The EFCA Leader's Network
The Ministerial Association of the Evangelical Free Church of America
Chinese Credentialing
When God called us, Chi Eng and Kar-Shan, to serve Him as the itinerant pastors of the Association of North American Chinese Evangelical Free Churches between 2013 and 2018, we have found that the pastors, the lay leaders, the congregation of most Chinese Evangelical Free Churches did not know well the statement of faith of EFCA and its ethos. The need to understand the statement of faith in Chinese has been crucial.
The first project was to ask permission and to find qualified people to translate Evangelical Convictions and Gospel Truth by Greg Strand, the Director of Biblical Theology and Credentialing for the EFCA, which started in 2016. Furthermore, when a wave of new pastors took the role of shepherding the flocks, we were asked by new pastors and lay leaders of Chinese EF churches about the process of being credentialed from getting a ministry license to a certificate of ordination in the Evangelical Free Churches of America. Since all documents are in English, the need to translate those documents into Chinese has been raised.
Since our retirement in 2020, God gave us a new vision to encourage pastors and to walk with them along the ministry journey, and we could “change the tires” to serve Him as volunteers. God answered our prayers in His Way and in His Timing. ANACEFC board appointed us on Jan 19, 2020, as the Liaison officers of ANACEFC with the Evangelical Free Church of America. The Evangelical Free Churches of America Network (Ministerial Association of EFCA) also invited Chi Eng to be its board member and appointed him officially on Feb 6, 2020.
Read the full article and Chinese EFC newsletter here.
The New Guy
by Kerry Doyal, District Superintendent Allegheny District
Thank God for the Last Guy
Great Guy
Gifted Guy
Godly Guy
I ain’t the Last Guy
That is hard for many
– disappointing, discouraging, disorienting
– I don’t. I can’t. I haven’t. I won’t.
God bless them. Sincerely.
Hard times for many
Adjustments, disappointments
Only so much I can do, be for them
Change is hard, hurtful
I ain’t the last guy
I am the next guy
– the new guy
– the now guy
I will not try to imitate
Will not seek to emasculate
Will not not be who God made me
Will not avoid my gifts, strengthens,
– even when different
– even when inferior
– even when surpassing
It’s His place, His work, His church
He has brought me here
They called me here
– some with deep regret now
– others with ambivalence
– others with delight
I am not vilified by this
I am not vindicated by this
I am neither victim nor victor
I am the New Guy
I am to serve according to His gifts, calling
Thank you, God for the Last Guy
Thank you, God, for letting me be the Next Guy
The Road to Recovery
The Long Road from Ministry Injury to Recovery
How God uses others to lead us to spiritual healing (from the EFCA blog)
As I left the church building, I was physically, emotionally and spiritually exhausted. I resigned my position as senior pastor and didn’t know if I’d ever serve as a pastor again. Though all parties involved carried out my departure honorably—and I was departing of my own accord—I had a bitter taste in my mouth and a cynical attitude in my heart.
For three years, I had found myself in the center of a church conflict that was both painful and damaging. It was personal at times, and my family and I were injured. I witnessed people whom I loved and served turn against me, unfairly accuse me and question my integrity. It was a small and murmuring constituency, but over time, their behavior—unchecked by the elders—escalated, increasing my stress and moving me toward burnout.As pastors, we know that, sometimes, pain will be directed at us and result in pain for us.TWEET
In his book, Clergy Self-Care, Roy M. Oswald distinguishes between these two forces—stress and burnout. Stress results in loss of perception, loss of options, fatigue, depression and illness. Burnout follows stress and results in exhaustion, cynicism, disillusionment and self-deprecation.
Amid that stress and burnout, I had a sense of God’s presence and peace, but the exhaustion, cynicism and self-deprecation remained. The church graciously provided me a season of salary and benefits, for which my family and I will always be grateful, but financial stability couldn’t resolve those lingering effects. I needed to face the injury and find healing.
