* Please bring your child’s favorite snack food to share *

Thursday, May 16^th: Shepard Park, 750 N Hershey Road, Normal.

Thursday, May 30th: Forrest Park, 1813 Springfield Road, Bloomington.

Thursday, June 13^th: Ewing Park 2, 1001 Ethell Parkway, Bloomington.

* Please bring bubbles and outdoor games to share *

Thursday, June 27^th: Karen’s house: Karen’s house backs up to Clearwater Park. Please meet at the park playground, and if you like, come by Karen’s house for homemade ice cream, and pool fun. Directions will be emailed a few days before the play date.

Thursday, July 11^th: Miller Park, 1020 South Morris Ave, Bloomington.

* Join friends at the Zoo at 9am, or come & meet at 10am at the playground *

Thursday, July 25^th: Underwood Park, 200 Jersey Ave (east of Linden), Normal.

Thursday, August 8^th: Jeannie’s house: Come to Jeannie’s house for water play, a trampoline, and fun on their swing set. Directions will be emailed a few days before the play date.

Thursday, August 22^nd: Last summer park date. Anderson Park, 503 E College Avenue, Normal. * Please bring your favorite snack/treat to share *

The Bible teaches us that baptism publicly demonstrates your identification with Christ . It symbolically points to the work of Christ – His death, burial and resurrection – and your participation in that work. It follows both the example and the command of Jesus.

At E-Free we believe baptism is a celebration of the grace of Christ in your life that has occurred through your salvation. It is an outward proclamation of an internal transformation.

Our next class will take place in August. Please join us if you are interested in learning more about this important step in your journey of faith and to participate in the May 19th Baptisms at E-Free.

Click here for a copy of the Baptism Request Form.

Join us on Saturday, May 4th as we bless the single moms in our community and their children with a morning of much needed rest, relaxation and refueling.

Biggest serving areas are Children’s Area, Abundant Blessings, Set-up on Friday Night, Breakfast Team, Hospitality Team, Spa Area Team and Car Care.  Volunteers are needed in all area’s so check out the entire list on the link below!

Click here to volunteer for Single Moms Morning out

Additional information ~

*Arrive at the church Saturday Morning by 7:45 for instructions, prayer, preparations, and encouragement in the Worship Center
*Parking will be available at the IHSA Parking Lot on Arcadia – directions will be available if needed
*Pick up a t-shirt and name tag in the Worship Center
*Fill out an Evaluation Sheet – available on Saturday

You are invited to join us for a morning of relaxation, refueling, and refreshment. As a single parent, you face many challenges. We want to bless you with much needed time for yourself and to let you know, you are not alone.

This year we will be pampering you on Saturday, May 4th from 9:00 ~ noon at Evangelical Free Church in Bloomington/Normal.

Doors open at 8:45. Early entrance will not be available.

Less than 10% of Christian households pray, read the Bible or practice any Christian activity at home (other than at mealtime).

This seminar will inspire, motivate and show parents how to establish the home as the primary place where faith is nurtured. Every family is unique and there are many ways to live out your faith at home. You’ll be shown options that you can choose from to make your faith a more active part of your family.

Come ready to gain lots of practical ideas you can begin implementing immediately!

Begins April 7th at 9:30am in room 207.

You’re invited to join us for Easter!

8:00 ~ Traditional
9:30 & 11:00 ~ Contemporary

Programs for nursery~teens during the 9:30 service
Programs for nursery~5th grade during the 11:00 service

Time: 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Location: Room 207

March 3rd ~ Getting Started:  Spiritual readiness; selecting a Bible and Bible study aids; overview of Bible study approaches
March 10th ~ Mining for Gold:  Inductive Bible study
March 17th ~ Principles of Interpretation
March 24th ~ From Interpretation to Transformation: Applying the Word for life change

Time: 9:30am to 10:30am
Location: Room 207
Teacher: Marian Deitz

Click Image below for Intro Video:

A Small Group is made up of 3-14 people who meet approximately 3-4 times a month. A typical small group gathering would include a time to share life experiences (Share Your Lives), a Bible-based discussion (Reflect on God’s Word) and Care for each other in prayer and action (Care).

Groups for Men, Women, Couples, Singles, Couples/Singles and Spanish Speaking are available.
Registration is January 6th, January 13th & January 20th.

You can register your interest in several ways:

• Sunday Registration Card: Check the Small Group box.
• Information Center: Available Sunday Mornings
• Website: Click here to Register

Ladies ~ click here for SOS (Study of Scripture) Small Group Bible Study information.

