By Don Meyer<\/p>\n
CHICAGO, IL (November 9, 2007) – Hardly a week goes by that we do not receive a few comments from readers on stories published as part of the Covenant online news report.<\/p>\n
We will share from time to time some of those responses generated through the \u201ccomments\u201d link attached to each published story. This kind of feedback is very helpful to our Covenant News Service staff as we seek to identify and publish stories of great interest to a broad spectrum of online readers of this report.<\/p>\n
Following are comments relating to recently published stories, edited in some cases for length. To read a particular story of interest, click on the headline.<\/p>\n
Celebration to Honor Retiring Pastor Robert Bergquist
\nGreg Chantler of Tacoma, WA, writes: I just had to respond to the story concerning the coming retirement of pastor Bob Bergquist. Pastor Bob and I go way back to 1976. He was pastor of the First Covenant Church of Tacoma and I was a young, 26-year-old with 11 months of professional pastoral ministry under my belt. He took me on staff as the \u201cMinister of Music & Body Life Ministries.\u201d (How\u2019s that for a job title?) During the 12 years we worked together, I clearly saw what being a pastor really meant. He and Judy taught my wife and I how to embrace folks that came to our church. Their loving acceptance and care for each person in our congregation spoke volumes to us. What a delight to serve with this wonderfully anointed couple. I also remember how he would give me opportunities to preach. I\u2019d pick my favorite passages and really go to town! Then one day he told me to preach on the assigned text from the lectionary. I said, \u201cSure, but why do you want me to do the assigned text instead of choosing my own?\u201d Bob said something to the effect, \u201cBecause it\u2019s a good discipline . . . it\u2019s all good . . . every text has something to say.\u201d I never forgot that. Blessings to you, Bob and Judy! You\u2019ve been a great source of inspiration to me.<\/p>\n
Pastor: Donate 125 Minutes to Celebrate 125 Years of Ministry
\nPhil Carlson of Golden Valley, MN, writes: What a great idea! An opportunity for the entire church family to be involved! Congratulations on 125!<\/p>\n
Campus Events Seek to Build Relationships with Kids
\nNancy Reed of La Coru\u00f1a, Spain, writes: Hooray for North Park!<\/p>\n
Grace W. Heinrich of Saint Paul, MN, writes: Thank you for this story of what the North Park University students are doing in compassion and justice. It is always great to hear when our young adults take advantage of the opportunity to serve in the world around them. When I got to the bottom of the article and saw that Judy Howard Peterson challenged the students to become leaders, tears came to my eyes. I know what it has meant to me after listening to Judy speak at the Triennial in Portland and it made me so deeply happy for the children \u2013 and also deeply happy for the North Park students that she is their campus pastor.<\/p>\n
Services pending for Winifred Swenson
\nJan and Bob Thornbloom of Chicago, IL, write: We visited the work in Jonesville and were amazed at what the two women accomplished in the early years with very little to work with. There are many that call Winifred \u201cmother\u201d because of her love and care for them.<\/p>\n
Tulsa (OK) Churches Join in 24\/7 Prayer Vigil
\nToni Schwabe of Forest Lake, MN, writes: Crossroads Covenant in Forest Lake has been doing this for a couple of times a year for several years. The time is a blessing to the church and the community that participate. Sometimes the time is set aside for a particular issue and other times for the season of the year. The 24\/7 prayer room was also a great addition to Triennial XII this year. Thank you for bringing this possibility to the denomination.<\/p>\n
Roland Boyce of Alexandria, MN, writes: The prayer of my heart is that this effort would be replicated across our land in an hour when corporate concerted prayer will allow the church to be a \u201crestraining order against unrighteousness.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pension Benefit Increase Effective January 1, 2008
\nJ. Curtis Jennings of Longview, TX, writes: Thank you for the good news. I commend the Pension Board for the way they have looked after the retirees.<\/p>\n
Older Stories<\/p>\n
Occasionally we receive comments about stories published some time ago. Most often, readers come across them while topically perusing search engines or when visiting the online Covenant News Archive maintained by Covenant News Service. We appreciate reader comments at any time about any story that has appeared as part of our online Covenant news report.<\/p>\n
Mount Miguel Village Residents Evacuated Overnight
\nPaul Hedberg of Homewood, IL, writes: I work for Vitas Hospice and this week I am in San Diego. I have been extremely impressed how orderly and well organized efforts to care for evacuees has been. My heart and prayers go out to all those who have lost their homes. I can only believe that it is by the grace of God more lives have not been lost in these devastating fires. As someone who lives in the Chicago area, I never could imagine how horrible wildfires can be until this week. Pray for the folks in this area. Thanks for keeping us updated on the Covenant family. I am especially glad that our friends from Mount Miguel are safely evacuated.<\/p>\n
Kristin Richardson of Houston, TX, writes: I am glad to read this article. My mother is a resident at Mount Miguel Village and I have been very concerned about her. I would be happier with more updates though. More reassurance through the headquarters of her well-being would be very appreciated.<\/p>\n
Alpine Center Evacuated as Wildfires Spread
