In this issue of the EFCA Update
- MULTIPLYING LIGHT AND TRUTH
- CRISIS IN CONGO HOSPITAL
- FCMM RETIREMENT PLAN
- CONTRIBUTE TO EFCA TODAY
- FROM NEXTSTEP RESOURCES
- MIDWINTER REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
- CHURCH PLANTING
- EFCA GROUP LONG TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE OPEN ENROLLMENT
- CHRISTIAN INVESTORS FOUNDATION
- EFCA FOUNDATION
- CHAPLAIN MINISTRIES UPDATE - HOW YOU CAN BE INVOLVED
MULTIPLYING LIGHT AND TRUTHMultiplying Light and Truth through Community Health Evangelism: In partnership with LifeWind, EFCA EQUIP is again offering this four-week book course starting January 7, 2009. This book was the pioneering document for the Community Health Evangelism movement, which is now widely used in more than 80 countries, helping villages and neighborhoods be empowered to solve problems while planting the church in the community. Stan Rowland, the author of the book, and Tom Cairns, ReachGlobal chief medical officer, will be facilitating. This is a unique opportunity to learn in person from the author and pioneer of this significant strategy, now being used in at least eight ReachGlobal fields. The book will be sent to you electronically, which is included in the $35 course fee. For more information or to register, please contact equip@efca.org. |
CRISIS IN CONGO HOSPITALTandala Hospital in Congo is facing a critical financial crisis. Run by the Congo Evangelical Free Church, this hospital provides medical care to more than a quarter million people. A strangled economy in that country requires major, ongoing assistance from individuals and churches throughout the EFCA. Over the past year, we have experienced a downward trend in giving and an increase in expenses due to drug costs and personnel needs. There is currently no funding available to help them. Would you and your church please prayerfully consider an immediate, special gift to Tandala Medical Outreach Fund? In addition, prayerfully consider ongoing support for this essential need and unique ministry opportunity. For more information, please contact Dr. Tom Cairns at tom.cairns@efca.org. |
FCMM RETIREMENT PLANThe new features and investment options of the FCMM Retirement Plan have attracted a great deal of attention the past two months. EFCA churches are enrolling their pastors and church staff, both in response to the new options and to take advantage of the unique nature of the IRS's 403(b)9 church plan. Take a look! |
CONTRIBUTE TO EFCA TODAYJesus Made in AmericaEFCA Today magazine is looking for a few EFCA leaders to write reviews on the book Jesus Made in America: A cultural history from the Puritans to the passion of the Christ, by Stephen J. Nichols. For each issue, we'll issue a similar "all-call" for reviews on a selected book. And we pay for your review, if it's one we choose to print! If you'd be interested in reading and reviewing this book - or recommending others for future issues - please contact the editor at dianemc@journeygroup.com. Pornography/ sexual addiction among church leaders EFCA Today is looking for your stories and ideas regarding how prevalent this is in our churches and how people are finding victory. Do you know of a story that needs to be told? A resource that needs to be recommended? In addition, we're compiling a list of protocol/ boundaries your church has established for maintaining personal integrity between men and women on your leadership staff and in your congregation (e.g. We never counsel alone with a nonfamily member from the opposite sex unless the room has a window or an open door. We started implementing this policy [when?] because [why?].) Send your ideas to the editor by January 18: dianemc@journeygroup.com |
FROM NEXTSTEP RESOURCESNEW! -- Christmas: The Father's Gift by Billy Graham
This is the EFCA Brochure New Edition Now Available
Free Shipping on ESV Study Bibles
|
MIDWINTER REGISTRATION NOW OPENThe 2009 Midwinter Ministerial Theological Discussion will be held January 21-23, 2009 in Indianapolis, IN. Register now. Recommended reading for the conference is Foundations of Spiritual Formation, A Community Approach to Becoming Like Christ, Paul Pettit editor. Order your copy from Next Step Resources today. |
CHURCH PLANTINGAre you thinking about starting a church in the United States?The five-day EFCA Church Planting Boot Camp is an intensive training experience designed for church planters, their leaders, and church planting coaches. It covers the major issues a church planter faces in starting a new church. The next location is Houston, TX, January 5-9, 2009. For more information or to register, please visit our web site. |
EFCA GROUP LONG TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE OPEN ENROLLMENTThe 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. Download an enrollment packet, call (952) 953-1773, or email benplan@efca.org for more information. |
CHRISTIAN INVESTORS FOUNDATIONHas your bank decided not to move forward with a loan for your church? Your bank might not be lending, but we are. Since 1959, Christian Investors Foundation has helped hundreds of Evangelical Free Church congregations realize their dream of buying, building, or remodeling their church facility. We also are very interested if you need to refinance your church's loan. For more information, call us today at (800) 995-8574, visit us online at http://www.christianinvestors.org/, or email admin@christianinvestors.org. |
EFCA FOUNDATIONHow about setting up a charitable plan that acts like a family foundation?Make an irrevocable contribution, gain an immediate tax deduction, and then provide grants to your favorite ministries and charities over time. Donor Advised Funds are a perfect way to simplify gift giving, recordkeeping, and transfer stock or land to multiple charitable organizations. $5,000 minimum. For details, contact Lanny Harris at (800) 995-8578, by email at Lanny.Harris@efca.org, or check out the website at http://www.efcafoundation.org/. |
CHAPLAIN MINISTRIES UPDATE - HOW YOU CAN BE INVOLVEDWe have Chaplain Candidates graduating from seminary soon and would like to find placement at a church in the summer of 2009. Would you consider learning more about the AMCIT program and having a chaplain candidate at your church? AMCIT stands for Associate Minister/Chaplain in Training which is an expanded internship program designed to help candidates get practical ministry experience and provide good ministry to your congregation prior to active duty within the Armed Forces. Contact roy.bebee@efca.org for more information. |
To unsubscribe from this broadcast, please send an to efcaupdate-unsubscribe@moodle.efca.org.
901 East 78th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55420-1300
(800) 745-2202 toll-free - (952) 854-1300 main - (952) 853-8488 fax - http://www.efca.org