]]> http://www.efreebn.org/small-group-registration/feed/ 0 http://www.efreebn.org/proposed-bylaw-changes/ http://www.efreebn.org/proposed-bylaw-changes/#comments Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:16:46 +0000 KarenE http://www.efreebn.org/?p=5916 Proposed Bylaw Changes

From Article II, Church Government, Section 2, Pastors, Letters A and B

Comment:

This change will leave participation of the Associate Pastors on the Board of Elders to the discretion of the Senior Pastor.  Associate Pastors will always be welcome to attend, but it will be up to the Senior Pastor whether or not they are required to attend.  This language will allow Associate Pastors to use their time for ministry as needed.  It will also allow a smoother transition between those times when we have more Pastors than we have lay Elders.

Current language:

A.     Duties –  A Pastor shall watch over the spiritual welfare of the Church as the “under-shepherd of the flock,” preaching and teaching the Word of God, engaging in visitation, particularly among the sick and needy, administering the Ordinances, counseling from Scripture as needed as he leads the members in practical Christian living. “Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.” 2 Tim. 4:2.

A goal of the Pastors should be to keep leaders of the membership accountable in carrying out the great commission.  The Senior Pastor is to give reports at quarterly meetings of the congregation.

B.     Privileges–By virtue of his position, a Pastor shall be deemed a member of the Church and the Elder Board.  Pastors and their wives, if any, shall become members of this Church by virtue of acceptance of the call. The Senior Pastor shall be the head of the Church staff.

Proposed language:

A.     Duties –  A Pastor shall watch over the spiritual welfare of the Church as the “under-shepherd of the flock,” preaching and teaching the Word of God, engaging in visitation, particularly among the sick and needy, administering the Ordinances, counseling from Scripture as needed as he leads the members in practical Christian living. “Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.” 2 Tim. 4:2.  A goal of the Pastors should be to keep leaders of the membership accountable in carrying out the great commission.   The Senior Pastor is to give reports at congregational business meetings.

B.     Privileges– Pastors and their wives, if any, shall become members of this Church by virtue of acceptance of the call and may be appointed to the Elder Board by the Senior Pastor.  The Senior Pastor shall be the head of the Church staff.

From Article II, Church Government, Section 2, Pastors, Letter D, Number 4

Comment:

This section of the bylaws applies only to the call of new pastoral staff.  The change is intended to give leadership the ability to allow election by a method other than a congregational meeting if that’s more practical, such as either a voice vote or a ballot through the information desk as examples, both of which we’ve done in the past.

Current Language:

1. Voting by the Congregation shall be by secret ballot, and a three-fourths majority of the members present and voting shall be required for his election.

Proposed language:

1. A pastor shall be elected by a ¾ majority of the members voting for election.  The method of voting to be determined by the Elder Board.

Article II, Church Government, Section 3, Elected Elders

Comment:

The Evangelical Free Church of Bloomington/Normal has several new members who would make good leaders, but have to wait a year after becoming a member to serve in leadership.   This proposed change releases us from the requirement to wait that year before bringing an otherwise qualified person into service.  The membership feedback process and input remains the same, but also allows us to bring leadership onto the board when they are needed instead of waiting for the Annual meeting.

Current Language:

1.     Qualifications–Elders shall be men qualified by their faith, vision and depth of understanding the local Church’s needs and opportunities as described in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9. They shall have been members for at least one year. Except for the Pastors, Elder candidates shall be nominated according to the “Elder Qualification Process” developed by the Elders. (The current version of this process will be attached for easy reference, but it is not considered part of the Bylaws and is subject to revision by the Elders.)  They are elected by the congregation at the fourth quarterly meeting.

Proposed Language:

1.    Qualifications–Elders shall be men qualified by their faith, vision and depth of understanding the local Church’s needs and opportunities as described in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9.  They shall be members and have been regular attendees for at least one year.  Except for the Pastors, Elder candidates shall be nominated according to the “Elder Qualification Process” developed by the Elders. (The current version of this process will be attached for easy reference, but it is not considered part of the Bylaws and is subject to revision by the Elders.)  They are nominated by the Nominations Board, and elected by the Congregation at a time and by a method determined by the Elder Board with at least two weeks’ notice to the congregation.

Article II, Church Government, Section 5, Elder Board

Comment:

This proposed wording allows the Board of Elders to elect a Vice-chair in order to assure clear and timely shifts in leadership as they occur instead of waiting for the congregational meeting to affirm a new Vice Chairman.

Current Language:

The Elder board shall be the Pastors, Church Chairman, and Elected Elders.

