NWC Leader head 11 5

For staff members and leaders

of Northwest Conference churches

Ginny Olson to join NWC staff as Director of Youth Ministry

The Northwest Conference is excited to announce that Ginny Olson has accepted the newly created position of Director of Youth Ministry. She will start Sept. 1.

Ginny Olson"We are very excited about the opportunity we have to welcome Ginny Olson to the Northwest Conference staff. A proven leader in the field, Ginny brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this newly created position," said Mark Stromberg, NWC superintendent. "We look forward to her arrival in September and know that our churches will benefit from her ministry in our midst. Welcome Ginny!"

In her new position, Olson will oversee training and support for conference youth workers, as well as facilitate current and new conference-wide youth events. She will work closely with the NWC Youth Commission to provide direction for youth ministry through the NWC with its churches. Evaluating current NWC youth ministry, as well as exploring new opportunities for the conference, will also be part of the ongoing work of the director.

"I'm honored and excited to join this great team of people who seek to serve the Covenant Church," Olson said. "The Northwest Conference has a legacy of valuing and supporting youth ministry, and I'm looking forward to continuing to build on this strong foundation."

Olson most recently served as the co-director of the Center for Youth Ministry Studies and assistant professor of youth ministry at North Park University and Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL. Before teaching undergraduate and seminary students, she was involved in youth ministry for more than 10 years at various churches and camps, including serving on staff in the junior high ministry at Willow Creek Community Church.

She is the author of "Teenage Girls: Exploring Issues Adolescent Girls Face and Strategies to Help Them," co-author of the Youth Specialties resource, "Youth Ministry Management Tools," as well as an editor and contributing author for "Breaking the Gender Barrier in Youth Ministry."  

10 problems of a dying church (and how to fix them)

 

By Theresa Cho

I recently wrote a blog about how to kill a dying church, asking questions about what to do with so many churches dying. I think the challenge is recognizing the signs that a church is dying. The problem is that churches tend to wither, which is a slow, gradual, and often subtle process. It is difficult to pinpoint when in the withering process it is time to take action, to make changes, and to make some vital decisions.

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It's a boy!

Chris Kelly baby

Congratulations to Chris Kelly, youth pastor at Harris Covenant Church in Harris, MN, and his wife Kay, on the birth of James Christopher Kelly on May 30. He weighed in at 6 lbs. 9 oz. and was 20.5 in. long.

"We are happy to have him home and healthy. Eliza Joy adores her new baby brother, and the whole family is doing fine. We are thankful!" Chris Kelly said.

It's a girl!

 

Mike Nelson babyCongratulations to Mike Nelson, director of Adventurous Christians, and his wife Nicole, Business Manager, on the birth of Mable Mae on June 22. She weighed 8 lbs. 7 oz.

"Everyone is great, and Aulis (3) is adjusting well in his new role as an older brother," Mike Nelson said.

Health Care Reform provisions every church must know-now

Nearly 20 significant provisions of President Obama's plan already are in effect  


By Richard R. Hammar

President Barack Obama signed the "Affordable Care Act" into law in March 2010. Constitutional challenges immediately emerged, and slowly are making their way through the courts. Until they are resolved, though, churches as employers must understand the law and how it applies now to them, to their staff members, and to their insurers.

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Communications Corner

5 ways to market your church through a fundraiser

Maybe the idea of marketing and church fundraisers in the same sentence doesn't sit well with you. Maybe it feels like fundraisers that are open to the public should be kept separate from church marketing efforts.

This web article makes the case that any and every event that draws the community to your church is an opportunity to promote your offerings and programs. The article also offers five practical ways to tastefully market to the community at your next fundraiser or public event.  

 

JULY 2011

VOL. 8 // NO. 7 

IN THIS ISSUE
Ginny Olson to join NWC staff
10 problems of a dying church
Congratulations!
Health Care Reform provisions
Communications Corner

Covenanter wins Miss Minnesota crown

Miss Minnesota
Natalie Davis, a member of Dassel Covenant Church, was named Miss Minnesota last month and will spend the next year promoting her platform-autism awareness.

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NWC cal icon tan


July 9 

Annual Covenant Softball Tournament  - Fridley, MN 

 

August 18-20

MUUUCE - Faith Covenant Church in Burnsville, MN

 

contact us


Superintendent

Mark Stromberg 


Director of Church Planting

Mike Brown 


Director of Congregational Vitality 

Jon Kramka

Office Administrator

Cheryl Theilen 


Director of Communications

Bryan Malley 


612.721.4893

800.756.6692


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