Announcement

New Prayer App Available

Post a Comment » Written on May 8th, 2013     
Filed under: Announcement, Personal growth, Resources
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We recently learned about the availability of a new prayer app called “Ora,” which is Latin for “prayer.”941098_468229583247089_1934361642_n

Developed by Dusty Gulleson (Bellingham Covenant Church in WA), this free app allows you to leverage existing social networks and mobile devices to connect individuals through intercessory prayer. It’s a great way to keep track of prayer requests – both as a reminder to pray, as well as keep track of answers to prayer.  In fact, ORA collects, organizes, tracks, reminds, connects and securely shares prayer requests and answers with anyone you choose.

Dan Boehlje, associate pastor at Bellingham Covenant, describes the app as: “It’s like Twitter meets church prayer chain.” We believe it has great potential for individuals and churches alike to simplify the process of communicating and updating prayer requests. Check it out here and let us know what you think!

 



Special CKC 30 Hour Famine

Post a Comment » Written on March 26th, 2013     
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World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine has become a regular part of youth groups and church life across the country – and this year is no different! The unique opportunity that Covenant youth groups have this year is to partner with Covenant Kids Congo powered by World Vision to stand alongside our sisters and brothers in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Schedule a 30 Hour Famine event with your church’s youth group and stand alongside our Congolese sisters and brothers as they work to end the cycle of extreme poverty in the Equateur province. By partnering with World Vision and Covenant Kids Congo, you’ll not only be able to raise awareness on how the Covenant church in Congo is working towards clean water, to end senseless malaria deaths, as well as beat back hunger, further grow education efforts and bolster the economy through micro-enterprise, you’ll also have the opportunity to designate your funds toward this unprecedented project.

We’ve made great strides in the last 6 months – over 5,000 kids have been sponsored by Covenant churches across the US and Canada. But there remains much to do, in a country where 3 out of 4 of our Congolese friends do not have access to clean water.

In order to learn more about how your church and youth group can be part of this incredible movement, join Aune Carlson and Adam Phillips online for an exclusive WebEx conversation on April 2nd at 2pm Central. We’ll share what other churches are doing, field questions, and help walk-through your very own 30 Hour Famine effort this year with Covenant Kids Congo.

Register Now to join the conversation on April 2nd at 2pm CDT.

 

Become a child sponsor and you’ll provide a child and others in his or her community with access to life-saving basics.



Reminder: Call-in Cafe, Thursday, March 21st

Post a Comment » Written on March 20th, 2013     
Filed under: Adult Ministry, Announcement, Personal growth, Practical Tips
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Tune in Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 11:00 am (CST)

for the next Call-in Cafe – Adult Ministry

 

Mentoring/Coaching, A Friend for the Christian Journey

Judy Peterson, Campus Pastor at North Park University will be the guest presenter this month.

Mentoring is an important part of University Ministries at North Park University. Judy helps students learn about mentoring and then supports them as they put their training into practice. She feels strongly about the importance and effectiveness of mentoring in the spiritual formation of Christians. Because the university setting is quite different from the church, we will intentionally include time to discuss possible adaptations for your setting.

Register for the discussion here.*To connect to the audio portion with a landline or cell phone: (US/Canada): (877) 668-4493 (Call-in toll number (US/Canada)) Access code: 624 400 743  



Reminder: Call-in Cafe, Tuesday, March 19th

Post a Comment » Written on March 18th, 2013     
Filed under: Announcement, Children's Ministry
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Tune in Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at 3:00 pm (CST) for the next Call-in Cafe

Encouraging and equipping your church’s parents in discipling their own children

Presenter: Samantha Morey

Discover how to lead your church’s parents into leading their children to Christ and fostering an environment of discipleship that carry them into adulthood.  Learn about ways to support parents in the process and offer tools to enrich their journeys.

Register for the discussion here.*To connect to the audio portion with a landline or cell phone: (US/Canada): 1-877-668-4493 (Call-in toll free number (US/Canada) Access code:  622 383 941



Verge 2013 Disciple Making Conference: FREE WEBCAST!

