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EAST COAST COVENANTER A TRIANNUAL PUBLICATION OF THE EAST COAST CONFERENCE OF THE EVANGELICAL COVENANT CHURCH
WINTER 2018 HOWARD K. BURGOYNE SUPERINTENDENT EAST COAST CONFERENCE
The theme for the Conference's Annual Meeting this April 26-28 will help us cultivate and celebrate generosity in spirit and practice: What are the roots of generosity? In his foundational teachings Jesus urged: Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful (Luke 6:36). At the center of all that is real, personal, and universal, is God: our merciful Father. In the beginning, the stretched canvas of the unfolding universe was washed with mercy. The symphony of creation began with an overture of mercy and grace notes. God’s essence overflows in His creation. Do you want to resonate with sanity and beauty? Do you long to overcome the madness and the ugliness all around? Take the yoke of Jesus on. In a word, “Be merciful.” Jesus asserts the necessity of returning to first principles and first practices. These restore sanity and beauty to humanity. Jesus roots his ethic of mercy in the very nature of God and of the created universe. As the
THE GENESIS OF GENEROSITY condemn, or enslave. Instead we forgive, give, and liberate. Generosity is the practice of living by the wisdom that reciprocity is the law of generativity. In fact, generosity operates at a greater level than reciprocity. Generosity is compounding. Generosity is a fruit of the Spirit, for the Spirit is given generously to all who ask the Father. The Spirit makes us generous. A cup of water. A warm embrace. Remembering the poor. Releasing the captives. Refreshing the saints. Mercy makes us generous. Generosity makes us rich in goodness.
one who proceeds from the Father, Jesus brings us the good news: “Your Father is merciful.” As the one through whom the Father created the universe itself, Jesus, the Son of God, knows that the created order and the Kingdom are based on the divine law of reciprocity, or “you reap what you sow”. In daily living it is represented by an ethic: “Be merciful” and by a dictum: “For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you” (6:38). Every action generates an equal and opposite reaction. Mercy is intrinsic to God’s nature. It is not just what God does; it is who God is. Mercy is the healing balm that flows into our wounds from the loving heart of God. More than sacrifice, mercy is one of the primary virtues of God, along with righteousness, justice, beauty and love. Together these are attributes of God’s discernible glory. God is so good, He is merciful. God is so great, He is generous.
What measure do you need? Use that measure first towards others. Then God will compound it back to you: “A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.” I look forward to joining you as we explore God’s generosity and mercy together!
On the move,
Generosity flows from pure mercy. Mercy would make us generous both in what we don’t and do offer one another (6:37-38). When mercy is embodied we don’t judge,
IN THIS
ISSUE: issuu.com/eastcoastcovenanter
Have a question for Howard?
Email him at howard@eastcoastconf.org From the Superintendent: “The Genesis of Generosity" Church Planting Update Updates from NY, NJ, MA, RI Leaders are Learners...and Learners Ask Questions (Vitality Updates)
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facebook.com/eastcoastconf
Covenant Justice Coalition Update 5 Better Together DIscipling & Leadership 6 Twelve Years (and counting) of Leadership 7 Rev. Kim on a 4th Term for Howard Burgoyne Save the Dates 8 Transitions 8
eastcoastconf.org
EAST COAST CONFERENCE 52 Missionary Road Cromwell, CT 06416 860.635.2691
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CHURCH PLANTING UPDATES B R I E F DI SPATC H E S F ROM T H E C H U RC H P L A N T I N G M I S SION S F I E L D S I N N E W YOR K , N E W J E R SE Y, M A S S AC H U SE T T S , A N D R HODE I SL A N D HOP E J E R SE Y C I T Y
HOP E M I DTOW N , a 3-year old church plant, has grown into a diverse, vibrant congregation in Midtown Manhattan that has seen many baptisms and new initiatives of Alpha, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, and a partnership with Hope for New York, an organization that works with marginalized communities in NYC. We’ve also had a hand in sending people and resources to starting new congregations in Brooklyn, Jersey City, the Upper West Side, and the East Village. We’re grateful to be a small part of what God is doing in the city. HOP E J E R SE Y C I T Y launched last fall with ~120 people! It’s been AMAZING seeing this diverse community grow from a small home group that started a year ago. Craig Okpala, a pastor we started Hope NYC with, is leading this new church and the growth has been stunning.
