Covenant News - Northwest Conclave Completes Training in Bemidji

Covenant News

Northwest Conclave Completes Training in Bemidji

BEMIDJI, MN (February 24, 2001) - More than 50 people braved winter storm activity to participate in the second and final session of the 2001 Conclave, held at Evangelical Covenant Church here. Although registration for the event was considerably higher, snow and wind made driving conditions dangerous, preventing many participants from attending.

Paul Erickson The Vital Church was the theme of this year's leadership development program of the Northwest Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC). The conference offers training in two geographic locations to better accommodate the large size and diverse geography of the conference. Some 250 registered for the first event at Brookdale Covenant Church near Minneapolis two weeks ago.

The Conclave program includes workshops to give participants practical tools and information to help them in developing their respective ministries. "It's basically a workshop for developing leadership skills," said Paul Erickson, conference superintendent (see accompanying photo). The event has a long history - 16 years - and is fairly unique in the Covenant. "Nuts and bolts" was how Erickson described the conference content, centered on developing vision and a clear sense of mission within local churches.

Following greetings by Erickson, Robert DeYoung, chair of the conference's Board of Leadership Development that organizes the event, provided an outline of the day's activities.

Jim Sundholm The morning's keynote speaker was Gary Walter, executive director of the ECC's Department of Church Growth and Evangelism, who examined in great detail the vision, objectives and other elements that combine to produce vitality within a local church and its ministries.

At the conclusion of the afternoon workshops, Jim Sundholm, associate conference superintendent, shared an update on conference ministries in Sudan. Sundholm (see accompanying photo) and his family spent several months in Ethiopia and Sudan last year teaching and working with Covenant leadership in that area.

Afternoon workshops included the following:

Media: Managing the Message, presented by Don Meyer, executive director of the Department of Communication, designed to help local churches obtain better news media coverage of local church ministries, programs and events. A second workshop focused on developing a good local church web site.
Prayer and Your Church: A Source of Hope and Vitality, presented by Ted Nordlund of Anoka Covenant Church, designed to examine the impact of prayer and explore creative ways to implement prayer in the life of the church.
Resources for the Church Financial Team, presented by Alan Bergstrom of the Roseville Covenant Church, focusing on basic church treasurer issues.
Leadership Development, presented by Doreen Olson, executive director of the Department of Christian Education and Discipleship, focusing on practical ways of developing both the character and the skill sides of leadership.

Those interested in obtaining more information on the Conclave concept may contact the Northwest Conference office by telephone at 612-721-4893 or by email at nwc@isd.net.

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