At the June 16 evening service of the 121st annual meeting of the Evangelical Covenant Church (in Grand Rapids, MI), pastors Amy and Adam Rohler were ordained to word and sacrament. Over 51 pastors were ordained or commissioned during the service, with 33 ordained to word and sacrament.
In the Covenant Church, ordination is not just a function of the local congregation, but the entire Church and so takes place during the annual meeting through prayer and laying on of hands. While believing in the priesthood of all believers, the Covenant Church recognizes the specific service to the word of God by those endowed with requisite gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit, discerned and confirmed by the church to be so equipped. If you would like to listen or watch a podcast of any of the worship services at the annual meeting,click here.
During the 121st annual meeting, 667 delegates listened to reports of denominational leaders, approved the 2007 Coordinated Budget of $13.5 million, and voted on a variety of resolutions and new proposals. During the past year, the Covenant Church enjoyed growth in many areas: Attendance in 2005 increased 2.6% to 160,915— 56% during the past decade;Ethnic and multiethnic congregations now comprise more than 21% of all Covenant churches; More than 18,000 individuals made commitments to Jesus Christ this past year, reflecting the continued impact of the Bringing My World to Christ emphasis; A total of 9,797 people joined Covenant churches during 2005, increasing membership to 115,811; In World Mission, there are 277,814 members in 2,624 churches. There are 2.4 members in World Mission churches for every Covenant member in the United States and Canada: Church giving from local churches to the denomination in 2005 was $8,615,102, reflecting increases of 1.6% over the previous year and 47% over the last 10 years; Covenanters’ giving to local churches increased 9.8% to $264 million, or $1,640 per attender.
Glenn Palmberg was re-elected to a third term as president of the ECC. Doreen Olson was re-elected as executive minister of the Department of Christian Formation, Howard Burgoyne was installed as the East Coast Conference superindendent, and Dr. David C. Parkyn was elected as the ninth president of
North Park University. There were three special milestones celebrated during the meeting: the 30th anniversary of the Covenant’s ordination of women, the 50th anniversary of CHIC, and the 90th anniversary of Women Ministries of the Covenant.
The delegates also approved the creation of a new department of Compassion, Mercy, and Justice. They passed resolutions on Women in Ministry, Christian Discipleship in the Midst of War, and Immigration. Former Bethesda Covenant Church pastor Jean Lambert was awarded The Irving C. Lambert Award. Rev. Lambert is the daughter of the man for whom the award is named.
For more information about the annual meeting, go to the ECC website.
