The Evangelical Covenant Church How do you describe who we are to others?

Evangelical Covenant Church Evangelical = Good News 3 kinds of churches Covenant = God’s Friends Church = Better together 4 commitments (separate slide) 3 churches 2 core beliefs 1 passion

Evangelical = Good News

3 kinds of churches

Covenant = God’s Friends

Church = Better together

4 commitments (separate slide)

3 churches

2 core beliefs

1 passion

We are more like the solar system… With one central passion, one attractive, life-giving source. + A past path & a future mission.

… Than like a medieval city.

4 Engines That Power Vitality Scripture – empowered by the thoughts of God Intimacy with God – empowered by the indwelling of God Evangelism and Compassion – empowered by the purposes of God Compelling Christian Community – empowered by the family of God

Scripture – empowered by the thoughts of God

Intimacy with God – empowered by the indwelling of God

Evangelism and Compassion – empowered by the purposes of God

Compelling Christian Community – empowered by the family of God

A Brief History of the ECC We are a Reformation Church. We emerged from the Lutheran Church of Sweden – but today are becoming as ethnically diverse as North America. We are more a “New Life In Christ” movement . Rather than reacting to doctrinal error, we were impacted by two revivals that led us to 4 key commitments. The first two relate to the First Revival – that called people to Personal faith in Christ and Personal study of God’s Word. The second two relate to Second Revival – that called people to evangelism and community (Covenant groups). These are the “4 Engines that Power our Vitality” down to this very day.

We are a Reformation Church.

We emerged from the Lutheran Church of Sweden – but today are becoming as ethnically diverse as North America.

We are more a “New Life In Christ” movement . Rather than reacting to doctrinal error, we were impacted by two revivals that led us to 4 key commitments.

The first two relate to the First Revival – that called people to Personal faith in Christ and Personal study of God’s Word.

The second two relate to Second Revival – that called people to evangelism and community (Covenant groups).

These are the “4 Engines that Power our Vitality” down to this very day.

Covenant Affirmations The Necessity of the New Birth The Bible as the Perfect Word of God A Membership of Committed Believers The Necessity of the Holy Spirit in living the Christian Life. Freedom in Christ– “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, diversity; in all things, charity” I am a companion of all who fear You. Ps 119:63 Committed to the Whole Mission of the Church: we have always been “Mission Friends”

The Necessity of the New Birth

The Bible as the Perfect Word of God

A Membership of Committed Believers

The Necessity of the Holy Spirit in living the Christian Life.

Freedom in Christ– “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, diversity; in all things, charity” I am a companion of all who fear You. Ps 119:63

Committed to the Whole Mission of the Church: we have always been “Mission Friends”

Church Growth, Evangelism, Prayer are a commitment at the highest level. Over a quarter of the mission giving of our churches to the ECC goes for Church Planting & other ministries of Evangelism, Planting, Prayer…

Covenant Church Planting Conversions Per 100 Attenders This graphic illustrates the results of repeated studies, which bear out the fact that church planting remains a highly effective means of evangelism today. Lyle Schaller, one of the most respected analysts of church life states that “church planting is the closest thing to a guaranteed method of outreach.” http://www.churchesplantingchurches.org/ 2003 GLC 18 30 2004-6 ea yr GLC The US and Canada are the world’s 3rd largest mission field. We provide legal and technical services so churches can build mission outposts.

Church Planting The ECC has averaged over 20 new churches per year since 1995 The % of Covenant attendance in new churches (0-10 yrs old) is over 30% on any given Sunday and increasing. For other groups, it’s 5.1% The Survival Rate of our church plants is 90% For other groups, it’s 50 – 75% The Ave attendance of our new churches is 238 For other groups, it’s 91

The ECC has averaged over 20 new churches per year since 1995

The % of Covenant attendance in new churches (0-10 yrs old) is over 30% on any given Sunday and increasing.

For other groups, it’s 5.1%

The Survival Rate of our church plants is 90%

For other groups, it’s 50 – 75%

The Ave attendance of our new churches is 238

For other groups, it’s 91

Church Plants in the GLC in the last 5 years + 3 adoptions = 1400 new attenders! C3, Novi, MI Life Covenant, Canton, MI Citadel of Faith, Detroit, MI Artisan, Rochester, NY Designers, Nashville, TN Esperanza, Grand Rapids, MI LifeChurch, Grand Rapids, MI Connexions, Dexter, MI Renovate, Muskegon, MI 4 Rivers, Paducah, KY LifeChurch.tv, Hendersonville, TN

C3, Novi, MI

Life Covenant, Canton, MI

Citadel of Faith, Detroit, MI

Artisan, Rochester, NY

Designers, Nashville, TN

Esperanza, Grand Rapids, MI

LifeChurch, Grand Rapids, MI

Connexions, Dexter, MI

Renovate, Muskegon, MI

4 Rivers, Paducah, KY

LifeChurch.tv, Hendersonville, TN

Covenant World Mission The ECC formed in 1885 to send out missionaries to China and Russia – we’re still sending our missionaries to impact the world for Christ. 100+ career & short-term missionaries on 26+ fields. Nearly half of the money sent to the ECC by our churches went for World Mission . 300,000+ attending ECC churches overseas – and growing!

