Evangelical Presbyterian Church

• Women In Ministry

• Z-4:10 Network Book Blog under way

• Order Assembly Workshop and Worship Recordings

• Book Review: Tim Keller, Reason for God

• The William Flannagan Seminary Scholarship

• Curriculum Decisions

• NewsBytes - Hope EPC, Grayslake, IL

Women In Ministry

The newest edition of the e-Well is available online.  Among the items you will read in this issue are:

• Updates on REAL Leadership Training
• Location and Registration Information for two Training Events
• News regarding the Faith Focus "Eagles' Wings" Project
• How to order the Bible study, "Embracing An Aching Heart"

To receive this e-newsletter directly, please click "Join Our Mailing" in the top left corner of this issue.

Z-4:10* Network Book Blog under way

Over fifty people are reading and some are contributing to an online discussion on the book Small, Strong Congregations by Kennon Callahan. Take a look at what people are saying. You're welcome to join the discussion any time. One source for the book (20% discount) is Lay Renewal Books. If you want to be added to the group e-mail list, contact Ed McCallum.

*Z-4:10 stands for Zechariah 4:10 - "For who has despised the day of small things." It is intended to be a means to affirm the small church in its missional thinking and practice.

Order Assembly Workshop and Worship Recordings

You may order CD's of the 28th Assembly workshop and worship services from the National Conference Recording Services web site.

Book Review: Tim Keller, Reason for God

by Jeff Jeremiah

I always benefit from reading Tim Keller, who is one of the outstanding missional thinkers of the 21st century. Reason for God - Belief in an Age of Skepticism can be described as his response to I Peter 3.15: "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."

I don't usually read introductions very closely, but I was glad that I took the time to read Keller's. In these fifteen pages he argues that the world is "polarizing" over religion. It is getting both more religious and less religious at the same time as the number of adherents of religious belief and religious skepticism are both growing. He believes that an honest exploration of doubt by both believer and skeptic can serve as a bridge and point of dialogue between these two camps. The ensuing pages show that Keller is sensitive to and conversant with the doubts of skeptics and believers as he evaluates objections to and reasons for Christianity.

The first half of the book reviews the seven biggest objections and doubts about Christianity, the chief of which is "There can't be just one true religion," followed closely by "How could a good God allow suffering?" The second half of Reason for God presents seven reasons underlying the Christian faith. I especially appreciated chapter 11, "Religion and the Gospel," in which Keller contrasts the "fundamental difference" between the gospel of grace and the Christian "religion" that is really no different from other religions by which you do things to earn salvation from God.

For its ability to help you think about and interact effectively with questions and objections to the Christian faith, I heartily recommend Reason for God. As a missional thinker with impeccable reformed credentials, Keller has put his thoughts into action. Having begun Redeemer with few dozen people in 1989, by 2007 the church was drawing over 5,000 attendees who meet in three Manhattan locations. The Redeemer Network he leads pursues church planting in America and in major cities worldwide.

The hardback edition of Reason for God lists for $24.95 ($16.47 on Amazon). If you do not have a book/study allowance, here's my offer: I will send you my copy of Keller if you're the first person to email me.

The William Flannagan Seminary Scholarship

The William Flannagan Seminary Scholarship was established by Dundalk Presbyterian Church in 2007 to honor Dr. Flannagan's legacy of ministerial preparation and encouragement. Ordained in 1962, Bill pastored six churches within his 45 years of ministry and was one of the founding ministers of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, serving as Moderator of the General Assembly in 1991. Bill's ministry has been marked by his commitment to the preaching and instruction of God's Word and shepherding the flock. He is known throughout the EPC for encouraging, instructing and counseling numerous young pastors as they entered into the ministry and as they matured through it.

The scholarship, administered by Dundalk Presbyterian Church, will be awarded annually to EPC candidates under care preparing for ministry in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church at an evangelical seminary with a reformed - covenantal understanding of Scripture and doctrine (in full agreement with the seven essentials of the EPC and with healthy respect for the Westminster Standards). The scholarship will be awarded with consideration of financial need and the expectation that the student will seek and serve in ministry within the EPC.

To apply for, or contribute to, The William Flannagan Seminary Scholarship, contact Dundalk Presbyterian Church by writing 1969 Merritt Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21222, calling 410-284-3250, or through email at .

Curriculum Decisions?

Faith Alive Resources is offering webinars this month on several of their curriculum offerings. Walk With Me and Kid Connection are endorsed resources of the EPC's Christian Education & Publications Committee. They will be of interest to churches looking for curriculum written from the Reformed perspective. Kid Connection is designed specifically for churches with smaller children's ministries programs. The Disciple curriculum may be of interest for adult education. Click here for additional information.

NewsBytes

Hope EPC recently moved to Grayslake, Illinois. The congregation rented facilities in an office building in Libertyville, IL (north of Chicago) for the last six years, after meeting in movie theaters during its first year. The Lord led and enabled the congregation to purchase a 10-acre parcel last November. Work began immediately to convert an existing octagonal building, of 7,000 square feet, to worship, classroom, and office space. On Palm Sunday this year a joyful congregation met in its beautiful new sanctuary for the first time, and held a dedication service on June 1. Outreach plans are underway to make the congregation visible and fruitful in its new community. Hope EPC is led by Senior Pastor Mark Jumper (Moderator of the Mid-America Presbytery), and Assistant Pastor Rick Gardiner, Ph.D.

One of Hope EPC's faithful members, Sophie Reed celebrated her 100th birthday this year. The church plans to add the steeple and cross in her honor (shown as planned in the picture).