\nFrank Riley of Orange, CA, writes: The Eastern sections of our community have been evacuated. Flames came to within one-half mile of the pastor’s home with his son watching it from his bedroom window as they prepared for sleep. River47 was used as an evacuation shelter on Monday night as the Red Cross had closed their post at the local high school, anticipating that the danger had shifted away from Silverado Canyon. A change in wind direction changed all that, and by 9:30 p.m., River47 had opened its doors to families. Said the pastor, “So odd too . . . last night I was running an event for which I normally purchase two-liter bottles of coke and a small amount of ice. Yesterday for the first time in 12 years running this class, I put my ice chest in the truck, bought 15 pounds of ice and enough soft drinks to fill it. As I did that I found myself wondering, what did I just do? This is way more than I am going to need. Today, instead of emptying out the ice chest, I said I’ll just do it tomorrow. This evening as we opened our church up, there was this full ice chest with canned soft drinks and water to offer those being evacuated. Additionally, our student ministries department had all these individual bags of snacks laying out \u2013 usually something they’d get bawled out for. Long story short – we had everything we needed to set up a hospitality table as if we’d been prepared for this event, which evidently we had been.”<\/p>\n
Church Giving Away Most of its Property
\nLaura Reed of Saint Paul, MN, writes: This is so precious of your family – bless you all deeply. The Lord Jesus Christ is so good. Blessings upon blessings. God is always good. He reigns in all majesty.<\/p>\n
Sundholm Suffers \u2018Minor\u2019 Stroke, Recovering Nicely
\nLois C. Bridges of Spring Valley, CA, writes: I trust that the Lord is continuing his healing for Jim after the stroke. Jim has such passion and energy in his love for the needy. May God bless, give rest and strength.<\/p>\n
Palmberg: Child Insurance Protection a \u2018Moral Issue\u2019
\nDenny Kass of Dearborn Heights, MI, writes: This is embarrassing. I like Glenn and think he’s done a number of good things as he leads the denomination. In this case he really stepped in it. I’d like to know where he is reading that scripture is clear that the government has a role. Churches have a role. Individuals have a role. To say it\u2019s clear government has a role is reading into scripture. The article even said the program would be expanded to 10 million children, of which 6.6 million already have insurance. This is plain and simple supporting a plan that leads to national healthcare, which has been a disaster everywhere it’s been tried. The moral issue that is offensive is raising taxes for a program that does not need to be expanded to the extent of the SCHIP bill. Look at what happened when Solomon’s son overtaxed the people – he split his country. I would probably not be able to persuade Glenn on this issue. It’s apparent to me that we look at the world very differently and I am coming from a much more conservative bent. My main concern is this: when your politics becomes your religion, then you loose your effectiveness as an evangelical leader. I am not saying this has happened, but when statements like this are made, it causes concern. Why not support health care clinics like the denomination has in Detroit? The only reason the government should step in is because the church has failed to act.<\/p>\n
Harvey Drake of Seattle, WA, writes: It is really good to see President Palmberg speak out on such a critical issue as this. It is a shame that individuals or families should have to fight for or go without something as basic as health care. Speaking on behalf of those who don’t always have the platform to speak for themselves is also admirable. With a stringent belief that everyone should have health care, I am not sure, however, I can agree that scripture makes it clear that the government has to provide health care for everyone. Having said that, it would certainly be good if the government did. Health care should not be something that only middle and upper class families can afford. Is it possible for President Palmberg and others to speak out against the exorbitant cost of health care, which really prohibits many individuals and families from having the coverage they need? Or to state it in the positive, can they speak in favor of lower health care costs? Now that is something our government should be able to do. Keep speaking Mr. President. You are doing a biblical and good thing.<\/p>\n
Why Do Churches Change Names?
\nE. Lathan of Atlanta, GA, writes: The Church belongs to Christ. The name should reflect Christ. You and your cohorts have not read or just plain misunderstand the Bible if you just pull a name out of a hat. The name does not have to arouse curiosity or reflect character. It simply has to be the truth. The church that he will accept has to be his Church. Also, I would like to know what Baptist means? Was there a group of people in the Bible called Baptist? If so, where in the Bible?<\/p>\n
Counting the Gifts is Big Task
\nDaniela Gonzalez of Chicago, IL, writes: I am grateful for GOD and CHIC. This event (July 2006 in Knoxville, Tennessee) impacted my daughter’s life (Meztli Gonzalez). We are new church planters in the Northwest area of Chicago. I know God has great plans for us and for my daughter, too. Thank you, Covenant, for creating this event and blessing my daughter.<\/p>\n
Beware: Mission Work Can Upset ‘Comfortable’ Faith
\nJakki McDonald of Eugene, OR, writes: Hubby and I are going on our first mission trip to Chennai this February. I have many fears and reading your letter has been one of my concerns – how much it will change us? We will be working with the physically disabled young adults in a Christian school.<\/p>\n
Study: Longevity a Key in Successful Youth Ministry
\nWillie Anderson of Philadelphia, PA, writes: Very good story.<\/p>\n
Vision for Detroit Ministry Fast Becoming Reality
\nBeverly Maxwell of Farmington Hills, MI, writes: I heard the pastor speak at a dinner for Southfield Christen School. I need the church address as I am looking for a church home. Thank you.<\/p>\n
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