Leader Guide Session 2

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Session Two

The Mission of the Evangelical Covenant Church

Session Overview Objectives for this session

Acquaint the group with the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) • History • Distinctives and theology • Structure and resources Explore how the ECC’s character finds expression in [insert your church name]. Session Outline

Gather

a) Beginning points b) Family name discussion

Instruct and Interact

a) Mission of the ECC: Introduction b) Mission of the ECC: Roots c) Mission of the ECC: Character d) Mission of the ECC and the mission of our church

Integrate

a) Distinctives of the ECC b) Questions and Comments c) Closing

Going Deeper Materials for this session

Participant guides (one per person); Leader’s guide; pens or pencils; dry erase board or chart paper and markers; PowerPoint presentation and equipment for display; copies of other Covenant documents that support this session, such as “Called and Gifted” and “A Theological and Biblical Basis for Women in Ministry” (optional); appendix

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resources (optional); A Great Ambition DVD (optional); a brief video clip featuring President Gary Walter (optional) Optional Approach

Here is an alternate approach to consider for this session: The content of this session may be divided and covered over two sessions in the following way. • In session 2A, skip content covering the Covenant Affirmations. • In session 2B, use the 15-minute version of the DVD-based Exploring Covenant Affirmations curriculum with its accompanying reflection questions. This resource can be downloaded at www.covchurch.org.

Gather Beginning Points ■■ Welcome participants back to Mission Friends: The Meaning of Membership. 2.1-2.2

Explain: 2.3 The objectives for this session are to: • Examine the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC), it’s: • History • Distinctives and theology • Structure and resources • Explore how the ECC’s character is expressed in [insert your church name].

■■ Pray.

Family Name Discussion 2.4 Explain: People have a first name and a last name. Pair off and tell what you know about your family name. [After a certain amount of time, call the group back.]

Explain: In the same way, our church is part of a larger family which has a family name, the

Evangelical Covenant Church, or the Covenant. We want to introduce you to our extended family and help you see how we relate to our larger church as a responsible family member. You can find more extensive material at covchurch.org.

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Option—A Great Ambition

■■ You may choose to watch “A Great Ambition” DVD which traces the Covenants roots in Sweden and growth in America, giving glimpses of the forebears and the faith that sustained them. (16 minutes). Find this video at www.covchurch.org/missionfriends.

Instruct and Interact Mission of the ECC: Introduction 2.5 A denomination 2.6

Explain: The word “denomination” has become a difficult word for some people in our

culture and it is true that denominations are not necessarily taught in Scripture. However, we do see in Scripture that God puts people into tribes, so it is possible that we could begin to look at denominations in those terms. [Be certain to address that denominations are groups of local churches who collectively work together in fulfilling God’s mission in the world.] Let’s take a look at the mission of the ECC. The ethos of the ECC—Why “Mission Friends?” 2.7

Explain: The term Mission Friends was an early nickname given to Covenant people.

Covenanters have from the beginning sought to build a culture of friendship in Christ, pursuing the mission of God together. We hope to embody that same spirit today in this congregation. We are in it together, pulling for each other, as we seek to live faithfully in response to the love and grace God extends to us through Christ. The Covenant describes itself... 2.8

Explain: “The Covenant is not a church organization in the ordinary sense, but a mission

society having churches as its members. These churches have consolidated together because of the missionary spirit which led them to missionary enterprises too large for any single church to undertake.”—The Covenant’s description of itself from the 1893 World’s Fair. The mission of the ECC 2.9

■■ Optional: Show a brief video segment of our president, Gary Walter, as he shares about the Evangelical Covenant Church today. The video segment is approximately one minute in length and is available at www.covchurch.org/missionfriends.