During the year that followed, I stepped away from pastoral ministry. In this time, God gradually brought me to a place of forgiveness and hope that allowed me to return to serving as a pastor once again.
Click here to continue reading about the Recovery Shepherds the Lord brought to James.
Counseling Cohort
Four EFCA Pastors in central Florida have been meeting via zoom for several months, guided by a counselor with The Rest Initiative. Check out this 3 minute testimonial and consider contacting your District leadership to set up a similar cohort in your area!
Burnout
Rev. Dr. Chi Eng Yuan
In the last forty years burnout among pastors has become epidemic. And research reveals a cause-and-effect relationship between burnout and leaving the ministry. Gary McIntosh, in It Only Hurts on Monday, cites the results of a survey of pastors who had recently left the ministry and concluded that 40% experienced a form of burnout.
“Emotional exhaustion was recognized as fatigue caused by extensive interaction with others, depersonalization was characterized by development of an uncaring and cynical attitude toward others, and lack of personal accomplishment was indicated by deterioration of self-confidence and decreased personal satisfaction with one’s achievement.”
Maslach Burnout Inventory Manual, Christina Maslach
As a Chinese pastor of Hong Kong Evangelical Free Churches, I am especially interested in the causes of burnout among pastors. (Survey results from 2006-2007 North Am. Chinese EFCs):
- 40% – unrealistic expectations for pastoral performance
- 21% – congregational politics
- 17% – spiritual dryness
- 17% – lack of friendship
- 17% – being unfit / staying too long
- 11% – incompatibility
“I just can’t hold it together anymore. I’m disappointed with a lot of things that happened in the church.”
Chinese EFC Pastor, 2006 survey
Burnout can produce a profound and lasting depression.
“Under continued pressure the protective and regulatory mechanisms become disturbed and the emergency system of the body uses up its reserves. Consequently, the person becomes less flexible, more guarded and sensitive, and depression ensues. In such cases the depression is both a protective mechanism and a reaction to the increased possibility of loss that comes from a diminished physical capacity for coping with life and work.”
Coping with Depression in Ministry and Other Helping Professions, Archibald D. Hart
For the complete paper, including Biblical examples of depression and six factors contributing to burnout click here.
Help Promote the Network
| We hope you enjoyed the virtual Theology Conference in February and continue to find refreshment in the Psalms! If you missed it, links to two inspiring sessions and all the rest are here. Several dozen EFCA leaders joined the zoom for our annual Network business meeting. You can look over the highlights or watch the whole meeting. This video includes testimonies from our eight board members (and a few others) on the importance of relational connectivity in the EFCA. Be encouraged by stories of mentors and peers who have shaped our lives and ministries. Who has invested well in you? How have you benefited from relationships with other EFCA leaders? That is what the Network is all about—encouraging relational connections among all of our leaders. Here is our challenge for Spring 2021: grab one or two EFCA friends and record a video (no more than 3 minutes) sharing how you have encouraged, supported and challenged one another. Upload your video to your online storage site (Google drive, Dropbox, OneDrive) and send the link to efcanetwork@gmail.com. Every EFCA leader who participates in this contest will receive a $10 gift card to Chick-fil-A, Panera or Starbucks. Please indicate your gift card preference and include your names and mailing addresses with your video submission. The Network Board will choose the top three videos and award $50 restaurant gift cards. Videos must be received by June 30! “And it is our prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11 Gratefully yours in Christ, the Network Board |
Mandarin s.O.F.
The EFCA statement of faith is now available in Mandarin!
Click here to download the document.
Many thanks to Network board member Chi Eng Yuan for his translation services!
The Psalms
The Psalms have served as the prayer and worship book for God’s people for thousands of years. Our 2021 Theology Conference walked through the Psalms, opening them up for us from many wonderful angles.
How is the Psalter arranged? Why is David’s writing so highlighted in the first two sections? What do the superscriptions tell us?
