Staff Update
NWC calls Burton, Swanberg for Pastoral Care positions
 The Northwest Conference is pleased to announce that Jeffrey Burton has been called to be the director of pastoral care and development, and Judy Swanberg has been called to be the associate director. Burton and Swanberg will begin in their new positions Oct. 1 and will be formally introduced at the Ministerial Association Fall Retreat at Sugar Lake Lodge in Grand Rapids, MN.  The new positions approved at this year's NWC Annual Meeting are intended to provide greater encouragement and support for those serving in vocational ministry. Currently, both positions will begin on a part-time basis with the intention of each role increasing in both scale and scope over the next few years.
"It is my prayer that those serving in ministry positions in our region will feel better supported and resourced through the calling of these two individuals to specifically come alongside of them," said Superintendent Mark R. Stromberg. "Our NWC executive board and local church delegates have made a big commitment by allocating funds in our budget for these new positions." The Conference is the first in the denomination with positions dedicated to a pastor's spiritual formation and both personal and professional development. "It would be extremely gratifying if the Northwest Conference could become known as a place where a new standard is set on what it means to both resource and support those in ministry," Stromberg said. Continue reading the full story on the NWC News Page
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Mark your calendars and get the word out
Converge Workshops
In September, the Northwest Conference will host CONVERGE, a one-day workshop at two separate locations within our region. These workshops will be another great opportunity to bring NWC churches together for learning and inspiration. They will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at 3 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 14 at Brookdale Covenant Church
(Brooklyn Center, MN)
Saturday, Sept. 28 at Grace Covenant Church (Little Falls, MN)
The purpose of CONVERGE is to provide practical help to NWC churches by offering a variety of break-out sessions covering a wide-range of topics.
The topics will include:
- Church Finances
- Communication Strategies
- Discovering Your Church Identity
- Congregational Vitality
- Church Governance and Leadership Models
- Effective Children & Family Ministries
- Stewardship
- Organizing Youth Ministry
- Ministry with the Disabled and Vulnerable
- The Response of the Church to Domestic Violence
- Risk Management
- Demographic Tools & Resources
In early August you will be receiving more information and registration materials. The cost for a church to attend CONVERGE will be minimal and will include all materials and lunch.
This workshop is open to all, but strongly recommended to church leaders.
It is just one more way that we are seeking to fulfill our mission to engage, empower and equip healthy missional leaders, knowing that this is pivotal in growing healthy missional churches.
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Living Legacy Church
Bethany Covenant Church in Richfield to hold final service
On Sunday, May 12, members of Bethany Covenant Church in Richfield, MN, voted to become a Living Legacy Church. This means that the church will close with dignity in order to pass on its assets to the Northwest Conference and the Evangelical Covenant Church for the starting of new churches within our Conference.
Bethany Covenant will hold its final worship service on July 28 at 9:30 a.m. Visit bethanycov.com for more information.
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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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The Global Leadership Summit 2013
Northern Districts: Oak Hills and HOPE Church in Grand Forks to host Willow Creek Summit
Oak Hills Christian College and HOPE Church are both 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.
August 8-9 @ Oak Hills Christian College, Bemidji, MN
Download the Event Flyer, register to attend the summit at www.willowcreek.com/summit, or contact Jim Hodgson at Oak Hills for more information.
August 8-9 @ HOPE Church, Grand Forks, MN
Visit the HOPE Church GLS page for more information and to register.
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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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