Imagine focuses on the 'Big Story'

Twenty-five children/family ministry workers and volunteers gathered in Willmar, MN, on Saturday, Nov. 12, for Imagine-a day of fellowship, connection and inspiration. The event was sponsored by the NWC Children & Family Ministry Commission and hosted by First Covenant Church.

The focus of the day was: "What is Biblical Teaching & How do We Help Parents Teach the Bible at Home?" Anne-Marie Finsaas, Children's Pastor at Colonial Church in Edina, MN, and adjunct faculty at Bethel Seminary, facilitated the conversation around the "Big Story" of scripture, the power of story for formation and transformation, and core elements of transformation within the discipling process.

In the words of one attendee, "It was great to connect with others of similar calling and passions and to participate in the larger conversation around ministry with children and families."

The commission hopes that a fall gathering like Imagine will become an annual offering of the conference for our churches. The commission will continue to explore additional ways to extend connection, support and resources to those serving children and family ministries within our churches.

Navigate event marks the start of 'life-giving relationships' for 3 more NWC churches

On Nov. 2-6 the Northwest Conference, along with First Covenant Church in Minneapolis, MN, served as hosts of the national Navigate 2011 conference. An initiative of the Evangelical Covenant Church office of Congregational Vitality, the purpose of Navigate is to help established churches navigate their way to becoming healthy and missional.

Solomon writes that a cord of three strands is not easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12). This is the basis for Navigate; an intentional threefold partnership between the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC), the Regional Conference and local church, that increases missional momentum. The cord of three strands principle is also represented through Navigate by three churches from each conference committing to walk the Congregational Vitality Pathway together over the next year, and the pastors of these churches meeting monthly for encouragement and support on the journey.

By definition:

Navigate is a process, not an event. It is a process by which established churches navigate their way to becoming a healthy missional church in a world that is rapidly changing.

Navigate is an organic and dynamic partnership, not a program. It is a life-giving relationship between the ECC, the Conference, and the local church. It is a life giving relationship between the churches that form a regional triad group.

Moreover, it encourages life-giving and on-going relationships between the pastors of the participant churches. Navigate is a journey, not a destination. It is a journey led by the Holy Spirit. It is a journey on the Congregational Vitality Pathway. It is a journey that we travel together.

This year around 120 pastors and church leaders from around the country spent portions of these five days together with conference and denominational personnel-worshipping together, receiving inspirational teaching on key issues of church vitality, leadership, missional opportunities and change, and forming covenant relationships to journey together over the next year.

There also were opportunities to glean key insights from Navigate alumni churches from this past year. The Northwest Conference Navigate churches for this year are:

• Pastor Corey Johnsrud and lay leaders from Zion Covenant Church in Ellsworth, WI
• Pastor Greg Ellis and lay leaders from Bethany Covenant Church in Richfield, MN
• Pastor Dan Pearson and lay leaders from United Covenant Church in Clear Lake, WI

This is a great, one-day training event on Jan. 7 for youth pastors and their leadership teams, and children and family leaders  and teams too. Your crew will be challenged and encouraged by Mark Matlock (Planet Wisdom) and Heather Flies (Wooddale Church).  
 
There are practical workshops like "Moving Your Leaders from Chaperones to Shepherds," "Soul Care," and "Utilizing Technology & Social Media in Ministry."
 
You can register for this collaborative ministry event at www.ministryrecharge.com.

Jakob Elias Nelson was born to Colleen Nelson (associate pastor at Roseville Covenant Church) and her husband, Chris Nelson. He was a healthy 7 lbs. 8 oz. and 20.5 inches long. He joins his big brother Broder (3 years) and big sister Anneka (6 years).