Table of Contents
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Agenda
Delegate Count
Delegate Information
Chairman's Report
District Superintendent's Report
Church Planting Report
Children And Family Ministries
Women’s Ministries
Missions
Men’s Ministry
Revolving Fund/Property Committee
Ministerial Committee
Front Range Connection (Student Min.)
Staff Changes
Conference Host History
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Agenda
1. Call to Order and Prayer
2. Organizational Issues
A. Appointment of Distribution/Teller committee
B. Credentials Committee Report
C. Adoption of the Agenda with flexibility
3. Business
A. Articles of Incorporation and By-law Proposal
B. Nominating Committee Report
C. Election of Officers; Recognition of BOD retiring directors
D. Affirmation of Director of Church Planting and Development
- The search process
- Statements from Greg Pugh
D. Vision for Financial Responsibility: Pastor Brian Young
E. Financial Reports
F. 2009-2010 Budget
H. Inquiries regarding other reports submitted
I. Other Business
J. Future District Conference locations:
K. Testimonies, Sharing
4. Adjournment
District Vice Chairman’s Report to the Annual Conference of the Rocky Mountain District
April, 2009
Directors:
New Directors:
Lea Ann Brookens - Lay person, First EFC, Colorado Springs
Pastor William Williamson – Pastor at New Hope EFC, Cedaredge, CO
Pastor Steve Kalb – Calvary EFC, Broomfield, CO
Committee Chairmen:
Church Planting Committee – Pastor Jeff Foote, Harvest Community, Aurora, CO
Men’s Ministry – Pastor Dale Eudy, Fellowship Community Church, Centennial, CO
District Missions Mobilizer – Mike Harrison, Bethany EFC, CO, Centennial, CO
Revolving Fund - Brian Weiss, Table Mountain Church, Colorado City, CO
Sincerely,
David Carlson
Candidate Biographies:
Steve Kalb
Steve Kalb grew up in a pastor’s home in rural South Dakota. Steve prayed to receive Christ at the age of 4 and grew up in the First Baptist Church of Chamberlain, South Dakota. At the age of 16 Steve felt the call of God in his life to preach the gospel. After graduating from Bethel College and attending one year at Bethel Seminary circumstances led Steve to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In Sioux Falls, while teaching Bible classes in a Christian high school, Steve met his wife, Debby. He finished his ministry education at Denver Seminary in 1985. Since that time he has served 5 churches in Michigan, Arizona and Colorado. Steve has served Calvary Church of Broomfield since August of 2002.
While serving a Church in Phoenix, Steve did some teaching at Southwestern College in the area of homiletics. He also had the opportunity to be on the first advisory board of Phoenix Seminary. The Kalbs have been blessed with three children. Their oldest son, Benjamin, graduated from TIU in Deerfield, Illinois, and is a high school social studies teacher in Illinois and recently married Sarah. Joshua is a sophomore at TIU and Hannah plans on attending next fall after graduating from high school.
Preaching and teaching the Word of God is the joy of Steve’s life. While in seminary Steve claimed James 1:22 as a verse he desired to live out as a pastor: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
Lea Ann Brookins
Lea Ann Brookens and her husband, Eric, have been members of First Evangelical Free Church of Colorado Springs for four years, having transferred their membership from First Baptist Church of Buena Vista, Colorado, where Lea Ann was born and raised. She has been involved in ministry to women most of her adult life: Moms in Touch leader, Bible studies leader, co-leader of a women's ministry team at a large church in Colorado Springs, women's retreat coordinator, Bible study mentor coordinator and homemaking class teacher at a local ministry for single mothers, neighborhood Bible studies and currently the team leader for FEFC women's ministry team as well as Mobilizer on the EFCA RESOUND national women's ministry team.
Jeff Foote
Jeff Foote is the lead pastor of Harvest Community Church in Aurora, a church he planted with his wife Abby in 2005. Together, they have three children: Rachel (8), Micah (6) and Jorah (6 months). Jeff has deep EFCA roots. He is the son of an EFCA pastor, and received his education at Trinity International University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL. Over the past 4 years, he has served the RMD as a regional church planting director under Bruce Redmond. This includes being a church planting coach, boot camp trainer, and the leader of the assessment team for new church planters.
Jeff is an accomplished musician and songwriter, getting his start in ministry as a worship leader in Grayslake, Illinois. After helping start that church, and experiencing its growth to 2000+ people, he moved to Aurora in 2001 to be a Teaching Pastor at another large church. In 2005, he combined those experiences with his desire to serve in the EFCA, and planted Harvest.
Bill Williamson
I have been married for 28 years and have 5 wonderful children. I accepted Jesus Christ as my savior in 1975. Almost immediately I became involved in music ministry playing flute and French horn on the worship team.
I began a wilderness-backpacking ministry to youth in the late 1970’s. I took high school students into the wilderness and taught them wilderness skills and basic Christianity. I led this ministry for 10 years. After being involved in the leadership and teaching regularly for about a year I was ordained by a small independent church in 1986. I struggled with the doctrines of the church and for those reasons I left. A few years latter God led me to the Eaton Evangelical Free church. I was very attracted to the doctrinal statement and began to be involved with the worship team, men’s ministry, and Awana. In 2000 while on a short-term trip to Belize, Central America, God restored my call to pastor.
In October of 2000 I accepted the call to pastor the Holly Evangelical Free Church located in Holly Colorado, a small town in extreme southeastern Colorado. I pastured this church for 8 years. In that time we were led to begin a youth group. The youth group became highly successful averaging about 35 students a week. (Holly Jr. Sr. High school consisted of about 125 students). The church grew from around 14 people to a church averaging about 40 people. During this time I also worked on transferring my ordination and completed the transfer of ordination in the fall of 2006.
In October of 2008 I accepted the call from New Hope Evangelical Free Church located in Cedaredge Colorado.
Brian Weiss
Brian attends Table Mountain Church in Colorado City, CO, where he served two years as the
Treasurer, and is the current Church Chairman. Prior to that, he attended Bethany Evangelical Free
Church, where he served as the Mission Committee Chairman for three years.
Brian spends a large amount of time being husband to Angela, and father to Caleb, Aletheia, Micah, and
Victoria.
Greg Pugh
Greg Pugh currently serves as the Lead Pastor of Cedar Creek Church of Montrose, CO. He and his family moved to Montrose to plant Cedar Creek with a team of seven other adults in the summer of 2004 and have seen the church grow to an attendance of over 300. In 2006, Greg was named the EFCA Church Planter of the Year.
Greg and his wife Cheri were married in 1986 and have four children, Jessica, Ryan, Brad, and Jarrett. Greg and his family love basketball, hiking & backpacking, skiing & snowboarding, boating, soccer, and consequently, a good orthopedic surgeon.
Greg grew up in Indiana and is a graduate of Indiana University (B. A. Psychology) and T.E.D.S. (M. Div.). He served in three EFCA churches from 1986-2004 in student ministries and still has a heart for those who are now, much younger than him.
