Delegates, pastors, staff, and leaders from around the broader Covenant community assembled online and in Garden Grove, California, for the 137th Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Covenant Church, June 29–July 1, 2023. The theme was “Deeply Rooted,” which cited Colossians 2:6-7 as an invitation to become grounded in the practices of prayer and spiritual connection in order to fulfill the mission of the church to join God in making more disciples among more populations in a more caring and just world. As in 2022, Gather 2023 was a hybrid event, with a total of 848 delegates registered, almost 500 in person and the rest attending virtually.
The worship music, which kicked off several sessions of official business during the day as well as various evening worship services, was led by the multiethnic praise team from Midtown Church of Sacramento under the direction of TJ Marshall. Highlights included the Israel Houghton classic “You Are Good,” the Todd Galberth tune “Fill the Room,” the Nigerian worship hit “Waymaker,” and a gospel-tinged medley that started with the Bill Withers soul classic “Lovely Day.”
THURSDAY
Thursday’s highlight was the first report from President Tammy Swanson-Draheim, which coalesced around three themes—being immersed in prayer, addressing the divide over human sexuality, and introducing a proposal for a new organizational structure for Covenant Offices.
Speaking about prayer, President Swanson-Draheim recalled the story in Mark 4 about Jesus with the disciples in a boat wracked by storm waters. She reminded those in attendance that Jesus is always in the boat with us and that “sometimes there are blessings that God has for us in the storm.”
About the new organizational structure, the president explained that the proposal seeks to align the mission God has given the Covenant Church with the resources God has provided in this season, to set the denomination up for a fruitful and thriving future. Deb Mitchell, interim executive director of Operations, joined her to present the proposed Covenant Organizational Design to the assembly, sharing her wisdom and experience on the nuances of change management. After discussion, 87% of delegates voted to approve the proposed Covenant Bylaw amendments to support Phase I of the Organizational Design.
On the topic of human sexuality, President Swanson-Draheim invited those in attendance to offer grace as we grapple with difficult issues. “We all acknowledge that there is a spectrum of stances on this topic,” she said. “I have friendships across the spectrum, and every person is responding out of a deep sense of conviction….We didn’t get here overnight, and we will not resolve this overnight.” She reminded delegates of the difference between the discerned position on human sexuality adopted by the church and the posture of grace, love, and respect Covenanters are called to adopt when discussing these issues. “The decision was made binding by the Annual Meeting,” said Swanson-Draheim, “but posture belongs to everyone.”
The Thursday evening communion service featured an address from Indigenous leaders and theologians Randy and Edith Woodley, who run the Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth Justice on ten acres of land near Yamhill, Oregon.
Recollecting growing up as Eastern Shoshone and Chocktaw in the reservations around southeast Oklahoma, Edith spoke passionately about uprooting resentment from her own spirit and instead embracing the love and acceptance that God showed her. Randy, in an explanation of the community around Eloheh, said he believes Jesus wanted to start a movement, something everyone could be a part of. “If [Jesus] were to start a religion, it wouldn’t look anything like Western Christianity,” he said. “Systemic change is needed in any system where shalom is broken.”
FRIDAY
Friday morning Rev. Jim Sequeira offered a reflection on Jesus’s ministry as an example of grounding in relationship. “Meals are both sacred and spiritual,” said Sequiera. “Jesus’s ministry was rooted in meals. He took bread and wine, something common and ordinary at the table, and gave it meaning.”
Friday’s highlights included the Irving Lambert Award for Outstanding Urban Ministry, conferred upon long-time Covenant leader Harold Spooner, who has served in numerous roles, including president of Covenant Initiatives for Care, vice-president of community impact for Covenant Retirement Communities, and staff member-at-large for Love Mercy Do Justice. The T.W. Anderson Outstanding Layperson Award was given to Janet Woods of Rochester, Minnesota.
Outgoing Covenant leaders Angela Yee, Steve Klimkowski, and Michelle Sanchez were recognized for their years of service. Serve Globally celebrated the ministry of eight global personnel for their years of service overseas: Gary and Pauline Carlson, Andy and Cari Larsen, Celia and David Stockamp, and Carolyn and Jeff Stoker.
We welcomed ten new churches across four regional conferences and commissioned seven new church planters. Twenty-three churches were removed from the membership roster through closures, mergers, and withdrawals/removals, including the involuntary removal of Awaken Covenant Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Fifty ministers were recognized for their Clergy Vocational Service.
Friday evening’s service began with more great worship music from the Midtown Church team and the installation of Brian Johnson as superintendent of the Midwest Conference.
Rev. Dr. Dennis Edwards, dean of North Park Theological Seminary, began his address about being deeply rooted in the ways of Jesus by telling a story from early in his church planting years, lamenting the attitude of someone who told him that “church is something I go to, not something I’m part of.” Rev. Edwards preached from 1 Peter 5:1-6, pointing toward Jesus as the foundation and loving force within a grounded, beloved community. Citing the seminal Howard Thurman book Jesus and the Disinherited, Edwards said, “We follow a Savior who is in solidarity with those who are suffering.”
SATURDAY
Saturday morning opened with worship and Evelyn Perez speaking on being rooted in gratitude. “Are we so busy that we aren’t being intentional about cultivating gratitude?” she asked. “When we are rooted in gratitude, no matter what comes our way, we praise a God who is good, a God who is faithful.”
Saturday’s business began with Steve Dawson, interim chief financial officer and treasurer, presenting performance reports for the previous fiscal year, as well as the presentation and adoption of ministry budgets for 2024. Jacqueline Sugihara, outgoing corporate secretary for the Covenant, was recognized for her invaluable service to the denomination.
The highlight of the day was Saturday evening’s ordination service, where Covenant ministers were commissioned, encouraged, prayed for, and released as part of their ordination, commissioning, or consecration process. Rev. Dr. Jean Cheng Gorman offered an exhortation on hardship as an essential element in the growing and strengthening of faith in Jesus. Citing the Greek translation of the word “strengthens” of Colossians 2:6-7, Dr. Gorman said, “The call to be strengthened in our faith is not about doing more, running harder—it’s about receiving more, receiving faith as a gift, that cannot be mustered up through effort. Hardship provides the opportunity for us to know whether we’re on solid ground.” The evening, which was the culmination of Gather 2023, ended with an address from President Swanson-Draheim. “We praise God for your commitment to serve Christ and his church,” she told the newly ordained. “Serve patiently, cheerfully, and with compassion, remembering the work you’re called to is God’s work, done in God’s name, for God’s glory.”
For more details on any of these items, for a complete delegate summary, or to watch videos from the 137th Annual Meeting, visit covchurch.org/gather.
The 138th Annual Meeting will take place June 26-29, 2024, in Covington, Kentucky.
