EFCA Western District

DLD 2022: 07 The Church as a Gathering of Sent Ones (Drew Sodestrom)

CULTIVATING A LOCAL CULTURE OF MULTIPLICATION Drew serves Vintage Grace, El Dorado Hills, CA, and the Western District as Church Multiplication Director. He and his wife, Jen, have three children. In this elective we will develop a “Theology of Sending,” by unearthing the biblical depiction of the Trinitarian roots of sentness. “Everyday missionaries” in “everyday life.” We can cultivate a congregational momentum as disciples, making disciples, who can point to disciples. Engage with others in the brainstorming, best practices, and creative expressions being true multipliers of gospel life.

DLD 2022: 06 Discipling Youth in the Age of Covid (Jeff Bruce)

DISCOVERIES AND IMPLICATIONS Jeff serves Creekside Community Church, San Leandro, CA. He and his wife, Kashelle, have a daughter and two sons. 12 years ago, Colin Marshall and Tony Payne said: “Imagine that [a] pandemic swept through your part of the world, and that all public assemblies of more than three people were banned by the government for reasons of public health and safety. And let’s say that due to some catastrophic combination of local circumstances, this ban had to remain in place for 18 months. How would your congregation...continue to function – with no regular church gatherings of any kind...(except for groups of three)? If you were a pastor, what would you do?” They end with a provocative question; “...after 18 months, when the ban was lifted and you were able to recommence Sunday gatherings and all the rest of the meetings and activities of church life, what would you do differently? In this elective we’re going to answer that very question! What are we learning about unhindered disciplemaking during this pandemic?

DLD 2022: 05 Secular & Sacred Religiosity (Jeremy White)

A THEOLOGY OF GRACE IN AN AGE OF RELIGIOUS FERVOR Jeremy White serves Valley Church in Vacaville, CA. He and April have three sons, one of whom recently married! Jeremy believes that the transformational nature of the Gospel of grace is the only means by which to confront religiosity. In this elective session, we’ll examine the gospel’s truly transformational nature and how secular religiosity, and perhaps worse, sacred religiosity, has confused believer and unbeliever alike. We’ll enjoy a lively discussion on building a culture and theology of grace in an age of legalism and self-righteousness.

DLD 2022: 04 A Little Leaven (Steve Mapa)

IN DEFENSE OF THE STRATEGICALLY SIMPLE CHURCH Steve serves Mt. Rose Evangelical Free Church in Reno, NV. He and Jessica have a daughter and two sons. Jesus compared the glory of the Kingdom in the earthly realm to a mustard seed - the smallest of all the seeds; to leaven - a little of which is sufficient to effect change in the entire lump. The upside-down nature of God’s Kingdom reveals that the right batch of small things has global power. A small child born in a simple village can change the world. A small batch of friends telling the story of that small child can turn the world upside down. The way up is down; first is last, greatest is least; the most dignified are the most servile; the wisest appear most foolish; the strongest are the weakest. In this elective we will examine the ecclesiological implications of God’s design and intention for small things. Less is more! Is simplicity a path toward truer discipleship essentials?

DLD 2022: 03 Jackass Theology (Mark Beuving)

INTENTIONALLY GRACIOUS LIVING IN A POST-RESPECTFUL ERA Mark is serving Creekside Church, Rocklin, CA. He and his wife, Laura, have two daughters. Polarization...partisanship...uncharitable responses. The church both receives it, and have honed our skills at dishing it. We might call it “Jackass Theology.” Younger generations are especially aware of this unattractive persona that some “Christians,” and even whole churches have adopted. These disillusioned saints need to see Jesus' design for his church lived. In this elective session, we will explore what it looks like to renounce our own jackassery, choosing instead to live in the fullness of loving unity and gracious mission that Jesus promised as the distinguishing feature of those naming his name.