This session from Dr. James Hamilton (Southern Seminary) provides an inspiring and insightful overview of the structure and message of the whole book of Psalms. What you’ll hear is how beautifully and masterfully even the arrangement of this book is – as inspired by the Holy Spirit. Click the link above for the podcast. Or watch the video here:
Another excellent session on the Psalms relates to the topic of lament. Click here for the audio podcast. Or watch this session here:
Lots more on the Psalms is available at the EFCA podcast here. Or videos of the sessions are here.
The Psalms are a wonderful gift from the Lord to guide us as we prayerfully seek Him. Use them often and use them well! Don’t just read the Psalms, pray them back, line by line, to the Lord!
2021 Annual Meeting
The Network Board provided an overview of our vision to connect EFCA leaders for the sake of character, clarity and commitment to our shared mission. Each of the eight board members shared what relationships in our movement have meant to us, then we opened it up for others on the Zoom to share their experience of the value of connectivity.
Credentialed leaders present unanimously approved Paulo Friere to begin a second term on the board. All other board members are continuing in their service. Leaders also approved the 2021 budget above.
“We are the Network” videos may be submitted to Darin Anderson (goteamanderson@gmail.com). All who submit will get a $10 gift card of their choice (Chick-fil-A, Starbucks or Panera). The Network Board will award the top video a $100 Visa Card prize. Videos must be submitted by Easter Sunday! Grab one or two EFCA leaders and share how you encourage one another. Focus on how your connections with one another foster character, clarity and/or commitment. Conclude your video by saying, “We are the Network!”
2020 Heroes
This is a list of credentialed EFCA leaders who have 1) gone home to the Lord, 2) reached lifetime status (age 65), or 3) been granted a new credential. Congratulations to all!
Those who Graduated to Glory
| Pak Fai Chan | Laguna Woods, CA |
| Eldon Elsberry | Central City, NE |
| Robert Falk | Sun City West, AZ |
| John Hierholzer | Fredericksburg, TX |
| Neil Jentink | Colorado Springs, CO |
| Wesley Johnson | Motley, MN |
| Duane Kraklow | Rock Island, IL |
| Howard Lanphear | Madison, WI |
| Charles Lovely | Lexington, KY |
| Eugene Ongna | Escondido, CA |
Leaders who reached Lifetime Status
| Randall Ahlberg | Ham Lake, MN |
| Paul Baum | Platteville, WI |
| William Beckner | Perpignan, |
| Patrick Bonnie | Pinckney, MI |
| Frank Boyer | Mount Pleasant, SC |
| Robert Bressert | Davenport, IA |
| Timothy Buck | Dover, NH |
| Robert Burris | Orange, CA |
| Bruce Camp | Dana Point, CA |
| Kenneth Carlson | Sanborn, IA |
| Dale Clifton | Milaca, MN |
| Christopher Crye | La Crosse, WI |
| Terry DeZonia | Little Rock, AR |
| Duane Dietze | Sumida Ku, Tokyo, |
| Robert Dillon | Wheaton, IL |
| James Dorsey | Land O Lakes, FL |
| Gordon Douglas | Albuquerque, NM |
| Michael Downey | Charles City, IA |
| John Edgecomb | Southworth, WA |
| Steven Eisinger | Indianapolis, IN |
| Patrick Foutz | Seattle, WA |
| Richard Grady | Colorado Springs, CO |
| Daryl Griffin | Fergus Falls, MN |
