Covenant News

AAMA Retreat Examines Pressures of Ministry

OAKLAND, CA (October 30, 2002) - A total of 43 participants gathered last week at the Park Plaza Hotel for the African-American Ministers Association (AAMA) retreat for Covenant pastors and spouses.

The event, "Bridging Troubled Waters," was sponsored by the AAMA in conjunction with the Pacific Southwest Conference and the Evangelical Covenant Church's Department of Church Growth and Evangelism. Keynote speakers included Gary Walter, Don Davenport, Rose Cornelious, Dr. Craig Adams, Joshua Beckley and Dr. Ron Elmore.

Cornelious, the East Coast facilitator for the Department of World Mission, was the opening speaker last Thursday morning. She discussed one's call to ministry and how one can best keep their focus while navigating the rough waters of pastoral service. Adams then suggested ways to bridge troubled waters with one's family - offering tools and other tips to balance life and ministry - and gave consultation to couples in ministry later that day. On Thursday evening, the AAMA hosted a fellowship dinner at a local restaurant.

On Friday morning, Walter, executive minister of the Department of Church Growth and Evangelism, spoke about "Catalyzing a Movement From God," the process of discerning, directing and sustaining church growth. Davenport, who works with Church Growth as associate director of church planting and congregational development, then discussed the nuances of understanding and developing the culture of the church.

Beckley finished the Friday morning session with tips on how to work with one's staff, including the process of recruiting, discipling and befriending co-workers in ministry. After a business meeting Friday afternoon, Elmore spoke at a Friday night worship service held at South Bay Community Church, a Covenant congregation located in nearby Fremont. Rev. Daniel Sesay, worship pastor at Applewood Community Church in Golden, Colorado, led worship. The South Bay Community choir also participated.

Next year's 2003 retreat is scheduled to be held in Kansas City, Kansas, and will be hosted by the Midwest Conference, said AAMA secretary Catherine Gilliard. The AAMA set its next business meeting for February 3 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Pastors Midwinter Conference in Rosemont, Illinois. Among the agenda items is the election of new officers. After the business meeting, the AAMA will welcome new pastors and leaders from various churches and ministries at a reception beginning at 3:30 p.m.

The AAMA was founded as an informal fellowship for African-American ministers entering the Covenant and has grown into an association that has bolstered various ministries throughout the denomination. Henry Greenidge, pastor at Irvington Covenant Church, Portland, Oregon, is president of the AAMA. Ed Carey, pastor of Palmetto Covenant Church in North Miami, Florida, is vice president.

For more information about the AAMA, call Gilliard at 770-987-0157 or email her at comdiscc@quixnet.net.

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