Sound Bites from the Superintendent
Regarding transformation...  “Jesus went throughout Galilee teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom…” (Matthew 4:23; 9:35; Luke 4:43; 8:1).  His message did not change in three years of public ministry.  If we fail to include the kingdom, repentance, and growth in kingdom living in the good news we preach today, we reduce and alter the message of Jesus and are guilty of devising a different gospel. 

Don't Miss the Mission Minnesota Breakfast!!   
Plan on attending our annual Mission Minnesota breakfast on Tuesday morning of NCD conference (April 15).  The breakfast will start at 7:30 a.m. at Calvary EFC, in Rochester (site of the conference).  Come and hear testimonies from individuals and churches about what God is doing to reach the lost in Minnesota.  We will be sharing about new church plants, ethnic ministries and more.  Best of all, it's included in your registration!  Here's what people are saying about the Mission Minnesota Breakfast.  "Celebration. Christ. Cutting Edge.  The Missions Minnesota breakfast is a great way to celebrate all Christ is doing through many who are on the cutting edge of ministry.  The breakfast is a great way to see how new churches are being planted that are following the Lord’s leading whether rural, metro, or Latino.  It will also be a chance to hear more of how next generation leaders are being raised up as God continues to move in our District.  The food is great, the fellowship is fine, and the stories of God sightings among us will be a blessing that makes the breakfast a must do event!" -Pastor Carlyn Cole, Harvest Community Church, Sauk Centre.  We are excited to be able to share this event with you!

Student Ministries Conference is almost here!
April is the month for the annual NCD Student Ministries Conference!  This year's conference is April 25-27 in Rochester, MN.  I love our conference not just because it is "ours," but because of the deeper, equipping aspect that we are trying to produce.  There are so many conferences you can take students to these days, but ask yourself, "Why bring students to our conference?"  The answer: we value deep spiritual life transformation!  We want to challenge students to the next step in their knowledge of God and equip students to do ministry, not provide them with another emotional high.  I really believe our speaker, Bill Allison of Cadre Ministries, our musicians, By The Tree, and our seminar presenters will challenge and equip students to take that next step in their walk of knowing God!  This conference is biblical, centered on the Gospel and FUN!  Please encourage your youth leader of the 12-18 year olds in your church to bring a group to Rochester this year!  Check out ncdyouth.com (click on The Encounter) for more information, including registration forms.  See you in April!
-Jamie Buchanan, Student Ministries Director

Developing Leaders is Relational!
I recently attended a church planting conference in Chicago with the organization Acts 29.  During one of the sessions, Darrin Patrick reminded young church planters of the importance of being mentored and coached as they serve in ministry.  Mentoring and coaching relationships help church planters to more effectively understand and use their gifts (2 Tim 1:6), to overcome fear (2 Tim 1:7), to develop leaders (2 Tim 2:2), to avoid age insecurity (1 Tim 4:12), to exercise patience with the church (2 Tim 4:1-2), and to be sexually pure (1 Tim 5:1-2).

The value of mentoring and coaching isn’t limited to church planters.  As part of our Antioch Initiative within the NCD, we emphasize the importance of mentoring and coaching in the development process of all ministry leaders.  Intentional relationships that help young leaders to grow in character and ministry skills are essential.  Let me encourage and challenge you to ask God whom he might be leading you to invest in.  Is there a young leader or potential leader you could initiate a mentoring or coaching relationship with?  Leadership development is a highly-relational process, and the fruit for the Kingdom is well worth the investment.
-Andy O'Rourke, Antioch Initiative Director

Pastoral Care News
We (Jim & Lois Anderson) enjoy participating in Pastoral staff retreats.  We interacted with the staff at Calvary EFC in Rochester and Willmar EFC in January.  We also greatly appreciate the assistance of Kelley and Jola Johnson. Kelley shares his observations since coming on staff in January as a Pastoral Care Assistant.  "First, we want to thank the NCD staff and pastors for the warm welcome.  This great welcome has eased the transition..."  click here to read more of Kelley's thoughts.  Welcome to the NCD Kelley & Jola!