B RO C K TON
HOP E E A S T V I L L AG E
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HOP E W E ST SI DE What you’ll often hear in our community at Hope West Side are stories about imperfect people. Those are the stories we highlight because they point us to Jesus. We’re excited to start the kind of church that connects people to the transforming power of Christ and to a gospel-centered, gracedriven community of faith. Hope West Side launches this March 2018 on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Our vision at HOP E E A ST V I L L AG E is to bear witness to the Kingdom of God by seeking the flourishing of the East Village, Lower East Side, and all of New York City. As a new church plant preparing to launch in March of 2018, God has placed us in the middle of an overwhelmingly diverse neighborhood that has a rich history of artistic expression, community collaboration, and an orientation toward justice. God has already begun to comprise our community with people from a variety of different ethnic/cultural backgrounds and life experiences---from people
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who have lived here their entire lives and watched the community experience waves of gentrification to young professionals who are new to the neighborhood. After a few preview services our launch team has grown to 65, two home groups have started (with more to come soon), and we’ve had our first baptism! With a growing launch team and an excellent group of core leaders, we are eager to see how the Spirit will lead us to follow the way of Jesus together in this particular time and place.
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B RO C K TON C OV E NA N T C H U RC H has recently completed the preview service phase of our launch. Over the last three months we have held one worship service per month along with one special event mid-month to highlight our core values. In October we facilitated an event called "Table Conversations: Faith and Nationalism." This event highlighted our value of "listening that leads to understanding." In November, we addressed our value of "Active Community Engagement" when we hosted a "Nonprofit Showcase" - an event in which eleven different social service agencies came to talk about what they do in Brockton and why it is important work. Most recently, we invited families that had been displaced by the hurricanes in Puerto Rico to come for a feast at the church. We saw this event as a combination of the previous two values plus our third core value of "Gathering at the Table." We have just entered into our soft launch phase where we are meeting every week and engaging in a series we've called "The Church and Justice."
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2,5,6
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Andrew Mook S A N C T UA RY E A ST SI DE Providence, RI (Jan 2017)
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Drew Hyun HOP E M I DTOW N New York City, NY (Jan 2017)
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Dave Capozzi
B RO C K TON C OV E NA N T C H U RC H
Brockton, MA (June 2017)
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Craig Okpala
HOP E J E R SE Y C I T Y C OV E NA N T C H U RC H
Jersey City, NJ (June 2017)
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Mike Park
HOP E W E ST SI DE C OV E NA N T C H U RC H
New York City, NY (June 2017)
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Drew Jackson
HOP E E A ST V I L L AG E C OV E NA N T C H U RC H
New York City, NY (Jan 2018)
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LEADERS ARE LEARNERS... AND LEARNERS ASK QUESTIONS! BY KREIG GAMMELGARD
DIRECTOR OF CONGREGATIONAL VITALITY
Two experiences have motivated me to write about the important subject of leadership: A recent gathering of the Denominational DCV (Directors of Congregational Vitality) Team, and my sabbatical preparations (which I am enjoying as you are reading). I love being with those who do what I do across the Covenant; women and men that love pastors and love the church, and want to serve them both well. This team is not only fun to be around, but they are skilled at their craft. Twice a year we gather together to pray, ponder, and prepare for what is next. Because we all serve in different contexts, we continually learn from one another. And, one of my favorite moments of our few days together is when we are sharing ‘best practices’ with one another. Sometimes we have improved on another’s materials, and at other times, we are exposing each other to new resources that are worth knowing because the new information will serve our churches more effectively.
