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Administrative Boards

There are a wide range of qualifications and demands asked of various board members; each board's schedule and general job description are listed below. Please prayerfully consider this list when referring potential names, or when filling out your own resume. General guidelines: All candidates must be members of a Covenant church and not involved in business or ministry that would present a conflict of interest with that particular board. Approved expenses (travel, meals, and lodging) for each member are assumed by his/her board. Board terms are five to six years in length; if you are elected it is assumed that you will attend meetings.

Executive Board
The Executive Board is the highest governing body of the church, as it decides policy matters for the denomination. This board usually meets in March, June, and October, to direct the mission of the denomination, as determined by the Annual Meeting of The Evangelical Covenant Church. Board members are accredited delegates to the Annual Meeting. There are seven committees which fall under the Executive Board. They are: Christian Formation; Church Growth and Evangelism; Communication; Compassion, Mercy, and Justice; World Mission; Finance and Personnel. Members may also be assigned liaison roles and voting privileges to other administrative Boards. It works closely with the president of the denomination, Glenn R. Palmberg. Seeks persons who have previously served on a board, possessing a wide range of skills and backgrounds.

Board of Nominations
This board meets in October and prior to Midwinter and develops the ballot voted on at the Annual Meeting of candidates for all denominational administrative boards. The board is responsible for securing qualified and dedicated people to influence the boards with their gifts, ethnic background, skills, gender, and ministry experience. The board is administered by the president of the Covenant, Glenn R. Palmberg; the executive vice president of the Covenant, Donn N. Engebretson serves as advisor. Board members are nominated by regional conferences. If interested in serving on this board, please contact your conference office.

Board of the Ordered Ministry
This board consists of fourteen elected members, ranging in credentialed status, who meet prior to and during the Midwinter Conference and prior to the Annual Meeting of the Covenant. It is responsible for the supervision of ordination, licensure, care/discipline, and guidance of the ministry. The board works closely with North Park Theological Seminary in training ministerial candidates. The board is administered by the executive minister of the ordered ministry, David W. Kersten. Seeks ministers who can devote themselves to a high time and energy commitment.

Board of Pensions and Benefits
This is a twelve-member board that meets three times a year in November, February, and May to conduct the pension program of the ministers and manage the group insurance plan for church workers through Bethany Benefit Service. Members may be asked to be on a committee relating to insurance, investment, rules, or audit matters. The board is administered by the vice president for finance of the Covenant, Dean Lundgren, who also serves as the director of pensions. Seeks persons with experience or background in investments, law, or health insurance.

Board of Women Ministries
This twelve-member board usually meets in February and June to set policy, provide coherence and resources for women’s ministries in Covenant churches (at home and abroad), and promote avenues for women’s involvement in the mission of the Covenant. Members are asked to have a special area of responsibility within the board’s goals and to be active in conference and denominational Women Ministries’ events. The department is currently self-funding and the board directs fiscal matters. It is administered by the executive minister of women ministries, Ruth Y. Hill. Seeks wise and creative women with leadership experience who are passionate about advancing Women Ministries’ vision.

Board of Benevolence
The board consists of twenty-one to twenty-six members and meets four times per year, typically beginning on a Friday afternoon and ending the following day by mid-afternoon. Occasionally committee conference calls are scheduled between board meetings. This board is responsible for fourteen retirement campuses, two hospitals, one health and fitness center, four homes for adults with developmental disabilities, a children's home, a ministry for victims of domestic violence, and an affordable assisted living facility. There are four committees which fall under the board: finance, compassion, audit, and executive. Board members will be assigned to either the finance or compassion committee and may be asked to serve on additional committees as appropriate. The board is administered by the president of Covenant Ministries of Benevolence, David A. Dwight. Seeks persons with varied professional backgrounds; including health care, law, administration, business or investment backgrounds.

Board of Trustees, North Park University
(Includes Undergraduate, Graduate, and Seminary Programs)
The board consists of up to thirty-six members, including twenty to twenty-four elected and up to nine appointed, and meets in October, February, and April. It is responsible for general supervision of the University; adopts policy and strategic plans and evaluates administration, and works on behalf of the institution in public relations and fundraising. Members are assigned to three of nine standing committees: finance, admissions and financial aid, seminary, academic, multicultural, campus development, student development, board process, and the executive board. This board is administered by the president of the University, David Parkyn. Seeks members who uphold the mission of various programs at NPU, & can be generous in their personal financial support of North Park and in their encouragement of others to similar support.

Annual Meeting Officers
While not constituting board positions, each officer is elected to a 2-year term; potential candidates may express interest to the Board of Nominations.

The moderator presides at the Annual Meeting; the vice-moderator assists the moderator and presides upon the moderator's invitation or absence. Both officers must have a working knowledge of the "Covenant Bylaws" and Robert's Rules of Order. The moderator also appoints the parliamentarian.

The secretary is responsible for taking and transcribing the official minutes of the Annual Meeting, with the assistance of professional clerical help provided by the Covenant. The vice-secretary assists the secretary and serves in his or her absence.