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Explain: From our inception the Evangelical Covenant Church has been in it together to see …more disciples …among more populations …in a more caring and just world. You can describe a person in two ways. You can describe them physically so that you would recognize that person when they walked into the room. Or, you could describe them by their character, so you would know their heart as you interact with them. We will describe the ECC in both ways. A physical description: quick facts

Explain: • The ECC was founded in 1885 by Scandinavian immigrants. 2.10 • The ECC consists of approximately 800 congregations in many locations of the U.S. and Canada. 2.11 • The ECC is divided into 11 regions called Conferences. 2.12 • The ECC is one of the fastest growing denominations, with 17 years of consecutive growth. 2.13 • The ECC is diverse—greater than 24% of our churches are congregations of color or intentionally multi-ethnic (where no population within the church exceeds 80%, the standard used by sociologists). 2.14 • The ECC has mission partnerships in more than 30 countries on 5 continents, impacting 500,000 people. 2.15 • The denominational offices of the ECC are in Chicago. 2.16 Reflection

Explain: Before we examine the character of the ECC, let’s take a few moments to think about the benefits of having a denomination.

■■ Allow a few moments for thought, then facilitate and record answers. You may wish to start in pairs to help facilitate thought and discussion before recording responses from the whole group.

Mission of the ECC: Our Roots 2.17 Explain: Now that we have reflected on some of the benefits of being a denomination, lets take a look at how our roots have shaped our identity.

A character description: the identity question 2.18

Explain: What about the heart of the ECC? What makes the Covenant the Covenant? There 11

are four enduring commitments the ECC has held from the beginning. To understand the ECC, you must understand these commitments. If you remove any of them, you misunderstand the character of the Covenant. The Enduring Commitments of the Covenant 2.19-2.22 Commitment

Historical Influence

Sentiment

Commitment Summary

1) The Authority of Scripture

Protestant Reformation

Where is it written?

Biblical

2) New/Deeper Life in Christ

Pietism

How goes your walk?

Devotional

3) Evangelism/Compassion

Moravian Mission

Lost/found; hurting/ helped

Missional

4) The Body of Christ

Founding rationale

“I am a companion to all who fear thee.”— Psalm 119:63 (KJV)

Connectional

The Historical Influences

Explain: • The Protestant Reformation: 2. 23 A movement in Europe in the early 16th century that began with Martin Luther, who attempted to reform the Roman Catholic Church. The influence of the Reformation can be seen in the Covenant’s belief in the Scriptures, the Old and New Testament, as the only perfect rule for faith, doctrine, and conduct. • Pietism: 2. 24 A movement within Lutheranism in the late 17th and mid-18th century that focused on individual piety (devotion) and dynamic and personal Christian life. The movement sought to restore the life of the Church through the study of the Bible, the emphasis on the priesthood of all believers, kind treatment for all people, including non-believers, and prominent devotional life in schools for theological training. To reflect this, the question often asked in Mission Friend circles at that time was, “Are you yet walking with Christ?” • Moravian mission: 2. 25 A movement that spanned the 9th century through the 1700s, which emphasized the joy of life in Christ and mission to those who did not yet know such joy. They also emphasized the unity of Christians. • Founding rationale: 2. 26 After unsuccessfully trying to reform the Swedish Lutheran churches in the U.S. and based on several factors—including a differing view of Christ’s atonement—the Covenant was founded to be a church where “we will be in mission for Jesus together as friends.” Leader Tip! Further information on historical influences is available in the appendix.

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• Continuing influences of the Evangelical Covenant Church today: 2. 27 The Evangelical Covenant Church has always been an immigrant church. Although it began with Swedish immigrants, today people from many cultures and nationalities make up the Covenant Church, expanding our spiritual heritage. Whereas 100 years ago one would have heard Swedish spoken in Covenant congregations in the United States and Canada, today one might hear Spanish, Korean, or Nuer in addition to English. Covenanters now trace their roots to Africa, Asia, Europe, and North and South America. We are united in one body by our faith in Christ, and throughout our history we have continued to hold fast to the four commitments that shape our character.

