MNA Special Needs Ministries has been about showing "equal concern". The Apostle Paul writes in I Corinthians 12: 22-25:  ...the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable...but God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.

Equal Concern is not "disability rights advocacy"- it is "bless all the body of Christ advocacy." Equal Concern is demonstrating an equal commitment to each person to be treated with the compassion, love and care, delivered in the ways that each person needs. This happens when we enter into voluntary relationships that show authentic mutual concern, accompanied by mutual respect, in the context of community in the body of Christ. That's why we're changing our name from MNA Specials Needs Ministries to Equal Concern Disability Ministries, effective January 1, 2017!

It's true! Pastors can expand their ministries as a volunteer chaplain for the US Air Force's Civil Air Patrol, a state's Army State Guard, or, coming soon near you, the Coast Guard's Auxiliary Clergy Support program. A chaplain wears the uniform of the various services, receives quality training in a variety of skills, and engages in a terrific community outreach, potentially touching the lives of thousands.  These chaplains could be called up for emergency duty for federal or state needs. They can also provide support for the respective Active Duty component. So, if you like planes, tanks, or ships but thought you'd missed the boat, there's a community ministry just waiting for your application: Check out www.prcc.co or call the PCA Chaplain endorser, Doug Lee, at 678-701-5151. 

Taking Donors Seriously, a fundraising resource offered by The Focus Group, is based in the belief that fundraising at its best is relational and appealed to on the basis of shared mission, not simply the need for funds. Their website (linked above) details their full range of services. Recently they did a webinar for planters and pastors on principles and practices related to Capital Campaigns. Click here  to take advantage of a tape of that webinar. 

	Katie Sica

C hurches across the country are showing the Parakaleo Love Gift video (http://www.parakaleo.us/love-gift/) and also being entered into a drawing for a free week at a 2017 Basic Training Intensive for the ministry spouse of their choice.

City Church of Wilmington (DE) recently showed the Parakaleo Love Gift video at their Sunday worship service and took up an offering. Katie Sica, wife of Pastor Jason Sica, drove over an hour each way to be part of the Baltimore area network group, and attended several training retreats. She spoke about the support and equipping she received. Katie is now in training to start a network group in her region.   Click here to learn more about the contest.

Did you know there's a whole library of webinars done by Church Planting Coordinator Ted Powers on a variety of key topics related to church planting? Click here  to see the list. 

Midwest folks, take note: the next Midwest Connection, sponsored by MNA Midwest, is being planned for May 2-4, 2017 in suburban Chicago. Get these dates on your calendar now for this regional event designed to refresh, renew, and provide a chance to relax while learning and being resourced for ministry with others in the Midwest. This event is open to all in the region - church planters, pastors, ministry leaders, and staff. You can get more information from Ann Powers. Watch your inbox or this space for details coming soon!

MNA SecondCareer Ministry has a variety of opportunities for lay people to assist Church Planters in ministry. For example, Chris Gensheer of Christ Church Mansfield in Mansfield, TX is seeking a volunteer who can assist him by transcribing the sermon into a text document each week using either Word, Pages or Google Docs.   Learn more about this and other opportunities to serve at www.pcamna.org/second-career or contact Gary Ogrosky at [email protected] (phone 770-695-4811).

"The assessors were the most valuable component of the AC...they were able to adjust to the variety and types of personalities that were represented with love and humility; a sense of peace came over me throughout the week...The week was stretching, revealing, humbling, Christ-glorifying and sovereignly used of God...Getting the opportunity to learn from others in church planting and peers interested in serving the Lord in a similar way. It doesn't happen often in the "real world" context and I felt supported and encouraged and challenged...Great time. Exceptionally organized and facilitated. So much grace and love for those attending."