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Northwest Conference Meeting Draws Capacity Crowd
By Don Meyer
ROSEAU, MN (April 29, 2002) - A revised constitution and bylaws, a new budget
plan for 2003 and election of new officers were among highlights of the
118th Annual Meeting of the Northwest Conference of the Evangelical
Covenant Church that concluded this past weekend.
More than 300 people participated in the three-day event hosted by the
Roseau Covenant Church and its pastor, Joe Elick, including 204 registered
delegates representing 87 of the conference's 130 churches. Neighboring
Lutheran and Baptist congregations made their respective facilities
available for meals and to accommodate the Covenant Women Ministries Annual
Meeting, which took place on Friday.
Outstanding music was provided by members of the Roseau congregation and
its praise team. A particularly moving moment came as the pastor's
daughter, Londa, provided a dramatic interpretation of music using sign
language. Ruth Hill, executive minister of Covenant Women Ministries,
preached the Thursday evening service.
The three-day event was punctuated with witnesses from several churches and
ministries throughout the conference, including a review and evaluation of
the yearlong Missionaries in Residence program by Gary and Pauline Carlson
(accompanying photo), missionaries to Japan. They plan on returning to
Japan in July.
Gary Carlson recalled three previous home assignments, including one
involving presentations to 105 churches during the year of home assignment.
"Five years later, I realized that I couldn't remember the details of those
encounters," Carlson said. "I wondered just what kind of impact we had."
The Missionaries in Residence program is designed to make more of an impact
with a smaller number of churches. The Carlsons have lived in the geography
of the conference and have worked primarily with a cluster of churches for
one year, periodically visiting other regions in the conference. "It helped
us feel connected," Pauline Carlson observed. "It has allowed us to meet
with church planters and compare notes. When we return to Japan, we will be
thinking how we can do in Japan those things we've seen here."
Planting churches remains a strong emphasis in the conference, with six
church plants receiving appropriations from the conference. In stressing
the importance of planting new churches, director of administration Mark
Stromberg noted that all existing churches were at one time a new church
plant. "All of us stand on the labors of people who came before," he said.
"Churches don't just happen. The question for us is this: What will we do
with the vision that has been passed along to us?"
One new church was recommended for acceptance into membership in the
denomination. Riverwood Covenant Church in Rockford, Minnesota, will be
presented for approval during the 117th Annual Meeting of the Evangelical
Covenant Church in June.
Two churches were reported as officially closing, including Mission
Covenant Church in Barrett, Minnesota, and Crow River Covenant Church in
St. Michael, Minnesota. Mission Covenant was one of the older churches in
the denomination, organized in 1892. Crow River was a relatively new
effort, organized in 1997.
The new Churches Planting Ministries initiative was introduced - the
Northwest Conference is one of five conferences launching the program this
year. Other conferences will launch programs later. The Northwest
Conference program will receive an assist from the HELP offering, which is
being tied to the new initiative this year, according to Jon Kramka,
director of mission development.
A number of innovative church ministries were highlighted, including two
community based youth ministries in Moose Lake and Winthrop, Minnesota. Two
other ministries expanded by incorporating two sites or campuses. One,
located in a rural setting, was affectionately dubbed by former Associate
Supt. Jim Sundholm as the "Q-Tip Churches" of Twig and Cotton, Minnesota.
These small congregations combined and continue to function as one
congregation at both sites. Membership has doubled since the change was
initiated. Lakeview Covenant Church in Duluth also ministers at two sites,
having recently purchased a second location to accommodate its growth.
Other creative ministries include the revitalization of the Prairieview
Covenant Church in New Richmond, Wisconsin, and rebuilding projects in
Biwabik and Foley.
Four "witnesses to the call" were presented by ordination candidates Jeff
Crafton, Gary Tonn, Jon Kramka and Keith Robinson. The four will be
ordained during the denominational annual meeting in June.
Brian Schanil, pastor of the Evangelical Covenant Church of Warren,
Minnesota, was elected chair of the conference executive board. The newly
elected vice chair is Todd Van Zee, pastor of the Evangelical Covenant
Church in Moose Lake, Minnesota. Other executive board members elected
include Sandy Anderson, pastor of Roseville Covenant Church in Moose Lake,
Minnesota; Robert Sloan, Community Covenant Church in Minneapolis; and Ted
Nordlund, pastor of the Evangelical Covenant Church in Anoka, Minnesota.
A revised constitution and bylaws were spread on the minutes of the meeting
for consideration at the conference annual meeting next year. Delegates
were asked to review the proposed changes and spend the coming year in
reflection and preparation.
Proposed new rules of the Ordered Ministry were presented by Phil Anderson
during the conference ministerium meeting that preceded the annual meeting.
Those rules will be considered during the annual ministerium meeting in
June and, if approved, will go for consideration by delegates at the June
denominational annual meeting.
"This is harder for me today than I thought," said Conference Supt. Paul
Erickson in explaining to delegates his decision to retire in 2003. "I
cannot run again because I decided to retire," Erickson said. He shared his
personal belief that top-level leadership positions should carry with them
term limits - his decision represents a self-imposed term limit.
Letters will soon go out to local churches within the conference to
soliciting names for replacement candidates, Erickson said. "I grieve so
much my leaving, but I know it's the right decision," he said in his
closing remarks before the annual meeting was formally adjourned.
"Continue praying for the many individuals represented by the Northwest
Conference - the leaders, administration and churches," Erickson asked.
"The work of Christ moves forward. He is, indeed, alive in our churches,
our conference and our communities."
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