The Evangelical Covenant The Evangelical Covenant ChurchChurch

How do you describe who we How do you describe who we are to others?are to others?

Evangelical Covenant Evangelical Covenant ChurchChurch

Evangelical = Good NewsEvangelical = Good News 3 kinds of churches3 kinds of churches

Covenant = God’s FriendsCovenant = God’s Friends Church = Better togetherChurch = Better together 4 commitments (separate slide)4 commitments (separate slide) 3 churches3 churches 2 core beliefs2 core beliefs 1 passion1 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 Than like a medieval city.city.

4 Engines That Power 4 Engines That Power VitalityVitality

ScriptureScripture – empowered by the – empowered by the thoughts of Godthoughts of God

Intimacy with GodIntimacy with God – empowered by the – empowered by the indwelling of Godindwelling of God

Evangelism and CompassionEvangelism and Compassion – – empowered by the purposes of Godempowered by the purposes of God

Compelling Christian CommunityCompelling Christian Community – – empowered by the family of Godempowered by the family of God

A Brief History of the ECCA Brief History of the ECC We are a Reformation Church.We are a Reformation Church. We emerged from the Lutheran Church of Sweden – but We emerged from the Lutheran Church of Sweden – but

today are becoming as ethnically diverse as North today are becoming as ethnically diverse as North America.America.

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

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

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

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

Covenant AffirmationsCovenant Affirmations The Necessity of the New BirthThe Necessity of the New Birth The Bible as the Perfect Word of GodThe Bible as the Perfect Word of God A Membership of Committed BelieversA Membership of Committed Believers The Necessity of the Holy Spirit in The Necessity of the Holy Spirit in

living the Christian Life.living the Christian Life. Freedom in Christ– “In essentials, Freedom in Christ– “In essentials,

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

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

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

Covenant Church Planting Covenant Church Planting

3

7

12

AllEvangelicalChurches

AllCovenantChurches

NewCovenantChurches

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 The US and Canada are Canada are the world’s the world’s 3rd largest 3rd largest mission field. mission field. We provide We provide legal and legal and technical technical services so services so churches can churches can build mission build mission outposts.outposts.

Church PlantingChurch PlantingThe ECC has averaged over 20 new The ECC has averaged over 20 new churches per year since 1995churches per year since 1995The % of Covenant attendance in new The % of Covenant attendance in new churches (0-10 yrs old) is over 30% on any churches (0-10 yrs old) is over 30% on any given Sunday and increasing.given Sunday and increasing.

For other groups, it’s 5.1%For other groups, it’s 5.1%The Survival Rate of our church plants is 90%The Survival Rate of our church plants is 90%

For other groups, it’s 50 – 75%For other groups, it’s 50 – 75%The Ave attendance of our new churches is The Ave attendance of our new churches is 238238

For other groups, it’s 91For other groups, it’s 91

Church Plants in the GLC in the last 5 Church Plants in the GLC in the last 5 years + 3 adoptions = 1400 new years + 3 adoptions = 1400 new attenders! attenders!

C3, Novi, MIC3, Novi, MI Life Covenant, Canton, MILife Covenant, Canton, MI Citadel of Faith, Detroit, MICitadel of Faith, Detroit, MI Artisan, Rochester, NYArtisan, Rochester, NY Designers, Nashville, TNDesigners, Nashville, TN Esperanza, Grand Rapids, MIEsperanza, Grand Rapids, MI LifeChurch, Grand Rapids, MILifeChurch, Grand Rapids, MI Connexions, Dexter, MIConnexions, Dexter, MI Renovate, Muskegon, MIRenovate, Muskegon, MI 4 Rivers, Paducah, KY4 Rivers, Paducah, KY

LifeChurch.tv, Hendersonville, TNLifeChurch.tv, Hendersonville, TN

Covenant World MissionCovenant World Mission The ECC formed in The ECC formed in

1885 to send out missionaries to China and Russia – we’re 1885 to send out missionaries to China and Russia – we’re still sending our missionaries to impact the world for still sending our missionaries to impact the world for Christ.Christ.

100+ career & short-term missionaries on 26+ 100+ career & short-term missionaries on 26+

fields.fields. Nearly half of the money sent to the Nearly half of the money sent to the ECC by our churches went for World MissionECC by our churches went for World Mission..

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

From the very beginning:From the very beginning:

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

This is Mission Partnership.This is Mission Partnership.This is the Covenant.This is the Covenant.To God be the glory!To God be the glory!

