Salt and Light
How do people today come to believe in Christ? Authors Don Everts and Doug Schaupp listened to the stories of 2,000 postmodern people who have come to follow Jesus and they discovered it's not by a mechanical, linear formula of cookie-cutter conversion, nor by aimless spiritual wandering that never requires decision or commitment. But there are certain common themes that reveal a mysterious and organic process that goes through discernible phases. Everts and Schaupp published their findings in I Once Was Lost: What Postmodern Skeptics Taught Us About Their Path to Jesus. The book describes factors that influence how people shift in their perspectives and become open to the Gospel. In essence, people cross thresholds from
* distrust to trust
* apathetic to curious
* closed to open
* meandering to seeking
* lost to saved.
Read more at http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=3608 and download a free Bible study exploring thresholds of conversion; you also can purchase the book as a Kindle edition or paperback for $10. I Once Was Lost offers practical tools to help you in guiding others. Discover additional resources to assist you in being salt and light at http://evangelism.intervarsity.org/.
Member Benefits
* JCN on the iPad-Complementary access to new JCN issues on the iPad has expired. NCF members will receive notification of how to continue free issue downloads when you open the JCN iPad app. Download the JCN app from the Apple app store today.
* CE benefit for NCF Members. NCF members receive a 30% discount on all JCN CE (in print and online) and 25% discount on all CE online at NursingCenter's CE Connection (worth over $75 on 30 contact hours; hundreds of hours in multiple specialties available). Log in to the Members-Only area at http://www.ncf-jcn.org to learn how to obtain your member discounts.
* JCN problems?-NCF members who need help with their JCN print subscription or online account should contact LWW Member Services at (866) 489-0443 or mailto:[email protected] with your name and NCF membership number.
* Need membership number? Look at the bottom of Charting the Way, NCF Members-Only eNewsletter, or email mailto:[email protected].
On Campus
What does Nurses Christian Fellowship look like on campus? There are almost 100 NCF groups meeting on campuses all over the United States, and the number keeps growing! NCF chapters look different based on the school context and student population. What all chapters have in common is the mission of being a community discovering what it looks like to follow Jesus in nursing. NCF chapters invite all nursing students and faculty to engage with the Gospel no matter where they are in their journey with God. The chapter may be just a few students and have small and/or large-group gatherings. We encourage new chapters to work with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship if there is InterVarsity Christian Fellowship ministry on campus; if not, gather a core group of committed students, find a faculty advisor, and pursue becoming an official campus organization using materials from InterVarsity and NCF.
NCF chapters seek to be missional. This means the core members and leaders are students and faculty who are intentionally following Jesus. They are interested in being part of God's mission on campus. They want to see God transform their lives and the lives of others.
Do we need officers? You do not need officers, but it is helpful to have a leadership team. Often chapters have a president and vice-president (or co-leaders) who plan and lead meetings, Bible studies, and promote the group. It is very important that each person on the leadership team agrees with the purpose and doctrinal basis of NCF.
Do we need a faculty advisor? Faculty advisors guide and mentor student leaders, provide continuity when students graduate, and act as a liaison with the school of nursing and other faculty members.
Find numerous campus resources and existing chapters at http://ncf-jcn.org/students. If you want to start a chapter, contact mailto:[email protected]. Support NCF ministry through prayer and financial gifts. Give at https://donate.intervarsity.org/ to "NCF Student Ministry."
Intersections
Connecting Faith and Nursing
Are you seeking ways to connect your faith with your nursing practice? Could you use some encouragement as a Christian nurse? Don't miss the 4th Biennial Innovations in Faith-Based Nursing Conference to be held on June 16-19, 2014 on the campus of Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana. Sponsored by Indiana Wesleyan University School of Nursing, Eta Chi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International, Nurses Christian Fellowship USA, and Nurses Christian Fellowship International, the conference offers an exceptional time for Christian nurses to gather, explore integrating faith with practice, and share research and best practices in faith-based nursing.
Note that Innovations in Faith-Based Nursing 2014 will offer something for everyone-nurse educators, students, clinicians, advanced practice nurses, and researchers. Goals for the conference are to
* explore Christian foundations and worldviews in professional nursing
* identify innovative strategies for nursing education and practice
* embrace cultural attributes in the profession of nursing in local and global settings
* experience networking in a Christian community.
The cost is very reasonable: only $250 for registration and $250 room and board, which includes all meals and a private room with shared bathroom in modern dorms.
Are you interested in presenting at Innovations? Go to http://www.indwes.edu/Nursing-Innovations/ for a Call for Abstracts for presentations and posters (due November 1!). Abstract topics include Innovations in nursing education, Caring across cultures, and Christian foundations, worldview, and faith in practice. Check the Innovations Web site regularly for updates.
Visit NCF
Discover God @ Work, NCF Blog, Facebook, Resources, and more at http://www.ncf-jcn.org
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FREE Resources from Nurses Christian Fellowship at http://www.ncf-jcn.org
FREE Resources from Nurses Christian Fellowship at http://www.ncf-jcn.org
1. eNewsletters:Connections, a monthly update for anyone interested in NCF, events, and JCN (different from Charting the Way, the members-only eNewsletter). Campus Vitals and Vital Signs are eNewsletters for leaders of NCF groups on campus and in the community.
2. Bible Study Materials: Find a number of online studies, resources, and tips to help you dig deeper and apply God's Word to nursing.
3. Spiritual Care Cards: Printable pocket-sized cards with handy tips on appropriate spiritual care.
4. Starting NCF on Campus: Resources for starting and building an NCF chapter at your school of nursing.
5. Resources for Campus Outreach: Invite others into your NCF community with resources you can download, customize, and print.
6. NCF Mentor Guide: Ideas and tips for mentoring others.
7. Position Papers: NCF positions on nursing and on energy-based therapies.
8. Missions: Resources and opportunities for healthcare missions.