Rescue from Abbreviation Hell #3

If you’re hopelessly stumped like I am by abbreviations used in blog posts, websites, and forums, the cavalry has arrived. I’ve compiled another list (the first two being located here and here) of the more common, and some of the more arcane, churchly abbreviations. If you’re up for it, take the test and see how you fare. If not, click on "Read More..." for your rescue from abbreviation "hell."


Take the Test:

Instructions: Read through the list. Write down the abbreviations you know on a piece of paper. Then compare your answers with the correct answers by clicking on "Read More... ." Add up the number of correct answers, and see how you rank. When finished with the test, post answers on refrigerator door for future reference. For extra credit, leave me a list of your abbreviations. This is the hardest test yet. God doesn’t grade on a curve (fortunately), but I do.
Your score indicates:

If you got less than six right: Ignorance is bliss
6-15: A seasoned layperson
16-25: Church worker
26-35: What have you been readin’?
Above 35: You’re a synodocrat

ACP =
AELC =
BfMS =
BME =
BUE =
CALL =
CDR =
CEU =
CGMEF =
CICR =
CIM =
CLB =
CMGS =
CMO =
CNM =
COH =
CORE =
CRM =
CSC =
CUS =
EIIT =
ELCL =
ELS =
EMV =
FGAL =
FMTF =
GEM =
HFP2010 =
HR =
IELC =
LBT =
LGTB =
LINO =
MAF =
MCG =
MLS =
NCD =
OIM =
ONM =
PALS =
PotS =
SC =
SMP =
SPIFE =
STLK =
TAM =
TCN =
TFDFNC =
VEBA =
WLI =



ACP= Associated Church Press
AELC= Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches
BfMS= Board for Mission Services
BME= Board for Ministerial Education
BUE= Board for University Education
CALL= Center for Applied Lutheran Leadership
CDR=Commission on Doctrinal Review
CEU= Continuing Education Units
CGMEF= Church Growth Movement Extension Fund
CICR= Commission on Inter-Church Relations
CIM= Commission for International Mission
CLB = Community Life Builder
CMGS= Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support
CMO= Chief Mission Officer or Congregation Mission Offerings
CNM= Commission for National Mission
COH= Commission on Handbook
CORE= Lutheran Coalition for Renewal
CRM= Constituent Relationship Management or Candidatus reverend ministerii
CSC= Communication Services Commission
CUS= Concordia University System
EIIT= Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology
ELCL= Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia
ELS= Evangelical Lutheran Synod
EMV= Every Member relational Visit
FGAL= Family Group Adult Leader
FMTF= The Blue Ribbon Task Force for Funding the Mission Task Force
GEM= Growth in Ministry in Excellence Program
HFP2010= Harrison for President in 2010
HR= Human Resources
IELC= India Evangelical Lutheran Church
LBT= Lutheran Bible Translators
LGTB= Lesbian, gay, transgendered, and bisexual
LINO= Lutheran In Name Only
MAF= Ministry to the Armed Forces
MCG= Ministry of Christian Giving
MLS= Michigan Lutheran Seminary
NCD= Natural Church Development
OIM= Office of International Mission
ONM= Office of National Mission
PALS= Post-Seminary Applied Learning and Support
PotS= President of the Synod
SC= Synodical Council
SMP= Specific Ministry Pastor program
SPIFE= Saint Paul Institute for Education
STLK= Confessional Lutheran Church of Finland
TAM= The Augustana Ministerium
TCN= Transforming Churches Network
TFDFNC= Task Force on District Function, Number, and Configuration
VEBA= Voluntary Employees’ Benefit Association
WLI= Women’s Leadership Institute