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AAMA Retreat Examines Pressures of Ministry
OAKLAND, CA (October 30, 2002) - A total of 43 participants gathered last week at
the Park Plaza Hotel for the African-American Ministers
Association (AAMA) retreat for Covenant pastors and spouses.
The event, "Bridging Troubled Waters," was sponsored by the AAMA in
conjunction with the Pacific Southwest Conference and the Evangelical
Covenant Church's
Department of Church Growth and Evangelism. Keynote speakers included Gary
Walter, Don Davenport, Rose Cornelious, Dr. Craig Adams, Joshua
Beckley and Dr. Ron Elmore.
Cornelious, the East Coast facilitator for the Department of World Mission,
was the opening speaker last Thursday morning. She discussed one's call to
ministry and how one can best keep their focus
while navigating the rough waters of pastoral service. Adams then suggested
ways to bridge troubled waters with one's family - offering tools and other
tips to balance life and ministry - and gave consultation to
couples in ministry later that day. On Thursday evening, the AAMA hosted a
fellowship dinner at a local restaurant.
On Friday morning, Walter, executive minister of the Department of Church
Growth and Evangelism, spoke about "Catalyzing a Movement From
God," the process of discerning, directing and sustaining church growth.
Davenport, who works with Church Growth as associate director of church
planting and congregational development, then discussed the nuances of
understanding and developing the culture of the church.
Beckley finished the Friday morning session with tips on how to work with
one's staff, including the process of recruiting, discipling and
befriending co-workers in ministry. After a business meeting
Friday afternoon, Elmore spoke at a Friday night worship service held at
South Bay Community Church, a Covenant congregation located in nearby
Fremont. Rev. Daniel Sesay, worship pastor at Applewood Community Church in
Golden, Colorado, led worship. The South Bay Community choir also
participated.
Next year's 2003 retreat is scheduled to be held in Kansas City, Kansas,
and will be hosted by the Midwest Conference, said AAMA secretary Catherine
Gilliard. The AAMA set its next business meeting for February
3 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Pastors Midwinter Conference in Rosemont,
Illinois. Among the agenda items is the election of new officers. After the
business meeting, the AAMA will welcome new pastors and leaders from
various churches and ministries at a reception beginning at 3:30 p.m.
The AAMA was founded as an informal fellowship for African-American
ministers entering the Covenant and has grown into an association that has
bolstered various ministries throughout the denomination. Henry
Greenidge, pastor at Irvington Covenant Church, Portland, Oregon, is
president of the AAMA. Ed Carey, pastor of Palmetto Covenant Church in
North Miami, Florida, is vice president.
For more information about the AAMA, call Gilliard at 770-987-0157 or email
her at comdiscc@quixnet.net.
Copyright © 2008 The Evangelical Covenant Church. |
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