Though the Verge 2013 Conference looks amazing, its SOLD OUT. But there are so many others like you who would want to participate. And here’s some good news! Bring Verge to your home, group or church with the Verge Webcast by hosting or attending a FREE Live Webcast. The event will be broadcast over the internet, so if you would like to show the event in your group, house or church free of charge, Verge Network would like to help you make that a reality.
So let’s spread the word about the FREE live Webcast of Verge 2013 so that no one misses out. Think about all the groups or churches you know who would benefit from being challenged and inspired on the topic of Disciple Making by Dave Gibbons, Francis Chan, Jo Saxton, Dr. John Perkins, and many, many others!

Just sign up HERE to get on the Verge 2013 Live Webcast email list to stay updated and get info on next steps!

Here is all the information and details you need to host a Verge Webcast!

Dates & Times – March 1-2

  • Check the full schedule of Verge 2013 Conference in the “Schedule & Topics” tab.
  • Verge 2013 Conference will be webcast worldwide. All you need is a computer and an internet connection. You can register for free at the bottom of this page.

The Link

  • The link to the webcast will be sent the week of the conference after you register for the webcast at the bottom of this page.


A Lenten Journey

What a surprise! A mere 15 minutes after posting my plan on Facebook I had three companions for the journey…and the number kept right on growing. It’s encouraging to learn that I’ll have good company on this journey of new beginnings and wondrous encounters with God.

Perhaps you’d like to join us too. We’re reading through Richard Rohr’s book Wondrous Encounters: Scripture for Lent. It can be accessed quickly in e-format on Amazon. But don’t let a late start stop you. Join us whenever you can. All along the way post your wondrous encounters, either as a response to this blog or on Facebook or Twitter (#wondrousencounters).

As a season of the Christian church year, Lent begins this week with Ash Wednesday.  Its observation serves as preparation for Holy Week – during which we encounter the realities of Christ’s dying and rising. I’m regularly challenged by Franciscan friar Richard Rohr and look forward to his guidance on a journey of knowing God more fully.

From the book’s introduction: “During these forty days of Lent, let’s allow ourselves to be known! All the way through. Nothing to hide from, in ourselves, from ourselves, or from God.”

With you on the journey,

Doreen Olson

 

 



Call-in Cafe – Small Group Ministries

Tune in Thursday, February 21, 2013 at 11:00 am (CST)

for the next Call-in Cafe – Adult Ministry

 

The next Call-in Cafe will focus on Small Group Ministries in the church. We will review the Intentional Discipleship Ministry Survey and identify several ways to strengthen this important ministry. We encourage participants to bring their ideas and questions to share with others.

Register for the discussion here.*To connect to the audio portion with a landline or cell phone: (US/Canada): (650) 479-3208 (Call-in toll number (US/Canada)) Access code: 623 157 572  

 

Insights from the Adult Ministry Survey Related to Small Groups

When we began developing the Intentional Discipleship website we surveyed Covenant churches to discover how they support and encourage the Christian formation of adults. We emailed this survey to all pastors of Covenant churches (approximately 700), and we received 228 responses.  The responses represent all sizes of churches and all parts of the United States and Canada.

Continue Reading »



Call-in Cafe: Recruiting

Tune in Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at 3:00 pm (CST)

for the next Call-in Cafe

 

Do you have enough volunteers to effectively run your ministry?  At times it can seem impossible to make sure all the areas are “covered.”  Rest assured, GOD has it covered.  Join us on Tuesday, February 19 to hear about effective recruiting techniques, resources that have helped others, and the secret to having less recruiting to do.  Feeling tipsy?  Bring a tip to share with others about what has worked in your church to get others to see the blessing that is found when ministering to kids and students.

Register for the discussion here.*To connect to the audio portion with a landline or cell phone: (US/Canada): (650) 479-3208 (Call-in toll number (US/Canada)) Access code: 627 686 120 

 

Continue Reading »



Triennial XIV Video is here!

We invite you to come enjoy the beautiful diversity of the women of the Covenant. We are multi-generational, multi-cultural, multi-vocational, multi-expressional! Rooted in Jesus Christ!

You are invite you to join us August 15-18, 2013. Triennial can be a joyful getaway, a soothing break, and a life-changing encounter. Or maybe all. But I know you will meet God and be changed by him.

To Register, click here!

Are you going?



CKC Children’s Video Available Now

A new video from Covenant Kids Congo is now available for children. The video details how community development works through Covenant Kids Congo powered by World Vision. Demonstrating how God works through us to build a community as local leaders come together. Check out the video and give them your feedback. Feel free to use this in your church along with the CKC children’s curriculum.