EFCA East

01/29/2026

Men don’t need more noise.
They need sharpening.

Sharpen is a one-day men’s conference built around real food, real fellowship, and real formation.

This isn’t about hype.
It’s about calling men to follow Jesus with clarity, conviction, and community.

Whether you’re new to faith or you’ve followed Christ for years but feel worn down—there’s a seat at the table.

📅 Saturday, February 21, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Sparta Church | Sparta, NJ
💲 $25 (scholarships available)

Sharpen your men.
Sharpen your church.
Sharpen your future.

See comments to register.

10/23/2025

“In every generation, there are voices that rise up…”

The Word of God has taken shots, been mocked, twisted, and watered down — but it still stands.

This is our call. Our conviction. Our joy.

Upholding Inerrancy.

🎥 Watch the full conference opener from the EFCA East One Voice Conference 2025 below.

03/17/2025

LEADERS, HOW’S YOUR MENTAL HEALTH?

Ministry is rewarding, but let’s be honest—it’s also exhausting. Late-night sermon prep, hospital visits, counseling sessions, and the weight of leading a church can take a toll. Your mental health matters—not just for you but for your church.

Here are 5 simple ways to prioritize your well-being:

📖 MEDITATION: Fill your mind with truth. Meditate on Scripture like Joshua 1:8 & Philippians 4:8. Hide His Word in your heart.

🥗 DIET & MOVEMENT: What you eat affects how you feel. A simple 20-30 min walk + a healthy diet = better physical & mental health.

😴 SLEEP: 7-8 hours isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. God calls us to rest (Psalm 3:5, 4:8). Trust Him & prioritize sleep.

🤝 COMMUNITY: Ministry can be lonely. Connect with others who understand. Find a cohort or a small group for support.

These aren’t groundbreaking, but they are life-changing. Prioritize your health. A healthier pastor leads to a healthier church.

These aren’t groundbreaking—but they are life-changing. Prioritize your health. A healthier pastor leads to a healthier church.

Read More: https://efcaeast.com/5-essential-practices-for-mental-well-being/

Which of these do you need to focus on most this week? ⬇️

This post explores five essential actions—meditation, diet and exercise, sleep, community, and gratitude—that can help pastors stay healthy and re

03/06/2025

NEW EPISODE!

What do doctrinal purity, cancel culture, and theological anthropology have in common? They’re all on the table in our latest Church Chat episode with Greg Strand—aka The Theology Yoda! 🧙‍♂️📖

We’re diving deep into:
✅ The significance of silence in theology
✅ Guardrails that keep us from drifting
✅ Re-framing deconstruction in the Church
✅ The next generation of theologians
…and so much more!

This convo is packed with wisdom, nuance, and straight-up theological gold. Don’t miss it!

🎧 Listen now: https://pod.co/church-chat/a-chat-with-the-theological-yoda-greg-strand

02/26/2025

👥 Mentorship Matters

A simple invitation changed the course of Russ Allen's life. What started as a lifting session with his physical therapist turned into a long-term friendship that shaped him into the man he is today.

Many young adults are searching for guidance, but rare is the person willing to take the initiative. That’s where the church can step in.

How can we create a culture of mentorship in our churches? In his latest blog, Russ shares four key lessons learned from building a mentorship ministry—practical ways to help mentorship happen on purpose, not just by accident.

📖 Read more below!

02/20/2025

💰 Is Your Church Budget Aligned with Your Vision? 💰

Jesus’ parable in Luke 14 reminds us: before building, count the cost. The same wisdom applies to church finances! A budget isn’t just numbers—it’s a tool to support your ministry’s vision.

🔹 Does your budget reflect your church’s mission, or just maintain the status quo?
🔹 Are you strategically cutting costs without sacrificing ministry impact?
🔹 Is your salary structure helping you attract and retain great staff?

A well-planned budget fuels sustainable, effective ministry. Let’s talk about how to get there.

