Formation

intentional discipleship

Post a Comment » Written on May 14th, 2013     
Filed under: Adult Ministry, Formation, Resources
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The ECC teaches us that as disciples of Jesus, we’re on a continuing journey of being transformed by the Holy Spirit into Christ’s likeness, experiencing and expressing love for God and others.

We’ve developed FREE planning resources for the adult spiritual journey designed to…

  • Equip God’s people for works of service
  • Build up the body of Christ
  • Foster unity in the community of faith
  • Grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ
  • Become rooted and grounded in love; and
  • Attain to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ

Check out this FREE “Make and Deepen Disciples” resource and explore topics of intentional discipleship on:

  • Small Groups
  • Mentoring and Coaching
  • Teaching and Learning
  • Prayer

To view and download resources, click here!



Call-in Cafe: Mission and Ministry, For God’s Glory and Neighbor’s Good

Post a Comment » Written on April 9th, 2013     
Filed under: Adult Ministry, Formation, Resources
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On April 18, 2013, Tune for the next Call-in Cafe “Mission and Ministry, For God’s Glory and Neighbor’s Good“.

Register for the discussion here at 11:00 am, Central Daylight Time or Call-in toll-free number (US/Canada): 1-877-668-4493 Access code: 622 935 280

Many churches today seek to bring Christ to specific Ministry and Mission opportunities in their communities, as well as on the other side of the world. For the April Call-in Cafe we invited some local church leaders to share their experience with this call to action in Jesus’ name. If you are exploring Mission and Ministry opportunities for your church or have experiences to share, we encourage you to join us for this Call-in Cafe.

Something to consider:

As you read the following quotation from the Covenant Resource Paper on Compassion, Mercy and Justice (June, 2011) ask yourself, “How is this concern incorporated into the life of your church?”

As a community of faith centered on and actively engaged with the Bible, the Evangelical Covenant Church has a long and significant history of ministries of compassion, mercy, and justice. In recent years our engagement in these ministries has increased, deepened, and broadened. This focus reflects our deepening conviction that to be faithful to the Bible, the Covenant Church must work to live out the great commandment in all its ramifications. When asked by a teacher of the law, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” Jesus answered, “The most important one…is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:28-31). Along with Luke 4:18-19, this text provides clarity about the foundation for ministries of compassion, mercy, and justice and intimately links love for God with love for neighbor. This perspective, reflecting the historic foundations and character of the Covenant, is inscribed succinctly in stone at the base of the first building erected at North Park University: “For God and Humanity.”

 



A Lenten Journey

Post a Comment » Written on February 12th, 2013     
Filed under: Announcement, Events, Formation, Personal growth, Practical Tips, Resources, Uncategorized
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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: Recruiting

Post a Comment » Written on February 2nd, 2013     
Filed under: Announcement, Children's Ministry, Formation, Intergenerational Ministry, Personal growth, Practical Tips, Resources, Uncategorized, Youth Ministry
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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 

 

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Triennial XIV Video is here!

1 Comment » Written on January 29th, 2013     
Filed under: Adult Ministry, Announcement, Events, Formation, Intergenerational Ministry, Personal growth, Resources, Uncategorized, Youth Ministry
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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?



Exciting Adults about Learning (part 2)

Post a Comment » Written on January 14th, 2013     
Filed under: Adult Ministry, Announcement, Events, Formation, Intergenerational Ministry, Personal growth, Practical Tips, Resources, Uncategorized
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The next Call-in Cafe will focus on Teaching/Learning Ministries in the church. We will explore the need for teaching/learning ministries as well as possible approaches for enhancing these ministries. We encourage participants to bring their ideas and questions to share with others.

Date:  January 17, 2013

Time:  11:00 a.m. CST

Topic: Call In Cafe Adult – Teaching/Learning, Do adult Christians still need to learn?
To register for this meeting:
1. Go to https://covchurch.webex.com/covchurch/j.php?ED=212540397&RG=1&UID=0&RT=MiM3
2. Register for the meeting
3. Once the host approves your request, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions for joining the meeting. 

The purpose of the teaching/learning ministry

Teaching/learning in the church helps the learner gain knowledge, increase attentiveness to God, and build relationships within the community of faith. By including these three outcomes in the teaching/learning ministries of the church, we help people grow as disciples.

