Covenant News

Palmberg Nominated for Third Term

CHICAGO, IL (October 15, 2005) - Dr. Glenn R. Palmberg has been nominated to serve a third four-year term as president of the Evangelical Covenant Church, it was announced during this weekend's meeting of the denomination's Executive Board.

The decision to nominate Palmberg came during a meeting of the 23-member Presidential Nominating Committee, chaired by Dr. Lee Richman, a member of Applewood Community Covenant Church in Golden, Colorado.

"The committee looked at the seven ministry opportunities that guide our church as a crucial part of our evaluative process," Richman said. "We felt strongly that the next president of the Covenant should be someone able to be on board with those objectives and able to move strongly in those ministry directions," Richman added.

"The Covenant has tremendous momentum and we believe it is important to continue that momentum and to consider the next president's ability to sustain it," he continued. "Glenn is incredibly passionate about these things and is committed to see them through their next phase of development."

Richman said the committee was aware of pressures on Palmberg tugging him in different directions, especially the importance of his family and time to spend with them. "We wanted to honor those concerns, but at the same time, we recognize that in many ways he is just arriving at the top of his game, so to speak, in terms of effectiveness. He understands how the Covenant works. He has contacts that are important. He has become a well-respected voice in evangelical circles and is really valuable to the church, and not only the Covenant, but the church at large."

"For this time in the Covenant's history, Glenn is the right leadership for this church and the direction in which it is headed," Richman said.

The decision pleased Catherine Gilliard as well – she chairs the Covenant Executive Board and pastors the Covenant church in Stone Mountain, Georgia.

"We heard his passion for the things that remain to be done," she said. "He not only knows where he would like the church to go, but he has the passion to help us go there. "We have seen the fruits of his leadership after seven years," she observed. "Because of his history, his influence and connections, we believe the fruit can grow even more under his leadership. We couldn't be more excited about his focus, his passion and his energy."

"I am pleased to accept the nomination," Palmberg said today. "Serving the Covenant as its president has been an incredible experience for both Sharon and me. I believe I have the energy for the call and I look forward to what God will do through our efforts together in shared ministry.

Palmberg will stand for election during the June 2006 Annual Meeting in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was elected to his first term in 1998.

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