Mission of the ECC: Our Character 2.28 Explain: 2. 29 Each of these four enduring commitments—Biblical, Missional, Devotional, and Connectional—is dependant upon the other three and is evidenced in our Covenant Affirmations. All excerpts regarding the Covenant Affirmations are taken from the brochure “What does the Covenant Believe: A Brief Look at Covenant Affirmations.”

You may want to have participants add the information underlined below to the diagrams in their participant guides as you discuss each commitment. BIBLICAL Know about God

CONNECTIONAL Better together

The Character of the Covenant: MISSION FRIENDS

DEVOTIONAL Know God

MISSIONAL Be about God’s priorities in the world

Biblical

Explain: 2. 30 Let’s explore how these commitments are lived out in the church and in

our individual lives. In the participant guide you will find the diagram “The Character of the Covenant: Mission Friends.” At the top you will see the first of our enduring commitments—that we are a biblical people who desire to grow in our knowledge of God, to know about God through the reading of the Bible.

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This first enduring commitment is further clarified in our first Affirmation, the centrality of the word of God. 2.31 We affirm the centrality of the word of God. We believe the Bible is the only perfect rule for faith, doctrine, and conduct. The dynamic, transforming power of the word of God directs the church in the life of each Christian. This reliance on the Bible leads us to affirm both men and women as ordained ministers and at every level of leadership. It is the reason we pursue ethnic diversity in our church and is the inspiration for every act of compassion, mercy, and justice. According to God’s word, 2.32 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.—2 Timothy 3:16

■■ See also: Psalm 19:7-11; Hebrews 4:12; Isaiah 55:11 ■■ Reflection: 2.33 • How have you seen this lived out in our church? • How does God’s word influence your life? Devotional

Explain: 2. 34 The second characteristic is that we are a devotional people desiring to know God. When we open God’s word it isn’t just to know about God but to be in relationship with God through the work of the Spirit.

■■ Ask someone to read this paragraph from the participant’s guide: 2.35 We affirm a conscious dependence on the Holy Spirit. The Covenant Church affirms the Trinitarian understanding of one God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The New Testament tells us that the Holy Spirit works both within individuals and among them. We believe it is the Holy Spirit who instills in our hearts a desire to turn to Christ, and who assures us that Christ dwells within us. It is the Holy Spirit who enables our obedience to Christ and conforms us to his image, and it is this Spirit in us that enables us to continue Christ’s mission in the world. The Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to us as individuals and binds us together as Christ’s body.

Explain: 2.36 As a devotional people we believe that God desires a personal relationship with us. This is expressed in the Affirmation of the necessity of the new birth.

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■■ Ask a participant to read the paragraph relating to this Affirmation: We affirm the necessity of the new birth. The apostle Paul wrote, “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17, TNIV). New birth in Christ means committing ourselves to Christ and receiving forgiveness, acceptance, and eternal life. It means being alive in Christ, and this life has the qualities of love and righteousness joy and peace. New birth is only the beginning. Growing to maturity in Christ is a lifelong process for both individual and community believers. God forms and transforms us and it is through people transformed by Christ that God transforms the world.

Explain: 2. 37 God’s word says: I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.—Ephesians 3:16-19

■■ See also: John 15:5; Matthew 21:13 ■■ Reflection: 2.38 • How have you seen us being a devotional people at our church? • How goes your walk with Christ? Missional

Explain: 2. 39 We have always been a missional people. From the very beginning of this

movement we have recognized God’s gracious invitation to cooperate in the mission. As a result we are a missional people who intend to “Be About God’s Priorities in the World.”

■■ Ask a participant to read this paragraph from the participant guide: 2.40 We affirm a commitment to the whole mission of the church. The early Covenanters were known as “Mission Friends”, people of shared faith who came together to carry out God’s mission both far and near. Mission for them and for us includes evangelism, Christian formation, and ministries of compassion mercy and justice. We follow Christ’s two central calls. The Great Commission sends us out into all the world to make disciples. The Great Commandment calls us to love the Lord our God and our neighbors as ourselves.

