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Office closure announcement

The offices of Disciples Church Extension Fund (DCEF) and New Church Ministry will be closed on Thursday, August 6 and Friday, August 7 to provide a period of rest and reflection for our staff. We want to give our employees the opportunity to step away from their work and unplug or volunteer with a non-profit, justice/equality organization, or any program they are passionate about. DCEF recognizes that all of the unrest due to social and racial injustice, along with the uncertainty and fear surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and its resurgence, is taking a toll on everyone, particularly our colleagues of color.

We are grateful to the members of our team for their continued dedication to our ministry these past few months, and to our customers for honoring our time away from work.

In the case of an urgent need, please call (317) 319-9579.

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DCEF offers assistance in applying for CARES Act – Paycheck Protection Program loans

The U.S. federal government has allocated more than USD $350 billion to assist small businesses, including non-profits such as congregations and other denominational organizations, in keeping employees on the payroll and covering critical expenses through this trying financial time. The CARES Act created the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), providing loans through the Small Business Administration with provisions for loan forgiveness of up to 100%, depending upon how the loan funds are spent.

Disciples Church Extension Fund (DCEF) is collaborating with an organization we use for some of our employee benefits, Cost Stewardship, Inc., to provide assistance to Disciples congregations and organizations wanting to apply for these loans. Each Disciples congregation or organization is required to apply directly with a bank, preferably one that has their deposit accounts. The assistance will be very helpful in gathering all of the correct information and fully completing the application form. This service is provided at no cost to Disciples congregations, Regions, General Ministries and recognized ministries. DCEF does not benefit financially in any way from this service. 

If your congregation or Disciples organization needs assistance in applying for the PPP loan, here are the steps you need to take:

  1. Download the Data Collection Spreadsheet seen below and begin to compile your payroll data including benefits on the spreadsheet.
  2. Email the file to CaresAct@DisciplesCEF.org and include your name and phone number, your church’s name, city and state.
  3. You will be contacted by a member of the Cost Stewardship, Inc. team to walk you through the process and get your application completed. They will assist you with determining if your current bank is receiving these applications or if you need to take it somewhere else.

The application process is now open; however, many banks have delayed accepting applications pending time to prepare their systems. Because there is a limited supply of funds, if a congregation or ministry determines they want to apply, we encourage them to begin the application process on a timely basis. If you have any questions, please email DCEF at CaresAct@DisciplesCEF.org.  DCEF is here to assist you.

Information provided by DCEF regarding PPP is of a general nature and is not intended to be tax or legal advice or opinions related to specific matters, facts, situations, or issues. Additional facts or information or future developments may affect the subjects addressed in this communication, especially regarding PPP. Consult with your tax advisor or your legal advisor about your particular circumstances.

Links for Application Process

SBA Faith-Based FAQ

Data Collection Spreadsheet

Financial Data Required for PPP Loans

Informational Links

Information about PPP Loans from the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation

An excellent guide and checklist for PPP Loans from the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation

SBA Federal Relief Loan Comparison

Application (For information only; Application not needed if ministries are using our assistance)

Along with Hope Partnership Services, DCEF is a ministry partner of New Church Ministry.

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What does it mean to “love your neighbor” in the midst of a pandemic?

Faith leaders have their hands full trying to figure out new ways of being church together in this season of social distancing. Congregations may also be looking for safe, innovative ways to respond to unprecedented needs in the community.

Create and Continue Community Connection from your Couch

This episode of New Church Hacks offers suggestions for how places of worship can foster a feeling of community and care for their neighbors when they literally can’t be close to them. Many of these ideas for reaching out beyond the congregation may help the church care for its own members more effectively as well. The discussion will help participants:

  • Learn to build a response team, identify assets in their congregation, assess community resources and needs
  • Explore options for community ministry
  • Inform and organize their congregations for their community care ministry
  • Conduct worship online but also connect the dots in between worship services

Featured guests

Heidi Unruh (Coauthor of Churches That Make a Difference; Hope for Children in Poverty; and The Salt & Light Guidebook), Joy Skjegstad (Author of Seven Creative Models for Community Ministry, Starting a Nonprofit at Your Church, and Winning Grants to Strengthen Your Ministry) and Katy E. Valentine (Coach at katyvalentine.com and founder of Creative Christian Spirituality, LLC).