Christ for the NationsChrist for the Nations Colombia – 1968 Colombia – 1968 Congo – 1937 Congo – 1937 Czech Republic – 1999Czech Republic – 1999 Ecuador – 1947 Ecuador – 1947 France – 1996France – 1996 Fulani (African – nomadic people) – 1994Fulani (African – nomadic people) – 1994 Germany – 1991Germany – 1991 Japan – 1949Japan – 1949 Laos – 1991Laos – 1991 Mexico – 1946Mexico – 1946 Russia – 1993Russia – 1993 Spain – 1996Spain – 1996 Taiwan – 1952Taiwan – 1952 Thailand – 1971Thailand – 1971 Africa: Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Burkina Faso. Africa: Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Burkina Faso.

Equitorial Guinea, Central African RepublicEquitorial Guinea, Central African Republic South & Central America: Argentina, Chili and El SalvadorSouth & Central America: Argentina, Chili and El Salvador And parterships in Czech Republic, India, PhilippinesAnd parterships in Czech Republic, India, Philippines

ECC across the ContinentECC across the Continent

GLC mission: “Every church a strategic GLC mission: “Every church a strategic mission outpostmission outpost on a on a shared & expanding mission field.”shared & expanding mission field.”

GLC vision: By 2020, to multiply to 100 Mission, Christ-GLC vision: By 2020, to multiply to 100 Mission, Christ-magnifying congregations in an increasing Mosaic of magnifying congregations in an increasing Mosaic of Communities. Communities.

A Growing Covenant of A Growing Covenant of ChurchesChurches

Attendance: 1993Attendance: 1993 2006 2006

97,21097,210 161,000 161,000

# Churches: # Churches: 630 630 780 780 New Churches per yr:New Churches per yr:

’’9595 ’96 ’96’97’97 ’98’98 ’99’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ‘03 ’00 ’01 ’02 ‘03 ‘04‘04

2727 13 13 1919 3333 2424 15 18 1615 18 16 21 2921 29

94,301

160,916

90,000

100,000

110,000

120,000

130,000

140,000

150,000

160,000

170,000

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Impacting More LivesImpacting More Lives

The Covenant has grown steadily The Covenant has grown steadily

for 14 consecutive years.for 14 consecutive years.

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

140,000

160,000

180,000

1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004

Established Prior to 1990 Planted 1990+

Attendance: Existing/New Attendance: Existing/New ChurchesChurches

EEthnic Dynamic – ECC now 3thnic Dynamic – ECC now 3rdrd most ethnically diverse most ethnically diverse denomination in USdenomination in US

67

153

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

1994 2004

Number of All Ethnic Churches

Unity in Diversity Unity in Diversity “We want the face “We want the face

of the Covenant to reflect the face of North America & the face of of the Covenant to reflect the face of North America & the face of the kingdom” Glenn Palmberg, President of the ECCthe 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 ImpactNew Church Impact5

59

57

,29

2

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

The ECC in ContextThe ECC in Context

3%

13%

57%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

All Christian Traditions Population Growth ECC

57%

148%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

140%

160%

ECC All Ethnic

Decadal Growth RateDecadal Growth Rate Ethnic Churches & Entire ECCEthnic Churches & Entire ECC

Projections based on current Projections based on current trends: The ECC in 2020trends: The ECC in 2020

Currently the ECC has Currently the ECC has 156,824156,824 people in people in 763763 congregations congregations

That will grow to That will grow to 285,000285,000 people people in in 11001100 congregations congregations

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

By 2020, this should grow to By 2020, this should grow to 36%.36%.

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

Next slides Next slides optionaloptional on on Treasurer’s report for ECCTreasurer’s report for ECC

Treasurer’s ReportTreasurer’s Report

20052005

The Evangelical Covenant Church Assets Under Management in millions

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700

Emanuel Medical Center

Swedish Covenant Hospital

Retirement Communities

North Park University

Covenant Trust Company

National Covenant Properties

Covenant Pension

Covenant Communication

Evangelical Covenant Church

($ in millions)

Pension Benefitsin thousands, paid out each year

($ in thousands)

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

4,000

4,500

5,000

'88 '89 '90 '91 '92 '93 '94 '95 '96 '97 '98 '99 '00 '01 '02 '03 '04

National Covenant Properties – Assets in millions

25

50

75

100

125

150

175

200

225

'85 '86 '87 '88 '89 '90 '91 '92 '93 '94 '95 '96 '97 '98 '99 '00 '01 '02 '03 '04

($ in millions)

THE Loan Source for Covenant Churches

NCPOther

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

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

'90 '91 '92 '93 '94 '95 '96 '97 '98 '99 '00 '01 '02 '03 '04

North Park University Enrollment

Number of Students Total = 2,972Total = 2,972

Graduate CollegeGraduate College

Graduate SeminaryGraduate Seminary

Non-Traditional Non-Traditional UndergraduateUndergraduate

Traditional Traditional UndergraduateUndergraduate