Vice-Chairman

Qualifications–The Vice-Chairman shall be an Elder.

Duties–The Vice Chairman, appointed annually, shall assist the Chairman in all his duties and shall assume the full duties of the Chairman in the latter are absence. He shall be selected from the current Elders and affirmed in this role by the congregation at the annual meeting. It is the intent that the Vice-Chairman be a position of support and training for the Chairman, particularly during the Chairman’s last year in office.

Proposed Language:

The Elder board shall be Pastors as appointed by the Senior Pastor, elected Lay Elders, and a Church Chairman who is also an elected Lay Elder.

Church Vice-Chairman

Qualifications–The Vice-Chairman shall be an Elder.

Duties–The Vice Chairman, elected annually by the Board of Elders, shall assist the Chairman in all his duties and assume the full duties of the Chairman in his absence. He shall be a serving Elder when elected.   The Vice-Chairman is a position of training for the Chairman responsibilities, particularly during the Chairman’s last year in office.

Article II, Church Government, Section 7, Special Committees.

Comment:

The recommended changes allow for flexibility in nominating, electing, and appointing special and general committees.   The main shift is in the nominating committee:  It will no longer require a vote of the congregation to affirm the two at-large Nominating Committee members.  Note this recommendation also follows the Biblical model of existing leadership identifying.

Current Language:

Section 7 – Special Committees

All committees shall give a written report of their activities at the annual meeting

A.     Auditing Committee—The Auditing Committee of two members shall be appointed by the Elder Board and approved by the Church at its fourth quarterly congregational meeting. It shall examine the books, accounts and vouchers of all the offices having charge of any Church funds and shall submit a report at the annual meeting of the Church.

B.     Nominating Committee—The committee shall consist of four members who shall be selected as follows: Vice-Chairman, another member of the Elder Board, and two members elected from the congregation at the Third Quarterly congregational meeting. They will bring the name(s) of qualified men for each Elder position(s) needing to be filled to the Fourth Quarterly congregational meeting. The names of the Elder candidates shall be made available to the church membership for their consideration at least two weeks prior to the meeting.

C.     Other operations committees—Other committees shall be appointed or elected as needed by the congregation or the Elder Board to aid in discharging the responsibilities of each group. Any new continuing committee formed by the Elder Board shall be approved by the congregation.

Proposed Language:

Section 7 – Special Committees

All committees shall give a written report of their activities at the annual meeting

A.     Auditing Committee—The Auditing Committee shall be two members appointed by the Elder Board and approved by the Church.   It shall examine the books, accounts and vouchers of all the offices having charge of any Church funds and shall submit a report at the annual meeting of the Church.

B.     Nominating Committee—The committee shall consist of four members as follows:
Vice-Chairman
Additional member from the Elder Board
Two members selected from the Congregation by the Vice-Chairman.

As Elder positions need to be filled, the Nominating Committee will bring the name(s) of qualified men to the Congregation for approval.  Affirmation of the candidates will take place in a timeframe and voting method to be determined by the Elder Board.  The names of the Elder candidates shall be made available to the church membership at least two weeks prior to the voting.   Concerns about candidates should be reported to the Senior Pastor or Church Chairman at your earliest opportunity.

C.     Other operations committees—Other committees shall be appointed by the Elder Board to aid in discharging their responsibilities to the Church.  The congregation membership shall approve any new continuing committee formed by the Elder Board.

Article III, Meetings, Letters C and F

Comment:

Regular quarterly meetings are already held at the discretion of the Elder Board.    Recent meetings have not been extremely well attended, and the summer meeting has been routinely canceled for many years now.   This change frees up the ability to elect and place elders only at Fourth Quarterly meetings with terms that can only begin on January 1^st.   Under the new wording, if we needed to identify, elect and place an elder in August we could do so.    The quorum ratio remains unchanged, but the wording is altered to reflect that voting may or may not be taking place only in a quarterly meeting (e.g., an issue may be presented in the bulletin and you have may the opportunity to vote through the information desk over a course of three weeks).

Current Language:

Regular quarterly meetings of the Church shall be held in the first month of each quarter unless otherwise decided by the Elder Board. The Church Chairman and Elders will be elected at the Fourth Quarterly meeting and will begin their term on January first.

Quorum–twenty percent (20%) of the active membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Proposed language:

The Church Chairman and Elders will be elected to two-year terms as necessary and affirmed by congregational vote at a time and method determined by the Elder Board.

Quorum – twenty percent (20%) voter participation by active members on any issue shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.