{"id":484,"date":"2009-05-01T20:01:44","date_gmt":"2009-05-01T20:01:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/newswire\/?p=484"},"modified":"2010-12-22T13:07:27","modified_gmt":"2010-12-22T18:07:27","slug":"7031","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/newswire\/2009\/05\/01\/7031\/","title":{"rendered":"Midwest Conference Considers the Changing Face of Christianity"},"content":{"rendered":"

MASON CITY, IA (May 1, 2009) \u2013 Superintendent Ken Carlson told delegates to the Midwest Conference Annual Meeting that many of their churches are at a crossroads because people outside the church, and even some within it, are no longer pursuing Christ.<\/p>\n

The number of people unaffiliated with any faith has doubled in the last few years, he said. Only 20 percent of people in any community attend worship services each week.<\/p>\n

Carlson added that the makeup of Christianity also has undergone a radical shift. He explained that 80 percent of Christians are non-white, non-western and from non-northern hemispheres.<\/p>\n

In his report, Associate Superintendent Rick Mylander exhorted congregations to consider parenting new congregations. There was a video presentation of a second site church plant by Hillcrest Covenant Church, Prairie Village, Kansas.<\/p>\n

Even as delegates looked to planting new churches in the future, they approved the closing of New Beginnings Covenant Church\u2014formerly First Covenant Church\u2014in Denver, Colorado. The church began in 1898 and closed last year. It is considered the \u201cmother church\u201d and grandparent of all Covenant churches in the area.<\/p>\n

Carlson noted that the congregation\u2019s ministry would continue because it was a \u201cLiving Legacy\u201d church. Proceeds from the sale of the church will be used to promote church plants.<\/p>\n

Interspersed throughout the meeting were eight stories of individual and congregational transformation. \u201cIt was a real celebration of God\u2019s faithfulness,\u201d Carlson says.<\/p>\n

Stories included the growth of Stotler Covenant Church in Osage City, Kansas. In need of a new start, the church moved in to the city from its location seven miles outside the city limits. Initially meeting in a local school, the church opened its new building in September and seen an increase in attendance.<\/p>\n

Carl Elwood, the pastor of the Covenant congregation in Mountain Village, Alaska, also addressed the delegates. The conference is partnering with the church to upgrade the parsonage and work on other projects. For a previous story, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In other business:<\/p>\n