W HO A R E YOU L E A R N I N G F ROM ? In other words, whom and what are you exposing yourself to? What books are you reading? What podcasts are you listening to? What people are you spending time with? The conferences we attend and the information we absorb from a multiplicity of sources can challenge us, disorient us, and expose us to new thoughts. And, when we renew our minds, the Spirit can transform our hearts and actions. Let me encourage you to spend some time each day to intentionally expose yourself to God’s Word, good authors, fruitful leaders, and faithful friends. I listened to a leadership podcast today hosted by Todd Adkins, Daniel Im, and Eric Geiger called 5LQ (Five Leadership Questions). They interviewed our Covenant trained church planter, Craig Groeschel, and it was 30-minutes well spent. I have new ideas to think through, new books to read, and new questions to ask, which will all result in more learning and (prayerfully) better leadership. What books are you reading? What podcasts are you listening to? Who is challenging your thinking?
W HAT A R E YOU T RY I N G ? As the saying goes: “If we’re not trying, we’re dying”! Effort is essential to healthy, missional living. So, what are you trying this year? What new things will you do this year with the new things you are learning? What new habits will help you be a better pastor, leader, parent, or friend? What practices would you like to practice? A sabbatical will take my wife, Sandy, and me to Thailand. I hope to tell you about it in greater detail in the future. This will be my first sabbatical in my 34-year ministry career. You can imagine my excitement and anticipation to be exposed to a very different culture, and to learn from so many of our Covenant missionaries serving there. My posture in Thailand is going to be that of a learner, not as an expert. I will be asking more questions than providing advice. As a Conference staff member committed to a leader’s and church’s missional health, I want to continually be committed to my own missional health. For me, asking questions are the key to learning. As a leader yourself, let me encourage you to ask yourself these two questions:
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I believe what Gary Walters, our President, has said: “You will vastly overestimate what you can do in the short run, but you will vastly underestimate what God can do through you over a lifetime of faithfulness.” So… “Be faithful with a little bit today, and he’ll trust you with even more tomorrow.” No one ever starts off successful, but life-long learners are willing to try new things. Such experimentation is the classroom that God uses to shape and refine us. When He refines us, He uses us. Whom He uses are His Kingdom leaders. God bless all of you leaders in the year ahead as you faithfully do the “little things” that God will use to get His Kingdom’s work accomplished!
COVENANT JUSTICE COALITION UPDATE BY DIERDRA CLARK
ASSOCIATE PASTOR, NEW YORK COVENANT CHURCH
C OV E NA N T J U S T IC E C OA L I T ION SP E A K E R S
Last October, churches came together from nine different states representing great cultural and geographic diversity to engage in the topic of biblical justice at the annual Covenant Justice Coalition Conference. It was a time of great reflection, learning and fellowship. On Friday, attendees broke up into small groups and took a deep dive into scripture that focused on biblical justice. On Saturday we heard from pastors, practitioners and professors doing the work of justice every day on topics such as immigration and mass incarceration. Next year’s Covenant Justice Coalition Conference will be October 19 -20, 2018. Mark your calendars now!
As part of the East Coast Conference’s commitment to justice and part of the work of the Covenant Justice Coalition, we would like to create a Sankofa Journey experience unique to the East Coast Conference. The Sankofa Journey is an intentional cross-racial journey that seeks to assist disciples of Christ on their move toward righteous response to social ills related to racism. The current Sankofa Journey, hosted by the Evangelical Covenant Church, travels to critical sites of past and present racial injustice, such as Birmingham, Alabama; Jackson, Mississippi; and Memphis, Tennessee. The journey explores how far we have come, and how far we have yet to go. Sankofa allows participants the opportunity to consider how together, we might better address racial righteousness in our church, our nation, and our world.
