In this issue of the EFCA Update
- CRISES IN SOUTH ASIA - FLOODS AND EARTHQUAKES OPENING DOORS
- DISEASE PREVENTION PLAN FOR YOUR CHURCH
- EFCA TODAY WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU
- NEW TITLES FROM LEADERSHIP NETWORK
- GETTING TO CLARITY
- FCMM AND VANGUARD MUTUAL FUND OPTIONS
- CHURCH IN A CHURCH SEMINAR
- MIDWINTER MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
- EFCA GATEWAY
- CHRISTIAN INVESTORS FOUNDATION
- BOOK REVIEWS REQUESTED
- EFCA FOUNDATION
- BUMP - BRIDGING URBAN MISSION PROJECT - 2010 - Repeat
CRISES IN SOUTH ASIA - FLOODS AND EARTHQUAKES OPENING DOORSEFCA TouchGlobal Crisis Response is responding holistically to significant national and worldwide needs. By praying, giving and serving, you can play a significant role in this important ministry to those who unexpectedly find themselves in dire need.
Typhoon Ketsana Relief
South Asia Disaster Relief
Specific information regarding each disaster is available on the Web site. You will find a listing of current needs, updates from staff and the churches impacted, and soon to be posted bulletin inserts for use in your church. Pray for:
Give
You can also call the donor services team at (800)745-2202 or mail in a donation. To mail in your donation, please make checks out to EFCA and send them to:
Or EFCA
Serve
Please check the TouchGlobal Crisis Response Urgent Needs Web page and the crisis blog for more information regarding relief efforts. If you have immediate questions, email crisisresponse@efca.org or contact EFCA TouchGlobal Crisis Response at (985) 893-0218 ext. 321. |
DISEASE PREVENTION PLAN FOR YOUR CHURCHAny church could become a major "accelerator" for the spread of a serious strain of influenza. Use this sample from Blackhawk EFC in Madison, WI to put a prevention plan in place for your church.Check out the EFCA Web site for more pandemic resources. |
EFCA TODAY WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOUMultiethnic Churches: Are you there? Do you want to head in that direction?
Vampires?
Pastors: Have you taken a learning sabbatical?
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NEW TITLES FROM LEADERSHIP NETWORKChurch Turned Inside Out
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GETTING TO CLARITYGain insight in developing, communicating, and aligning around clarity so everyone in your organization is heading in the same direction. Join TJ Addington, EFCA senior vice-president and Cathie Leimbach, consulting partner at Strive! for the teleseminar "Getting to Clarity" on Monday, November 2, at 7:00 p.m. (central time). This complimentary teleseminar will address how to develop clarity on the organization's mission, guiding principles, culture, and focus. It will also discuss how to align all team members around this clarity to apply resources for maximum impact. Learn how to listen to this teleseminar. |
FCMM AND VANGUARD MUTUAL FUND OPTIONSThe new investment opportunities through mutual fund options has brought a growing level of interest among both present and potential FCMM participants. The Vanguard fund family is designed for those with a real desire to have a "hands on" involvement in retirement investments. However, thus far over 50% of all money contributed to Vanguard through FCMM (both employer and employee contributions) remains in the initial "balanced index fund." Online access to FCMM mutual fund options is available through the Alliance Benefit Group Web site. Vanguard users in FCMM are invited to contact Rev. Bud Smith for assistance in accessing and managing their FCMM mutual fund options online. Call (952) 853-1772 or email bud.smith@efca.org. |
CHURCH IN A CHURCH SEMINARAlex Mandes, EFCA director of Hispanic Ministries will present at the Great Lakes District Conference, October 16-17 at Trinity International University. The Census Bureau says that by 2042 minorities will be in the majority. Hispanics will be part of that large majority! The Church in a Church is a strategic and preemptive thrust that understands the times and knows what we should do to prepare for this megatrend. Session 1: The Why, What and How of a Church in a Church.
The Great Lakes District Web site has more information about this seminar and conference registration information.
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MIDWINTER MINISTERIAL CONFERENCEThe 2010 Midwinter Ministerial Conference is being postponed. The primary basis for the decision was our inability to secure certain presenters for the announced theme of "The Gospel, Evangelism and Ministries of Compassion." The discussion would have focused our attention on Article 8 of the EFCA Statement of Faith entitled Christian Living. Another factor influencing the decision is the constraints some EFCA churches and pastors are experiencing as they prepare budgets for 2010. We know EFCA pastors and leaders have benefited from this Ministerial Association sponsored "Series of Theological Discussions" and we remain committed to providing that vital opportunity in 2011. Content of the 2009 Midwinter Ministerial on "The Transformation of God's People," another aspect of Article 8, can be read or downloaded at http://www.efca.org/midwinterministerial. |
EFCA GATEWAYEFCA GATEWAY Theological Institute has Phase 1 sites in 20 different locations within 9 different districts. Approximately half of the sites are taught in Spanish. Phase 1 is focused on the EFCA Statement of Faith as well as ethical and ministerial issues. GATEWAY Theological Institute has partnered with World Impact/The Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI) for GATEWAY Phase 2 for deeper theological training, especially for those interested in obtaining ministry credentials with the EFCA. At present there are GATEWAY/TUMI sites in El Paso, Chicago, Allentown/Lebanon, PA (Spanish) and Newark (English) with more sites opening in the near future. For information about GATEWAY contact gateway@efca.org. |
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 today (800) 995-8574, visit us online at http://www.christianinvestors.org, or email admin@christianinvestors.org. |
BOOK REVIEWS REQUESTEDEFCA Today magazine is looking for a few EFCA leaders to write reviews on the book Marriage at the Crossroads: Couples in Conversation About Discipleship, Gender Roles, Decision Making and Intimacy by Aida and William Spencer and Steve and Celestia Tracy. The review will be due on or before December 7. For each magazine 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're interested in reading and reviewing this book — or recommending others for future issues — please contact the book-review coordinator at pastormatt@lansefree.org for more details on the assignment. |
EFCA FOUNDATIONHaving a will is good stewardship. About 70% of Americans do not have a will. If they do, it's outdated. Most friends of the EFCA want to be good stewards of the financial resources entrusted to their care, but many have not made a will. This is a good time to care for this important matter. EFCA Foundation can provide you with "A Guide to Wills and Trusts" to help you protect your estate and family. Call (800) 995-8578 or email lanny.harris@efca.org with "wills kit" as your subject. We will promptly send you a helpful wills kit. To learn more about wills and estate planning, view the "Wills Guide" online presentation.
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BUMP - BRIDGING URBAN MISSION PROJECT - 2010 - RepeatBUMP - BRIDGING URBAN MISSION PROJECT - 2010 - Repeat
Washington, DC - June 19-26
Go to http://www.efca.org/bump for updates and coming registration information. |
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