View Recording

In a New Church Hacks first, our guests, host, AND Associate Minister Jose got together and continued the conversation in an after-show.

View Recording

Hosted by Terrell L. McTyer, Minister of New Church Strategies, New Church Hacks provides practical (and sometimes peculiar) prompts for churches from start to restart. This webinar series is jam-packed with clever solutions to tricky problems and empowers courageous leaders with the tools, tips and how-tos to start, sustain and strengthen congregations. Stay social with us using #NewChurchHacks!

Every episode is archived and available for viewing on the Webinar page.

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Disciples Church Extension Fund Update

Greetings from Indianapolis! I am writing to provide you with an update on Disciples Church Extension Fund (DCEF) and its response to the COVID-19 emergency.

Two weeks ago all of our staff began working remotely from their homes. At that time, with the growing COVID-19 crisis and the safety and health of our staff in mind, our Executive Staff Team decided to continue working remotely through at least March 27, 2020. Since that time, we have taken a couple of actions to provide financial relief for congregations with loans and to extend our time working remotely.

To respond with immediate financial relief to congregations, DCEF is providing to Disciples congregations a two-month deferral of loan payments beginning with payments due April 1, 2020 through May 31, 2020. This plan is automatic and congregations that choose to continue making payments are asked to notify DCEF at 1-800-274-1883 or send an email to loans@disciplescef.org.

As the crisis continues to unfold and with the State of Indiana under a “Stay at Home” Executive Order, our staff will continue to work from their homes until May 4, 2020. This decision may be reevaluated and the date may change based on the status of the emergency and conditions in Indiana. I am extremely confident that DCEF, through our very competent and dedicated staff, will serve you and work with you to meet your needs.

The market volatility can be stressful for many, particularly for investors. DCEF continues to manage our investments with the full integrity of the policies that have carried us through the ebbs and flows of our country’s financial markets for many years.

What we want our DCEF community to know is that we are still here and fully operational, except for onsite consultations, as our staff is not traveling until further notice. If you have a question about your Loan (current, pending, or anticipated), Investments (current and new), Building related services (ongoing or anticipated), New Church Ministry programs, or financial contributions, please reach out to us without hesitation. Our staff is fully equipped and available to answer your questions or address your concerns.

This crisis has highlighted the valuable partnerships we have built over the years with our fellow Disciples, congregations, and ministries. We pray for and look forward to brighter days ahead springing up new ways we can support you in doing God’s work.

Erick D. Reisinger
President

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COVID-19 Disciples Church Extension Fund Update

Disciples Church Extension Fund (DCEF) tested our Business Continuity Plan last Thursday and Friday, March 12 and 13. During this time, our physical offices have been closed and all staff have worked remotely during our normal business hours. 

Last Friday afternoon, our executive leadership team decided to continue DCEF’s operations remotely through Friday, March 27, as to lower the likelihood of large scale service disruption should our office become exposed to COVID-19. We have made this decision hoping to reduce opportunities for Coronavirus exposure to our staff and partners.

We also make this decision in complete confidence that the proper procedures are in place so that all DCEF departments will remain operational and at your service. Loan advancements and investment transfers are being administered without disruption. Our treasury department continues to promptly process accounts receivables and donations as they come in. Our main switchboard and direct lines are open to receive calls remotely, and all staff is available via email. Please don’t hesitate to be in touch.

We will change one aspect of our day-to-day operations: travel. While we so greatly value our close relationships with our many partners, we have decided to issue a travel suspension for all DCEF staff and contractors until further notice. It is important that we mitigate any health risks to our staff and partners as we are able. If you have an upcoming DCEF consultation, seminar, or meeting already planned, we will be reaching out to you to reschedule (or go virtual!).

DCEF remains committed to providing you with superior customer service and genuine partnership. We are grateful for you and the ministry we make possible together, especially during these challenging times. 

In partnership,

Erick D. Reisinger
President, Disciples Church Extension Fund