org.  

FAMILY MINISTRY SUMMIT

Do you or someone in your church minister to families?  The National Association of Family Ministries is sponsoring the Family Ministry Summit 2008 - February 27 to February 29. The summit will provide an environment for establishing and enriching your family ministry through an open forum format.  Speakers include Jim Burns - Homeward, Ken Canfield - National Center for Fathering, Mark Holmen - author of Building Faith at Home, Mark Gungor - Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage, and Tim Smith - president of Life Skills for American Families.  Participants will discuss challenges of family ministry in today's world and develop strategies for the Next Generation. Go to http://www.familymin.org for details and to download the registration form.

NEXTSTEP RESOURCES SPECIALS

FREE VBS PREVIEW DVD
Find out what's happening for the 2008 VBS season. Get a sneak peak at themes from Group, Gospel Light, Standard, Big Idea, and David C. Cook. VBS this year may take you to a science lab, a theme park, out to the backyard, to a county fair, a pirate ship, ancient times, or even out of this world. This free DVD will help you find the best curriculum for your kids.
http://tenderfoot.windborne.net/nextstep/product_info.php?products_id=10104

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

INTERIM PASTOR MINISTRIES TRAINING

Are you approaching 62 years of age and wondering how to continue ministry?  Becoming an interim pastor is an excellent way to finish strong for the Lord without burning out.  Interim Pastor Ministries is offering several training opportunities: 

  • February 20 - Kearney EFC in Kearney, NE
  • April 2-3 - Valley Bible EFC in Haddam, CT
  • April 7 - Faith EFC in Allentown, PA

These experiences are designed as an introduction to interim pastor work as well as to Interim Pastor Ministries, Inc.  If you are a member of IPM and are currently under contract to a church, the cost is $50.  The cost for all other participants is $100.  To register for any of these opportunities contact Carl Backie at backiefamily@yahoo.com or (479) 696-8008.  To find out what churches are saying about Interim Pastor Ministries, go to http://www.interimpastors.org.

CHALLENGE 2008 VISUAL ARTS SHOW

Do you have a budding graffiti artist in your youth group? A secret notebook doodler while you're sharing God's Word? How about a young watercolor painter, digital photographer or promising filmmaker who wants it to be more than just a hobby?
 
Here's a ministry option at Challenge 2008: a student art exhibit in the Salt Lake City Convention Center. All art will be based on the "Sojourn" theme with a new category added this year: five-minute film shorts. For more information, go to http://www.efca.org/student/challenge/download.html and look under "Visual Arts Show."

TEACHERS: WHAT ARE YOUR SUMMER PLANS?

EFCA Crisis Response has shared the love of Christ with those in need in New Orleans for over two years, and the ministry opportunities continue. We view the physical work of rebuilding as a vehicle into relationships with people.  There will be an ideal opportunity this summer for teachers who have construction skills and a desire to invest in ministry to serve with us. We will need help in all areas of construction. Please contact Mark Lewis at mark.lewis@efca.org for more information.

SYNERGY NEWSLETTER

Are you looking for a low-budget, high-impact way to involve your congregation in local ministry to really make a difference in your community? In San Clemente, California, God is using volunteers to participate in His work, changing a "hot spot for police activity" into a lighthouse where lives are being dramatically transformed. The latest issue of Synergy Newsletter features an effective motel ministry, includes ideas to stimulate your thinking, and opportunities to learn about various models of similar ministries. To access these resources, go to  http://www.dualreach.org/missions/bm~doc/synergy-newsletter-efca-1207.pdf.

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 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. 

EFCA FOUNDATION

Do you know someone who desires to provide gifts to multiple ministries and charities from a single stock donation?  If so, they should consider the EFCA Donor Advised Fund.  It's a great way to simplify tax reporting and recordkeeping.  Future grants may be made over a period of years.  For details, contact Lanny Harris at (800) 995-8578, by email at foundation@efca.org, or check out the Web site at http://www.efcafoundation.org.

 

 

EFCA GROUP LONG TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE OPEN ENROLLMENT (Repeat)

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.