Create a church budget that reflects your vision and fuels ministry growth. This guide explores strategic planning, cost-cutting tips, program alignme

02/19/2025

https://efcaeast.com/strengthening-ministry-through-evaluation/
You don’t drive without a license. Doctors, lawyers, and real estate agents all need credentials. But what about pastors and ministry leaders?

In our latest blog, we explore why Credentialing in the EFCA isn’t just another hoop to jump through—it’s a valuable process that:

✅ Affirms God’s call on your life
✅ Ensures sound doctrine & accountability
✅ Equips you for long-term, faithful ministry

If you’re in ministry, or if your church leaders aren’t credentialed yet, this is a conversation worth having.

📖 Read more: https://efcaeast.com/strengthening-ministry-through-evaluation/

02/17/2025

Want to Lead Better? Try Slowing Down.

It sounds counterintuitive, right? But just like traffic flows more smoothly when drivers slow down, leadership works the same way.

We often think the best way to get results is to move fast. Make quick decisions. Push things forward. But real, lasting impact comes when we lead with intentionality—with integrity, excellence, and sustainability.

This isn’t just about productivity. It’s about leading from the right foundation—where every decision aligns with the bigger picture.

Curious? Read more in our latest blog post.

In 2022, a Wall Street Journal article explored the LED Variable Speed signs appearing on highways nationwide. The article highlighted the complex mat

02/13/2025

To all our pastor's wives: You carry unique joys and challenges that not everyone understands. That’s why we’ve created a cohort just for you—a place to connect with other women in similar roles, be encouraged, and be prayed for by those who truly get it.

This Galentine’s Day, we’re celebrating YOU and the power of community. You don’t have to walk this road alone—come find your people.

Interested? Drop a 💬 or DM us for details!

02/12/2025

Called to Ministry in the EFCA? Start Here.

Whether you're considering EFCA credentialing or simply want to deepen your understanding of our movement, the EFCA History, Theology, and Polity course is the foundation.

This two-day course—offered both in-person and online—is designed to equip you with a clear grasp of our history, distinctives, and mission.

Why take it?

- Gain a deeper understanding of the EFCA’s theology and structure
- Engage with others in a class setting instead of independent study
- Complete a key requirement for EFCA credentialing

If God is leading you to serve in the EFCA, this course is a must. Join us and take your next step.

📅 March 18 -19, 2025
📍 Bloomington, MN or ONLINE
🔗 https://events.efca.org/history-theology-and-polity-course

02/11/2025

Why are feelings so hard to navigate? And how does faith help us embrace all of it?

On this episode of Church Chat, we sit down with Joshua Ott to talk about his new book, Embracing All Of It: How Our Faith Makes Us Feel Better. We dive into:

💭 Why he chose to write this book in the first place
🎁 The power of giving the gift of seconds
💪 Flexing your feelings muscles
🔄 Breaking the mental & physical cycle of doing
👣 The importance of baby steps in emotional health
🤯 The paradox of feelings & faith

If you’ve ever wrestled with how emotions fit into your faith journey, this convo is for you! 🎧

📲 Listen now: https://pod.co/church-chat/how-faith-makes-us-feel-better-with-josh-ott or search Church Chat wherever you listen to podcasts

Welcome to season 2 of Church Chat, the show that has the conversations about ministry you wish you were having. Today we're talking about Josh's new book - Embracing All Of It: How Our Faith Makes Us Feel Better. We chat about why Josh chose to write a book in the first place, giving the gift of se...

02/07/2025

C.S. Lewis warned of two dangers when it comes to the enemy—either ignoring him completely or becoming obsessed. But as followers of Jesus, we know the battle is real, and the enemy is at work.

At EFCA East Theology Refresher, Greg Strand will help us think clearly about spiritual warfare and equip us with the resources God has given us to stand firm.

Who is Satan, and how does he actually work?
What are "principalities and powers"?
Where is the enemy deceiving us today?

The fight is real. But so is our hope.

Join us March 13-14, 2025 at Lancaster EFC for two days of sound teaching, honest conversation, and encouragement from leaders who understand the weight of ministry.

Mark your calendar and register today. https://efcaeast.com/events/