Covenant News

Leadership Is Theme of Atlanta Retreat

ATLANTA, GA (November, 1999) - Developing Leadership for the 21st Century was the theme that drew some fifty individuals to this year's Atlanta Urban Leadership Retreat held at the "W" Hotel Atlanta and New Life Covenant Church.

The retreat provides an opportunity for Covenant ministers and spouses to fellowship with peers in ministry. The event is sponsored by the African-American Ministers Association with help from Urban Discipleship Ministry and partial funding from the Department of Church Growth and Evangelism of the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC).

This year's event followed more of a "think tank" format, a departure from the more traditional past practice of speakers and formal presentations. Photographed during one of the sessions were Joshua Sands (left) of Atlanta and Ed Carey, Palmetto, Florida. "With the onset of the new millennium a little more than a month away, organizers felt the need to capture ideas and thoughts on leadership development for the next century," said Rich Berry, associate superintendent of the ECC's Southeast Conference and one of the event organizers. Some 20 topics related to urban ministry were discussed during five sessions.

Each day's session began with worship, with special guest Paul Lessard leading a time of worship the day before the retreat officially got under way. Lessard is executive director of Covenant Bible College in Windsor, Colorado, and is well recognized in worship planning circles for his innovative style. A lively musical at Christian Evangelical Fellowship Covenant Church concluded the event. Special guests included Glenn R. Palmberg, ECC president, and several representatives from Covenant Retirement Communities and Covenant Connection.

"Each year the retreat grows in numbers and enthusiasm," Berry said. "New people get a glimpse of the Covenant, and unity is built among the regulars," he added. The group was invited to consider San Francisco as the site for next year's event. Members also were invited to consider participation in a 13-day ministry visit to Kenya next summer.

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