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In This Issue

PROPOSED REVISION OF THE EFCA STATEMENT OF FAITH

As a reminder, we encourage you to read and review the letter sent March 12 from the Board of Directors, and the linked documents, which provide key information concerning the process for debating and voting upon the Proposed Revision of the EFCA Statement of Faith. The letter and linked documents can be found at http://www.efca.org/about/doctrine/.

Proposed Revision
You may access the Proposed Revision at the following link, located on the right side of the EFCA Web site:  http://www.efca.org/about/doctrine/.  Please contact the Office of the President if you are unable to download the Proposed Revision.

Transitional Rules
You may access the Transitional Rules at the following link:  http://www.efca.org/about/doctrine/ or by contacting the Office of the President.

Special Rules Relating to Revision of the Statement of Faith
You may access the Special Rules at the following link:  http://www.efca.org/about/doctrine/ or by contacting the Office of the President. 

If you have questions concerning the Proposed Revision of the EFCA Statement of Faith, please contact president@efca.org. Join with us in praying for the upcoming EFCA Leadership Conference.

EFCA LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

Registration
Register for the conference at http://www.bthetree.org/register. To become a credentialed delegate, you will need the information sent in a recent letter to your church from President Bill Hamel.  If you need help or your church did not receive the letter, email conference@efca.org. For more conference information, visit http://www.bthetree.org/.  

Conference Days
Remember, this year's conference is Tuesday through Thursday, June 24-26 in St. Louis.  

Leadership Conference DVD
Recently, a DVD was sent to your church containing registration information and a short presentation about the conference. This DVD can be used with your leadership team or in worship services. The DVD also contains many other ministry stories and a tool kit for the GodSightings initiative celebrating what God is doing in the EFCA.

SAMARITAN WAY - THE RECONCILIATION MINISTRY OF THE EFCA

Do you like to participate in online chats?  Join the Samaritan Way cyber community.  This forum is a chance to connect with others across the country who have a passion for reconciliation as the mission of God in our fallen world.  The forum will be a very valuable resource on your journey of reconciliation.  This online conversation is meant to serve you, and is for everyone to interact with questions that participants generate.  If you wish to join, contact paula.pust@efca.org.  If you have a question to start conversation, send it to Alvin Sanders, director of reconciliation (alvin.sanders@efca.org).

CHALLENGE '08 - IT'S NOT TOO LATE

Challenge 2008 in Salt Lake City - 7,000 students, packing 1 million meals and sojourning together. Don't miss it! Churches have until May 15 to register. For more information, go to http://www.efca.org/student/challenge.

 

EFCA URBAN AND INTERCULTURAL MINISTRY AWARDS

The Urban & Intercultural Mission has given four awards each year to individuals and ministries in the EFCA who exemplify four of our core values:  courage, bridge-building, compassion and vision. The ReachNational team wants to continue to celebrate and champion EFCA urban and intercultural ministry leaders, and will continue this tradition at the EFCA Leadership Conference in St. Louis. The awards will be announced at the ReachNational Urban and Intercultural Ministries luncheon on Thursday, June 26. Go to http://www.efca.org/reachnational to review the award descriptions or to nominate a candidate. All nominations are due by Friday, May 2, 2008.

EFCA FOUNDATION

Don't Miss this Deadline
Gift annuity rates drop on July 1.  Act now and "lock in" the higher fixed payments for life.  Plus, you may receive a substantial charitable deduction and tax-free income.  A gift annuity is a great way to support ministry while providing for your lifetime needs.  For details or an information packet, contact Lanny Harris at (800) 995-8578 or (952) 853-8417; or by email at foundation@efca.org.

 

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES

The National Day of Prayer - Thursday, May 1
"Prayer! America's Strength and Shield" is the theme for 2008. Check out activities and observances in your community. For more information, go to http://www.ndptf.org.

The Global Day of Prayer - Pentecost Sunday, May 11
Countries throughout the world will unite in prayer spanning global time zones in a 24-hour period. For resources and information, go to http://www.gdopusa.com and http://www.waymakers.org.

NEXTSTEP RESOURCES - NEW THIS MONTH

Christ & Culture Revisited by D.A. Carson
More than just theoretical, Christ and Culture Revisited is designed to help Christians untangle current messy debates on living in the world. Carson emphasizes that the relation between Christ and culture is not limited to an either/or cultural paradigm - Christ against culture or Christ transforming culture. Instead, Carson offers his own paradigm in which all the categories of biblical theology must be kept in mind simultaneously to inform the Christian worldview. To order, go to http://tenderfoot.windborne.net/nextstep/product_info.php?products_id=10268

Why We're Not Emergent - By two guys who should be
By Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck
Kevin and Ted are two guys who, demographically, should be all over this movement. But they're not. And Why We're Not Emergent gives you the solid reasons why. Includes a forward by David F. Wells, endorsed by D.A. Carson, Mark Dever and Justin Taylor. To order, go to http://tenderfoot.windborne.net/nextstep/product_info.php?products_id=10255

WHY WE'RE NOT EMERGENT

EFCA Today magazine is looking for an EFCA leader (or two) to write a review on the book Why We're Not Emergent: By two guys who should be by Kevin DeYoung, Ted Kluck and David F. Wells (mentioned above).

In future issues of the magazine, we'll issue 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 - contact the editor at dianemc@journeygroup.com by Wednesday, April 30  for more details.

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.

EFCA CONNECT PARTNERSHIP FORUM - Repeat

May 31 - Elim EFC in Puyallup, WA
Be strategic in your missions ministry by helping people catch a contagious vision for missions. Attend the upcoming Partnership Forum endorsed by the Pacific Northwest District and hosted by EFCA CONNECT and Elim EFC in Puyallup, WA. You will learn how your church can engage in collaborative, cross-cultural ministry partnerships while hearing about current ReachGlobal partnerships in Congo, Indonesia/Pacific Asia, China, Europe and Middle East/North Africa, and the U.S. Join with other churches and experience the power of greater ministry impact! For more information, go to http://www.efca.org/connect.

ABF CONFERENCE - THINK MIDSIZE! - Repeat

November 14-15 in Cincinnati, OH
Sponsored by Hope Church (EFCA), NextStep Resources and ABF Resources

What is an ABF conference?
ABF (Adult Bible Fellowship) is not just a philosophy of ministry - it's a proven strategy
for the growth of midsize groups (15-60 people) being used by churches all over the world. The 2008 ABF Conference Think Midsize! is aimed at celebrating all midsize groups and bringing together church leaders and pastors from across the United States. Whether your church calls it a Cluster, Sunday school, or House Church - you'll leave equipped with powerful strategies, formed relationships, valuable knowledge and leadership skills that help propel your midsize groups forward.

Who should attend?
Anyone or any team in a leadership role can attend this valuable and insightful conference. Come prepared to dig deep into midsize group strategies with over 30 advanced training and basic sessions designed to help you develop your clear plan for implementing or growing your midsize ministry.

Go to http://www.hope-church.org for more information or call (800) 513-4673. To learn more about  ABF, go to http://www.abfresources.com.