As one of the ministry priorities in the Northwest Conference, young people are not simply the “Church of Tomorrow.”
Rather, they are an important part of the Church today, as they will be the ones to carry the gospel message to a newer generation still.
Please join us and be both inspired and challenged as we celebrate what God is doing in our midst!
Tim Ciccone is Director of Youth Ministry for the Evangelical Covenant Church and has a deep passion to serve and encourage youth workers across the denomination. Prior to this role Tim was the Pastor of Generational Discipleship at Hillcrest Covenant Church in the Kansas City area. He earned his MDiv from North Park Theological Seminary and has been serving in the church for over 24 years.
With 45 years of ministry experience—including being on church staff, as an instructor of youth ministry, as well as a national speaker and consultant—Tiger McLuen has a unique perspective on changes in ministry, cultures, families and churches. Tiger was the President of Youth Leadership for 29 years, and is the author of several books and many articles.
Ordination Workshop
Are you looking toward ordination? If you are, consider attending this workshop sponsored by the Committee on Ministerial Standing. Most of our time will focus on writing your ordination paper, but we will also help you anticipate your interview. The workshop is valuable not only for prospective ordinands, but for their ordination mentors as well.
Covenant Trust Company Lunch
Covenant Trust Company would like to extend an invitation to all ministry leaders in the Northwest Conference to join them for a lunch on Thursday, April 26, 2018, prior to the start of the NWC Ministerial Association Annual Meeting. Lunch will be hosted by CTC’s NWC team—Steve, Erik and Karlene. They will give an overview of CTC’s services for pastors, churches and congregants, and share three financial to-dos for you to consider in 2018.
Country Inn by Carlson
1002 Hwy 55 E
Buffalo, MN 55313
763.682.5660
Standard Room Rates start at $109
Country Inn & Suites by Carlson
6554 Lamplight Dr.
Albertville, MN 55301
763.463.2600 or 1.800.238.0767
Monticello Days Inn
200 East Oakwood Dr.
Monticello, MN 55362
763.295.1111
Best Western Chelsea Hotel
89 Chelsea Rd.
Monticello, MN 55362
763.271.8880
The Annual Meeting is the highest constituted authority in the Northwest Conference (NWC), made up of delegates from member Covenant churches throughout the Conference. Delegates gather together for worship and fellowship, and to elect leaders, review finances, adopt a budget, and address the business of the Conference.
Delegates are appointed representatives from member Covenant churches. Delegates vote on the policies and procedures presented to the Annual Meeting. Delegates receive a packet of information that includes reports, statistics, ballot information, etc. They are also given the privilege of speaking during the meeting and voicing their opinion.
An advisor is a participant in the Annual Meeting. Advisors may address the body, answer questions, and make suggestions or comments, but an advisor cannot make motions or vote. Church plants that are not yet member churches may send 2 advisors. A member in good standing of the Ministerial Association who is not a delegate may also be an advisor.
Yes. Registered attendees may attend the Annual Meeting without officially representing a member church or a church plant that is not yet a member congregation. They are not allowed to voice their opinions, ask questions or vote. Registered attendees are also invited to participate in the Saturday leadership workshops. Everyone is welcome to participate in the worship sessions.
The number of delegates each church can send is based on membership as of Dec. 31, 2017.
0-49 members = 2 delegates
50-249 members = 3 delegates
250-499 members = 4 delegates
500+ members = 5 delegates
Delegates and advisors are invited to an orientation at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 27, prior to the business session. Basic Conference organizational structure and meeting protocol will be reviewed.
Registration can be done online or by mail.
Faith Factors: Rethinking Discipleship—5 Faith Factors to Build a Faith That Lasts
Tiger McLuen, Former President of Youth Leadership
Everyone is talking about the drop-out rate after youth group and high school and it is getting depressing. This seminar will re-look at this whole issue of discipleship and faith formation. Tiger will present some ideas about how to be more intentional and will share how the “Faith Factors” will help build a faith that sticks. We will look at issues involved in deepening faith that includes family, relationships, youth ministry and some surprise variables.
Beware of Bullies: Strategies for Pastors, Parents and Lay Leaders
Becky Danielson, M.Ed., Cofounder of 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting
Bullies come in all shapes and sizes. Equip kids, parents and youth leaders with tactics to handle the bullies they encounter in life. This session will focus on various types of bullying: verbal, social, physical and cyber. The signs and next steps for pastors, lay leaders and parents will be discussed whether dealing with a child who is being bullied or the instigator.
What is Faith@Home?
Mark Holmen, Executive Director, Faith@Home
Scripture is clear that the home is the primary place where faith is nurtured and passed from generation to generation (Deut. 6:1-9, 2 Tim. 1:5). Could it be that the church has become such a trusted partner for “outsourcing” spiritual growth that a robust, Christ-centered spiritual life in the home seems less important? Research suggests that the answer is yes.
So what do we do? Part of the solution involves us shaping our ministry so that it is increasingly home-centered and church-assisted, instead of the more typical church-centered, home-assisted model. In short, that’s Faith@Home.
Special Needs and the Church
Vicki Newendorp, Director of Children’s Ministry at Faith Covenant Church
Growing numbers of kids and families with special needs are in our churches. They face a unique set of joys and challenges. The church has a beautiful opportunity to come alongside these families to offer hope, love and resources as they navigate this journey. This workshop will equip you with practical ideas to help you walk alongside families and to make your church a more inclusive and welcoming place.
