EFCA Update for 2009-11-05

In this issue of the EFCA Update

NONCOMPLIANT RETIREMENT PLANS FACE IRS DEADLINE

Preserving your church staff's retirement benefit requires compliance with the IRS's description of a 403(b)9 church plan. If you are uncertain that your church plan meets these requirements, contact Bud Smith at (952) 853-1772 or bud.smith@efca.org. The deadline was January 1, 2009. Penalties for noncompliance can be imposed by the IRS beginning January 1, 2010.

CHALLENGE '10 IS COMING

June 28 - July 3, 2010
Columbus, Ohio
Go to http://www.challengeconference.com/ for the latest news and information about Challenge '10. Registration opens January 4, 2010.

SAVE ON NEW TITLES FROM DR. R. ALBERT MOHLER, JR.

Words from the Fire - Hearing the Voice of God in the 10 Commandments
If God has spoken, then the highest human aspiration must be to hear what the Creator has said. God has indeed spoken, through the Ten Commandments, and Al Mohler explores this revelation of God and the implications for His people. The promise is to hear, to obey, and to live. These "Ten Words" tell us who God is and what His people should look like.

NextStep Resources special price: $16.00

Proclaiming a Cross-Centered Theology
Some leading voices in evangelical Christianity reaffirm the importance of preaching biblical theology for the health of churches.

Proclaiming a theology that is centered on Christ's atonement is especially critical, for by this atonement, Christians have been brought from death to life and by it a church lives or dies. In this penetrating sequel to Preaching the Cross, John Piper, R. C. Sproul, John MacArthur, and Thabiti Anyabwile join authors Mark Dever, Ligon Duncan, C. J. Mahaney, and Albert Mohler in exploring the church's need for faithful proclamation and calling pastors and churches to cross-centered, scripturally saturated thinking.

NextStep Resources special price: $15.39

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REACHCOLUMBUS

ReachColumbus is a new venture to start three EFCA churches in the Columbus, OH, area. Challenge ‘10 (the EFCA student conference) will happen in Columbus next summer. Students at this conference will jump start these church plants by working with the church planting teams lending their energy, enthusiasm and labor. ReachColumbus is an amazing partnership between ReachNational Student Ministries, EFCA Start Churches, the EFCA Great Lakes District and the EFCA Allegheny District.
 
One church planter has been identified, but two more are still needed. If you know a pastor that would like to be considered for one of these church planting spots, contact Brett Gleason (BrettCGleason@aol.com), of the Great Lakes District or Jim Culbertson (alleghenyharvest@gmail.com), of the Allegheny District.
 
If you know anyone in Columbus interested in a new church, contact Jay O'Brien a (214) 929-0557 or info@columbuschurchplant.com.
 
Read additional information about this venture on the EFCA Start Churches Web site.

EFCA FOUNDATION

Making a will -- separating fact from fiction. There are many false beliefs about wills.

- Only the rich need a will.
- A will is too expensive to make.
- Why make a will? Everything will go to my spouse anyway.
- If you die without a will, the court will distribute your property how you would want.
- The court will name the person I would choose as guardian for my children.      

There are great reasons to sign a new or updated will. The 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 e-mail Lanny.Harris@efca.org with "wills kit" as your subject. We will promptly send you a helpful wills kit. For a great introduction to wills and estate planning, view the "Wills Guide" video.

 
EFCA - Multiplying Healthy Churches Among All People

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