Mission Friends for Inclusion

Blog

04

Aug 2019

1

What’s Next After Gather 2019

Dear friends, Let’s start where we ended a month ago–in lament, in the desolate place–the place of scattered bones and blowing ashes. Our denomination broke its covenant with one of our founding churches, First Covenant Church of Minneapolis (FCCM), a church which historically defined what it meant to be Covenant. We ...

Continue Reading

30

Jun 2019

4

Reflecting on Gather 2019

Dear friends, We are now on the other side of one of the most historic Annual Meetings in our lifetimes. Thank you for your faithful prayers for all involved. Decisions were made on the following items: Ministerium Resolution on Anti-racism: passed Ministerium Resolution asking BOOM to reconsider the 2015 guidelines concerning ...

Continue Reading

24

Jun 2019

2

Writing From Around the Covenant in Support of Unity

In case you missed it, take a moment to read and share these posts, letters, and essays below. Covenanters across the country have poured their hearts out in support of the unity and history of our denomination.

Continue Reading

17

Jun 2019

2

President Emeritus Glenn Palmberg on First Covenant Minneapolis

Glenn Palmberg, President Emeritus of the Evangelical Covenant Church (1998-2008), shares this statement regarding involuntary removal of First Covenant Church Minneapolis ahead of the Annual Meeting in Omaha. The agenda for the 2019 Covenant Annual Meeting includes a recommendation for the involuntary removal of First Covenant ...

Continue Reading

14

Jun 2019

13

Rev. Steve Armfield addresses potential involuntary dismissal

The ECC will also be reviewing the status of Rev. Steve Armfield’s credential before the upcoming Annual Meeting in Omaha. Rev. Armfield has written a letter to the Covenant Ministerium in hopes that all would read it before they meet in a couple weeks. He has given us permission to share it so that it […]

Continue Reading

30

May 2019

11

Rev. Dan Collison responds to potential involuntary dismissal

As was mentioned in our last post regarding First Covenant Church Minneapolis (FCCM), the ECC is also reviewing the status of Lead Pastor Rev. Dan Collison’s credential. As we approach the Annual Meeting in Omaha, Rev. Collison has written an open letter addressing the history of how things have gotten to this point. Again, the ...

Continue Reading
love Minneapolis, love all.

28

May 2019

7

First Covenant Church Minneapolis responds to involuntary dismissal recommendation

As many of you are aware, First Covenant Church Minneapolis (FCCM) has been in a years-long conversation with Evangelical Covenant Church leaders regarding human sexuality and the freedom to hold an alternative position on a disputable matter. On May 23, the ECC published its intention to refer FCCM to the Annual Meeting for ...

Continue Reading

03

May 2019

8

Gather 2019

It is important for our LGBTQ family and allies to connect at this year’s Annual Meeting: Gather 2019. Gather will be held in Omaha, Nebraska, at the Hilton Omaha from June 27-29. If you are registered as a delegate or if you will be in Omaha, we would love to get in touch with you! […]

Continue Reading

20

Mar 2019

1

Regarding Prayer and Blessings, a Letter to the Board of Ordered Ministry

Dear Board Members, I am a retired Covenant pastor and wish to make a formal request that The Board of Ordered Ministry withdraw the rules that forbid clergy to pray or offer words of blessing at a same-gender wedding. I am convinced that these rules are compromising our ministries and I know that a good […]

Continue Reading

20

Feb 2019

0

Is it important to attend Annual Meeting?

A friend asked one of us if it was important for her to attend Gather in Omaha, Nebraska during June 27-29, 2019. Will the topic of human sexuality come up? The answer to the first question is YES–it is important to attend the Annual Meeting if you can and if your church approves you to […]

Continue Reading