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Explain: 2. 41 God’s word speaks to this call on our lives as believers. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.—Acts 1:8 He has shown all you people what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. —Micah 6:8

■■ See also: Colossians 1:28; Matthew 10:39 ■■ Reflection: 2.42 • How have you seen us being missional at our church? • How do you see the church helping you to reach the lost and help the hurting? Connectional

Explain: 2. 43 We are also a connectional people. We recognize that we are all the

church together, children, youth, and adults, men and women, persons of all ethnicities, nationalities, social standing, and ability are welcomed and invited and called by God to be the church. For this reason we recognize and affirm that we are “Better Together.”

■■ Ask a participant to read this paragraph from the participant guide: 2.44-2.45 We affirm the church as a fellowship of believers. Membership in the Covenant Church is by confession of personal faith in Jesus Christ and is open to all believers. We observe baptism and Holy Communion as sacraments commanded by Jesus. We practice both infant and believer baptism. We believe in the priesthood of all believers, that is, we all share in the ministry of the church. We also affirm that God calls some men and women into professional, full time Ministry. The church is not an institution, organization, or building. It is a grace filled fellowship of believers who participate in the life and mission of Jesus Christ. It is a family of equals: as the New Testament teaches that within Christian community there is to be neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, but all are one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28).

Explain: 2. 46-2.47 The last of our Affirmations undergirds and informs all the others. It speaks to the grace that we extend to others in order to live in unity as a church. We affirm the reality of freedom in Christ. The apostle Paul wrote, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free” (Galatians 5:1 TNIV). This freedom is a gift of God in Christ, and it manifests itself in a right relationship with God and others. It is not a private gift to be used

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selfishly, but is given to serve the community and the world. For Paul, this freedom means that we are set free from the power of those things that on their own tend to divide. United in Christ, we offer freedom to one another to differ on issues of belief or practice where the biblical and historical record seems to allow for a variety of interpretations of the will and purposes of God. We in the Covenant Church seek to focus on what unites us as followers of Christ, rather than on what divides us.

Explain: 2. 48 The Bible tells us that the early members of the church, ...devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.—Acts 2:42-47

■■ See also: Ephesians 4:11-16; Hebrews 10:24-25 ■■ Reflection: 2.49 • How have you seen us being connectional at our church? • What does it mean to you to become part of a community of faith?

Mission of the ECC and the Ministry of Our Church 2.50 Explain: 2. 51 As part of the Evangelical Covenant Church we minister collectively to help persons grow deeper in Christ so we can go further in mission, reaching out to the lost and hurting through: • Global ministries of the ECC • The regional ministries of our conference • The local ministries of our congregation Denominational offices

Explain: 2. 52 The denominational offices have been formed to serve, support, partner and help coordinate our ministry together both near and far.

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Explain: 2. 53-2.54 Here are 11 ways the ECC, both at a denominational and conference level, serves the local congregations: • • • • • • • • • • •

Instant connection to global mission Training, care, and accountability for pastors Assistance with pastoral search process Consulting, seminars, and training events Curricular, media, and print resources Camping and retreats Insurance and pension system Resource center for materials Conflict mediation upon invitation by congregation Loan source Denominational events for youth, women, families, and clergy

■■ The appendix notes several resources available to you for amplifying the information in this session. In particular, we recommend that you consider distributing copies of the Mission and Ministry Partnership booklet, which highlights current ministries of our denominational departments as well as giving facts about our current budget. This resource can be either ordered from covenantbookstore.com or downloaded at www.covchurch.org (type Mission and Ministry Partnership in the search area). Our conference 2.55

■■ Briefly describe the conference of which this church is a part. Consider including number of churches in the conference, superintendent’s name, state range of conference, any Covenant camps.