God has given Greg a personality for starting new works and a heart for coaching and mentoring others in ministry. He has served as a trainer for Sonlife Ministries and EFCA Church Planting Boot Camps. He was formerly on part time staff in the North Central District as Student Ministries Associate of Multiplication.
Greg’s vision for the RMD church planting movement is…
· to see existing plants mature through proper resourcing – primarily encouragement, coaching, mentoring, and on-going training to understand the different developmental and leadership needs at all phases of planting.
· to see new plants start with multiple models, with a sensitivity to the changing culture, with a heart for multiplication, and with a focus on reaching the lost.
· to see our movement embrace the heart of God and plant significant number of churches in the growing Hispanic population in our district.
Rocky Mountain District
Annual Conference 2009
District Chairman Report
This year in the Rocky Mountain District I was deeply gratified by the spirit and quality dedication among our district board of directors. In my time as chairman, it has been a high value to see our district board foster a team spirit. Unlike in the corporate world, where efficiency, task and bottom-line product are likely to rule the day, the RMD board should be a team, a body of servants working prayerfully together. Quality control and accountability are strong values, but foundationally directed through grace-filled teamwork. This intangible shepherding quality has been growing within our board. For example, in the Spring of 2008, our executive committee came alongside Dr. Fell in a challenging church conflict within the district. Seeing the quality of preparatory work done by Dr. Fell was impressive. When it came time for more district intervention, my heart was thrilled as four of us on the board helped with a difficult crisis intervention. Though challenging, the conflict came to a God-honoring conclusion, with various gifts and strengths coming to bear. This is the spirit of ministry teamwork.
This team spirit was further evident in our search for a district Church Planting Director. Bruce Redmond's departure was difficult, as God had blessed our district so richly through this faithful friend and servant. Finding his successor was an ominous task. Yet, our district board gave tremendous input as to values for this task, given the changing climate of the district and the needs of planted churches to move toward viability. We formed a search committee, cast the net broadly for possible candidates, and saw God provide in His perfect wisdom right from our own backyard through Greg Pugh! Once again, in the process, God blessed the value of team play and the diversity within the district leadership.
Finally, the spirit of team play was evident in 2008 through the giving of our district churches. As you know, our district provides shepherding, leadership development, and crisis intervention for our district churches through the sustaining generosity of our churches. Without your faithful giving, we could never provide this kind of support. In 2008, our district board sent out to our district churches notes of appreciation and challenge for this much needed financial support. Even in the midst of a challenging economy, you responded! I am grateful for the wise and generous giving reflected in our stable financial status as a district. Thank you for caring, and for working as a team in the bigger picture of the Rocky Mountain District.
In 2009, may we all take the next steps to broaden our vision for teamwork within the district. As a reflection of this value, the district board is proposing a name change for our district bylaws from "Board of Directors" to "Rocky Mountain District Leadership Team." It is a privilege to serve with you as a teammate…
Sincerely in Christ,
Brian D. Young
RMD Chairman
District Superintendent's Report
2008-2009
"And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." 2 Timothy 2:2
As a reminder, my core values as I serve you are as follows: Healthy Pastors, Healthy Churches, Church Planting, Safeguarding the EFC distinctives and doctrine, and strengthening our interdependent fellowship. This report will share how each of these core values, using the grid of 2 Timothy 2:2, have been developed this past year.
Healthy Pastors
Currently there are ten areas in which monthly Healthy Church Networks are being conducted. In most of the areas I do training for the pastors and we spend time in prayer fellowship. Three of these are being directed by the pastors within the region. This past year we have focused primarily on true disciplemaking of leadership, difference of gifting among leaders and the appropriate placement of each member in the congregation in ministry action.
The current HCNs which are active are the Pikes Peak Region meeting in Colorado Springs, South Central meeting in Canyon City, South Denver Metro meeting in Littleton at Bethany E.F.C., North Denver Metro meeting in Broomfield at Calvary, Northern Colorado/South Wyoming meeting in Fort Collins at Faith, Eastern Plains meeting in Burlington, Black Hills meeting in Rapid City, Central Wyoming meeting in Thermopolis, Western Slope meeting in Grand Junction and Southwest meeting in Durango.
All of these regional fellowships meet September through May or June. A couple of them continue through the summer months. This is the place where I have the greatest opportunity of exposure to our pastors and ministry staff members. I appreciate the growing support of our pastors and churches as they participate in these strategic times of Kingdom building interaction.
Our Annual Conference to which this report is being submitted is a another opportunity for training and equipping both pastors and lay leaders. This conference is a continuation of last year’s concern that we be relevant and active in reaching “all people” within the Rocky Mountain District. Our speaker, Dr. M. Daniel Carol Rodas celebrates heritage from both Guatemala and the United States. He is a professor of Old Testament at Denver Theological Seminary and has authored the book Christians at the Border from which much of his presentation will be taken in our training sessions.
The Fall Getaway which includes all pastoral staff and spouses featured Keith Meyers who spoke on spiritual formation. Our Fall Summit featured two speakers from Peace Makers Ministries, with an emphasis on training, equipping and forming peace making teams within our churches. This has resulted in several of our churches following through and building ministry teams with conflict mediation as their goal.
This coming fall our Summit will be on September 17 and the Fall Getaway will be November 2-4. I am still aligning a topic and in negotiations with a speaker for this event.
Meeting with several of our pastors who are seeking out personal one on one coaching has been a joy for me this year. This is a monthly commitment with each of these called men of God. This opportunity is available to all pastors in our district who desire one on one coaching, mentoring, or ministry accountability. It is exciting to see men grow in their ministries and reach greater potential in their gifting and calling as they involve themselves in a peer relationship such as this.
Counseling pastors is another important component of keeping our pastors healthy. This year I have not had any couples ask for ongoing counsel but have had the opportunity to share a lot of telephone time with pastors on an individual basis.
Carol and I continue to open our home for all pastoral staff families to come for a place to retreat. We have set up our house so that we can accommodate families even when we are not present. There are many places in Colorado Springs that are no cost or low cost sight seeing and recreational opportunities. We welcome all for whom this would be helpful and refreshing. Several couples have made many return visits, which we encourage.
Healthy Churches
Equipping leaders is a second passion and expression of my ministry. Several of our churches have invited me to do a series of workshops on various leadership issues spread over several months. Three of our churches have had me do monthly training for 6 months out of 12. One of our churches used me as their speaker at their 3 day men’s retreat.
I ask each our pastors to invite me to come once a year to their church. When I come, I also ask for the opportunity to meet with the elders or church board for the purpose of an informal check up. It is a non-agenda, open conversation setting. From these discussions there are often topics which arise which lead to further communication, training or resourcing from the district. This has proven to be a positive proactive approach to ministry and health for our churches which have taken advantage of the opportunity.
Our Annual District Conference in April and the Training Summit in September are designed to train both pastors and laymen. The topics covered have already been mentioned above.
It is exciting to see progress from churches that have gone through conflict, utilized the intervention of the district, and moved forward to health. In the past year Fountain Creek in Pueblo has gone from a very precarious position of possible closure to renewed vitality, viability and vision under the leadership of Pastor Monty Mora. At the time of my last annual report an intervention team from the district had completed their work and suggestions at Fountain Creek, but stability was still being developed.