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Exciting Adults about Learning (part 1)

Post a Comment » Written on January 11th, 2013     
Filed under: Adult Ministry, Announcement, Events, Formation, Intergenerational Ministry, Personal growth, Resources, Uncategorized
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The next Call-in Cafe will focus on Teaching/Learning Ministries in the church. We will explore the need for teaching/learning ministries as well as possible approaches for enhancing these ministries. We encourage participants to bring their ideas and questions to share with others.

Date:  January 17, 2013

Time:  11:00 a.m. CST

Topic: Call In Cafe Adult – Teaching/Learning, Do adult Christians still need to learn?
To register for this meeting:
1. Go to https://covchurch.webex.com/covchurch/j.php?ED=212540397&RG=1&UID=0&RT=MiM3
2. Register for the meeting.
3. Once the host approves your request, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions for joining the meeting. 

 

Your Church Vision, Mission, and Purpose

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:19-20).

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Call-in Cafe – We invite you to join us next week

Post a Comment » Written on January 7th, 2013     
Filed under: Adult Ministry, Announcement, Children's Ministry, Events, Formation, Personal growth, Practical Tips, Resources, Uncategorized
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Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 3:00 pm, CST – (Children’s ministry leaders)

“Unleash The Power Of Vision In Your Children and Family Ministry“

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: 621 878 555

Create Vision In Your Children’s Ministry Team Members – Develop a reputation as a children’s pastor committed to the personal wellbeing and development of leaders as whole persons.  Team members need vision at several levels.  Vision for the children’s lives that will be transformed, vision to increase their own confidence and ability to lead, vision how their service fits into the bigger picture of God’s work in their life.

Patti Larson, former Christian Formation Pastor for 25 years, and currently living into a new calling as a Life Coach, will make a 15 minute presentation and then provide questions to stimulate discussion and sharing of ideas.

 

 

Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 11:00 am, CST – “Exciting Adults about Learning Again”

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: 625 727 376

It appears that interest in educational ministries is waning, but does that mean adults know everything they need to know about the Christian life?  This Call In Cafe will consider recent data on learning ministries, discuss the need for Adult learning and possible approaches to enhancing this area of ministry. We invite you to join the conversation and bring your ideas and questions to share with others.

Presenter: Bruce Lawson

 

For information and to register, visit: blogs.covchurch.org/formation/call-in-cafe



Call-in Cafe – A Spiritual Journey into Christmas, December 11th

Post a Comment » Written on December 4th, 2012     
Filed under: Adult Ministry, Announcement, Biblical Literacy, Children's Ministry, Formation, Intergenerational Ministry, Personal growth, Resources, Uncategorized, Youth Ministry

On Tuesday, December 11, 11:00 am CST, Steve Burger will host this month’s Call-In Cafe discussion.

 
Take a moment to catch your breath, to rest and dwell with God. A gently guided journey into God’s presence.

Advent is meant to be a time of reflection, and joyfully celebrating the incarnation of God. But for those of us in the church it also becomes a time of increased ministry responsibilities. It is a good thing to both contemplate and develop means to help others enter into the presence of God, and experience the joy of Christ coming. But often it comes at the expense of a reflection time of our own.

Jesus, too felt both the joy and exhaustion of long days of ministry. It was at these times that he went away to pray. To spend some focused time with God. That’s what ‘A Spiritual Journey into Christmas” is meant to be. An hour long gently guided journey into God’s presence.

During our time together we will briefly enter into the community of like-minded pastors and leaders, then spend some time releasing, remembering and reflecting.

It will be a time of centering, and in the end for those who wish, sharing and celebrating.

You may even find this a helpful resource to take and offer to the leaders in your church setting. But most of all we hope you will find in it the refreshment, assurance, love and grace of moments spent with God.

 

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: 622 203 810 #

 



Reminder: Call-In Cafe – November 15 – Mobilizing Prayer Power

Post a Comment » Written on November 12th, 2012     
Filed under: Adult Ministry, Announcement, Formation, Resources, Uncategorized
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REMINDER: The next Call-in Café will focus on Mobilizing Prayer Power. We will explore individual and community prayer practices that empower us for living a life that is rooted and grounded in Christ. Join us as we hear from several churches about their ministries of prayer. Bring your ideas and questions to share with others.

Date:  November 15, 2012

Time:  11:00 a.m. CST

Register for the discussion here! To connect to the audio portion with a landline or cell phone: (US/Canada): 408-600-3600 Access code: 626 843 869#

 

Setting the Scene

Prayer acknowledges that God is present with us at all times and in all places. Coming before God in prayer is an act of worship as we honor God as Creator, Lord, and Savior. It’s a gracious gift from God who desires a personal relationship with us. Read more!



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