CFL News ~ August, 2010

Get Encouraged in the Gospel Spurgeon, in one of his sermons, recounts sailing down the Thames river and occasionally seeing a green flag in tatters inscribed with the word “wreck,” floating in the breeze over a submerged mast or smokestack from a sunken ship.¹ The image reminds us of the glory of the gospel; that Jesus Christ came to rescue our sunken, wrecked, sin-dashed souls, and died so that we might be raised to eternal life. As “rescued wrecks,” the redeemed now sail joyfully looking for people in physical and spiritual peril. Have you rejoiced lately over the fact that Christ rescued you from being a lost, crusty mass dwelling in the murky depths of sin? Have you rejoiced that He has raised you up to new life? Are you in full sail? Hoist your colors – the flag “Rescued Wreck” over your life, and set sail today. There are many yet to be rescued, and through a ragamuffin collection of grateful recued wrecks, Christ will do it.

What’s NEW For August?

· Solutions & Resources tab on our website, including:

· Life-affirming Scriptures

· Ministry training & certification

· Practical helps & ideas for life-affirming ministry

· How to articles for Life Teams, leaders, etc.

· Statistics – to help you help others see the need and cast compelling vision for a Life Team

· Abortion (surgical)

· Abortion (chemical)

· Adoption, Orphans, and Foster Care

· Embryonic Stem Cell Research

· Euthanasia

· Infertility, Reproductive Technology (e.g. In-Vitro Fertilization)

· Pornography

· Sexually-Transmitted Diseases

· Statistics for Comparison Purposes

· Oak-Finish Baby Item Drop Box Now Available! This box enables your congregation to champion life by giving them an attractive, permanent point to give diapers and other baby items to moms and dads in crisis pregnancies, which in turn makes it easier for them to choose and nourish life.

Get Equipped

· CFL’s Life Team Leader Training – Live workshop on Sat., 8/7, 8:30am – 12:30pm at Twin Oaks Presbyterian. This is excellent and essential training for potential, new, or existing Life Team Leaders. Registration required.

· ThriVe client advocate training – to help women help women in crisis pregnancies at a local ThriVe/PRC clinic (9/10 & 11, registration required)

· ThriVe helpline training – to help women help women in crisis pregnancies over the phone (9/11 & 18, registration required)

· CFL Video Training – Click the picture above for details on our two new DVD training courses – one for Life Team Leaders, and one for all Life Team Members. These studio-filmed trainings are convenient, biblical, practical, and fun!

· Articles to help you meet the challenges of life-affirming ministry

· How to Choose Ministry Partners

· Ministry Partner Application

· Why and How to Enfold Agency Liaisons Into Your Life Team

· How to Discover God's Mission for Your Life Team

· How to Champion an Event in Your Church

· How to Truly Equip People - A Basic Equipping Model

· How to Lead a Life Team Meeting

· How to Manage That "Old School, Thorny 'Pro-Lifer'"

· How to Lead an Effective Biblical Devotional

· How to Lead Regular Meetings - Suggested Agenda

· How to Build Your Team - Practical Suggestions

· How to Lead Your First Formational Meeting - Suggested Agenda

Get Informed

· New statistics page - for high-impact vision-casting in the life-arena

· Cast Life Team vision with these great web resources: What is a Life Team?, What does a Life Team do?, How is a Life Team Built?, and watch CFL’s 3-Minute Vision Video

· Help Others Get Informed: Submit Your Life-Affirming Event - We’re always looking to let the St. Louis Region know about trustworthy, honorable life-affirming events. Click HERE to get a submission template and instructions.

Get Involved

· Take Strides to ThriVe – ThriVe/PRC’s annual walk and run for life is August 21. Now’s the time to plan your church’s involvement. Click HERE for a 1-page primer on how to champion such an event in your church.

· Join CFL’s Praise & Prayer Team – We cherish our praise and prayer partners! Send us an email at info@getintolife.org to receive a brief weekly praise and prayer report. Thanks!

· Contact Us – To discuss starting church on the journey of building a Life Team and growing as a gospel-driven champion of life – info@getintolife.org

· See Events on CFL’s Online Calendar! - A great way for Life Teams and individuals to see what’s going on in the life arena and tell others about it! If you see an event you want to champion in your church, be sure to first read this 1-page primer on how to champion an event in your church.

· Become a CFL LifeGiver - God’s doing so much through CFL! If you believe in what God’s doing with us, please become a LifeGiver (a monthly electronic financial partner). Your monthly giving multiplies your Kingdom impact through CFL because it reduces administrative costs, allows effective planning, and liberates time and talent to focus on our mission: to nourish churches as gospel-driven champions of life. All gifts are tax deductible. Many thanks to those who already are CFL LifeGivers!

· Share CFL News - Do you know people in the life arena who might benefit from CFL News? With their permission, send us their email at info@getintolife.org so they can receive the benefits of CFL News just like you. Thanks.

¹ Gems of Truth and Beauty, Rhodes & McClure Publishing Company, Chicago, IL., 1888, p. 177.

CFL News is the monthly e-letter for Churches for Life, whose mission is to nourish churches as gospel-driven champions of life, Rev. Douglas W. Merkey, President. If you no longer want to receive CFL News, just reply to this email and type “unsubscribe” in the subject area.