Pressing Forward in Multi-Ethnic and Inter-Cultural Ministry
Kevin Farmer, Head of Admission & Family Ministry at Hope Academy and Lead Pastor of Epiphany Covenant Church
The neighborhoods in which our churches reside are becoming more and more ethnically diverse. Children and youth have even more multi-cultural experiences and interactions than perhaps most adults. And while the ECC has made significant strides over the years, many churches still struggle with both the “whys” and the “hows” of multi-ethnic ministry—especially in the context of children and youth. In this interactive session, we’ll explore the “5-Fold Test,” a tool created by the Covenant to help churches be more intentional with the hard but beautiful work of multi-ethnic ministry.
Ordination Workshop
Rich Theilen, Member of the NWC Committee on Ministerial Standing
Are you looking toward ordination? If you are, consider attending this workshop sponsored by the Committee on Ministerial Standing. Most of our time will focus on writing your ordination paper, but we will also help you anticipate your interview. The workshop is valuable not only for prospective ordinands, but for their ordination mentors as well.
Tax-Savvy Generosity
Joshua Myers, J.D., Staff Attorney at Covenant Trust, Steven Allison & Erik Carlson, Financial Services Representatives
It’s okay to be Tax-Efficient while giving generously. Learn strategies and tips to take advantage of incentives in the Tax Code that could cause your generosity to be magnified. Help your church or ministry grow both its current giving as well as future bequest dollars. This session will also include new ideas in light of recent Tax Legislation.
From Chaperones to Shepherds
Tiger McLuen, Former President of Youth Leadership
Too often, well intentioned adults volunteer in children’s and youth ministry, but focus on the role of chaperone. This seminar will help you understand the perceptions, barriers and struggles in developing a team of shepherds—and give some practical ideas on how adults can shift their mindset from managing behavior to building healthy relationships and shepherding young people.
Raising Godly Kids in a 24/7 World
Becky Danielson, M.Ed., Cofounder of 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting
Technology has changed our world and the way we raise our kids. How do we as parents and church leaders keep up with the changes? In this class, setting limits and creating boundaries for technology, including cell phones, the Internet and social media will be discussed. Explore media tools, the effects of screen time on children and how to intentionally unplug as a family.
How to Implement Faith@Home in Your Church
Mary Blosser, Children and Families Pastor at Buffalo Covenant Church along with other pastors, elders, leaders and families from the church
Faith@Home is NOT a program. It is not a “do this, then do that” kind of thing. Rather, it is a new way of looking at all of the ministries of the church. It shifts the primary responsibility for discipleship into the home and to the parents, as God intended, with an emphasis on equipping parents and grandparents to be the primary disciple makers in their own homes. The workshop will answer questions like, “How can a church effectively equip and encourage its people to do the work of discipleship?” In this workshop, the staff of Buffalo Covenant Church will tell their story and explain how they made the transition to Faith@Home in their ministry model, what the outcome has been in their congregation, and how it has influenced the families at Buffalo Covenant to live the Christ-life, 24/7, at home, at work, at school and in the community.
Special Needs and the Church
Vicki Newendorp, Director of Children’s Ministry at Faith Covenant Church
Growing numbers of kids and families with special needs are in our churches. They face a unique set of joys and challenges. The church has a beautiful opportunity to come alongside these families to offer hope, love and resources as they navigate this journey. This workshop will equip you with practical ideas to help you walk alongside families and to make your church a more inclusive and welcoming place.
Essential Leadership: 4 Biblical Qualities for Every Ministry Context
Kevin Farmer, Head of Admission & Family Ministry at Hope Academy and Lead Pastor of Epiphany Covenant Church
Are you a full-time Children’s Pastor, a part-time youth ministry director, a volunteer leader in middle school? Well no matter what your role in ministry might be, there are just certain leadership qualities that are essential when serving children, youth and families as the Body of Christ! In this interactive session, we’ll explore historical, contemporary and biblical models of leadership, engage in some interactive dialogue and maybe even sing a classic hymn!
Thursday, April 26
12:30 pm: Covenant Trust Co. Lunch
1 pm: Spiritual Dir. Available
1-5 pm: Registration
2:30 pm: Business Session
5:30 pm: Dinner
6:45 pm: Worship & Communion
“Avoiding Jesus Drift” – Speaker: Tim Ciccone, ECC Director of Youth Ministry
Friday, April 27
8 am: Registration
8:15 am: Ordination Testimonies
9 am: Action on Ordination
9:15 am: Worship
9:45 am: Morning Break
10 am: Elective Workshops
Noon: Lunch
1:00 pm: Ordination Workshop
Covenant Trust Company Workshop
A Time to Pray
Spiritual Direction Available
Friday, april 27
1-6 pm: Registration
2 pm: New Delegate Orientation
2:30 pm: Business Session
5:30 pm: Dinner
6:45 pm: Worship
“Sharing Faith on the Road of Life” – Speaker: Tiger McLuen, Former President of Youth Leadership
Dessert Reception
Saturday, April 28
8:15 am: Worship
Business Session
Morning Break
10 am: Elective Workshops
Noon: Lunch