R E V. G A B R I E L S A L G U E RO
DR . RON SI DE R
Registration is open now for the Sankofa Journey taking place May 17- 20, 2018. As we look towards creating a Sankofa journey unique to the East Coast Conference we are encouraging churches to consider attending the May Sankofa Journey. The East Coast Conference will be offering scholarships for those Covenanters that would like to attend. This is a great opportunity for anyone that is interested in bringing a Sankofa experience to the East Coast.
R E V. DI E R DR A C L A R K
Register Online: https://covchurch.org/justice/racial-righteousness/sankofa Questions? ✉ lmdj@covchurch.org |
773-596-2489
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BE TTER TOGET H ER DISCIPLING & LEADERSHIP AROUND THE CONFERENCE BY BARBARA ETTINGER ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT DIRECTOR OF DISCIPLING & LEADERSHIP
C OV E NA N T OR I E N TAT ION B R E A K FA ST
People need people in order to grow, change, heal, and engage more fully in God’s mission. The New Testament underscores this need for community through its more than 120 “one another” commands. Love one another. Encourage each other. Bear one another’s burdens. Be at peace with one another. Provoke one another to love and good deeds. Teach one another. Remind one another. Speak the truth to one another. Yes, it’s abundantly clear through these and many additional corporate commands, themes, and examples that God’s people are designed for community. Truly, we are better together. As I continue to press in to discipling and leadership here in the East Coast Conference, my top priority remains convening pastors and lay leaders for training, coaching, listening, development, prayer, study, and discipleship in the mission and image of Jesus.
During January’s MidWinter Conference in Chicago, 18 East Coast Conference pastors and leaders were enrolled in Covenant Orientation courses as they pursue credentialing and equipping in the denomination. I invited them to join me for breakfast one morning where we introduced ourselves to one another and shared something from our present ministry setting that was energizing to us. We heard about multiethnic worship, spiritual formation for children, baptisms and new believers, ministry in urban contexts, the effort of discerning next call--and so much more. These are among our newest workers in the Conference. Connecting them to each other and the Conference staff early in their credentialing journey is both strategic and pastoral.
C OAC H I N G M I N I ST E R S
Sometimes the groups convened are as small as two people as I meet with pastors for coaching designed to cultivate their leadership and discipleship. Over the last several weeks, I’ve met in person or over the phone with more than a dozen pastors to discuss and develop approaches to ministry, leadership development, and discipleship.
R E S OU RC I N G PA STOR S
Often, community convenes around affinity. Pastors and ministry leaders new to their roles, or new to the East Coast Conference jammed into a lively gathering at Ashram in November to share the hardships and joys of being the new kid on the block. Ideas and contact information changed hands as women and men from lay leaders to volunteers to lead pastors to solo pastors to planters to associate pastors to executive pastors recognized the wealth of resources available to them through the Conference community. Associate Superintendent Krieg Gammelgard and I are working in partnership with the Covenant’s Start and Strengthen Churches mission priority to organize a First Call/ New Call retreat for third quarter 2018.
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F I NA N C IA L WOR K SHOP
DE V E L OP I N G L E A DE R S
Increasingly, people convene via technology. A "Lunch and Learn" peer learning community of women and men, planters, and established church pastors met three times in late autumn via Zoom video conferencing to discuss author Gregory Coles’ book, Single, Gay, Christian. Wide ranging perspectives and ministry experiences informed this sensitive, thoughtful, and challenging small group as we learned from the book and from one another about discipleship in the image of a self-emptying Lord. The highlight of the experience came when author Greg Coles joined us via zoom technology for our final session. He engaged and challenged us through a gracious and thought provoking Q&A. More "Lunch and Learn" peer learning communities are forthcoming in 2018.
