EFCA Update for 2010-10-18

In this issue of the EFCA Update

EFCA Theology Conference - January 19-21

How about a warm weather site for a conference? Interact for three days with a warm hearted theologian, known for both his wit and his wisdom. The 2011 EFCA Theology Conference will feature Dr. Walt Kaiser, teacher and mentor of many EFCA pastors. With "Contemporary Issues - Old Testament Insights" as the topic, the conference will be hosted by First EFC of Austin, TX on January 19 - 21. Online registration is open! Team are discounts available.

Free Copies of EFCA Today Special Issue

Limited time offer: Free copies -- you only pay the shipping cost.
Get to know your extended EFCA family with the Special Edition of EFCA Today. The magazine offers a sweeping view of the distinctive personality and diverse ministries of the Evangelical Free Church of America. Free copies of this great resource are available for you to use with new attendees at welcome events, and in membership classes!

Each individual pack includes 10 copies. Order a minimum of 3 packs (or a number of packs in multiples of 3) and you pay only the shipping cost of $15 (for every 3 packs ordered). Order as many as you need! Order online from NextStep Resources or call (800) 444-2665.

Announcing EFCA Samaritan Way Partnerships

Help your church live out Point 8 of the EFCA Statement of Faith by allying with one of several EFCA Samaritan Way partnership ministries, including: Externally Focused Network, Christian Community Development Association, Joni and Friends. Learn more.

Upcoming EQUIP Courses

Do you wonder how to reach out to the new Muslim family that moved in across the street? Do you have a great resource for doing ministry you want to share with the church at large?

Ministering in a Muslim Context and Introduction to Teaching Online are online courses that will help in these areas. Visit www.efca.org/equip/calendar to learn more about each course and to register for our upcoming sections. Contact equip@efca.org with any questions.

Healthy Missions Partnerships
Is your church in a cross-cultural partnership or planning one?  Learn the ingredients that make for healthy, productive partnerships. EFCA EQUIP is offering a 5-week interactive, online course for churches and individuals November 10 - December 14. The Healthy Missions Partnership course identifies key principles for building, launching, and sustaining partnerships.  Read a course overview or register online.

What's Happening on Capitol Hill?

60 Minute ECFA Webinar with Q&A
Wednesday, October 20 at 1:00 PM (Eastern)
Join the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability and an expert panel to learn what is happening on Capitol Hill.

  • Charitable contribution limitation issues
  • Religious hiring liberty challenges
  • Religious liberty challenges
  • Issues effecting media ministries
  • Clergy housing allowance
  • The new Form 1099 reporting requirements
  • Handling ministry owned cell phones with the recent lawchange

By joining this webinar, you will learn:

  • What is the current state of various bills and initiatives on Capitol Hill
  • What ECFA is doing on or around the Hill
  • Why it’s important to let your local politicians know the work that you are accomplishing

Find more information and register online. 

New Book from EFCA Pastor

Experience God as Your Provider - Finding Financial Stability in Unstable Times
By Brian Kluth

This book was written to help you "consider your ways" and God's Word. Explore the idea of experiencing God as your provider, begin to build your finances and life on the solid rock of God's Word, and learn to become a generous person. This book is filled with Scriptures that will instruct and true stories that will inspire. This is not a money management book, but rather it is a book that will help you manage your life under leadership of Christ.

A great resource for your Financial Ministries programs in your church.
Save 20% $10.39 each

NVISION Seminar for the Local Church

Expand your church's global missions vision with NVISION -- a 4 hour taste-and-see of the popular "Perspectives" missions course. Now available to the EFCA at an exclusive discounted rate. EFCA ReachGlobal Director of Recruiting Dave Rofkahr is a member of NVISION'S speaker team. Schedule an NVISION seminar to enhance your church's mission vision with the Biblical, historical, cultural, and strategic nature of missions.

Planned Giving Quiz

True or False?

  • Life is uncertain. It is best not to set goals.
  • Planned giving helps donors plan their estates and charitable giving in ways that benefit both family and ministry.
  • The federal tax code provides donors with ways to make planned gifts that lower taxes, generate retirement income for life, and benefit their favorite EFCA ministry.

Learn more about your own needs, goals, and stewardship opportunities! Contact EFCA Foundation.

Serve as a Communicator in Latin America

ReachGlobal Latin America is looking for passionate communicators to help tell the story of God's transformational work in Latin America. During a new three-month internship, interns will live in Costa Rica, experiencing cross-cultural living and ministry while working alongside the ReachGlobal Latin America communications coordinator. View additional information online and share the opportunity at your church!

Christian Investors Foundation

Has 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 cif@efca.org.

Give the Gift of Hope this Holiday Season

As you plan your holiday giving and special church offerings, consider giving the gift of hope to a child in India or Congo. Through GlobalFingerprints, $300 will send an impoverished child to school for a year, keep them healthy, and bring them hope by telling them how much God loves them. There are over 500 children waiting for sponsorship--give them the gift of hope! When you sponsor a child you will receive a picture and information about a specific child for whom you can pray and be in contact with. Sponsor a child or contact globalfingerprints@efca.org for more information.

FCMM and Christian Investors Foundation Partnership - Repeat

Christian Investors Foundation is now an investment option for FCMM participants. CIF's Adjustable Rate Investment Option is available to participants in the FCMM Retirement Plan. This allows participants to diversify a portion of their retirement investments while continuing to support EFCA churches and ministries. You can "build churches without picking up a hammer" and build your retirement at the same time. For more information visit http://www.christianinvestors.org/ or http://www.efca.org/fcmm.
EFCA - Multiplying Healthy Churches Among All People

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