Bruce Redmond and I spent countless hours with the pastor and leadership at Larkridge EFC in Broomfield. Because of inability on the part of the pastor and leadership to negotiate and reconcile with one another, neither the pastor nor the leaders remain at Larkridge. At the writing of this report, a month before our conference, Larkridge has split at least three ways and the future of the church as an EFC is doubtful.
One additional conflicted circumstance utilized the resources of the district this past year. In addition to training, intervention and leadership development Will Schravern was placed in this church as a part time interim. Will has assisted the district with three difficult and troubled churches. God has gifted him marvelously for this type of work. This church now has a new pastor who is doing well at rebuilding and moving forward in a rural community.
Church Planting
Working with Bruce Redmond has been rewarding, encouraging and very fruitful. Bruce has been officially on district staff full time for four years, but active in church planting within the district for eleven years. He originally worked full time under the direction and support of the Pikes Peak region covering all of Southern Colorado before officially coming on district staff.
In June, 2009, Bruce believed the Lord was leading him to take a similar position on staff with the EFCA Southeast. He informed the Rocky Mountain District Board of Directors in late July with a resignation date of November, 2009. Bruce continued to work diligently with the Rocky Mountain District even into December, 2009.
In July, 2009 the Rocky Mountain District board discussed philosophy of ministry in the Rocky Mountain District, present and future values and whether to replace the soon to be open position of Director of Church Planting. The board voted to move forward with this position adding the component of “development” of existing church plants to the job description. With a new position of Director of Church Planting and Development a search committee was formed.
Throughout the last half of 2009 a nationwide search was conducted by the search committee to fill the position, both looking at candidates within and outside the EFCA. The position was also posted at 5 seminaries throughout the country. Two of the four top candidates from a field of about 30 qualified candidates were identified within the Rocky Mountain District.
In early January it became apparent the Lord was leading our search committee to ask Greg Pugh to be our candidate, present EFC church planter and now pastor of Cedar Creek Church in Montrose. Greg was presented to the Rocky Mountain District Board of Directors in our January meeting at which time he was interviewed by the Board. The Board voted unanimously to present Greg to the annual conference for affirmation. He has been to 8 of the 10 Healthy Church Networks where he has been interviewed and asked questions of our church pastors.
Two of our church plants have transitioned from church plant to full church status this year, with several others presently working toward this goal. It has been a joy to present a church certificate to Hills View EFC in Piedmont, South Dakota and Harvest Community Church in Aurora. One church plant project has begun this past year in Thermopolis, WY.
To fully explain the difference between a church plant project, a church plant and a church the following is repeated from last year's report:
A church plant project is one which does not presently have people gathered, but may be an area where we have contacts with whom we are working, or even a pioneer pastor who has begun the people gathering process.
To be a church plant, there must be an approved provisional leadership team that has been established, adoption of our basic articles of incorporation for our church plants by the people who have been gathered, and most generally, but not always, a church planting pastor on sight. Their services begin as what are called "preview services" while the pastor seeks to train and equip leadership, and build a lay leadership for the basic functions expected of an operating church on Sunday mornings.
Once the church plant has established membership, become incorporated, begun public worship services, established permanent leaders, and been given final approval from the District Board of Directors, they become a full-fledged church. The goal is two years from the time of inception to the point of District Board approval.
Extensive information regarding our church planting this past year are in the Church Extension Committee report and Bruce Redmond's report. Bruce works very closely with me as we strategically team together for expanding the evangelical witness throughout the Rocky Mountain District region. Our pioneer church planting model has some unique characteristics from other districts in the Evangelical Free Church. Bruce is very diligent in training church planter assessors whom we utilize to interview and suggest for approval anyone who applies to church plant in our district. We also require of every candidate that they go through the national Evangelical Free Church planter's boot camp and become credentialed before we allow them to begin operating under the Rocky Mountain District name.
Safeguarding the EFC Distinctives and Doctrine
In June, 2009 at the national leadership conference of the EFCA the conference voted to change our doctrinal statement from the 12 point statement approved in 1950 to a new 10 point statement. All who are presently licensed under the 12 point statement must complete their ordination by April, 2010 if they desire to defend their thesis under the 1950 statement. At that time we will hold our annual district conference in which we will ask the conference to change the doctrinal statement of the Rocky Mountain District to parallel that of the new 10 point statement on a national level. When that occurs, all credentialing in the EFC under the Rocky Mountain District must be done under the new doctrinal statement.
Any seeking a credential with the Evangelical Free Church at this time who have not held one previously are required to begin with the new 10 point doctrinal statement. As of January 1, 2009 no new applications for licensing or ordination are being allowed by the national Board of Ministerial Standing under the 1950 statement of faith.
We continue to be pleased with the many pastors in our district who are seeking licensing and ordination with the Evangelical Free Church. As a district we require all church planters who are planting churches under the authority of the district to be at a minimum licensed with us before we allow any expense and salary funds to run through our district or to be received. This is a credential which is highly sought by our full time staff. It brings them recognition not only in their community, but ecumenically and with other denominations. It is also a statement of identification, cooperation, theological accomplishment and accountability, very similar to the requirement of church membership for those in our churches that desire to serve as leaders.
If your church has staff who are not credentialed with us and a problem arises, when you call the district in for mediation or help, there is little that we can do because of our Evangelical Free Church polity.
We have had one church in our district and association withdraw their membership as a result of the change in the national Evangelical Free Church Doctrinal Statement. A large majority of our churches have already changed or are in the process of changing their doctrinal statement to match the 2008 change, and a few have decided to keep the 1950 doctrinal statement as their own. All churches planted by the Rocky Mountain Distirct in 2009 and later will have the 2008 doctrinal statement. To my knowledge all but one of our present church plants will move to the 2008 statement when they move from church plant to church status.
It is always with sadness that we have to recommend that a credential be held in trust or revoked by the Evangelical Free Church of America. We have had 2 discipline issues this past year which have led to certificates of ordination being placed in trust on a national level under discipline. Of one of these two the pastor came forward with the concern which led to his credential status change. He is presently working through these issues in a recovery church recognized and under the supervision of the national Evangelical Free Church.
Strengthening our Interdependent Fellowship
Our district conference is one of the venues that we are utilizing to strengthen the fellowship and interdependence of our associated churches. We recognize the necessity for district structure and an annual business meeting where our churches can come together to approve the work of the district office, which is a creation of the local churches and designed to assist each of the churches in interdependent ministry.
This year at our conference we will be featuring several of the churches that have worked interdependently on different projects. You will hear a few of the partnerships that have taken place between our churches in our celebration service Tuesday evening of the Annual Conference. Included in these are the ministry of Mesa View in Golden helping with seating for Whispering Pines EFC and a sound board for Blackhawk EFC, Johnstown assisting Living Hope EFC in Fort Collins with building purchase and renovation, and several established churches in the district working in cooperative mission endeavors and direct church planting support.
