Headlines

CLA to Host April 2010 Ministry Internet and Technology Summit

Christian Leadership Alliance (CLA) will host its first Ministry Internet and Technology Summit at the 2010 CLA National Conference in San Diego, April 19-21, 2010. Centered on the theme of improving communications, operations, and donor engagement, the summit will feature 12 sessions that will expand the reach of Christian nonprofits, increase their donor bases, and enhance how they do ministry in an increasingly online world. Topics to be covered include social networks and communities, new media, donor management, Internet marketing, mobile Web and applications, interactive media, and branding and infrastructure.

"We recognize that technology is changing the way nonprofit leaders work, live, and operate," said Frank Lofaro, CLA president and CEO. "As the recent technology/new media edition of Outcomes showed, CLA is dedicated to helping ministries adopt leading-edge strategies in the arena of technology and the Internet. This dynamic summit brings together some of the best and brightest innovators on the Internet and technology, and takes CLA's commitment to helping ministries excel in this arena to an even higher level." Learn more at ChristianLeadershipAlliance.org/conference/2010.

EI Steward Leadership Summit receives great reviews

The Engstrom Institute (EI) Steward Leadership Summit, offered by CLA, took place the week of Tuesday, September 22 through Friday, September 25 in Denver, Colorado. A record gathering of more than 100 ministry leaders from more than 30 states gathered to participate in the in-depth, four-day, biblically based stewardship and fundraising education program. EI faculty led students through 14 in-depth, 10-hour courses on topics such as major donor development, direct mail and online fundraising, estate and gift design, development and the CEO/board, thriving in the new world of donor engagement, raising money in difficult times, and more.

"The feedback we received from summit attendees was outstanding," said Scott Brown, CLA vice president. "The cutting-edge courses and biblically based stewardship theme woven through this program blessed these ministry leaders and provided innovative yet practical insights to maximize ministry development and fundraising." For more information on the summit, visit ChristianLeadershipAlliance.org.

Major changes to NIV, no more TNIV

For the first time in 25 years, the best-selling New International Version (NIV) Bible will undergo major revisions. Zondervan and Biblica announced in September their plans to release an updated version of the NIV in 2011, which will replace both the current NIV and 2002's controversial Today's New International Version (TNIV). The new translation will incorporate many of the changes introduced in the TNIV, which is best known for its use of gender-inclusive language.

"We want to reach English speakers across the globe with a Bible that is accurate, accessible, and speaks to its readers in a language they can understand," said Keith Danby, global president and CEO of Biblica. "This is why we are recommitting ourselves to the original NIV charter, complete with its charge to monitor and reflect developments in English usage and biblical scholarship by periodically updating the NIV Bible text."

International Aid closes

International Aid, a Christian organization known for helping those in developing countries hit hard by natural disasters, closed in July due to financial struggles. CEO Gordon D. Loux said the organization had operated on a $1.5 million deficit for each of its past three years. Since its founding in 1980, International Aid provided health-care services, technology, training, and supplies to the poor in developing countries, as well as aid for those affected by natural disasters.

Christianity Today introduces redesign

Christianity Today magazine debuted its redesign in the October 2009 issue. New features include the Village Green, which offers three viewpoints on contemporary issues from respected leaders, and Who's Next, which introduces readers to up-and-comers in the evangelical movement. CT editor in chief David Neff says, "Redesign a magazine and you could disorient some readers. But we hope that the redesignedChristianity Today will quickly give the reader a better sense of orientation. We believe the magazine is easier to use and more thoughtful than ever."

Copyright © 2009 Christian Leadership Alliance.