Walter, executive minister of the Department of Church Growth and Evangelism, was first elected to his position in 1999. Peterson, executive minister of the Department of World Mission, was first elected to his position in 2003. Executive Board Chair Darrell Griffin, conducting his first meeting in that role, noted that both individuals will stand for re-election during the 122nd Annual Meeting next June in Portland, Oregon.
President Glenn Palmberg outlined the search process for the position as executive minister of the new Department of Compassion, Mercy, and Justice approved by delegates at this year’s Annual Meeting in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Executive Board member Lee Richman of Wheat Ridge, Colorado, was selected to chair the search committee. Richman outlined some of the methodology involved in the search process and the timeline required to identify a candidate for presentation to delegates next June.
A number of financial updates were presented, including a review of the Bethany Benefit Service insurance program. Dean Lundgren, church treasurer and vice president of finance, reviewed the positive factors that helped support a lower-than-average insurance premium increase of five percent for 2007 – a rate significantly lower than the average 12 percent increase expected from other major insurance plans. To read more about the rate adjustment, please see an earlier online story, Bethany Benefit Service.
Other financial reports included the Covenant Pension Plan, Coordinated Budget report on church giving, and results of a vulnerability analysis and risk assessment that is conducted at periodic intervals.
Executive Board committees met Saturday morning and afternoon, with the board in general session most of the day Sunday. Reports were received from four ministry committees, including Christian Formation, Church Growth and Evangelism, World Mission, and Communications.
The emerging millennial generation was the focus of considerable discussion during the Christian Formation Committee meeting on Saturday. Of special interest is exploration of ways to engage these young people and include them in the life of local churches. The new “Growing Deeper” curriculum also was reviewed. To learn more about the efforts to reach this new millennial generation, please listen to this insight from Doreen Olson, executive minister of Christian Formation, 
The Millennial Generation.
An important part of new church planting is addressing the need for real estate for the building of new structures, a function under the umbrella of Church Growth and Evangelism. That committee recommended that thought be given to ways of consolidating all efforts relating to the acquisition and disposition of real estate for improved efficiencies and continuity of effort. Members also spent considerable time discussing the relatively new initiative focusing on revitalization, resourcing and encouragement of existing congregations – an effort being directed by newly appointed director of revitalization John Wenrich. To hear more about this exciting new effort, listen to this insight from Gary Walter, Church revitalization.
World Mission Update.• Temporary housing and orientation for marginalized individuals project involving the Vida Nueva Covenant Church in La Coruña, Spain – project goal of $110,000.
• Land and/or building purchase for the Vida Nueva Covenant Church, including a social center – project goal of $220,000.
• Aid for education initiative for Good Hope School in Bentiu, Sudan, which hosts more than 2,200 students and serves as the only Christian School in the region – project goal of $400,000 over three years.
• Guest House in Malakal, where there is only one plot of land available that is close to the airport, which serves United Nations staff and other visitors; with a good business plan, the church could establish a for-profit business that would serve the community, but also become a cash revenue source for the young church – project goal of $125,000.
• Cornerstone Christian Counseling (CCC) expansion project in Thailand; the counseling center provides services to missionaries in Asia, utilizing facilities that are inadequate to support the level of services needed, which requires new property, construction of a new building, and furnishings – project goal of $400,000.
The impact of new Internet-based technology and its potential use in ministry was one focal point for the Communications Committee, which also reviewed the recently completed transition from a bricks-and-mortar bookstore in Chicago to a fully serviced online Covenant Bookstore designed to supply resources needed by local Covenant churches. To hear more about the impact of technology on ministry, listen to this update by Don Meyer, executive minister of Communications, Technology and Mission.
Elected members of the Executive Board include: Kari Bargas, Edmond, OK; Penny Barham, Reidsville, NC; Noel Becchetti, El Cajon, CA; Christian Breuninger, Sammamish, WA; Kim Carlson, Onekama, MI; Keith Carpenter, Kent, WA; Joel Davidsen, Moultonboro, NH; Marc Eix, Manistee, MI; Rebekah Eklund, Minneapolis, MN; Carol Friar, Chicago, IL; Keith Fullerton, Surrey, BC; John Gambs, Red Oak, IA; Darrell Griffin, Chicago, IL; Lisa Hutcherson, Tacoma, WA; Alynne MacLean, Sharon, MA; Jane Matheson, Ham Lake, MN; James Nelson, Norquay, SK; Lee Richman, Wheat Ridge, CO; Rebecca Slomiany, Aurora, CO; Lindsay Small, Excelsior, MN; Joan Sommerfeld, Burnsville, MN; Anita Sorenson, Altadena, CA; Carla Thelander, Jamestown, NY; Marva Watts, Chicago, IL; Daniel Wickman, Buffalo, MN; and Brian K. Woodson, Oakland, CA.
Gilbert Friesen of Westminster, CO, serves as an appointed member. The representative from the Council of Superintendents is Mark Novak from the North Pacific Conference, with liaisons including Kathie Norman of Modesto, CA (Women Ministries), Mark Johnson of Hoffman Estates, IL (North Park University), and Richard Wilson of Arden Hills, MN (Covenant Ministries of Benevolence). Paul Lessard of Strathmore, AB, serves as an advisory member.