The District has been invited to train eight search committees in how to do a pastoral search as well as assist in putting together a church profile for the specific purpose of locating a pastor or senior pastor. We have been involved as well in assisting eight search processes for associate positions.
I am very grateful to the pastors who have invited me to share their pulpit this past year. Every time I do so I give a 3-4 minute update on how their church is participating in something larger, sharing some of the networking and accomplishments happening in the district, then a message from the Word of God. This helps the church to see that they are part of something larger, hear how they are involved, and gives a face and personality to district ministry of which they are a part. I still have 7 open Sundays between now and year's end, most in the autumn. If interested, please contact me as soon as possible.
Men's Ministries has been under the leadership of Pastor Dale Eudy this past year. You can read more about what has been happening among our men's ministries and interdependence in his report. Instead of a weekend district retreat this past year, there was a one day event at Fellowship in Centennial.
Women's Ministries in the district has undergone some change this past year. Lea Ann Brookens has come forward and agreed to coordinate our District Women’s Ministries. She has been appointed by the Board of Directors to fill an open director position. At our annual conference she will be on the agenda for election to the Rocky Mountain District Board by the conference to continue as a director. She will be working with the national Women's Networkers within our district as well as helping to keep the annual Women's Retreat organized.
The Revolving Fund Committee continues to help our churches in need of no or low interest loans for building and expansion projects. This committee is also entrusted with resources we have gained from two church closings to reinvest in church planting within the District. The district is also now responsible for the property for our closed church in Berthoud, Colorado. Because we have not found a planter who is interested in assuming this possibility, the District Board is pursuing sale of the property. We will use the assets gained from this sale, as we are using the assets from the sale of the closed church in Loveland, for future church planting investment.
The Healthy Church Summits and Healthy Church Networks have already been mentioned above as a tool that we utilize to strengthen our fellowship and interdependence. These are touch points where our pastors are hearing of needs in the lives and ministries of one another. It is resulting in churches networking with one another to help do together what they are unable to do individually. Pastors partnering with pastors, churches partnering with churches. The networks are building relationships of trust with one another so that we can work together in the Kingdom work to which God has called us.
There are three men whom I now occasionally call upon to lead in their area HCN when I cannot attend. I hope to see these men as well as others grow into mentoring relationships with some of the younger pastors. We presently have four pastors who are fulfilling this role and building into the lives of other pastors in their area or under their supervision in sister churches. This is a healthy model which I am praying we can continue to develop.
Included in this booklet is a report from Front Range Connection led by Dan Luebcke. Dan along with Gary Osborne lead the district in keeping our cooperative youth ministries effective. They are resourcing our youth pastors and directors throughout the Rocky Mountain District, as well as coordinating our fall and winter Junior High and Senior High retreats as well as additional district wide youth ministry training. We really appreciate the countless hours of service and ministry they have invested over the years as partners in our Rocky Mountain District network.
The annual pastors and wives retreat is another opportunity for training and equipping, but also for fellowship and networking among our full time ministry staff members. It is such a high priority that we have traditionally placed money in the annual Rocky Mountain District Budget to help subsidize the cost of this event. For those who desire to come from our smaller churches and cannot afford to attend due to church budgetary constraints, we offer full scholarships.
There has been a larger shift in leadership on the district board of directors this past year. Several have resigned their positions on the board due to over commitment and inability to fulfill the board role. We are always looking for interested lay leaders to balance the pastoral input on this board. The board of directors does more than simply make policy and oversee the general business of the district. They continue to hold the staff accountable to the above five core values, the mission and vision of the district which serves you and your church, and stay in contact with and pray for our churches throughout the district.
As you make contact with a district board member at this conference, or think to write or call a board leader, stop to thank them for all they are doing to help provide for you, your church, and a greater Kingdom mindset among the churches in our association. I am so thankful for each and every one who is working hard to help us be a strong and meaningful association.
Thank you for your support and encouragement.
Thank you again this year to the pastors who have been so generous and supportive in inviting me to share at least one Sunday in their pulpit. Several have allowed me to participate a couple of times this past year. I would like to be in every one of our churches at least once a year. However, because we are Evangelical "free", I do wait on the pastors for an invitation. When I come, I do not do a "pitch" for the district ministry. For those churches who financially support the district ministry (all but a few in our association) I do thank the congregation for all that they are doing and give a 3 minute update just before my sermon of all that their support has accomplished in just that past month.
I also take time to meet with the elders for an informal check up while visiting the church. There is no agenda except to hear their heart on how the district can better resource them and their church, to listen to concerns or challenges, and offer resource as appropriate.
Thank you to the churches who have allowed me to come in and do workshops, seminars and even leadership retreats. This is a ministry that is part of the resource available to each church at no cost because you are a part of the Rocky Mountain District Association. It is a privilege for me when invited.
The district Board of Directors has been a ministry team for me. I am so grateful for their encouragement, empowering of me to do the ministry described above, and their unqualified support.
CHURCH PLANTING IN THE ROCKIES
This year has been a whirlwind for the RMD church planting ministry. Many of the church planters and regional leaders attended the Exponential Conference in Orlando in April 2008. This annual conference is where over 3,000 leaders from various denominations and networks converge to focus on church planting strategies for North America. It was a great time for our district team. I have been so thankful for the commitment of the church planters and regional teams that have sacrificed significantly for church planting in the RMD.
Soon after that conference, while returning from conducting some initial church plant meetings in Thermopolis, I sensed the Holy Spirit tugging at my heart asking me to go to the EFCA Southeast to direct church planting where there is a great need to set up the necessary structures for a movement of church planting.
During times of prayer and seeking God for a possible replacement for me, the Lord kept putting Greg Pugh’s name on my heart; he is a quality man that desires to honor God in everything, his wife, Cheri, is a supportive ministry mate, and they have a great family. You are sure to enjoy them as Jackie and I have. We were delighted to see them go through the process to be the next church planting director.
It has been a bittersweet transition as we’ve said goodbye to friends, staff and churches where we’ve shared fellowship and ministry together over the last 11 years.
There was not an opportunity to say good bye to many of you, but know we love you. From our hearts Jackie and I believe you are choice servants of our King. We have enjoyed laughing, serving, praying and doing ministry together. There have been many years of good ministry and relationships, and we sincerely wanted to thank you for caring for us, serving with us and sharing lives. It means so much to us, and we leave with great memories!
A new season in our lives has begun to take shape even though our transition has gone more slowly than expected. I started commuting to the Southeastern District on February 1st while awaiting the sale of our home and continuing the process of raising financial support. We have seen the Lord work many times before in our times of waiting, and we go forth in faith and anticipation of His perfect timing.
Big thanks go to the RMD Board of Directors, Greg and Carol Fell, Mike and Becky Harrison and Julie and Dave Kurz for their partnership and friendship. You allowed us to develop as we followed what God was asking us to do in the RMD.
We are truly thankful and we give God the glory for all He has done!
May the Lord bless you all as you seek to honor Him through making disciples and beginning new churches!
Love and Rejoicing!