TW ELVE YEARs (And counting ) OF
leadership S U P E R I N T E N D E N T B U R G OY N E N O M I N AT E D F O R A F O U R T H T E R M
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E QU I P P I N G L AY P E OP L E
God’s people also come together around a shared learning interest. Two financial training workshops drew together lay leaders and pastors from twelve established churches, six church plants, and one conference agency for equipping in finance management, tax planning, budget writing, and fraud protection. Our National Covenant Properties team, in partnership with the Conference, delivered top notch content in a classroom-style setting. Hosted by New York Covenant in New Rochelle, NY and Salem Covenant in Worcester, MA, the Financial Training for Church Leaders offered a living example of what it means to be three strands strong: congregations, the Conference, and the Covenant all working together to equip the saints for the work of ministry. Truly, we are better together.
God only ever uses imperfect broken vessels for his work so that His power and strength might be evident to all. All believers in grace know this and yet, it is often our responsibility to appoint leaders according to their character, gifts, and qualifications. This is what the Board of the East Coast Conference was tasked to do this past December. With the support of the denomination’s Human Resources Department, the Conference Board conducted the quadrennial term review of our Superintendent, Howard Burgoyne. The review included a thorough 360 degree assessment tool involving 47 participants from throughout the Conference including pastors, church chairs, all Conference staff, institutional executive directors, the full Conference Board, and Gary Walter, the President of the ECC. The Board reviewed and affirmed the unique combination of gifts and strengths Howard brings to his role, as well as provided feedback on potential growth areas. Following the review and an opportunity for conversation, the Conference Board voted unanimously to nominate Howard Burgoyne for a fourth consecutive term as Superintendent of the East Coast Conference. After a brief pause for prayer and discernment, Howard accepted the nomination with humility and gratitude for the invitation to serve. The appointment will be voted on at this year’s annual meeting in April. Over the past twelve years, we have seen remarkable growth and vitality in the East Coast Conference under Howard’s leadership and care. Over the past several years of serving on our Board, I have seen firsthand how large and varied the role of Superintendent can be, and I have been continually impressed by the theological depth and pastoral insight Howard brings into almost any situation. We are extremely blessed to have a Superintendent who is so highly gifted, diligent, and passionate about God’s purposes. I look forward to seeing how God will use him in this next season of ministry to our Conference. Our churches today face many new challenges and opportunities on the horizon. May our prayers be with Howard and the Conference staff as they serve, lead, and equip us to navigate these uncertain times. May we as a fellowship of believers, imperfect and broken as we are, step forward into ministry and mission together, rooted and established in love, consciously depending on the Holy Spirit for wisdom and power. And to God be all the glory!
Rev. Eugene Kim Chair, East Coast Conference Board Highrock Covenant Church (Arlington, MA) Executive & Lead Campus Pastor Z O OM V I DE O C ON F E R E N C E
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SAVe THE dates
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APRIL 26-28, 2018
Bethany Covenant Church | 785 Mill Street, Berlin, CT 06037 REGISTER ONLINE: ecconfevents.com
Dear East Coast Conference Delegates & Pastors,
C OV E NA N T A N N UA L M E E T I N G
JUNE 21-23, 2018
Bethany Covenant Church invites you to Berlin, CT for the 2018 Annual Meeting of the East Coast Conference. Bethany Covenant Church has been serving Christ in central Connecticut for 133 years and has been a part of the ECC since 1942. We are grateful for the partnership with all the churches of the East Coast Conference, Pilgrim Pines and New England Seafarers Mission. Bethany’s vision is to be a place, “where people come to life in Jesus Christ.” In Christ, we seek to experience that unique bond that can only be found in Christ and the unique transformation that only Christ can accomplish. Each year the Annual Meeting brings our churches together in our shared mission to share Christ on the East Coast. As you know, it is not easy work and therefore the support, prayers and stories shared at the Annual Meeting give us all a renewed sense of hope and call. I look forward to seeing you at Bethany in April 2018.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
MINNEAPOLIS MARRIOTT CITY CENTER
It’s not every day that volunteer lay leaders and vocational ministers alike get to be part of making history together. But this year’s Covenant Annual Meeting in Minneapolis, Gather 2018, June 21-23, 2018 (gather.covchurch.org) will be an historic leadership moment for our Covenant family. Gather 2018 is likely to vote on nominees for the denomination’s next President, the next President of North Park University, and the next Executive Minister of Develop Leaders mission priority. To have all three of these strategic leadership roles come before the Annual Meeting at the same time presents a unique opportunity to speak into the present and the future of our growing church family. Delegates to the Annual Meeting come from churches all across the denomination. Each church can send a set number of lay leaders or ministry staff delegates based on its size. Check the ECC Constitution (Article VII, Section 7.4.a) in the Covenant Yearbook or online (covchurch.org/resources/constitution-and-bylaws) to learn how many delegates you are eligible to send from your church.
