News from the Northwest Conference

New NWC Mini-Retreat for pastors and ministry staff who are 55+

Aug. 31-Sept. 1, 2015 // $30 per participant // Covenant Pines Bible Camp

LEADER: Jeff Burton (Director of Pastoral Care & Development, Northwest Conference) and Hollis Kim (Pastor, Good Shepherd Covenant Church, Blaine, MN)

TITLE: Transition Curves: Successfully Navigating New Directions

DESCRIPTION: One of the characteristics of new or redesigned roads is the presence of transition curves. Such curves are used to navigate gradual changes of direction instead of abrupt right angle turns. Transition curves allow for the continuation of momentum (slight speed reduction) while changing direction. By definition such curves are complex; the radius always changing. Come away with sisters and brothers in your age group who are facing such curves.

PARTICIPANTS: Covenant pastors and ministry staff who are 55 plus

REGISTRATION: Minimum 10, maximum 20 / Confirm your reservation with Jeff Burton by August 15 - jeff@northwestconference.org

FEE: $30 per participant - includes 3 meals, coffee breaks, and 1 overnight

More Mini-Retreats coming ...

This is one of several mini-retreats that will be offered each year by the NWC Department of Pastoral Care & Development. Each retreat will be formatted and focused on assisting you in your personal and professional development. For those of you credentialed by the Covenant these retreats can become part of honoring your commitment to four vocational growth experiences each year.

Henson event drew nearly 140 NWC pastors and ministry staff

We had a wonderful turnout for our recent event at Maple Grove Covenant Church on May 27, facilitated by Mr. Bill Henson. He is president of "Lead Them Home Ministries" and engaged almost 140 of our NWC pastors and ministry staff members on the topic of ministering from within an orthodox biblical position to LGBTQ individuals.

The response to the event was very favorable, and Henson will be back on Saturday, Nov. 14, to meet with both pastors and lay leaders. Watch for details.

Conversation Groups

The Northwest Conference office will be organizing several Conversation Groups for pastors and ministry staff members to engage in dialogue with Dr. Gary Strauss on the topic of human sexuality and the response of the Church. If you're interested in participating, contact Jessa Anderson at jessa@northwestconference.org or 612-721-4893.

President Walter Responds to the Charleston Tragedy

Gary Walter, president of the Evangelical Covenant Church, responds to the shooting at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, with an open letter to AME leadership.

Read the Letter

2015 Covenant Softball Tourney

Join with other churches for the annual Covenant Softball Tournament to be held on Saturday, July 11, at Community Park in Fridley, MN. The cost is $175 if you mail in your check before July 1, or $190 after that. To register, make checks out to Mark Ellingson and send them along with your church name and contact person to Fridley Covenant Church, 6390 University Ave., Fridley, MN 55432.

Double-elimination, three games guaranteed. A great day of fun and fellowship! Come with a partial team, we can combine you with other partial teams! Download the event flyer here.

New Discipleship Curriculum Released!

SHIFT: The Curriculum is a 6 week, all-church, discipleship initiative that challenges each individual to 'shift' their lives to be more like Jesus. The idea was birthed out of the movement of CHIC 2015, but make no mistake - this is an all-church adventure.

Check it out at shiftcurriculum.org

Finance

Credentialing requirement for housing allowance

One of the tax benefits clergy enjoy is the housing allowance income tax exclusion. This is a benefit reserved for clergy-not all ministry staff qualify. "Clergy" means the individual holds a ministerial credential (license, commissioning or ordination) and can therefore take advantage of the housing allowance benefit.

We were recently reminded that the tax courts have ruled that in denominations such as ours where credentials are granted at the national level, the credential must come from that body or its equivalent. For instance, an ordained Methodist pastor can serve a Covenant church and claim a housing allowance but a license or ordination conferred by a local Covenant church (or requested online or through mail order) is not recognized by the IRS nor supported by the Department of Ordered Ministry.

Questions? Contact Sandy Norris

Corporate Good Standing

As model corporate citizens our churches need to maintain "Good Standing" with the Secretary of State in which we are incorporated, which means keeping current contact information on file with the Secretary of State. Failing to maintain good standing can lead to "Involuntary Dissolution"-meaning your church no longer legally exists. Check your church's standing at your state's Secretary of State website. Search the Business Entity listings and take appropriate action as necessary.

MUUUCE 2015

Aug. 6-8, Crossroads Church, Woodbury, MN

Registration is open! This amazing three-day event is for middle schoolers and jr. highers and is being designed by the incredible MUUUCE team at Crossroads Church (Woodbury).

For registration information, visit the MUUUCE 2015 page. While you're there, check out the rest of the new Northwest Conference website.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Greg and Kim Satterberg on the birth of Esme (pronounced Ez-may) Ruth Satterberg on June 10. Esme was 8 lbs. 7 oz. & 21 1/4". She and Kim are doing really well.

Greg is the pastor of Lund Mission Covenant Church in Stockholm, WI.

June 19, 2015

IN THIS ISSUE

New NWC Mini-Retreat for pastors and ministry staff who are 55+

Henson event drew nearly 140 NWC pastors and ministry staff

President Walter Responds to the Charleston Tragedy

2015 Covenant Softball Tourney

New Discipleship Curriculum Released!

Finance updates

MUUUCE 2015

Congratulations to Greg and Kim Satterberg

NWC cal icon tan

June 20-27

Adventures in Leadership - Adventurous Christians, Grand Marais, MN

July 12-17

CHIC - University of Tennessee

August 6-8

MUUUCE - Crossroads Church, Woodbury, MN

August 31-September 1

Mini Retreat for Pastors/Staff 55+ - Covenant Pines Bible Camp, McGregor, MN

September 9-11

CRIM Retreat - Covenant Pines Bible Camp, McGregor, MN

September 21-22

Mini Retreat for Pastors/Staff - Covenant Pines Bible Camp, McGregor, MN

October 5-7

Ministerial Association Retreat - Chase on the Lake, Walker, MN

October 20-21

Faith Community Nurse Retreat - Covenant Pines Bible Camp, McGregor, MN

October 26-27

Spiritual Directors Retreat - St John's Abbey, Collegeville, MN

NWC Job Postings Page

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.