Bruce & Jackie Redmond
FAMILY/CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES
in the Rocky Mountain District of the EFCA
In September, 2009, I will begin my third year working in the Rocky Mountain District of the Evangelical Free Church. I continue to be encouraged with the response of churches to my calling to ‘reconnect the spiritual development of children to the home’. I continue to observe a concern for the Church of the Next Generation, and for the reality that too many of our ‘church-grown’ kids are leaving the Faith. Many churches are becoming more intentional about connecting their teaching at church to parents in the home.
MY MISSION AND VISION is to
Resource Churches in Children’s Ministries and
Reconnect Parents to the Spiritual Development of their Children.
WHEN ARE WE ‘SUCCESSFUL’ IN CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES?
Because God made me a very goal oriented person, I struggled a lot with this question in my former role as the Children’s Director at Bethany EFC. It is hard to measure whether or not the ‘job’ is being accomplished when we are working with the spiritual lives of children. Articulating a mission /vision statement that is measureable was a big help, but it still did not satisfy my need to know that Children’s Ministries was really impacting children for eternity. In my training of volunteers I used an illustration that I believe God gave me at the time. Our son, JD, asked me to care for some saguaro cactus seedlings he had planted in a clay pot when he left for a summer job in college. Not considering myself to have a ‘green thumb’ like my son, I was nervous that I might be giving him back a clay pot with no living saguaro’s at the end of the summer! But I carefully followed his instructions to keep them in direct sunlight and spray them with a fine mist of water every few days. As I was watching the seedlings grow over the course of the summer, some of the ones I thought would make it were not looking so good, and others that I thought were weak were getting stronger. It just ‘hit’ me one day that caring for those seeds was like caring for the children in my ministry. We need to love them all, nurture & teach them the Truth of God’s Word, and God will do the rest. While I still believe there is still truth in this analogy, I now believe there is a better way to measure our success in Children’s Ministries. Because parents are the number one influencer of children, (research has validated this!) and because God gave parents , not the church, the mandate to pass faith to the next generation I now believe that success in Children’s Ministries is measured by how well we are connecting our ministries to the home. The church can then address, and have time for, the children in our midst who do not come from strong Christian homes, being ‘family’ for those children. The home is the place where God intended faith to form in our children. The church can help a lot, but it cannot do the job of the home. May we do our part well by carefully following God’s instructions (His model in Deuteronomy 6, Psalm 78, Psalm 145, Malachi 2:14-16, and so many others) for passing Faith to the next generation, and then we must leave the outcome to Him!
CHURCHES ARE BECOMING INTENTIONAL!
I have had the opportunity to work with many churches on varying levels in the district in 2008. Churches that I have worked with more extensively include Hills View, Living Hope, Fox Meadows, Denver Community Church, Table Mountain, Fountain Creek, Crossroads, United, Windsor, and Mountain View Community. Several mentoring opportunities have opened up with Children’s Directors, too, which has been good and very gratifying! I am looking forward to working with new people and churches this year. In addition to working with churches, I completed the church planter’s manual for our denomination, What Do We Do With the Kids, and presented it to the Denver area boot camp last summer. I was also asked to present it at the EFCA National Conference last June, and will present it again this year. A mission trip opportunity came up in Trinidad/Tobago with Kidzana, so I went and taught the family ministry track for them. The churches in Trinidad/Tobago want me to come back and do more. I also had the opportunity to present to the Northern Colorado Network of Children’ Ministries. Several opportunities have come up for me to have workshops with the Nat’l Association of Family Ministries and the EFCA West Leadership Workshops. I am looking forward to following God’s leading this year!
‘So the next generation will know Him.” Julie Kurz
Consultant for Family & Children’s Ministries
RMD Women’s Ministry Report
April 2009
The Rocky Mountain District’s ministry to women continues to grow and expand through our annual retreat and various training opportunities offered by our Networkers and our new Mobilizer, Lea Ann Brookens, from First Free in Colorado Springs.
Since Jackie Redmond became our EFCA RESOUND National Women’s Ministry Director in 2007, she has been working to build a national team of Mobilizers from each of the 18 districts whom she will coach and equip at the national level. Lea Ann is one of these women who are responding to God by engaging their culture out of a Great Commandment love to be established in their faith, equipped for ministry and participating in the Great Commission resulting in Kingdom expansion. These Mobilizers and their Networker teams in each district across the country will provide support, encouragement, coaching and training to the women and churches of the EFCA.
Lea Ann is already ‘mobilizing’ women since her appointment in October. She and her women’s team at FEFC hosted leadership training in January for 42 women in the RMD with Jackie Redmond teaching the Disciplemaking Pathway, Coaching and Assessment . Lea Ann is helping the Canon City Free Church promote a weekend conference, “Women and Peacemaking”, that will be held April 17 and 18. She attended a Mobilizer training conference at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in March and will participate with the Mobilizer Team in presentations at the National Leadership Conference in June. Ellen Mooney from Durango recently joined Doris Meeker and Becky Tyree on the RMD Networking Team.
We had a great turnout in October for our retreat held at Little America in Cheyenne, WY. This year we began the weekend with a Friday morning training session with our RESOUND National Women’s Ministry Director, Jackie Redmond. Fifty women attended that leadership training. Thank you to the Cheyenne Free Church for hosting the training and for providing the music for our retreat. Our theme was “Made for More” and Barb Larson from Shepherd Projects (also from Heritage EFC!) was our speaker. A generous offering was given and we were able to send over $2,300 to Global Fingerprint project for motorcycles in Africa.
Much work has been done this year preparing for our annual women’s retreat. Our retreat team is led by Michelle Cohn from First Free in Colorado Springs. The team consists of Jacki Blyth, from Windsor; Judy Roberts and Cindy Kipp from Crook, and Galye Beeler from Longmont. Retreat 2009 will be at Glen Erie in Colorado Springs. Due to scheduling at the Glen, the retreat will be one week earlier than usual, October 2-4. Publicity will be out late spring offering early registration discounts. Space will be limited, so mark your calendars now and plan to attend!
Lea Ann Brookens, RMD Mobilizer Doris Meeker, Networker
MISSIONS MOBILIZATION
in the Rocky Mountain District
I continue to count it a privilege to be part of the Rocky Mountain District Ministry Team, serving on behalf of the District for the express purpose of “Resourcing Churches for Missions Mobilization”.
TRAINING, RESOURCING AND NETWORKING WITH RMD CHURCHES:
This year I have been able to move ahead with two new missions initiatives within the Rocky Mountain District. First has been the monthly RMD Missions Update E-Mail that started in September, 2008. In this short, single topic e-mail, I’ve attempted to provide links to various missions resources both within and outside the EFCA. All are welcome to join this news list so feel free to refer others to me for inclusion.
The second new initiative has been the offering of an online five-week introductory missions training course, entitled Kingdom Expansion 101. This course is packed full of resources ranging from video clips, audio files, written articles, and much more. This course is being offered through the EFCA Equip group as part of their commitment to ongoing educational opportunities for missionaries, pastors, and lay leaders. I recently finished co-facilitating this course with Bruce Camp of DualReach. We had several RMD mission leaders involved and one entire church missions team took the course together. We will continue to make this, and future courses available within the RMD.
