Please Join Us in Prayer

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pray with us

Dear fellow servants of Jesus Christ,

This year has been a particularly harsh year for wildfires in Canada. Numerous communities across Canada have faced evacuations and significant loss already, with more yet to be accounted for. Right now, several communities where we have Evangelical Free Churches are either on evacuation alert or order, with at least one community suffering some loss. We are not yet certain of the degree of that loss.

We are currently monitoring the situation, and we’re in ongoing communication with district superintendents (DSes) and pastors from affected areas. When we have a sense of how best we can use the Benevolence Fund to support affected communities, we’ll let you know.

For now, could I ask you to be in prayer for communities threatened by wildfire? The situation right now is critical for many people. The time for hands-on help will likely come soon. But for now, the most important thing we can do is lift these communities up in prayer. Please join us in that effort.

In fact, let me lead us in a prayer right here and now:

Father, we know you pay attention to all the details of your creation. Not even a single sparrow falls to the ground without you knowing, and caring. So, we know that you care about the situation we now face. In your care, would you please walk with us. We pray for the efforts of our firefighters as they battle blazes that threaten communities. Empower them in their work and keep them safe.

We pray for communities that have suffered loss. Please bring loving hands and hearts to help carry the burden of that loss.

We pray for communities that are still at risk. Please bring peace.

Father, we read that Jesus calmed the storms and stilled the waves, and so we ask that you turn the blazes away and dampen the flames.

Amen!

Significant Church Report Intro

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significant church report

Greetings Friends!

When I was invited in 2019 by Ron Johnson to join evangelical leaders to discuss what a study on small churches could look like, I jumped at the opportunity. I was excited when Rick Hiemstra and Lindsay Callahan from Evangelical Fellowship of Canada committed to leading this study. It has been a privilege for the EFCC to financially support the study and to have the chance to serve on the steering committee as we determined the questions, the participants and scope of the study.

I am so happy this is called “Significant Churches.” Too often we can assume that only big things are significant. Yet we know that our God loves to use us “no account” people to confound the wisdom and strength of this world (I Corinthians 1:18-31). There is no place for boasting in God’s Kingdom and His gospel works powerfully in our weakness. I commend this report to you. If you are a “small church” pastor I trust you are encouraged as you see the foibles and realities of your ministry represented here. If you are a large church pastor, I trust you will appreciate and remember to encourage your colleagues who minister in small churches.

Too often we can assume that only big things are significant.

The report will reaffirm what you may already know, but also surprise you at times. I was saddened to hear that many in small churches feel that their denomination doesn’t value them. I wasn’t surprised to read that seminaries don’t always train us for the realities we will face in small churches – things like “unwritten church covenants”, and the realities of shepherding beyond the pulpit and in very mundane ways. I was also sad to read how women pastors feel snubbed and unwelcomed by their male colleagues.

The EFCC has many smaller churches that are vibrant, loving communities of faith that are engaged in mission locally, regionally, nationally, and globally. These small churches are sometimes rural, sometimes urban, sometimes suburban. They are always significant. I’m sorry we don’t say it enough but “we love you, we are cheering for you, and we value you and your ministry!”  You are a critical part of our EFCC family! We invested in this study on your behalf – please be encouraged as you read it!

Significant Church Report

Serving with you,

Bill Taylor
EFCC Executive Director