It is hard to believe that I am writing a welcome column for January/February 2006. It seems like only yesterday that it was January 2005. This past year has certainly been a challenging and fulfilling year for CE&P. As the PCA grows we feel the need to keep up with the growth, and frankly, it is not always easy when the resources are not in place to be as effective as we might like. However, we know the PCA is God’s instrument and CE&P’s role in the overall mission is basic and foundational, at least as we read the Great Commission. Teaching, training, resources, equipping, and discipling are all words that can be used to communicate the mission of CE&P.

As you read through this issue of Equip for Ministry, you will see some of the things that we are doing to carry out our role and assignment in the church. For example, this month, January ‘06, is the time for our annual conference for children’s ministry workers. We are anticipating between 150 and 200 participants from across the church. This is part of our task to pass the faith on to the next generation. We have been most encouraged by the training, resources, and consulting opportunities that we have had in assisting churches with both their children and youth ministries.

Passing on the faith to the next generation does not begin and end with the children and youth ministries, as will be seen at the 2006 Women In the Church denomination-wide conference to be held in September in Atlanta. The theme will be “God’s Faithfulness, Generation to Generation.” The lead article is an interview regarding the conference with Jane Patete, our coordinator of WIC ministries. The interview will show WIC’s desire to disciple God’s covenant people. We are planning for over 3,000 women and teenagers at this conference. WIC and CE&P have sponsored a number of denomination-wide conferences in the past and this 2006 conference will focus on passing on the faith to the next generation; therefore, women ages 13 and up will attend together.

More information on this and other CE&P sponsored events can be found on CE&P’s website www.pcacep.org. You will find other conferences, such as the annual Children’s Ministry Conference and the WIC Leadership Conference mentioned in this issue. Paul Tripp, Allen Curry, Mark Lowery, Paul Miller, and Phil Ryken are some of the people that will be speaking at these events.

In our book reviews we have chosen some strategic books for leaders and teachers. To follow up previous reviews and articles, we have chosen to incorporate David Wells’ latest book Above All Earthly Pow’rs with our “In Case You’re Asked” section because of its theme. We have written on the postmodern influence on the emerging church movement and its implications. We have emphasized the importance of understanding our world and how to communicate more clearly the truth of the Kingdom; however, we have cautioned against using the world’s philosophies and ideologies to provide the venue, lest the message be selectively altered to change the “whole counsel of God.” Connected with this topic we selected Roger Olson’s book on evangelicalism. Things are going on within the context of evangelicalism that raises many questions, not only about where we are, but who and where evangelicals are and where the movement going.

Equip for Ministry, along with our CE&P website are our two main methods of communicating the training and resources available to presbyteries, churches, and individuals from CE&P. We always plan and think about leaders and teachers in the PCA as we put together each issue. We try to select the most important books and information for you to be aware of in your various roles.

Topics, events, books, and other resources are chosen because we believe them to be helpful for church leaders and teachers to know about, plus help us connect those within our local churches. CE&P’s motto is “discipling God’s covenant people” and our task is to assist leaders in making kingdom disciples. We trust that 2006 will enable us to do this more effectively. Our staff is available to assist you. Our bookstore is designed to give you helpful and efficient service. Our staff is available for training and consultation with women’s, children’s, and youth ministry. Our men’s ministry in partnership with Man in the Mirror continues to increase its e-mail list. If you are interested in this monthly e-mail letter, send us your e-mail address. Training leaders who train and lead others is our primary target.

We trust that you will find this issue helpful and informative, as well as a reminder of CE&P’s need for your prayers and support.

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