Lastly, my role as a networker and provider of resources continues on a church-by-church basis. I would enjoy talking to anyone in your church leadership about how to enhance the missions outreach of your church. Also, if you are in the Denver front range area, I would invite you to check out the monthly MP3 Missions Leaders Meeting, with 50 other pastors and lay people to explore current, relevant mission topics for churches.
RMD CHURCHES WORKING TOGETHER TO LAUNCH INTERNATIONAL CHURCH PLANTING MOVEMENTS:
What a joy it is to see a number of RMD churches working together to make an impact internationally. This past year has again seen a significant increase in the number of churches working with Eduardo Castillo and UNILIC in Costa Rica. A movement of healthy church planting and pastoral training and coaching is clearly underway. Even our national EFCA association is beginning to utilize some of the tools and strategies that Eduardo is using so successfully in Costa Rica. While Fellowship Community Church serves as the coordinating church for much of the ministry in Costa Rica, I will gladly put you in touch with them or a number of other churches who are involved in Costa Rica as well.
Similarly, a number of RMD churches are joining together in support of Jonathan Singh and the North India Strategic Alliance (NISA). In early 2008 we conducted our first RMD Pastors India Vision and Training Trip to Delhi and other places in North India. During the year, relationships have continued to grow between the participating RMD churches and Jonathan and NISA. Our attempts to have Jonathan and Varsha Singh visit the RMD in February were blocked by their inability to obtain visas to visit the U.S. This was frustrating, but God has continued to show himself faithful by allowing these churches to connect with Jonathan via Skype, and have him participate in their services. God continues to pour his blessing out on the ministry of NISA with many new believers entering into baptism, new churches being planted, and aide being given to pastors and their families who have suffered severe persecution. One of the most thrilling ministries is the children’s ministry in Delhi where NISA is ministering to 5000 children per week in after-school programs. They are also able to connect with the mothers of these children who come for literacy classes.
The Spirit of God is on the move in India in unprecedented ways and in the midst of a serious rise in persecution. Again, as RMD churches working together, we have the opportunity to be part of a true, grassroots church planting movement. If you feel the Lord directing you to become connected to this wonderful ministry, please contact me. There are any number of ways for your church to get involved in a meaningful way.
Mike Harrison
RMD Missions Mobilizer
RMD Revolving Fund
Pastor Dale Eudy
Fellowship Community Church
From its beginning charter, the Rocky Mountain District Revolving Fund was established to be a financial aid resource for district churches. To this day, the intent of those who structured the fund and donated the initial monies is still being honored. It is hard not to acknowledge their foresight, especially in such dour economic times. Through all of the fund’s 45 years, God has honored their endeavor. Currently, five loans are outstanding that cover a variety of church financial needs of both church plants and existing churches.
In July of 2008, the sale of the Loveland EFC property was completed with all proceeds being placed under the care of the RMD. A quick reminder is that in September 2004, upon dissolution of the Loveland church, the church’s property and all contents were given to the RMD. The net proceeds to the RMD from the sale of this property were over $400,000.
An additional property, owned by the Berthoud church was given to the RMD in February, 2006 upon the church’s dissolution. The RMD Revolving Fund assumed the church’s existing mortgage of $167,000 on the property held by the Christian Investor’s Foundation. That loan was subsequently paid off in full following the sale of the Loveland EFC property. Once sold, the net proceeds of this property will be under the control of the RMD.
As we enter our 2010 fiscal year, the RMD Revolving Fund has $148,194 available for district churches to use as the Lord directs. If your church has a need for funds, please contact the District Superintendent.
RMD Men’s Ministries
Pastor Dale Eudy
Fellowship Community Church
What do men really need from their pastors?
That is the primary question answered by Patrick Morley in his latest book entitled, Pastoring Men: What Works, What Doesn’t, and Why It Matters Now More Than Ever (Moody Publishers, November 2008).
Morley makes a strong case that when it comes to ministering to men, the Senior Pastor is the key to everything. He cites three common factors in churches that are highly effective in discipling men:
1. A Senior Pastor with the vision to disciple every man in the church.
2. A Senior Pastor with the determination to succeed.
3. A Senior Pastor who found a sustainable strategy to make disciples.
Morley is right. My personal experience based on what I have observed in the past 20 years of ministry to men is that no matter who has the title of Men’s Ministry Leader in a church, the Senior Pastor IS the Men’s Ministry Leader. It mirrors what happens in the home. Whether in the church or in the family, children will take their spiritual cues off their father.
Having said that, I want the Senior Pastors of the RMD to know that you are not without resources; from principle-based training to ministry coaching to networking, your church has access to available leaders of men who are ready to help you disciple your men.
If you would like more information on how to build a men’s ministry or bring fresh life into your existing ministry to men, we would love to help you. Contact Dale at 303-641-7771 or via email, deudy@fcchurch.org.
District Board Of Ministerial Standing (DBOMS)
This past year, our members have come together eight times – usually for two Councils, but at other times for only one. In addition, our full Council has met once in Executive Session; and, an executive Committee has met, in session, once and is “in conference” on another matter.
Our first meeting was held the week following our 2008 Annual Conference. The Council met with Kevin Boaz, who serves with Jack Olsen in Kasper, WY. He came before our Council seeking Ordination. A motion was unanimously approved to recommend Kevin for Ordination with the EFCA provisioned upon further study (as stipulated by the Council), and an oral defense of those areas before the DBOMS Chair.
In May, we again held only one Council. It was an Ordination Council, and was held for Nathaniel Gustafson. Nathaniel serves the Heritage EFC in Castle Rock. His Ordination was unanimously approved for recommendation to the BOMS.
Over the summer, an Executive Committee of the DBOMS met with Mark & Valerie Eaton regarding their request for a Divorce Policy Exception. At the time, they were preparing to move to Thermopolis, WY to serve our new Church Plant there. We approved a recommendation to the BOMS that the Exception be granted.
The first September Council was for Steve Balsley who was seeking a License Leading To Ordination. Steve is working with the Rimrock Church in Rapid City as a Church Planter. The Council members unanimously approved a motion recommending Steve for a License Leading to Ordination.
Our second September Council, also for Licensing, was for KJ Tenzca who is working with Alan Kraft at Christ Community Church in Greeley. The Council members unanimously approved a motion recommending KJ for a License Leading to Ordination.
Our first October Council, also for Licensing, was for Jonah Haddad. Jonah is preparing to join Jim Carlson, in France, to work with the Lyon City Team. The Council members unanimously approved a motion recommending Jonah for a License Leading to Ordination provisioned upon a major rewrite of his thesis with special attention on Soteriology and Eschatology.
Our second October Council, for Transfer of Ordination, was for Rick Scovel who is working with Bruce Smalley at Mountain View EFC in Greeley. The Council members unanimously approved a motion recommending Rick’s Transfer of Ordination to the EFCA.
