Covenant News

A New Day for Women Ministries of the ECC

PORTLAND, OR (August 14, 2004) - It began with a bit of humor – lessons learned through her travels – as Ruth Hill shared a new vision with some 1,300 women attending Triennial XI, a ministry of Covenant Women Ministries (CWM) of the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC).

"Be careful what you wear," began Hill, who serves as CWM executive minister and enjoys somewhat of a reputation for interesting and often humorous anecdotal material in her presentations. "Clothing can set off those security alarms," she observed of her travels through airports. "Avoid shoes with tiny laces or buckles - and especially avoid those socks with holes in them," she mused (likely mindful of the frequent requests to remove shoes for scanning). "Be sure to read your itinerary before kissing your husband goodbye and watching the car pull away. Just because you've left on United the last three weekends doesn't mean it is United this time."

The humor achieved its purpose of quickly grabbing the attention of her audience. "I've learned a lot in the last five years - far more than travel tips," she said as she shifted her focus to the future of CWM ministries. "I've learned more and more of the legacy of women ministries. And I've learned that we are once again at a pivotal moment in women's ministries in the Covenant."

In a brief historical reflection, Hill reminded her listeners of the period of the early 1900s when "women perceived their first responsibility to care for their family and household. Their identity was immersed in a family. Few if any drove cars. But they were becoming a part of the larger world. In 1920 the 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote.

"Women in local churches were uniting for service," Hill continued. "Louisa Nyvall, wife of David Nyvall (then president of North Park College - now University), invited a group of women to her home for an informal coffee party. They wanted to do something for North Park College. These Chicago women got together again on January 21, 1916, and the first auxiliary was formed with 95 charter members. The movement quickly won interest and support of women in the Covenant from coast to coast."

The groups first major project was construction of a women's dormitory, Caroline Hall. "The legacy of assisting North Park University continues to this day," Hill observed. As the years went by, the auxiliary changed its name several times as its vision was enlarged each time. The name was changed to Covenant Women's Auxiliary in 1927 and with the 1930's, a new opportunity presented itself. Would CWA underwrite missionary Dr. Mildred Nordland? "This was beyond its core purpose," Hill observed, "but they accepted the challenge." In 1968, the Special Interest Missionary program gave equal support to all missionaries.

In the 1960's the vision was enlarged again to accommodate changes in society and the needs of women, and the name again changed to Covenant Women. "There was now a director and a unified plan - one organization in each church," Hill recalled. "Hazel Anderson was the first full-time paid director. Each director continued to enlarge its vision."

The 1970's brought the Women of Zaire project - literacy was a big part of that vision. The first Triennial was held in 1974 and in the 1980's courses were introduced addressing societal problems. A special human needs commission created a new focus. Then, in 1990, the name was again changed to Covenant Women Ministries, "to recognize and encourage diversified ministries to and through women." The 1990's brought Covenant Enabling Residences and 1996 witnessed another huge project - a place to call home for homeless girls in Colombia. Since 1999, the focus has included leadership training, establishing ministries for women and children in Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Central African Republic, Burkina Faso and Russia. And, as previously reported, Triennial XI formally launched the new Advocacy for Victims of Abuse (AVA) ministry – $14,253 was received during an offering to aid this new program.

Hill moved from history and legacy to vision and the future, noting that the organization today is asking the same question that women in 1962 asked: Is the organization meeting the needs of women in local churches? "The need today for a change is obvious," Hill said. "Membership in women ministries has been on the decline. We can no longer do what we've always done and ensure the future of women ministries in the Covenant." Hill then outlined five concerns prompting the desire for change:

• The mindset of membership in an organization was dying - yet women still united locally to do ministry.
• Financial support of a separate, parallel organization was declining.
• The relationship between the board and the conference was weakening.
• Annual meeting policies weren't working as intended.
• Help for current needs wasn't readily available from existing committees.

Hill then proceeded to outline four major changes in a new constitution that was presented to the body for consideration. The new document changes the membership structure, expands the women's ministries leadership team, streamlines governance of the organization and changes the name of the organization to Women Ministries of the ECC (WMECC).

Membership

The current CWM constitution defines membership as "individual Covenant women who join an organization." The new constitution creates a ministry for "coordinated women ministries of local Covenant congregations."

Statistics show a decline in membership since 1965 – in 1999 total membership had returned to the 1940 level. "While interest in a separate organization was declining, independent women ministries was growing," Hill noted. "The challenge is two-fold: address the issues inhibiting participation in a united vision, and inspire independent women ministries with a broader vision." The current structure is supported by dues. The new structure invites women's ministries to participate in WMECC, affirming its vision and providing financial support of its ministries.

Leadership

The current constitution calls for a 12-member elected board and three ex officio members (executive minister, ECC president and president of the Conference Presidents). The new constitution adds conference presidents and conference directors as advisors.

"While elected board members carry the responsibility of decision-making," Hill explained, "the conference leaders implement them. Greater participation in the decisions results in greater ownership of them and greater impact in the conferences. Conference presidents and directors lead boards comprised of local leaders. Their knowledge of current issues in women ministries is vital in decision-making."

Governance

The current constitution requires an annual meeting to approve budget and policy changes. The new constitution empowers the leadership team to manage the ministry. Policy changes would be addressed at Triennial General Assemblies.

"Attendance at annual meetings fluctuates widely," Hill commented. "Attendees represent a small number of churches, most from the region in which the meeting is held (this year's attendance of 1,300 includes some 500 from the host conference, as an example). Decisions made may or may not reflect the denomination as a whole. Empowering the well-informed leadership team, who represent the entire denomination, to manage the budget (the only item each year requiring a vote), with the ECC treasurer as advisor, eliminates the need for an annual meeting," Hill explained.

Name Change

The current constitution formally names the organization Women Ministries of the ECC, though the common reference likely will be Women Ministries, Hill suggested. "The new name is intended to be general," she said, an inclusive name of all ministries to women. With WOMEN used as an adjective to describe the MINISTRIES, the name defines a ministry rather than an organization. Transitioning from an organization to a ministry permits coordinated women ministries of local congregations to use the name of their preference. The new name embraces and ministers to all forms of women ministries,"

In summing up her vision, Hill said she wants to see women ministries:

• Advance God's Kingdom through women
• Equip women to grow, serve and reach out with the Gospel of Jesus Christ
• Equip women locally and unite women globally – "equipping is our aim"
• Contextualize and diversify women ministries as a strategic tool of the church to advance God's kingdom

In her closing remarks, Hill recalled a visit with Erma Chinander when Hill first came into office. Hill said she shared the statistical data that she had gathered, asked her what Erma thought should be done and waited anxiously for her response. After moments of silence and reflection, Chinander simply said, "It was never meant to be an organization. It was meant to be a movement."

"Oh, that we would recapture that spirit," Hill challenged her listeners. "Can we accomplish more if we covenant together? YES! We can build on the legacy we have received. We can take the baton and run the next lap.

A vote was taken and the new constitution was passed by an overwhelming margin.

(Editor's note: the news stories from Triennial XI are a collaborative effort of Covenant Communications staff member Jan Gray, who is reporting from Portland as well as providing photography, and Don Meyer who is writing the stories from the Chicago office.)

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