From the President
That's What Families Do
President Bill Hamel
Without a doubt, my wife, Karen, and I treasure our lifelong relationships from the churches where we have worshiped and served. We have been loved, taught, challenged and forgiven by many, many Christians who—in so doing—were truly acting like family.
Yet still, it’s a challenge for the local church to be a family in more than name only. I clearly remember one time when my brothers and sisters came through for me in a way I never would have asked for.
Our car was old and we needed a new one, but on my salary as a young pastor of a small church, we could not afford even a second-hand car. Karen began to pray daily about it. One day I received a phone call from a leader in the church. He said to stop by his office and pick up my new car! It was brand-new, and we owned it for more than 20 years. The Lord provided for a real need through the generosity of His people.
I can’t tell you what joy it gives me to hear stories of individual churches that are similarly being family for each other—sacrificing and meeting needs without even being asked, but always knowing they can ask, because that’s what families do. As I step back and look at the entire EFCA movement, I see how strong local church families feed into strong district families, and then into a stronger overall EFCA body of believers.
In this new digital edition of EFCA Today, explore the topic of “Family Ties” with other EFCA leaders. Tell us where you, too, struggle in this fast-paced society to take time for brothers and sisters in Christ. And definitely let us know how your church has been family for you.
Letter From the President
Without a doubt, my wife, Karen, and I treasure our lifelong relationships from the churches where we have worshiped and served. We have been loved, taught, challenged and forgiven by many, many Christians who—in so doing—were truly acting like family.
Yet still, it’s a challenge for the local church to be a family in more than name only. I clearly remember one time when my brothers and sisters came through for me in a way I never would have asked for.
Our car was old and we needed a new one, but on my salary as a young pastor of a small church, we could not afford even a second-hand car. Karen began to pray daily about it. One day I received a phone call from a leader in the church. He said to stop by his office and pick up my new car! It was brand-new, and we owned it for more than 20 years. The Lord provided for a real need through the generosity of His people.
I can’t tell you what joy it gives me to hear stories of individual churches that are similarly being family for each other—sacrificing and meeting needs without even being asked, but always knowing they can ask, because that’s what families do. As I step back and look at the entire EFCA movement, I see how strong local church families feed into strong district families, and then into a stronger overall EFCA body of believers.
In this new digital edition of EFCA Today, explore the topic of “Family Ties” with other EFCA leaders. Tell us where you, too, struggle in this fast-paced society to take time for brothers and sisters in Christ. And definitely let us know how your church has been family for you.