In November, we only had one scheduled Council. That was Licensing Council for Nathaniel Baylor. Nathaniel is working with Jerry Nelson at Southern Gables. The Council unanimously approved a motion recommending Nathaniel for a License Leading to Ordination.
Due to severe weather in our state’s southwest, one of our December candidates had to cancel and we only held one Council. That Council was for Ozy Alvarado, and was for a Transfer of Ordination. Ozy is working with our District as a Church Planter. The Council members unanimously approved a motion recommending Ozy’s Transfer of Ordination to the EFCA, provisioned upon rewriting the Soteriology and Pneumatology sections of his Thesis and sitting with an Executive Committee of the DBOMS for a re-defense of those areas. That rewrite is complete and he will sit for his follow-up Oral the first week of April.
In January we held a Licensing Council for Tim Bourquin. Tim serves Faith Evangelical Free Church in Colorado Springs. The Council unanimously approved a motion recommending Tim for a License Leading to Ordination.
Following that Council, we called an Executive Session. Our purpose for meeting was to consider a formal request that one of our District Pastors surrender his Credentials to our Superintendent. Several of the “standards of practice” for Credentialed Free Church Pastors appeared to have been violated and it was our charge to make a recommendation to the National BOMS regarding his Credentials. Once the Credential was surrendered, it would be held in Trust pending further action of our Council and the National BOMS. We concluded that more work needed to be done, before we could complete our work and a recommendation could be passed to the BOMS. Several things have transpired, since that meeting, that changed the nature of our task. For that reason, we have had to put together an Executive Council to follow-up on the issue and to complete the work of making a formal recommendation to the BOMS.
In February we held two Councils, both were for Ordinations. The first was for Mike Schrag who serves Grace Fellowship in Cortez. The second was for Barry Mooney who serves Mountainview Community Church, a Church Plant in Durango. (Barry’s Council was the one that we had had to postpone in December due to weather.) The Councils for both men unanimously approved motions to recommend each for Ordination with the EFCA.
At this time we have two Councils scheduled, one for March 26th and one for April 30th. We also have the follow-up meeting with Ozy Alvarado scheduled for March 30th. The Executive Committee expects to complete its work by the end of the first week of April.
We praise God for these men and His evident Call upon their lives and ministry; and, we pray His blessing upon the work of their hand as they have joined us in this part of His Vineyard. In closing, I would like to offer my heart-felt thanksgiving for the men who serve alongside me in this important work.
All for Jesus,
R. Craig Kirkpatrick, Chair DBOMS
Front Range Connection
Student Ministries Report
April 2009
Learning Community
We have enjoyed a rich time of meeting together in our learning community on the 2nd Thursday of the month at Denver Community Church from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. We have changed our name from CoCo to the Front Range Connection. We are reading through the book Youth Ministry 3.0 by Mark Oestreicher This book has created some great dialogue for us as we wrestle with his contention that we are moving from the emphases in 2.0 to the emphases in 3.0 – see chart below. We have also enjoyed having Dr. Brad Widstrom, Chair of the Youth and Family Ministries Department at Denver Seminary as a part of our learning community.
Overview Chart of Youth Ministry 3.0
|
|
Youth Ministry 1.0 |
Youth Ministry 2.0 |
Youth Ministry 3.0 |
|
Youth culture Fixation |
Identity |
Autonomy |
Affinity |
|
Cultural Influence on Youth Ministry |
Language and Topics |
Models and Success |
Contextualization |
|
Key Themes |
Evangelism and Correction |
Discipleship and Creating a Positive Peer Group |
Communion and Mission |
|
Driver |
Proclamation |
Programs |
Not Driven, but Present |
|
Theme Verse |
Matthew 7:13-14 |
Matthew28:19-20a |
Acts 2:44-46a, John 17:18 |
|
Epistemological Ethic (or undertones) |
We know what you don’t know |
You know what we don’t know |
Who cares what anybody knows? |
Mentoring Retreat
Our mentoring retreat in Summit County in early December was a very meaningful time for those who attended to care for their hearts. Shane Stacey, the new National Director of Student Ministries facilitated our time. He led us through John 15, 16, and 17 – “Upper Room Leadership.” Here is what we walked through in John 15 and 17.
Upper Room Leadership – John 15
What is the fruit that we are to bear?
What hinders rich, lush fruit to hang low from our lives and ministries?
Narrow the Focus
Ask God:
Spend time in solitude and pray through the following questions.
· What passages of scripture has God used to most significantly shape your life? List them out and journal what sort of themes you see.
· Prayerfully, ask the Lord what your Ephesians 2:10 work is. What has God burdened you with from His heart, concerning His mission in this world?
Ask Yourself:
Journal your thoughts on the questions below.
· What you do that is almost effortless from your perspective but seems like a daunting task to others?
· In what arenas do people consider you the “go-to” person?
· What do you enjoy about your current ministry role?
· What do you wish you could delegate?
· What do you do that elicits the most praise and recognition from others?
· What environments do you look forward to working in?
· What environments do you avoid?
· What kind of advice do people seek from you?
· If you could focus more of your time and attention on one or two aspects of your job, what would they be?
· What one or two things if removed from your role would immediately cause you to want to quit or hate your job?
Ask Others:
Find a few trusted friends who have been able to observe you in ministry and ask them the following questions.
· If I joined your ministry for free…
· Where in your ministry would I add the most value?
· Where would you want time to focus my attention?
· Where would I stand the most chance of success?
· What area or areas would you see to it that I didn’t get involved in?
· In my current ministry environment, where do you see misalignment between my core competencies and my responsibilities?
· If you had an opportunity to advise my boss on how to better utilize me, what would your advice be?
Adapted from Next Generation Leader by Andy Stanley, pp. 31-32
When you die…
What do you want your family, friends, staff, students, and neighbors to say at your funeral?
How do you want those same people to describe who they experienced God to be through being in relationship with you?
What therefore needs to be pruned from…
My Character…
The ability to identify and focus on a few necessary things is hallmark of great leadership. – Mike Nappa
My “To Do” list…
Upper Room Leadership – John 17
“The Church is making far more dinners than disciples.” – Andy Stanley
“Your ministry is fulfilled when the people of God become what God intended them to be.” – Henry Blackaby
3 Misguided Goals
1. Bottom-line mentality
2. Perfection
3. Bigger, Faster, More
3 Worthy Goals
1. Leading to Spiritual Maturity
2. Leading others to Lead
3. Bringing Glory to God
-Henry Blackaby
Winter Retreats
We thank God for the over 670 students and adults that participated in our high school and middle school retreats in January and February. Our weekends were shaped around Psalm 133 and Romans 15:5-6 as we challenged the students to consider our theme of Comm(unity).
Gary Osborne and I met and finalized our plans for Winter Retreat 2010. I’ve included those details at the end. We are also thrilled to have added two new guys to our team in Nathaniel Gustafson from Heritage and KJ Tencza from Christ Community.