Integrate The Distinctives of the ECC 2.56 Explain: The four commitments we have looked at today are founded within the word of God, and are fleshed out within our six affirmations: • • • • • •

The centrality of the word of God The necessity of the new birth. A commitment to the whole mission of the church The church as a fellowship of believers A conscious dependence on the Holy Spirit The reality of freedom in Christ

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Explain: 2. 57-2.58 These affirmations, which may be understood as core values, have

consistently guided our choices and decisions from generation to generation, shaping over time a set of key distinctives which set us apart from many other church movements. • The ECC is known for emphasizing what unites Christians, rather than what sets them apart from each other. We affirm theological freedom, which means that we believe there are some periphery issues in Scripture that are open to interpretation. Christians everywhere differ in interpretations of Scripture, so we work to stand in the center, rather than becoming focused only on the periphery. A theologian once said, “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.” The ECC embodies this sentiment. • The ECC is known for its stance on baptism. We affirm both infant and believer baptism. We see the Scriptures as unclear on modes of baptism and we have decided not to be divided over this. • The ECC is known for its affirmation of women in ministry at all levels of leadership, including the role of lead or solo pastor. • The ECC is known for its authentic and growing ethnic diversity. • The ECC is known for its congregational polity, meaning the local congregation holds the highest authority over its mission and ministry, while churches work together in mission. • The ECC is known for understanding that discipleship fully embraces evangelism together with compassion, mercy, and justice.

Explain: 2. 59 Essentially, you could simply say this of the Covenant: • • • • •

We love God. We love God’s word. We love God’s world. We love God’s family. We strive to obey the Great Commandment and the Great Commission

Explain: 2. 60 Together we join in the mission of God to see: more disciples...among more populations...in a more caring and just world.

Questions and Comments Explain: We have covered a lot of material today in the hope of creating a better

understanding of who we are as a church. After being given a glimpse of who we are, perhaps you have some questions or comments.

■■ You may wish to field some questions and comments now. Ask participants to write their questions and comments on post-it notes or 3” x 5” cards, collect and answer them. Alternatively, if time is short, have participants write their questions and comments down to discuss during your next session.

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■■ You might also consider soliciting the reflections of others in the group about a particular question prior to answering it in order to see how people are perceiving our identity as a church.

Closing Explain: Some of you have a nickname. The early nickname of the ECC was Mission

Friends, which indicated that we would be friends together in Christ with others who did God’s mission in the world. Hopefully you have a better understanding of what that means and how it continues to influence who we are today. Should you choose to become a member you will be joining other friends in Christ both in this church and in the larger denomination who gather together to celebrate our life in Christ, to help one another grow deeper in faith, that we might fulfill God’s will in the world.

■■ Remind your group of the additional questions available in the “Going Deeper” section at the end of this session for those who want to reflect further on their role in the working out of the mission of the Evangelical Covenant Church

Going Deeper The Character of the Covenant in You The enduring commitments of the Covenant are intended to be lived out in our individual lives as well as in the life of each church. Take some time to consider what practices you will commit to in order to lean more fully into the transforming work of the Spirit so that your character reflects these four enduring commitments of the ECC character. In other words… • • • •

We grow in God’s Word because we are a biblical people. We grow in Relationships because we are a connectional people. We grow in Obedient living because we are a missional people. We grow in Worship because we are a devotional people.

What spiritual practices might foster your growth in each of these areas? Commitment

Historical Influence

Sentiment

Commitment Summary

1) The Authority of Scripture

Protestant Reformation

Where is it written?

Biblical

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My Spiritual Practices

Commitment

Historical Influence

Sentiment

Commitment Summary

2) New/Deeper Life in Christ

Pietism

How goes your walk?

Devotional

3) Evangelism/ Compassion

Moravian Mission

Lost/found; hurting/helped

Missional

4) The Body of Christ

Founding rationale

“I am a companion to all who fear thee.”—Psalm 119:63 (KJV)

Connectional

My Spiritual Practices

Leader Tip! You may wish to take 5 minutes from the beginning of the next session to explore the Going Deeper questions; alternately, you may suggest that participants pair up and share their reflections on the questions with each other before the next session.

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