It was Glenn Daman who said: “Leading the rural church can be compared to figuring out a Rubik’s cube. The more the leader tries to get pieces in place, the more confusing at times it can become.” It’s from this perspective that we titled and framed this two-part webinar.

In Part 1, we began by highlighting how a high relational value is what primarily forms the rural church. Based on this relational mindset we then explored how this informs/shapes:

Building off last time, in Part 2 we want to explore additional contextual considerations and leadership applications for fostering leadership effectiveness within the Church. We invite you to come prepared to share some of your own experiences as well. Register now to join us for this final webinar in our annual cycle.

The apostle James urges us, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8). This text echoes God’s invitation as well: “Return to me, and I will return to you” (Zechariah 1:3).

The Northwest Conference staff invites you to join us as we renew our life with God in prayer. Each week, we’ll provide a scripture or word of encouragement to join our hearts in prayer and grow together in our life with Christ.

In addition to these weekly summons to pray, we’d love for you to join us as we pray together online on Tuesday, June 6, at Noon. Please email Cheryl Theilen for the Zoom link.

If you can’t make it, would you consider praying at another time during the week for our shared concerns?

Who Should Attend: Church Pastors, Treasurers, Church Leadership and Staff

Hosted by: Northwest Conference » Maple Grove Covenant Church » National Covenant Properties

As we partner together in ministry, NCP is very excited to offer this training as another tool and resource for you and your team as you continue to make a difference in your local community in the Northwest Conference.

On May 11, your Ministerial Care and Development Committee (MCDC) is gathering to pray for all the pastors in the Northwest Conference. We would love to hear from you with any specific prayer needs/praises. Know that you don’t journey alone. Prayer requests/praises can be sent to crotvold@faithcovenant.org.

With a theme of “Rooted in Hope” the 2023 Northwest Conference Annual Meeting took place at Bemidji Covenant Church in Bemidji, MN, April 28-29. The Ministerial Annual Meeting also took place in Bemidji from April 27-28.

“This ministry that we are all part of, the ministry of your church, is so much bigger and broader than any of our individual ministries on its own. I hope you are encouraged as we celebrate the Lord’s work among us,” Superintendent Kara Stromberg shared. “This is a celebration of God’s work in our midst.”

We are delighted to announce that our beloved youth ministry event, Unite, will return in 2024. Gathering at two locations with our emerging generation, we will Unite together around God’s purposes. We invite all Covenant churches across North America and beyond to encourage and equip high school students for God’s glory and neighbor’s good.

Mark your calendars, learn more and sign up to receive more details in the coming weeks.

One of the greatest challenges facing the Church today is how to engage with and nourish faith in LGBT+ persons. Against a backdrop of decades of perceived religious mistreatment of LGBT+ persons, the pressure to love people well is collapsing theological beliefs. This is unbiblical: we can fully honor God and radically love people simultaneously.

Through a biblically sound, missiological approach to LGBT+ outreach and care, Posture Shift presents a way forward for the conservative church.

Posture Shift Ministries, Inc., holds to a traditional biblical ethic regarding marriage and sexuality (position) and with equal importance, believes God calls us to offer His presence, love, care and protection to LGBT+ people (posture).

Transform Minnesota will facilitate this a highly-interactive and conversation-based workshop intensive with Posture Shift. During this 2-day workshop, you will:

The Evangelical Covenant Church is seeking applicants for three option positions:

Gather 2023, the ECC’s annual meeting, will be held in Garden Grove, CA, June 28 - July 1, and also online this year. We know that California can be hard to get to and that online experiences can be lonely.

Two NWC churches are excited to provide a “hybrid” alternative that still allows us to gather together with our Covenant family. NWC delegates are invited to join other delegates at Alexandria Covenant Church or Lakeview Covenant Church in Duluth, MN, for a “hybrid” option for Gather 2023.

Meeting together at either of these churches will provide you with reliable internet access and a sense of community as you participate in the annual meeting. Snacks and lunch will be provided each day at no cost to you, and the ministerium, annual meeting and worship sessions will be streamed on the big screen for delegates to take in together (each individual will be responsible for registering themselves as an online delegate and for having a device capable of voting).

To participate, register as an online delegate for Gather and then register online here to join the group meeting in Alexandria or register online here to join the meeting in Duluth. For more information, contact Sarah Erickson at sarahe@alexandriacovenant.org or Jill Broman at Jill@lakeviewcovenant.org.

NWC Pastors: https://www.facebook.com/groups/227883641917946

NWC Children’s Ministry Leaders: https://www.facebook.com/groups/528739410619512

NWC Youth Ministry Leaders: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1599674110307557

NWC Disability Ministry Connection: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nwcdisabilityministryconnection

Did you know that in addition to the weekly UPDATE emails we send to all contacts on our email lists, we also have regular and occasional targeted communications to various groups? If you have new youth leaders, children & family team members, or other staff and lay leaders that should receive these emails, send them to the link below to be added to our lists.