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In This Issue

SAMARITAN WAY

The EFCA has taken the unprecedented step of weaving reconciliation as the mission of God in our fallen world into the DNA of our movement.   Our passion is to see our churches reverse division, multiplying Kingdom growth.  When it comes to reconciliation, the first step of the church in a deeply broken world is not strategy, but prayer. If this is your passion, sign up to receive the prayer letter of Samaritan Way at samaritanway@efca.org.

NEW CHURCH PLANTING RESOURCE - REACH THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY

ReachNational Hispanic Ministries has produced a DVD about a new church planting model to start an immigrant non-English speaking church within your church.  A Church in a Church (CIC) is an intentional step into the future. By 2045 the United States will be majority minority.  That means that those who for centuries have been in the minority will be more numerous than their European-American brothers and sisters who have been the majority.  A CIC is a strategic, missional step that a church can take to reach non-English speaking members of their community. Contact Alex Mandes (alex.mandes@efca.org) to receive a copy of the DVD and accompanying resources. Go to http://www.efca.org/urban/hispanicministries/english/churchinachurch.html, to learn more about the CIC church planting model.

TRANSFORMATIONAL EXPOSITORY PREACHING CONFERENCE

August 11-12
Arlington Heights EFC in Arlington Heights, IL

The conference is presented by Pastor Colin Smith of Arlington Heights Evangelical Free Church with featured key note speaker Dr. Michael Easley of Moody Bible Institute.

If your calling is to engage the body of Christ in teaching that is biblical, theologically sound, clear, compelling, and Christ-exalting, then this two day event is for you. Join dozens of dedicated Bible teachers for a stimulating series of interactive sessions with pulpit practitioners who do the same thing you do every week--preach the word! 

The conference registration cost is $125. To register on line http://www.unlockingthebible.org or call (866) 865-6253

EFCA STATEMENT OF FAITH

We are still rejoicing over the passing of our new Statement of Faith, which is posted on our website: http://www.efca.org/about/doctrine/.  You will also find our new SOF with Scripture references (http://www.efca.org/about/media/sof-with-scripture-references.pdf) and the Transitional Rules for its implementation (http://www.efca.org/about/media/sof_transitional_rules_adopted.pdf).  Additional resources, such as Teaching Notes, will be posted as they are updated, and we will inform you of new resources as they become available.  You will also be interested in reading an excellent response to our new SOF by Christianity Today: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/julyweb-only/129-11.0.html 

ATTENTION: EXEC. PASTORS, CHURCH ADMINISTRATORS, AND CHURCH STAFF MEMBERS

The IRS is establishing new regulations that will be required of all 403(b) retirement plans by January 1, 2009.  This means that all church retirement plans much change! The FCMM Retirement Plan staff and the FCMM Board of Trustees are following these developments closely, and with the help of legal counsel we can assure our churches and staff members that FCMM will be fully compliant with all the new regulations.  FCMM remains well positioned to provide your church or ministry with the assistance you'll need in making the necessary changes for your staff retirement plan.

We invite you to contact us immediately so that we can assist you with the changes in tax code.  Churches which do not follow through on these new requirements can face some serious tax implications for their staff members' retirement accounts.  Please contact Bud Smith, associate director of benefit services, at (952) 853-1772 or bud.smith@efca.org. With these necessary changes prompted by the IRS, FCMM has also been at work seeking to create a "new FCMM" with expanded investment and benefit options.  Watch for further announcements on this coming by August 22.

NEW EFCA GATEWAY SITES

Preparing for the coming demographics shift in 2045 requires that we begin preparing our ethnic leaders of tomorrow today.  EFCA GATEWAY, a ministry of ReachNational, is on it! We are in the process of launching two new EFCA GATEWAY sites in Los Angeles and Miami, partnering with the EFCA West and EFCA Southeast districts.  The L.A. site, hosted at Learning to Live Fellowship Church, is our first site that will target primarily African-American leaders.  The Miami site will be hosted at La Viña EFC.  There are now eight GATEWAY sites with over 120 students receiving theological and pastoral training throughout the U.S.  These are the first two non-pilot sites in two highly urban ethnic areas.  Rejoice and pray! To learn more about hosting a GATEWAY site in your church or district, contact alex.mandes@efca.org. To learn more about the ministry of GATEWAY, go to http://www.efca.org/gateway.  

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/ 

Thinking Broad
Pastor Scott Tinman - pastor of Student Ministries at First Free Church in Moline, IL prayerfully applied for and was awarded the $1000 Kingdom Assignment 50 Churches in 50 Days initiative. Using the parable of the talents he challenged the Jr. & Sr. High students to multiply the award for the greater community. Scott's objective - get the youth of the church to start thinking broader, thinking community. They knew a nearby elementary school was in great need of an awning to protect the kids from the weather and a portable sound system. Creatively they multiplied the $1000 into $4400. After much fanfare and delivery of the needed items, new relationships have been formed. The children's directors as well as other adults have begun volunteering regularly at the school helping with a reading program. Their efforts have had quite an impact. When asked, the principal shared, 75% of the kids at the school now know of the church and have seen the love shared from the students. Recently when delivering the sound system, the principal and a 6th grade teacher asked Scott about the possibility of having next year's 6th grade graduation at the church.

CHRISTIAN INVESTORS FOUNDATION

At Christian Investors Foundation, we rely on EFCA church families to help us spread the word of our work - raising investments (for which we pay competitive rates) and lending to EFCA churches and ministries (at competitive rates for the expansion or creation of ministry facilities).  We have professionally created materials for use by EFCA churches that tell our story.  We provide these materials at no cost to churches.  Can your church help us spread the word?  Contact Kari at (800) 995-8574 if your congregation would like more information on telling CIF's story.  Who knows?  Someday CIF may get to be part of your congregation's story.  To see other EFCA stories, visit http://www.christianinvestors.org/stories.

PRAY FOR MILITARY CHAPLAINS

Military Chaplains are pastors and evangelists to troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.   We have more deployed currently than at any time. Churches are encouraged to remember these individuals through prayer and support.

  • Ron Webb, USA, Iraq - deployed from NC
  • Jeffrey Granger, USAF, Iraq - deployed from SD
  • Sean Dennis, USA, Iraq - deployed from KY
  • Schaun Myers, US Army National Guard, Afghanistan - MN
  • Thomas Behling, US Army National Guard, Afghanistan - MN
  • Colt Randles, USA, Iraq - deployed from TX
  • Thomas Jensen, US Army National Guard, (soon to Iraq) - MN
  • Vince Garcia, USA - deployed from AZ
     

EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH OF CANADA

Our Free Church brothers and sisters in Canada made two major decisions at their bi-annual conference last week.  First, they affirmed Bill Taylor as their new president.  From 1993-1999, Bill served as pastor of the Free Church in Saskatoon.  He also served as district superintendent of the Alberta Parkland District from 1999-2007.  Last year his book chronicling the history of the EFCC from 1984-2005 was published, From Childhood to Adolescence.  Second, the Board of Directors had put a motion before the conference to adopt a new Statement of Faith.  It is similar to the EFCA SOF, with two exceptions: the absence of premillennialism and the addition of gospel headings.  It was affirmed by 92% of the conference delegates.  We rejoice with them.

EFCA FOUNDATION

Do you have a will? 
Does your will meet your current goals?  If not, then now might be just the time to get your financial affairs in order.  Contact the EFCA Foundation to get a copy of our "Better Estate Planning" brochure. This might be the information you need to get started.  For details, contact Lanny Harris at (800) 995-8578 or email foundation@efca.org.  Check out the website at http://www.efcafoundation.org.