Sabbath Rest Retreat
Dallas Willard goes so far as to say Sabbath is “The Key to the Keys to the Kingdom” (The Great Omission, Dallas Willard, pp. 32-39). “You rarely find any person who has made great progress in the spiritual life who did not at some point have much time in solitude and silence.” Willard quotes a pastor who illustrates with his life that he has discovered the Key to the Keys of the Kingdom “As I have slowed my life down through silence and solitude, I have discovered both the wickedness hidden by a hurried life as well as the wonder and delight my Father has in me.  Oddly, through intentional times of practicing spiritual disciplines, my walk with Jesus has become more spontaneous.  He is present in more of my day.  I have loved others better, and seen progress made in overcoming anger and the desire to have things my way.  In a nutshell, Jesus has greater access to and control over my life.  I’m more in tune to the still small voice of the Spirit.”   These quotes portray the reason for offering Sabbath-Retreats to you and your leaders. Our most recent retreat was February 25-26 and the next one will be August 25-26.  Plan now to attend!  For more information contact Jim Anderson.

Peacemaker Training
Zimmerman EFC will be hosting basic and advanced level training in Biblical principles of resolving interpersonal conflict. A team from Peacemaker® Ministries will be leading this training on March 13-15, 2008. Training will be offered in conflict coaching and in mediation. Mediation training brings to life the principles and concepts learned in Conflict Coaching (counseling one party) and develops the skills and introduces the processes for reconciling two or more people who cannot resolve conflict on their own.  This training, provided by experienced conciliators, gives special attention to communication and problem-solving skills that are needed for effective mediation. This event is designed to encompass both Conflict Coaching and Mediation training; however, you may sign up to take the Conflict Coaching portion only.  You may take the mediation portion only if you have previously completed Conflict Coaching. More info, including cost and registration info, is available on the Peacemakers website. We strongly encourage pastors and lay leaders to attend this training. It is an excellent resource for dealing with conflict in the church (proactively as well as remedially!), and this event brings the training closer to home geographically. Take advantage of it.

Family and Children's Ministry
We are excited to be able to offer the following resources to all churches in the NCD.  Please contact Julie Anderson, the NCD representative on the EFCA National Family & Children's Ministry Council, if you are interested in any of these resources.

• Free lesson plans for parent/child classes on communion and baptism.
• Free information on resources and sample policies for child safety.
• Consulting for ministry needs or training speakers and resources.

Senior Celebration 2008
Join us on Tuesday, April 8th at St. Louis Park Free Church for the Senior Celebration 2008--a wonderful combination of fellowship, music, good food, and inspiration.  An ensemble of the Twin Cities Men of Praise will be ministering, along with Pastor Paul Kling from Watertown Free Church.  It begins with coffee at 9:30 am and concludes at 2:00 pm.  A delicious catered luncheon is included.  Cost: $15 per person.  For more information, check out this flyer and registration forms.  Hope to see you there!

Faith Community/Parish Nurse Basic Preparation Course
This course will be held April 7-11, 2008, at HopeBridge (Hope EFC) in New Hope, MN.  The cost is $450. registrations are due by March 17.  Send a nurse from your congregation and please note that this is open to anyone, you do not have to attend an EFCA church.  For more information contact Mary VanDerWerf at 763-561-0146 or 612-385-3495.  Click here for registration information.  For more information on parish nursing, click here.

Friday Forums
Arden Woods Psychological Services is pleased to be offering Friday Forums, a new series of training and interaction sessions for pastors and Christian leaders.  The next session, entitled "Shame on You, Shame on Me:  Recognizing and Responding to Shame Based People," will be Friday, March 14, from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m.  These free monthly sessions meet at Salem Covenant Church in New Brighton.  For more information, including how to register, please visit their website at www.ardenwoodspsych.com.  As with all resources we bring to your attention, we do not necessarily endorse every aspect of them.  We encourage you to exercise good discernment in gleaning profit from this or any other resource.

Dates to Remember...
April 7-11, 2008    Parish Nurse Basic Preparation Course at Hopebridge (Hope EFC) in New Hope, MN

April 8, 2008    Senior Celebration at St. Louis Park Evangelical Free Church, St. Louis Park, MN

April 14-15, 2008    North Central District Conference at Calvary EFC, Rochester, MN

April 25-27, 2008    North Central District Student Ministries Conference in Rochester, MN

August 25-26, 2008    Sabbath Retreat at Timber Bay Retreat Center

For a more complete listing, click here for the NCD website calendar.

In His grip,
Tom Mouw
ncd @ ncdefca.org