ATLANTA, GA (December, 1998) – “Great Relationships: Essential to the Church and Home” was the theme of the 1999 Atlanta Urban Leadership Retreat that drew some 45 ministers, wives and presenters to the second annual event recently in Atlanta.
The three-day event focused on relationships in each of five plenary sessions, incorporating stirring messages from a number of individuals, including Brian Woodson of California, and Rev. Richard and Jane Berry, who led one session focused on the family and another for pastors’ wives.
“The retreats have played a vital role in the recruiting process for ministers and potential church planters new to the Covenant,” said Berry, one of the organizers of the event that is sponsored by the African American Ministers Association (AAMA). Berry is associate superintendent of the Southeast Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church. “The Midwinter Conference always provides great exposure to inquirers, but with the addition of the retreat, new persons can be exposed to the African American ministers in a more relaxed setting,” he added.
On the day prior to the event, some 20 individuals heard suggestions for producing more effective proposals writing from Rick Fisk, vice president of the eastern region of Covenant Retirement Communities headquartered in Chicago. At one of the morning sessions, six individuals from various Covenant national offices shared the work of their respective departments, explaining ways in which their departments contribute to the overall mission of the Covenant.
The retreat schedule also included free time for ministers to tour Atlanta, a visit to the Berrys’ home for desert, prayer and praise and to functions at two nearby Covenant churches.
“Responses from participants seem to indicate that the retreat exceeded their expectations and should continue as an annual event,” Berry said. “This is particularly encouraging because urban pastors rarely take time off from their very hard job of ministry to the poor. As a result, they often become the ones needing the most ministry,” he observed. Berry stressed the importance of spouses attending the retreat, noting “as husband and wife, team ministry is very helpful in urban ministry.”
The African American Ministers Association, in partnership with the broader Covenant body, provides a “bridge” for African American ministers entering the Covenant family, Berry explained. Dr. Don Davenport, AAMA president, encourages dialogue with Covenant ministers around the country on ways in which the AAMA can better serve in helping ministers and the denomination as a whole become more effective in reaching groups of all races and backgrounds.
Copyright © 2011 The Evangelical Covenant Church.