May 2020
In Good Company

Where were you when you realized the world was changing in front of your eyes?

Strangely enough, for me and my family, it was Disneyland. Just two days before they closed the gates, we were walking around the Magic Kingdom. It feels so long ago now, but at the time, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to avoid the notoriously long lines, considering the growing fear of this “coronavirus” thing and the predicted rain in the forecast. Anything to keep the crowds away, right?

Read Tim's article HERE
2020 EFCA West
District Conference
POSTPONED

Due to COVID-19 social distancing restrictions, the EFCA West team has decided that it is best to postpone our District Conference. A new date will be announced soon.
SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT
I Wish I Said That
As most of us church leaders are still deeply involved in sorting things out related to dealing with COVID19, I’m offering a simple article this month. I am sharing with you a few of my favorite quotes – things I wish I was smart enough to have said - pithy comments about life and leadership. Pick one or two that might pertain to the situation you and your congregation are in and spend a few minutes thinking within your team about something other than Zoom, YouTube, Facebook, and live-streaming versus taped delay debates. It will be refreshing. The quote and source will be in italic font with a question or two to spur your conversation. A good quote is something to talk about .

Bob Osborne
Director of Church Health
BETTER TOGETHER: What is a Normal Church Network?

It is an interactive, facilitated conversation about the issues the attendees want to talk about. Each session will be limited to 20 participants from churches averaging less than 250 in worship services each week. We will collaborate in picking the topics to be addressed and in addressing them.  There is no keynote speaker or canned presentations – you and the issues you are facing will be our only focus . Sign up today!

  • June 2-4 - Torrance CA - We plan to have this event if circumstances allow. Please sign up today so we can plan. If cancelled your registration fee will be quickly refunded.
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Immigrant Hope (IH) is a ministry of the Evangelical Free Church of American with the mission to equip churches to provide immigrants with the hope of the gospel, help finding a pathway to legal residency, and a home in a church that cares for them.

There is a $15,000 grant available to start an Immigrant Hope Program in your church. To learn more, please follow the link below.
JOIN US IN RUNNING FOR HOPE
VIRTUALLY! MAY 2-11 2020

COVID-19 has made it more difficult for low-income people to afford immigration services. Many service workers are now without an income and their immigration status makes them ineligible for the government stimulus package.

50% of the proceeds raised in the Run for Hope fundraiser will go towards helping immigrants with bill payments and 50% to Immigrant Hope Santa Barbara. Learn more
EFCA ReachGlobal is looking for a “Point Person” at each EFCA church.
 This  person would be the connection point and communication link between EFCA ReachGlobal and the local church. The point person agrees to receive a simple monthly mailing, grow in knowledge of ReachGlobal, think through how best to get information out to his/her local church, pray, provide feedback, and “point people” to ReachGlobal. Who can be this person? We just need name and email? Please email Craig McClun
 
Also, be aware of our resources link. Here you can find our A-Z booklet, two great new videos you can share with your church online or eventually in person, and a whole lot more:  ReachGlobal Resources
The Problem with Being an Authentic Leader
Have you ever wondered how and where to draw the line between the desire to be authentic and the need to keep some things private and confidential? In this article, Cortney Whiting explores this issue and proposes that leaders differentiate between emotional authenticity and strategic authenticity. The article, originally targeted toward women leaders, is helpful to both men and women in discerning when to be authentically transparent and when to “put on a brace face and soldier on.” Read her article HERE .

Planned or unplanned every pastor and church
will go through succession.
With more than 10 years of Pastor Succession Planning experience, Nancy Moore of NL Moore & Associates is offering TWO FREE “How To” Webinars  to help pastors like you prepare for this important conversation. Attend one or attend both.
Thursday, May 7 at 1pm CT/11am PT
Don’t be “That Guy”
 
Tuesday, May 12 at 1pm CT/11am PT
Planning in the 5 year window
 
Children's Ministry Director - Solano Community Church, El Cerrito, C A

Director of Discipleship - Solano Community Church, El Cerrito, CA

Senior Pastor - Church of the Canyons, Santa Clarita, CA

Worship Pastor/Director - Community Bible Church, Folsom, CA

Youth Director - Calvary Community Church of Brea, CA

Youth Minister - Hope Church, Albuquerque, NM
Thank you so much for your faithful giving during this pandemic.
To give online: Visit our website at EFCA West .
To give by check: Please make the check payable to EFCA West , 901 E. 78th St. Minneapolis, MN 55420
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