Commission on Covenant History

• Historical perspective & analysis: the commission directs development of historical records and resources in partnership with the Covenant historians and others
• Acquisition of material: the commission provides oversight of the Covenant Archives and Historical Library housed at North Park University in partnership with the Covenant archivist; the commission also oversees the development of oral histories of Covenant leaders representing the breadth of voices within the Covenant Church as well as the collection of information from affiliated Covenant institutions and local churches, providing guidance to local churches regarding retention of their historical records
• Records retention and collection management: the commission provides guidance to ECC offices and conference offices in partnership with the archivist
• Public interaction and accessibility to historical records: the commission pursues emerging technologies that facilitate access to records as part of the Covenant Archives and Historical Library

• The commission has produced two new instructional resources to benefit local congregations: one provides guidance for developing local church archives, and the second gives guidance for conducting oral histories of local church leaders as part of an effort to preserve the congregation’s ongoing story to benefit future generations. These resources will be made available online, as well as in printed versions.
• The Covenant Archives and Historical Library, led by archivist Anne Jenner and her support staff, with the support of the commission, developed the historical exhibit in celebration of the 125th anniversary of the denomination at the Annual Meeting in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 2010.
• The commission continues to coordinate the development of various instructional workshops relating to congregational archives and the acquisition of oral histories.
• The commission has drafted guidelines for the retention of records, including emerging digital media, within ECC offices, and will assist as needed with implementation.
• The commission continues to sponsor the development of various resources, including work currently under way to publish new translations of Philip Jacob Spener’s writings on Pietism, as well as some funding and staff support for seminars and symposia.

• The commission is supporting publication of a two-part history of the ECC. The first volume, a narrative and analysis of identity in the formative years of the Covenant Church, written by Covenant historian Phil Anderson, is due for publication near Midwinter 2014. A second, edited volume will follow, offering a narrative history of the ECC to present, punctuated by focused essays on various themes and ministries of the church.
• Your idea here! Can you think of a project the Commission on Covenant History should tackle? Let us know by emailing communication(at)covchurch.org and we’ll be in touch.

Peter Hawkinson (chair), pastor, Winnetka Covenant Church (Winnetka, Illinois)
Maki Coomes, member of North Park Covenant Church (Chicago, Illinois)
Carol Friar, member of Oakdale Covenant Church (Chicago, Illinois)
Evelmyn Ivens, member of Primera Iglesia del Pacto Evangelica (Bell Gardens, California)
Cal Katter, member of North Park Covenant Church (Chicago, Illinois)
Andy Meyer, member of North Park Covenant Church (Chicago, Illinois)
Hauna Ondrey, member of Resurrection Covenant Church (Chicago, Illinois)
Luis Retemal, pastor, Iglesia del Pacto Evangélico Grace (Chicago, Illinois)

Advisory Members
Anna-Kajsa Anderson, interim archivist, F.M. Johnson Archives and Special Collections
Jane Swanson-Nystrom, managing editor, Covenant Communications

Ex-officio Members
Phil Anderson, professor of church history, North Park Theological Seminary
Don Meyer, executive minister, Covenant Communications
Gary Walter, president, Evangelical Covenant Church

Sponsoring Department
Department of Communication, Evangelical Covenant Church