Covenant News - Annual Meeting – Key Facts Overview

Covenant News

Annual Meeting – Key Facts Overview

GREEN LAKE, WI (June, 1999) - The 114th Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Covenant Church concluded at Green Lake, Wisconsin. Following is a report designed for use by delegates and others to assist them in making reports to local churches. Information includes the results of elections, key decisions, persons honored, events celebrated and special prayer requests.

It is important that we share information with members who were unable to attend this year's meeting. We are requesting that each church arrange for a report to be shared with the congregation. The following information should prove helpful in preparation of that report, along with the copy of The Covenant Companion that you received with your delegate material.

Attendees are encouraged to request an opportunity to make a report to the local church. Suggested opportunities include:

Sunday morning or evening worship
Church business meeting
Small groups within the church, perhaps tailoring information to specific areas of interest
Church board or council
Written report in your church newsletter
Personal letter to be shared with the congregation
Mention that stories, photos and audio recordings of key addresses will be found on the Covenant Internet site: www.covchurch.org. Meeting coverage will also be found in the August issue of The Covenant Companion.
ALL OF THE ABOVE!!

Greetings

For those uncomfortable delivering reports before groups, you may want to begin your report to your local church by reading the following introductory paragraph, followed by selections from the Key Facts section you find of interest, and then closing with a personal note of thanks to your church for allowing you to represent them:

"I am pleased to have represented our church at the 114th Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Covenant Church in Green Lake, Wisconsin. I was one of 767 registered delegates and conferees attending this year's event. I would like to take a few moments to share with you some of the highlights of this year's meeting."

Key Facts

There were 547 credentialed delegates, including 64 general delegates and 483 delegates representing conferences and regions. Total registered conference attendance was 767 with 277 churches represented.
Gary B. Walter was elected executive director of the Department of Church Growth & Evangelism.
Ruth Y. Hill was elected executive director of Covenant Women Ministries.
Attendance in 1998 increased 3.1% to 117,314, an increase of 17.5% during the last four years. Membership increased 2.3% in 1998.
Bringing My World to Christ names being prayed for increased 8%, from 104,289 to 113,083.
In World Mission, there are 167,725 members in 1,675 churches. There are now 1.7 Covenant members in World Mission churches for every Covenant member in the United States and Canada. Additionally, there are 2.4 World Mission churches for each Covenant church in the United States and Canada.
Church giving from local churches to the denomination in 1998 was $6,790,633, reflecting increases of 6.1% over last year and 21.8% over the last four years.
A 2000 Coordinated Budget totaling $9,773,486 was approved, of which $7,133,000 will be sought from Covenant churches. The Coordinated Budget will support the following ministries: World Mission: $3,749,200; Church Growth and Evangelism, $2,500,500; Christian Education and Discipleship, $742,201; Department of the Ministry, $411,450; Communication, $197,000; North Park University, $917,300; and General Administration, $1,255,835.
Fifteen new churches were received into membership, representing cumulative membership of 1,039 and cumulative attendance of 1,646. A total of 113 churches have joined the Covenant between 1990 and 1999 representing cumulative attendance of 17,713.
We celebrated the consecration of two new Covenant Missionaries to the Czech Republic, the commissioning of two individuals for staff ministry, and the ordination of 34 men and women into Covenant ministry.
We welcomed special representatives from Taiwan, South Sudan and Kenya.
Total Covenant Pension Plan assets increased 11%, from $86.6 to $95.9 million. Over the last four years, payment minimums for retirees and surviving spouses are up 38% and 55% respectively. A total of 92% of surviving spouses are at the minimum level. Total payments in 1998 were $3,217,543.
The Commission on Christian Action was extended for another five-year period. This commission assists churches and the Annual Meeting to take positions on urgent moral issues.
The Commission on Church Music and Worship was extended for an additional five years. This commission is in the process of updating the Covenant Book of Worship for tentative release in the year 2001.
Attendees were briefed on progress on work to revise the Covenant's constitution and bylaws, due for presentation at next year's Annual Meeting for action at the Annual Meeting in 2001.
One amendment to the constitution was proposed for consideration at next year's Annual Meeting, streamlining descriptive language concerning boards and administrative heads.
The Covenant is among 73 denominations and 300 ministries supporting "Celebrate Jesus 2000 – a commitment to pray for every individual (by name) throughout the United States by the end of 2000.
Mark Novak was installed as superintendent of the North Pacific Conference.
Mary Miller was introduced as the new secretary of the Covenant.
Two resolutions were presented by the Commission on Christian Action for Annual Meeting adoption: Resolution on a Call for Ministries of Mercy in Jesus' Name, and Resolution on a Call for Bringing Economic Hope to the Poor in Jesus' Name.
A Resolution of Sympathy was introduced praising God for the lives and ministries of dedicated Covenanters who have gone to be with the Lord, including 18 pastors, 5 missionaries, 21 pastors' spouses, and one commissioned staff minister.
By action of the delegates, the Friday evening offering was designated to assist the South Sudan Covenant Church through joint projects of Covenant World Mission and Covenant World Relief.
The Feast, a festival of prayer for the whole Covenant family, immediately preceded this year's annual meeting, with an estimated 1,000 individuals in attendance.
News stories, photographs and audio recordings of key messages and addresses were posted to the Covenant's Internet website during each day's meeting, to keep Covenanters worldwide advised of key decisions, election results and other items of interest during the course of the meeting. Those interested in viewing that material will find it at www.covchurch.org.
The 115th Annual Meeting will be held June 22-25, 2000, at the River Center Conference Center in beautiful downtown St. Paul, Minnesota. Highlights will include a joint worship service involving the Evangelical Covenant Church and the Evangelical Free Church, with an estimated 5,000 people expected to participate. Mark your calendars!

Printable version of this page.