EFCA $200,000 CHALLENGE GRANT

So Near the Goal - Thank You!
As of August 13, 2009, donations to match the EFCA Challenge Grant total $152,454! Through prayer and giving together we've come so close to the goal. Thank you! Help us reach (or surpass) the summit! Every contribution made from now through August 31, 2009, to the Global Vision Partners Fund or the National Ministries Fund will be doubled, thanks to the generous support of an EFCA donor. Donate now!

Donate online:
Global Vision Partners
National Ministries Fund

Or mail your donation check to:
EFCA
901 E. 78th St.
Minneapolis, MN 55420

EFCA RESOURCES FROM NEXTSTEP RESOURCES

Revised EFCA Resources based on the New EFCA Statement of Faith are available!
 
Welcome To The Family - Church membership manual featuring EFCA history and distinctives, the Statement of Faith and the local church. This resource can be used in a multi-session membership class or a 4-6 hour session.
 
Bible Instruction Course (BIC) - A full year youth course featuring: OT Survey, NT Survey, Bible Doctrine (based on the 2007 EFCA Statement of Faith) and Christian living.
 
This Is The EFCA - This brochure outlines the historical background, the 10 point Doctrinal Statement of Faith (2007), Distinctives of the EFCA, and the EFCA as a movement. (sold in packages of 50)

EFCA Today Special Issue - The special edition of EFCA Today magazine - "This is Your EFCA" will provide your congregation a sweeping view of the distinctive personality and diverse ministries of the EFCA. (sold in packages of 10)
 
To order, visit http://www.nsresources.com or call (800) 444-2665

WOMEN'S MINISTRIES

Women across the EFCA are invited to regional equipping events led by EFCA RESOUND Women's Ministries leadership facilitators. Enjoy a time of worship, teaching, training and fellowship. Leave personally refreshed, recharged and better equipped for ongoing women's ministry.

Seminar topics vary. Check out the complete list of opportunities and locations on the Web.

RECESSION-PROOF YOUR CHURCH AND MINISTRIES SEMINAR

Seminars in 16 cities
Special EFCA $50 discount
In light of the current giving/budget challenges churches are experiencing, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability is hosting 1 day workshops in 16 cities to serve churches and ministries. ECFA has compiled some of America's leading experts and speakers on generosity, finances, governance/leadership, stewardship, budget planning, and tax/legal issues to serve church pastors/staff/leaders at these events.  Brian Kluth, EFCA pastor, bestselling generosity author and keynote speaker for this event, has prepared a short invitation video for your viewing. Go to www.kluth.org/ecfa.html.  Learn more about attending one of these seminars for just $49/person (after the $50 discount).

NEW ORLEANS NEEDS YOU!

Consider serving with TouchGlobal Crisis Response and our partners (Trinity Church and Castle Rock Community Church/Urban Impact Ministries) as we continue to serve the needs of New Orleans in the areas of compassion outreach, evangelism, community development and church planting. Four years later, thousands of people are still trying to figure out how they can come home.  Volunteers are needed to help in rebuilding homes and community.  To find out more about sending a team, contact katrinarelief@efca.org, or call (985) 893-0218.

To find out more information about serving with TouchGlobal in Galveston, TX (Hurricane Ike Response) or Chincha, Peru (Earthquake Response), contact crisisresponse@efca.org.

TEACHING IN A NEW CULTURE RESOURCE

Are you going on a short-term missions trip to teach? A new resource from EFCA EQUIP is now available for pastors and other leaders who teach module courses. If you're willing to invest four hours a week for three weeks, you will learn how cultural differences impact the roles of teacher and student and receive handy tips for teaching outside of your home culture. You'll join with others in this online class who are also headed for a short term of teaching. A facilitator with extensive cross-cultural teaching experience will guide you to develop your own strategies for effective cross-cultural teaching. The next section of Teaching in a New Culture--Short-Term will take place November 9-29. Learn more or register today!

Other upcoming, online learning opportunities include:

• Basic Evangelism (August 26-September 23) register now
• Intentional Living (August 31-October 4) register now
• A Contrarian's Guide to Knowing God book course (August 31-September 27) register now
• Kingdom Expansion 101 (September 2-October 13) register now 
• Introduction to Adult Bible Fellowships (September 9-October 13) register now
• Getting Things Done book course (October 5-November 1) register now

For more information on any of these courses or to register, please visit http://www.efca.org/equip/calendar or contact us at equip@efca.org.

CHRISTIAN INVESTORS FOUNDATION

EFCA FOUNDATION

Would you like to see what your rate would be if you made a gift of cash or appreciated property to fund a charitable gift annuity? View a sample illustration online.  For your own gift annuity illustration, email foundation@efca.org and include your age (or two ages for a couple).  A personal gift annuity illustration will be prepared and emailed to you.  View your custom gift annuity illustration and see for yourself the benefits of establishing a gift annuity. Or, if you prefer, call (800) 995-8578 and we can send to you a complete charitable gift annuity information packet on a no-obligation basis.

EFCA TODAY NEEDS YOUR IDEAS - Repeat

Influencing New Leaders
The winter 2009 issue of EFCA Today will feature articles on the theme of "influencing future leaders." Tell us your leadership stories. Whose invaluable input helped you get to where you are today as a leader in an EFCA church? What mistakes did that individual help you avoid, and how are you "paying it forward" to future generations? What are you, as a younger leader, looking for in a mentor? Email your ideas to dianemc@journeygroup.com.

Pastors: Have you taken a learning sabbatical?
EFCA Today wants to hear from EFCA pastors who have taken a learning sabbatical - an opportunity to get away from the dailiness of ministry and immerse yourself in a growth experience to further stimulate your faith and your continued ministry. We're especially interested if you have been to Israel to do so. Contact the editor at dianemc@journeygroup.com.

How do you use social networking tools (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)?
EFCA Today would like to know how you've seen these tools as significant players in your ministry. We also want to know: (1) how and why you think believers should explore them and/or (2) when and why believers might exercise caution. Email your ideas to dianemc@journeygroup.com.

Kingdom Assignments
Healthy churches reach outside themselves. Yet in our busy, self-centered world, how do you sustain that focus? If your church has undertaken "kingdom assignments" in the past, EFCA Today would like to know more. Please email dianemc@journeygroup.com.