100+ career & short-term missionaries on 26+ fields. Nearly half of the money sent to the ECC by our churches went for World Mission .

300,000+ attending ECC churches overseas – and growing!

From the very beginning: David Nyvall wrote of the beginnings of the Covenant: “This Covenant is not a church organization in the ordinary sense, but a mission society having churches as its members. These churches have consolidated because of the missionary spirit which allow them to be involved in missionary enterprises too large for any single church to undertake.” This is Mission Partnership. This is the Covenant. To God be the glory!

David Nyvall wrote of the beginnings of the Covenant: “This Covenant is not a church organization in the ordinary sense, but a mission society having churches as its members. These churches have consolidated because of the missionary spirit which allow them to be involved in missionary enterprises too large for any single church to undertake.”

This is Mission Partnership.

This is the Covenant.

To God be the glory!

Christ for the Nations Colombia – 1968 Congo – 1937 Czech Republic – 1999 Ecuador – 1947 France – 1996 Fulani (African – nomadic people) – 1994 Germany – 1991 Japan – 1949 Laos – 1991 Mexico – 1946 Russia – 1993 Spain – 1996 Taiwan – 1952 Thailand – 1971 Africa: Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Burkina Faso. Equitorial Guinea, Central African Republic South & Central America: Argentina, Chili and El Salvador And parterships in Czech Republic, India, Philippines

Colombia – 1968

Congo – 1937

Czech Republic – 1999

Ecuador – 1947

France – 1996

Fulani (African – nomadic people) – 1994

Germany – 1991

Japan – 1949

Laos – 1991

Mexico – 1946

Russia – 1993

Spain – 1996

Taiwan – 1952

Thailand – 1971

Africa: Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Burkina Faso. Equitorial Guinea, Central African Republic

South & Central America: Argentina, Chili and El Salvador

And parterships in Czech Republic, India, Philippines

ECC across the Continent GLC mission: “Every church a strategic mission outpost on a shared & expanding mission field.” GLC vision: By 2020, to multiply to 100 Mission, Christ-magnifying congregations in an increasing Mosaic of Communities.

A Growing Covenant of Churches Attendance: 1993 2006 97,210 161,000 # Churches: 630 780 New Churches per yr: ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ‘03 ‘04 27 13 19 33 24 15 18 16 21 29

Attendance: 1993 2006

97,210 161,000

# Churches: 630 780

New Churches per yr:

’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ‘03 ‘04

27 13 19 33 24 15 18 16 21 29

Impacting More Lives The Covenant has grown steadily for 14 consecutive years.

The Covenant has grown steadily

for 14 consecutive years.

Attendance: Existing/New Churches

E thnic Dynamic – ECC now 3 rd most ethnically diverse denomination in US

Unity in Diversity “We want the face of the Covenant to reflect the face of North America & the face of the kingdom” Glenn Palmberg, President of the ECC “ We want Covenant Churches to grow in two directions: deeper in Christ & further in mission.” Gary Walter – Director of Church Growth

New Church Impact

The ECC in Context

Decadal Growth Rate Ethnic Churches & Entire ECC

Projections based on current trends: The ECC in 2020 Currently the ECC has 156,824 people in 763 congregations That will grow to 285,000 people in 1100 congregations Now the ECC has 20% of its congregations that are ethnic or multi-ethnic By 2020, this should grow to 36%.

Currently the ECC has 156,824 people in 763 congregations

That will grow to 285,000 people in 1100 congregations

Now the ECC has 20% of its congregations that are ethnic or multi-ethnic

By 2020, this should grow to 36%.

The ECC Is not just coffee and fellowship, but partnering together to fulfill the Great Commission!

Next slides optional on Treasurer’s report for ECC

Treasurer’s Report 2005

The Evangelical Covenant Church Assets Under Management in millions ($ in millions)

Pension Benefits in thousands, paid out each year ($ in thousands)

National Covenant Properties – Assets in millions ($ in millions)

THE Loan Source for Covenant Churches Of the churches that have loans, over 85% have loans with NCP

Of the churches that have loans, over 85% have loans with NCP

North Park University Enrollment Number of Students Total = 2,972 Graduate College Graduate Seminary Non-Traditional Undergraduate Traditional Undergraduate