Overview of High School & Middle School Retreats for 2010
RMDEFCA
High School Winter Retreat
January 29-31, 2010
Crooked Creek Ranch
Fraser, CO
Purpose : Winter Retreat exists to support the local church in the RMDEFCA by providing a retreat that will facilitate spiritual community in student ministries and speak into students’ lives that are searching to KNOW Christ, GROW in Christ and be challenged to SHOW the love of Christ to others.
Theme : Insp[ire]d
Gatherings: As a result of this weekend we want our students to return to their communities changed by the Spirit of God to live out the Great Commandment and Great Commission from our study of 2 Corinthians 6:4-13.
“4Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. 11We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. 12We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.”
Speaker : Student Ministry Pastors from the RMD-EFCA
Music
:
Enter the Worship Circle
RMDEFCA
Middle School Winter Retreat
February 26-28, 2010
YMCA Camp of the Rockies
Estes Park, CO
Purpose: Winter Retreat exists to support the local church in the RMDEFCA by providing a retreat that will facilitate spiritual community in student ministries and speak into students’ lives that are searching to KNOW Christ, GROW in Christ and be challenged to SHOW the love of Christ to others.
Theme : The Real You
Gatherings: As a result of this weekend we want our students to return to their communities wrestling with the following:
ü What is Real Truth?
ü Real Relationships
o Lab – Real Family
o Lab – Real Friendship
o Lab – Real Prayer
ü Who is the Real you?
ü What does Real community look like?
Speaker: Jim Candy
Music : Justin Fox
Training
We have had 3 Enroute Training Seminars for youth workers in our area to discuss what a transformational model of youth ministry looks like this past year and trained over 60 youth workers. We have three more scheduled for this fall:
Casper, WY at Cornerstone – August 15th
Boulder at Calvary Bible Church – August 29th
Greeley at Christ Community - October 24th
Budget
We are waiting to receive all money due to us for the retreats before we proceed into 2009-2010 with budget proposal.
Database
We are in the process of updating our database with the contact information for each RMD-EFCA church in the area.
National Student Ministries
Gary and I have continued to serve as a part of the National Student Ministry Council. Gary will be stepping off the council as of March, 2009. We are both still serving the National EFCA student ministries as Enroute Trainers and look forward to our time this fall with more youth workers from our district.
Thanks,
Dan Luebcke
Southern Gables Church
Gary Osborne
Calvary Bible Church
ROCKY MOUNTAIN DISTRICT
CHURCH STAFF CHANGES
2008-2009
New Staff
Osvaldo Alvarado Colorado Springs, Church at Cheyenne Mountain Senior Pastor
Matt Altfeltis Longmont, Grace EFC Youth Pastor
Jonathan Anderson Newcastle, WY, Gateway Fellowship Church Senior Pastor
Matt Braggins Fort Collins, Faith EFC Director of Student Ministries
Mark Eaton Thermopolis, WY, Red Bluffs EFC Senior Pastor
Paul Schlador Penrose, Penrose Community Church Associate Pastor Outreach/Worship
Omar Short Canon City, EFC Dir. of Middle School Ministries
Matt Strid Littleton, Red Rocks Fellowship Associate Pastor
Phil Struska Colorado Springs, AspenRidge Church Youth Pastor
Mark Vaporis Laramie, WY, Snowy Range EFC Senior Pastor
Bill Williamson Cedaredge, New Hope EFC Senior Pastor
Resignations
John Brooks Longmont, Grace EFC Youth Pastor
Mark Eaton Thermopolis, WY, Red Bluffs EFC Senior Pastor
Davey Ferguson Canyon City, EFC Associate Pastor
Sam Goertz Colorado Springs, Faith EFC Senior Pastor
Rob Harter Broomfield, Larkridge Church Senior Pastor
Greg Hodsden Fort Collins, Faith EFC Pastor of Fellowship Ministries
Doug Mikkelsen Fort Collins, Faith EFC Pastor of Spiritual Formation
Ralph Neumann Centennial, Fellowship Community Church Director of Worship
Felicity Seth Colorado Springs, First EFC Children’s Ministries
Matt Stroh Newcastle, WY, Gateway Fellowship Church Associate/Youth Pastor
Larry Weaver Canyon City, EFC Dir. Communications/Young Adults Min.
Bill Williamson Holly, EFC Senior Pastor
Wayne Wilson Newcastle, WY, Gateway Fellowship Church Senior Pastor
Tony Yang Boulder, Chinese EFC Senior Pastor
Steve Yohn Centennial, Fellowship Community Church Adult Ministries
Ch-Eng Yuan Denver, Chinese EFC Senior Pastor
District Conference Hosts
|
1962 Littleton, Bethany 1963 Boulder, Calvary Bible 1964 Greeley, Christ Community 1965 Flagler, Sunnydale 1966 Denver, Belcaro (Fellowship Comm. ) 1967 Eaton 1968 Littleton, Bethany 1969 Aurora, New Life 1970 Boulder, Calvary Bible 1971 Greeley, Christ Community 1972 Colorado Springs, First 1973 Denver, Belcaro (Fellowship Comm. ) 1974 Fort Collins, Faith 1975 Lakewood, Southern Gables (Littleton) 1976 Eaton 1977 Aurora, New Life 1978 Littleton, Bethany 1979 Boulder, Calvary Bible 1980 Colorado Springs, First 1981 Salt Lake City 1982 Lakewood, Southern Gables (Littleton) 1983 Fort Collins, Faith 1984 Denver, Belcaro (Fellowship Comm. ) 1985 Aurora, New Life
|
1986 Eaton 1987 Rock Springs 1988 Broomfield, Calvary 1989 Longmont, Grace 1990 Greeley, Mountain View 1991 Littleton, Bethany 1992 Colorado Springs, Austin Bluffs 1993 Fort Collins, Faith 1994 Aurora, Fellowship Community 1995 Littleton, Southern Gables 1996 Boulder, Calvary Bible 1997 Eaton 1998 Cheyenne 1999 Broomfield, Calvary 2000 Fort Collins, Faith 2001 Aurora, Fellowship Community 2002 Aurora, Fellowship Community 2003 Littleton, Bethany 2004 Grace, Longmont 2005 Ca᷈non City 2006 Christ Community - Greeley 2007 Austin Bluffs - Colorado Springs 2008 New Life, Aurora 2009 Johnstown, Cornerstone |
Fellowship Community (Denver, Belcaro) 66, 73, 84, 94, 01, 02
Aurora, New Life (Montview) 69, 77, 85, 08
Boulder Calvary Bible 63, 70, 79, 96
Broomfield Calvary 88, 99
Ca᷈non City 05
Cheyenne 98
Colorado Springs Austin Bluffs 92, 07
Colorado Springs First 72, 80
Eaton 67, 76, 86, 97
Flagler 65
Fort Collins Faith 74, 83, 93, 00
Greeley Christ Community 64, 71, 06
Greeley , New Life (Montview) 90
Johnstown Cornerstone 09
Littleton Bethany 62, 68, 78, 91, 03
Littleton Southern Gables 75, 82, 95
Longmont Grace 89, 04
Rock Springs 87
Salt Lake City 81