The EFCA Leader's Network
The Ministerial Association of the Evangelical Free Church of America
Why the Gift?
Email sent to Network members November, 2024:
Dear EFCA Leader,
As a credentialed leader in our movement, you are a voting member in the EFCA Network and we would like your input. The Network Board recommends that we send gifts of $20,000 each to TEDS, ReachGlobal and the National office from the $82,000 remaining in our Network account. Those funds accrued through decades of contributions from dues-paying members of the Ministerial Association (which became the EFCA Network in 2019). The intent of those dues was to contribute to the health and effectiveness of EFCA pastors and leaders, so we feel investing in our seminary, our missionaries and our pastors (through the National office) helps us accomplish that purpose.
Contact a member of our team with questions or comments. Please plan to come to our annual EFCA Network meeting at the Theology Conference Feb. 5-7 in Arlington Heights, IL. We will discuss and vote on these expenditures at that meeting.
TEDS is our EFCA seminary. The seminary’s mission is to train pastor-theologians, missionaries, and laypeople for ministry in the local church and through the church to the world. As TEDS commits to a renewed alignment with the EFCA, we are calling the EFCA to a renewed support of our seminary. Our gift communicates to our pastors and churches that we are “all in,” and it communicates to TEDS that “we are with you.”
ReachGlobal is our missions arm. Over 500 servant-leaders work in 40 countries supporting movements of disciple-making to multiply transformational churches among all peoples. Let’s prayerfully invest in these gospel workers so the fruit of their ministries will abound to the glory of the Lord!
The EFCA National Office is here to serve the local church in partnership with our districts. Resources, services and events are in place to equip and care for pastors and leaders at every stage of life and in all phases of ministry. The National Office is committed to one EFCA where local, regional, national and international ministries work together toward common ministry objectives with shared values and trusting relationships. Let’s encourage these faithful brothers and sisters as they help us serve fruitfully and finish well.
The Network Board feels that these gifts communicate our heart to spread encouragement through the whole EFCA family. Our hope is that approving these contributions from past donations will spur on new giving to the various initiatives of our movement. Please give to TEDS, ReachGlobal, your District and the National Office as you are able and encourage your church to invest generously as well.
As we seek to mobilize financial blessing we also want to promote a social media campaign for these three branches of our EFCA tree.
We challenge all EFCA leaders to prepare a 1-2 minute video that celebrates a specific ministry that impacted you. Post it to whatever social media you use with #OurOneEFCA and the appropriate tag below, or send your video to Darin@oakwoodfl.org to be posted on the Network’s media channels.
- If you are a TEDS grad, help spread the word about our world class seminary by posting a video with #TEDSPreparedMe.
- If you have been inspired by a ReachGlobal missionary, team or initiative, talk about it with #EFCAReachGlobal. (Please be discreet with names and locations if the missionary in view is working in a restricted or at risk area.)
- If you have been blessed by a District or National leader, program or event share your experience with #EFCANational.
Contact a member of our team with any questions or comments you may have.
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” Philippians 1:3-6, ESV
Gratefully yours in Christ,
The EFCA Network Board
TEDS Update
Take 32 minutes to watch this insightful interview with new TIU President Kevin Kompelien and Academic Dean Dr. David Pao. Be encouraged by David’s long history with the EFCA and updates on current realities and emphases in our amazing EFCA seminary!
Click here to read Dr. Pao’s article Why the World Needs and Evangelical Divinity School.
Click here for the article translated into Chinese.
TEDS and the EFCA – a conversation with President Kevin Kompelien and Bill Kynes.
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS), a part of Trinity International University (TIU) is near and dear to many, if not all, who have passed through their doors for a solid Bible education that has equipped us for a lifetime of ministry all over the world … yet do we remember to invest in the future of the EFCA movement by investing in our seminary?
In this episode of the Network podcast, listen in as President emeritus of the EFCA & current TIU President, Kevin Kompelien and Special Assistant to the President, Bill Kynes, share the roots of Trinity, the uniqueness of TEDS among other seminaries, and the heart and mission our EFCA seminary. You’ll hear why we as EFCA pastors and ministry leaders should support Trinity and how we can practically do that in our ministries.
I trust you’ll be encouraged as President Kevin and Special Assistant Bill share with passion and enthusiasm the solidarity of Trinity’s mission to equip ministry leaders and lay people alike to hold to the inerrant, authoritative Word of God.
Take a Sabbatical!
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
Why do pastors need a sabbatical? What does the Bible say about it?
What are the purposes and goals of a sabbatical? How can churches practically make it happen?
Download this 25 page handout from Focus on the Family for a really helpful discussion of these topics. Or check out this brief overview from Acts 29, or this one from 9 Marks. The suggested EFCA sabbatical policy is available here. The Lily Endowment offers a once in a lifetime grant churches can apply for on behalf of their pastor. For those in the southeast, here are several free or affordable getaway options for sabbatical or general vacation. (Those not in the SED, please share options near you in the comments!)
“Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.”
1 Timothy 5:17
Sabbath teaching begins in the very first chapter of the Bible. One of the primary purposes of Genesis 1 and the creation account is to demonstrate the rhythm of work and rest that God Himself followed and highlighted repeatedly in the Torah. Though modern church practice has gotten away from sabbath, solitude, silence and other historic disciplines, many are calling us back to these practices, most notably Pete Scazzero and the Emotionally Healthy series and John Mark Comer with his book and podcast, Fight Hustle, End Hurry. Comer quotes Dallas Willard giving advice to a young pastor on prayer and spiritual growth: “You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.”
The fact is that pastors bear a unique burden due to the nature of our shepherding work. Every week we balance the demands of leading with energetic vision, preaching with Biblical passion, administrating with wisdom and efficiency, caring for people with warm relationships and supporting staff and lay leaders with the guidance and resources they need to succeed in their ministries. No human being can excel at all of these roles but pastors are expected to do so continually, without complaint and for minimal pay.
The Apostle Paul had it worse than any of us, but he eloquently describes the situation:
“…in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?”
2 Corinthians 11:27-29
Sadly, since COVID, research shows that 42% of pastors have thought about leaving the ministry. The top reason given is the immense stress of the job. Other key reasons are loneliness, negative impact on the family and loss of hope for ministry success.
A sabbatical can address all of these issues by helping the pastor and his family draw closer to the Lord and each other through the gift of rest. Check out this conversation with EFCA Pastor Matthew Hickok who shares his experience of needing and taking a sabbatical and the renewing effect it had on him, his family and his ministry. Matthew is transitioning this summer (2024) to go on staff with IMI/SOS in order to serve pastors and churches for free, filling the pulpit and providing leadership and pastoral care for the church while the pastor takes a sabbatical.
Contact Matthew directly to learn more!
Watch this episode here.
Listen to the podcast episode here.
We are the EFCA Network. If you need a sabbatical, please contact us for help with pulpit supply and pastoral care while you’re away. If you are a retired pastor or otherwise able to help with that kind of coverage, please contact us as well!
Pathways Training
Reach Global missionary and ministry leader Laura Carter discusses a practical and life-changing training tool with Samantha Frykholm of the EFCA Network. Often we read the Bible asking the question, “How does this apply to me?” It’s a great question but needs to come after the question, “What did this mean to the original audience?” The interpretive “triangle” of God to “them” and then to “me,” is one of many tools in the Pathway training for ministry trainers. Check out Laura’s website at www.trainingtrainers.org or email her at Laura.Carter@efca.org to schedule a training!
Watch the episode here.
Listen here.
Prepared – EFCA Women in Ministry
Prepared is a gospel-centered, affordable, accessible and systematic two-year equipping program for women in ministry leadership or preparing to serve in ministry leadership, locally or globally.
Listen to the podcast episode here: https://efcanetwork.podbean.com/e/prepared-efca-women/
Check out Kevin Kompelien’s interview and blog post for broader perspective on the EFCA’s history and heart as it relates to women in ministry.
EFCA Recovery Church
In 1990 the EFCA Ministerial Association started a program to help pastors who had fallen into sin or experienced burnout in ministry, as a place to help them recover. Over time several churches around the country were designated Recovery Churches and a two year process was developed to lead these brothers from repentance to healing and eventual restoration. Greg Strand, Linton Lundeen (Valley Church, Des Moines, IA) and Jason Harms (Oakwood Church, Tampa, FL) join Darin to share their perspectives and experience on this life-changing ministry. Click here to learn more or to start your process of recovery!
Podcast Episode here: https://efcanetwork.podbean.com/e/efca-recovery-church/
Click here for the EFCA Handbook on Discipline and Recovery.
EFCA Crisis Response
Kevin Watterson joins Darin along with Glen Schrieber (Southeast District Superintendent) and John Secrest (pastor in Naples, FL) to share the history and heartbeat of EFCA’s Crisis Response ministry. Kevin got involved through a trip to NOLA following Katrina in 2005, eventually joining the CR team. Glen shares the potential and power of partnership among EFCA churches as God’s family serves each other and reaches the community together. John brings us into the devastation of Hurricane Ian in southwest Florida and the opportunity it could be for his church and many others to multiply transformational churches!
Podcast: https://efcanetwork.podbean.com/e/efca-crisis-response-history-and-ministry/
Global Fingerprints
Global Fingerprints founder, Greg Norwine, shares the story and vision of the EFCA child sponsorship program and GF Coordinator for the Philippines, Maria Cariaga, shares how the ministry is working in Manila. Now in 11 countries, with 5,000 children sponsored, GF is one of the great stories God is writing in the EFCA family! https://sponsorship.globalfingerprints.org/
Podcast episode: https://efcanetwork.podbean.com/e/global-fingerprints-overview-philippines-focus/
The EFCA Leader's Network 