December 17, 2015

Christmas Greetings from your Northwest Conference Staff 

The staff of the Northwest Conference extends to you our best wishes and the hope that you and your loved ones experience a blessed Christmas! It continues to be our distinct privilege to serve alongside you and share life and ministry together.
 
The NWC office will be closed for the holidays Dec. 24-25 and Dec. 31-Jan. 1.

Workshop with Dr. Mark Yarhouse set for Feb. 27 at Salem Covenant Church in New Brighton, MN
 
Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Salem Covenant Church
2655 5th Street NW, New Brighton, MN 55112

As we enter 2016, the Northwest Conference is pleased to provide another opportunity for learning and engagement by sponsoring a workshop led by Dr. Mark Yarhouse, Psy.D., entitled, "Sexual Identity & the Christian: Positioning the Church to Be Both Faithful and Engaged in a Changing Culture."
Join us for a discussion on how people of faith navigate sexual identity questions in their lives. Sexual identity refers to the labels people use to discuss their sexuality-labels like gay, lesbian, bisexual and straight. In the morning we will discuss two of the most frequently asked questions: "What causes homosexuality and can it change?" and, "What are the experiences and challenges encountered by people of faith who are navigating sexual identity questions in their personal lives?"

Then, in the afternoon we turn our attention to practical ministry tools for helping individuals and families, as well as strategies for positioning faith communities to engage and provide ministry in a dramatically changing culture.

This event will be held at Salem Covenant Church (New Brighton) and is open to pastors, ministry staff members, lay leaders and key influencers in NWC churches and affiliated ministries. This event is free of charge. However, refreshments and a box lunch will be provided for a suggested minimum donation of $10.00/person.

Please RSVP with how many people are planning to attend from your church or ministry by Monday, Feb. 22 at 5 p.m. to Jessa Anderson at the NWC office by phone (612-721-4893) or by e-mail at jessa@northwestconference.org. We encourage you to make use of this valuable resource. 

Recharge 2016 taking place in multiple locations in January

Sign up your team for this one-day youth ministry and children's ministry leadership training event. It is expanding to several cities in our area: Minneapolis/St. Paul is Jan. 9, Duluth is Jan. 16, and Fargo is Jan. 23. Covenant churches will meet for lunch at the Twin Cities Recharge.

For more info on Recharge, visit www.ministryrecharge.com or visit their Facebook page: facebook.com/ministryrecharge

Crossroads Church raises over $96,000 for IJM in one weekend    

Crossroads Church in Woodbury, MN, hosted International Justice Mission's Larry Martin the weekend of Dec. 5-6. The weekend theme was "All I Want for Christmas Is ... A Better World."
 
IJM, a Christian organization that shows up, speaks up and stands up for the oppressed of the world, is one of Crossroads' strategic mission partners. As a part of the weekend, Crossroads made a goal to provide funding for four "rescue operations" (girls in forced prostitution, people sold in slavery against their will, etc.). Each rescue operation costs around $5,000.
 
Long-sleeved T-shirts that said "ONE MORE #fourfreedom" were sold to fund the rescues. Over $48,000 was raised in just 24 hours. On Tuesday, Crossroads found out that an anonymous donor had matched their funds, bringing the total raised to $96,000. The money will now go toward over 19 rescue operations through the work of IJM worldwide.
 
For more information on this story, click here. 

Church Resources
Best practices resources for churches and church leaders
 
In recent months, a number of NWC churches and pastors have been requesting resources pertaining to best practices and guidelines on a variety of topics facing churches and church leaders in the face of a rapidly changing culture.

GuideOne Insurance 
Recent Supreme Court rulings are causing churches and ministries across the country to question how they can adequately protect themselves from claims of discrimination while practicing their religious beliefs. GuideOne Insurance offers Religious Expression Coverage, as well as a free e-book to help churches better understand the key elements to safeguard their ministry. Click here to explore these resources.
 
Brotherhood Mutual 
We want to alert you to one particular organization that has sought to compile a wide range of resources in order to be of service to local congregations. As a result, we would invite you to check out the website for Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company at brotherhoodmutual.com. We believe that you may find some of its materials to be helpful to you. 


To enhance connections among those serving in NWC churches and other types of ministry, we offer this Life Events feature. Pastors and ministry staff are encouraged to send news of births, adoptions, weddings, and deaths (immediate family only) to Judy Swanberg, Associate Director of Pastoral Care & Development.

Births

Hezekiah Saul Kahler
Born: Nov. 28
Parents: Jen & Logan Kahler (Jen is youth pastor at Fairmont Covenant Church.)


Pastoral Installations 
Rev. Marc Eix installed at First Covenant Church in Red Wing, MN
 
Congratulations to Rev. Marc Eix, who was installed Dec. 13 as Lead Pastor of First Covenant Church in Red Wing, MN. Eix comes to First Covenant from Faith Covenant Church in Manistee, MI, where he pastored for 13 years. Welcome Marc!

Download
2015 Superintendent's Letter to Churches Gathering in Annual Meetings Available
 
Click here for your copy of Superintendent Mark R. Stromberg's letter to churches gathering in annual meetings.
 
Feel free to include this letter in your annual meeting booklets or provide a copy to your church family via a bulletin insert!

Finance 
Year-end reminders for tax reporting
 
A reminder about year-end gifts to staff ...
Churches like to recognize and thank their staff for their dedicated service at this time of year.  These gifts are taxable income to staff members. If the gifts are made out through a special appeal for this purpose, the donations are NOT deductible since the donor is naming a beneficiary of their donation.
 
And to financial secretaries about year end contribution reporting ... 
Deductible 2015 contributions must be postmarked, in hand or electronically initiated by Dec. 31. The check date has no bearing on what year a gift is reported.
 
If you have questions, please contact Sandy Norris, NWC Director of Finance. 
 
To see the full NWC Calendar, visit northwestconference.org/events/

Jan. 5, 2016
PC&D Mini-Retreat: "Practical Tools for Learning, Leading, and Liberating" - Christos Center for Spiritual Formation, Lino Lakes, MN
 
Jan. 9, 2016
Recharge - Twin Cities, MN
 
Jan. 16, 2016
Recharge - Duluth, MN
 
Jan. 23, 2016
Recharge - Fargo, ND
 
Feb. 27, 2016
Dr. Mark Yarhouse Workshop - Salem Covenant Church, New Brighton, MN
 
March 11-12, 2016
Women Ministries Renewal Conference - Redeemer Covenant Church, Brooklyn Park, MN
 
April 15-16, 2016
MOVE - Minnehaha Academy, South Campus, Minneapolis, MN
 
April 28-29, 2016
Ministerial Association Annual Meeting - Lakeview Covenant Church, Duluth, MN
 
April 29-30, 2016
Northwest Conference Annual Meeting - Lakeview Covenant Church, Duluth, MN

May 7, 2016
Go:Serve - First Covenant Church, St. Paul, MN
 
June 18-25, 2016
Adventures in Leadership - Adventurous Christians, Grand Marais, MN
 
August 4-6, 2016
MUUUCE - Crossroads Church, Woodbury, MN

Northwest Conference, 3106 47th Ave. S.  |  612.721.4893  |  northwestconference.org