News from the Northwest Conference
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Pastor's Perspective
'The race marked out for us'
By Ben Pease, Youth Pastor at Salem Covenant Church in New Brighton, MN I recently found myself struck by a familiar passage in a new way: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us" (Hebrews 12:1). The phrase that jumped out was "the race marked out for us." As a runner, I am used to exercise runs that almost always originate from my house. For the sake of variety, I choose lots of different routes of varying topography and distance, and sometimes don't even have a firm plan in mind when I head down the driveway. As an occasional road racer, I am quite familiar with the considerable differences between my training runs and formally organized races. During a race, I don't get to pick and choose my course, I don't get to avoid hilly or windy sections, and I don't have the freedom to explore intriguing side trails. The course is fixed and marked, and if I am to complete the race legitimately, I need to stay on course as it's marked. In life and in ministry, there are plenty of times we wish we could "choose our own adventure." The course marked out for us may not always seem tailored to our preferences or even our gifts. But we're promised that the course will be clearly marked even though we can't see the entire path ahead. The course may lead us through places that seem more difficult than they need to be, but it will also guide us to unexpected vistas and hidden pockets of beauty that will take our breath away.
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'Make & Deepen Disciples' theme permeates 2013 Annual Meeting
Delegates approve addition of 2 new pastoral care staff positions
With a theme of "Make & Deepen Disciples," the 2013 Northwest Conference Annual Meeting took place at Minnehaha Academy, April 26-27. The school's Centennial year was celebrated in many ways throughout the weekend.
NWC Superintendent Mark Stromberg announced to delegates that the 2013-14 budget includes funds to create two new part-time staff positions, a Director of Pastoral Care and Development, and an Associate Director of Pastoral Care and Development.
"It is our desire that we engage our pastors, not just when the bottom is falling out in their lives, but in an ongoing, intentional and proactive way. We want to provide the very best care and resourcing possible for those in ministry; to come alongside our pastors in both their 'walk' and their work," Stromberg said.
Delegates approved the $1,093,169 budget at the meeting's second Business Session on Saturday morning.
To read a full recap of the meeting, and see pictures and video from the event, visit our News page.
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Sermon Outlines
Pray the Scriptures Bible resource
 Kevin Johnson, pastor of Emmaus Road Covenant Church and editor of the "Pray the Scriptures Bible," has created a four-part message series to help congregations learn to pray Scripture.
"It offers enough structure and content for an extended sermon or teaching progression without stifling your own creativity. Together with the 'Pray the Scriptures Bible,' it can help launch your church into new experiences of prayer," Johnson said. "If you're not a pastor or teacher, give the free document a look anyway. It shows how and why to pray Scripture to draw closer to God."
To download the sermon resources or learn more about this unique project, visit http://bit.ly/psb-sermons
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WANTED
Vehicles for ministry staff
We are looking for a low-mid mile, late model vehicle for use by Northwest Conference ministry staff. If interested in donating a vehicle, please contact Cheryl Theilen at the NWC office at 612-721-4893 or 800-756-6692.
A receipt would be given to verify a charitable deduction for tax purposes.
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Parenting strategies for parents of children ages 2-18
Biblical Parenting Seminars offered at Covenant churches
Presented by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN
Bring the whole family! Children through age 12 will learn in fun and exciting ways how they can enhance family life.
Relationship Tools for Family Success
Friday, May 10 6:30-9 p.m.
Buffalo Covenant Church, 1601 Highway 25 North, Buffalo, MN
$20/adult, $30/couple
Everyday Parents CAN Raise Extraordinary Kids!
Saturday, May 11 8:45 a.m.-Noon
Crosstown Covenant Church, 5540 30th Avenue S., Minneapolis, MN
$25/adult, $35/couple
For more information or to register for either seminar, visit www.biblicalparenting.org/register or call (609) 771-8002
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The Global Leadership Summit 2013
Northern Districts: Oak Hills to host Willow Creek Leadership Summit
August 8-9 @ Oak Hills Christian College, Bemidji, MN Oak Hills Christian College is hosting a videocast of the Willow Creek 2013 Global Leadership Summit. "Three words would describe my experience at the Global Leadership Summit held at OHCC. Encouraged, Inspired, Challenged. I am looking forward to attending this event in 2013!" - Doug Giese, Family Life Pastor, Evangelical Covenant Church of Bemidji Download the Event Flyer, register to attend the summit at www.willowcreek.com/summit, or contact Jim Hodgson at Oak Hills for more information.
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NWC Website
Church Resource Bank
Our website features a great tool for churches requesting or giving away materials and resources. On the Church Resource Bank page, you can browse available requests or give-aways, and submit a new resource to share with churches in need.
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June 15-22 Adventures in Leadership - Adventurous Christians, Grand Marais, MN
June 27-29 ECC Annual Meeting - Detroit, MI
July 20
Covenant Softball Tournament - Fridley Community Park, Fridley, MN
August 15-17
MUUUCE - Crossroads Church, Woodbury, MN
August 15-18 ECC Triennial - San Diego, CA
August 23-25
Emerge High School Leadership Retreat - Lake Beauty Bible Camp, Long Prairie, MN
September 14
CONVERGE Metro - Brookdale Covenant Church, Brooklyn Center, MN
September 28
CONVERGE North
- Grace Covenant Church, Little Falls, MN
September 30 - October 2
Ministerial Association Retreat - Grand Rapids, MN
October 8-9
Parish Nurse Retreat - Covenant Pines Bible Camp |
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NWC Job Postings Page
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Pastors and ministry leaders, if you have people in your congregation who are exploring ministry, on a part- or full-time basis, please refer them to our job postings page.
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Superintendent Mark Stromberg Director of Church Planting Mike Brown Director of Congregational Vitality Jon Kramka
Director of Youth Ministry Ginny Olson Director of Children & Family Ministry Kara Stromberg Office Administrator Cheryl Theilen Director of Communications Bryan Malley 612.721.4893 800.756.6692 |
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