Our Northwest Conference Annual Meeting Celebration, held each spring, remains a highlight of our shared ministry, as we celebrate what God has done through our churches and affiliated ministries. We hope representatives from each church can join us (either in person or online), as this will be an important time to remember God’s faithfulness as we cling to the hope we have in Christ.
“… like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither” (Psalm 1:3).
Roots matter. In times of drought, weather extremes or turbulence, the depth of our roots are a strong indicator of long-term health and sustainability. For the Christian, roots indicate a life of discipleship, lived in accordance with trust and faith in the Lord’s promises. With all that swirls around us and threatens to discourage, distract or disorient us, let us join together as people of faith to remember and celebrate that we are rooted in the hope of Christ.
Register Online – In-Person Participation
Register Online – Online Participation
*Printed Brochures and Registration forms are coming soon.
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.
YES.
Advisors: Church plants that are not yet member churches may send 2 advisors. And members in good standing of the Ministerial Association that are not delegates may also be advisors. Advisors may address the body, answer questions, and make suggestions or comments, but an advisor cannot make motions or vote.
Registered Attendees may attend the Annual Meeting without officially representing a member church or a church plant that is not yet a member church. They are not allowed to voice their opinions, ask questions or vote.
Advisors and Registered Attendees should register as a Attender.
The number of delegates each church can send is based on membership as of Dec. 31, 2022.
0-49 members = 2 delegates
50-249 members = 3 delegates
250-499 members = 4 delegates
500+ members = 5 delegates
Delegates are invited to an orientation at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 28, prior to the business session. Basic Conference organizational structure and meeting protocol will be reviewed.
Registration can be done online or by mail.
4:30 PM Registration (Ministerial Association)
5:15 PM Dinner
6:30 PM Worship
7:45 PM Fellowship
8:30 AM Worship
9:00 AM Ministerial Association Business Session
12 NOON Lunch and optional Movil Maze Bike Ride
12:45 PM Workshops
2:00 PM New Delegate Orientation
2:30 PM NWC Business Meeting
4:00 PM Continuing Education
5:15 PM Dinner
6:30 PM Worship
8:30 AM Worship
9:00 AM Business Session and Ministry Highlights
11:30 AM Lunch
As They Give So Shall You Receipt
Presenters: Covenant Trust Company – Steve Allison (CHFC, CTFA) and Erik Carlson (CFP, CTFA)
Donors have more options than ever on how to give and where to give from when they financially support your ministry. We will review those options, the rules that need to be followed and the receipt that should be sent to acknowledge each type of gift. This workshop will provide practical advice and strategies for managing charitable gifts from a variety of sources. Doing this well will help build trust and confidence with donors.
LunchBox: A Resource for Children and Family Ministry
Presenter: Sara Sosa
LunchBox is a new on-line community and platform for leaders who love Jesus and love kids and their families. The connections, resources and support available here are all meant to decrease the sense of isolation that often comes in ministry and replace it with all the things you need to thrive personally and missionally! LunchBox will link you to cohorts, online classes, coaching, resources, resources, resources and more. Most resources are available at no cost. Come to receive a fuller introduction and orientation to this new children and family ministry resource.
Pathways to Credentialing in the ECC
Presenters: Greg Ellis, Kari Jacott, Char Rotvold
This workshop is designed for those who are either exploring or expecting to enter into the credentialing process in the near future. Topics will include: discerning a ministry call, who/what is the Ministerium, pathways to ordination, seeking and securing a mentor, how to write a professional paper, interviewing tips and the role of the Committee on Ministerial Standing (COMS). You’ll leave with a “next steps” document as well as an invitation to a follow-up Zoom call that will walk through paper writing in more detail.
Serve Globally Update
Presenters: Nils Clausen, Francisco and Stephanie Ramos, Karl Peterson
News and updates will be given on Covenant World Relief and Development and the ECC’s mission work in France and Mexico.
Your Mission, Your Community: The Six Critical Questions of Context
Presenter: Dr. Martin Giese
Using Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well in John 4, this presentation walks participants through a process of asking and answering six key questions that serve to sharpen the focus of mission and bring greater understanding to their specific ministry context.
We Love our Church! How do we Cultivate Pastoral Fortitude and Fruitfulness as a Church?
Presenter: Rev. Marti Burger
How do we care well for those God has called to serve the Church—our pastoral community? In this season, we are seeing an increase in pastoral transitions. Marriages in turmoil, burnout, discouragement, pastors expected to do it all with a lack of volunteers, lack of healthy interior lives—the list goes on and on. The question is how we can be proactive and care well for those God has called to serve our congregation and community. This breakout is for pastors and leaders to discern possibilities for cultivating pastoral fortitude and fruitfulness as a church.
Trauma Informed Youth Work
Presenter: Ash SanFilippo, TreeHouse
Fourty-four percent of teens nationwide are experiencing hopelessness and 45% of children have experienced at least one traumatic event (one in 10 have experienced three or more). If you are working with children or youth, the likelihood is, you are working with trauma victims. This reality can be overwhelming, but the good news is your ministry can be a place of healing and growth. This seminar will help you better understand trauma, how it impacts the brain, and how your ministry can respond.
AmericInn – $117 + tax per night
1200 Paul Bunyan Drive NW
Bemidji, MN 56601
218-751-3000
Breakfast Included
Hampton Inn – $119 + tax per night
1019 Paul Bunyan Drive South
Bemidji, MN 56601
218-751-3600
Breakfast Included
Double Tree Hotel – $149 + tax per night
115 Lakeshore Drive
Bemidji, MN 56601
218-441-4400
Onsite Restaurant