| Mark Halstrom | Tacoma, WA |
| Robert Harrell | Austin, TX |
| Michael Hermanson | Denison, TX |
| Kurt Hettinga | Clintonville, WI |
| Paul Hofrichter | Central City, NE |
| Richard Hubert | Paynesville, MN |
| Timothy Johnson | Eden Prairie, MN |
| Peter Johnson | Hershey, PA |
| Randal Kay | Lawrence, KS |
| Douglas Kehr | Milliken, CO |
| Donald LeClere | Marshall, MN |
| Jess Mahon | Estes Park, CO |
| Alejandro Mandes | Helotes, TX |
| Martin Martin | Butte, MT |
| Gary Mayes | Gilbert, AZ |
| William McClure | Valparaiso, IN |
| Kenneth Moberg | Wausau, WI |
| Robert Moeller | North Barrington, IL |
| Harold Netland | Vernon Hills, IL |
| Preston Parrish | Charlotte, NC |
| Douglas Peck | Crestwood, KY |
| Rick Pierson | Naperville, IL |
| Mark Pietscher | Rockford, MI |
| Brian Rathbun | Fairport, NY |
| Daniel Reeve | Newark, NJ |
| Daniel Reimer | Murray, KY |
| Steve Scott | Midland, MI |
| James Seal | Wayne, NE |
| Osvaldo Silveira D’Avila | Round Lake, IL |
| Robert Slack | Dublin, CA |
| David Smith | San Antonio, TX |
| Richard Stanghelle | Lindstrom, MN |
| Gilbert Stieglitz | Roseville, CA |
| Mark Swirsky | Roseville, CA |
| James Thulson | Canon City, CO |
| Robin Tyner | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| Kenneth Warwick | Faribault, MN |
| Douglas White | Toccoa, GA |
| Ted White | Strafford, NH |
| Randall Widbin | Sioux Center, IA |
| David Wiersbe | Caledonia, MN |
| Chi Eng Yuan | Highlands Ranch, CO |
Leaders who received a new 5 year renewable credential
| Josiah Barrett |
| Benjamin Barthelemy |
| Austin Branson |
| Steven Brant |
| Jill Bruno |
| Brian Chan |
| Jeramy Chapman |
| Gabriel deGarmeaux |
| Austin Delgado |
| Matthew Demoret |
| Casey Dwyer |
| Charles Ellenburg |
| Rodney Elliott |
| Mathew Encinosa |
| Hector Franco |
| Shane Freese |
| Gabriel Godina |
| M. Ryan Harding |
| Christopher Helding |
| Erick Hermanson |
| Donn Hill |
| Jordan Hinrichsen |
| Nathan Hobert |
| Benjamin Honeyford |
| Eric Jones |
| Paul Karus |
| Nathan Kelp |
| Mark Kernan |
| Kenneth Krestan |
| Raymond Kuntz |
| John Kupitz |
| John Lasken |
| Gregg Laskow |
| Daniel Longmore |
| Darin Lund |
| Shelby Maddox |
| Kevin Mason |
| Lucas McGarity |
| Timothy Monahan |
| Nathan Musgrave |
| Rachel Nelson |
| Tony Nord |
| Brandon Nygaard |
| Glenn Olson |
| James Parker |
| David Qaoud |
| Cleveland Ragsdale, II |
| Patrick Ray |
| Caleb Redfield |
| William Richardson |
| G. Scott Richerson |
| Laura Rife |
| Matthew Sowada |
| Scott Stober |
| Brandon Thiel |
| Jeffrey Travis |
| José Urias |
| Ross Wahlert |
| Leigh Warmbrand |
| William Watson |
| Lydia Wildes |
| Dominick Wong |
| L. Charles Wright |
Leaders who received ordination
| Timothy Cho |
| Shawn Clarke |
| Francisco Cotto |
| Michael Deckman |
| Sean Fitzgerald |
| Eric Fornelli |
| Howard Grobstein |
| Andrew Gutberlet |
| Matthew Jenkins |
| Darin Kirkman |
| Paul Klassen |
| Jordan Monson |
| David Park |
| Ryan Pott |
| Benjamin Sincock |
| Benjamin Vrbicek |
| Bradley Wos |
Leaders granted transfer of Ordination
| Dennis Colton |
| J. Aaron Martin |
| Jonathan Payne |
| Joseph Stecz |
Leader who received expedited Ministry License
Ryan Low
The EFCA Leader's Network 