Yours in Christ, Christopher Ek, Senior Pastor Diane Stevenson, Associate Pastor
Delegates will participate in vibrant multi-ethnic worship, witness the inspiring ordination ceremony for our newest credentialed clergy, and celebrate with lifetime clergy award recipients. First hand reports will come from Covenant World Relief; our missionaries serving globally; and our churches engaged in racial righteousness, mercy, service, gospel proclamation, and justice work all across the Covenant.
C O N F E R E N C E WO M E N ' S M I N I S T R I E S
S P R I N G C E L E B R AT I O N
APRIL 14, 2018
S P R I N G F I E L D, M A
E VA N G E L I C A L C O V E N A N T C H U R C H
The inner workings of our Covenant value for congregational polity will be on full display. The quality of the dialogue will be as robust as the delegates in attendance make it. Plan now to carpool, flypool, and share hotel rooms to make Gather 2018 a team building opportunity for your church as together, you experience the life of our larger denominational family. This is the year to show up and participate in making history together by the power of God’s Spirit at work in our midst.
TRANSITIONS
Saturday, April 14, 2018 - 9 am - 3 pm Featured Speaker: Rev. Becky Manseau Barnett “Fight, Flight, or Freedom” Acts 16:22–34 915 Plumtree Road, Springfield, MA 01119 $35 - Register before April 7, 2018 (www.eccwm.org) Contact Nan Lingenfelter - nlingenfelter@charter.net
COMINGS & GOINGS WITHIN THE CONFERENCE
Peter Kim from Vernon Hills, IL to Manchester, CT, Dec 2017 Nathan Albert from E. Greenwich, RI(Staff) to open to call, Dec 2017
THE EAST COAST
Kate Albert from E. Greenwich, RI (Staff) to open to call, Dec 2017
COVENANTER
Christopher Adams from Worcester, MA (Bethlehem) to open to call, Dec 2017 Vann Trapp from Westminster, CO to E. Greenwich, RI Jan 2018
Paul W. Kahn
EDITOR / GRAPHIC DESIGN & LAYOUT
Chris Coppernoll to Clifton Park, NY, Jan 2018
Sandi Lee
James Condap from Swanzey, NH (Interim) to Swanzey, NH (Executive Director), Jan 2018
EDITOR / WRITER
Howard Burgoyne
Neil Botts from E. Greenwich, RI (Interim) to open to call, Feb 2018
PUBLISHER
Don Olson from E. Bridgewater, MA to Sarasota, FL, Mar 2018 EAST COAST CONFERENCE
52 Missionary Road, Cromwell, CT 06416 (860) 635-2691 FAX: (860) 398-5071 www.eastcoastconf.org
SUPERINTENDENT:
Howard K. Burgoyne
www.issuu.com/eastcoastcovenanter
DIRECTOR OF CHURCH PLANTING:
Jason Condon
DIRECTOR OF CONGREGATIONAL VITALITY:
Kreig Gammelgard
DIRECTOR OF DISCIPLING & LEADERSHIP:
Barbara Ettinger
OFFICE MANAGER:
Sandi Lee
FINANCE MANAGER:
Robin Jones