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The Externally
Focused Matrix |
NEW FREE DOWNLOAD!
During the 2008
Externally Focused
Seminar season, Dr. Eric
Swanson and Rick Rusaw
have traveled to four
cities talking to
churches about getting
started in Externally
Focused ministry. A
popular part of the
training includes the
use of several matrices
to show churches process
and growth on important
topics. Four of the most
popular matrices used in
their seminars are now
available on the
Externally Focused
Network Library.
Matrix One:
The Micah 6:8 Journey
Matrix Two:
What should we do? What
could we do?
Matrix Three:
The Externally Focused
Mobilization Funnel
Matrix Four:
Depth and Frequency of
Engagement
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Mercy & Justice
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 By
Rick Rusaw
Christ came into
the world to make us better-now
and in the future-but he also
gave us the power to make the
world a better place through our
ministry and service to others.
I'm sure you've heard of the old
Chinese proverb that says, "If
you give a man a fish you will
feed him for a day. If you teach
a man to fish, you will feed him
for a lifetime." Offering mercy
is a good thing. But sometimes
we are simply satisfied with
only handing out fish when we
should be looking at why people
are hungry in the first place.
Teaching a man (or woman) to
fish is to move toward justice.
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Hope for Children in Poverty |
 According
to the 2007 U.S. Census, 12.8
million children in our nation,
or 18%, live in poverty (about
$21,200 for a family of four).
The poverty rate is highest for
children under six, at 20.8%.
About one in nine children are
without health care. Poverty can
cripple children physically,
emotionally, intellectually, and
spiritually. The book Hope for
Children in Poverty, edited by
Ronald J. Sider and Heidi Unruh
(Judson
Press, 2007), helps
Christians understand the issues
surrounding child poverty in the
U.S.. with a blend of research,
theological reflection, and
stories of effective ministries.
Appendices provide tools to help
individuals and churches take
steps toward a practical
response to child poverty.
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 Save
the Date! The 2009
National Externally Focused
Church Conference is May 18 and
19, 2009 in beautiful Longmont,
Colorado. Registration will
begin in January.
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Training & Events
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Growing Effective Compassion
Ministry in Your Church
from Compassion By Design Nov. 1 at
New Jersey Community Resource
Center, Burlington, NJ
Nov. 14, at Symphonic Church,
Norfolk, VA
featuring Dr. Eric Swanson as
consultant-in-residence
Nov. 20, North Trenholm Baptist
Church, Columbia, SC
facilitated by Tricia
Richardson & Krista Petty
of Backyard Impact
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