Ministerial Association
The Northwest Conference Ministerial Association is made up of all credentialed clergy of the Evangelical Covenant Church who serve or reside within the geographic boundaries of the Northwest Conference, including ordained and licensed ministers, retired clergy and commissioned missionaries. With approximately 330 members, the association exists to encourage, support and connect these ministers in their service to the local and global church. Members pay annual dues, which are shared between the Northwest Conference Ministerial Association and the Covenant Ministerium at the denominational level.
How can church leaders help?
Please support your ministry staff’s participation in the life of our community. Your shepherds need the support and encouragement of their peers. Our association holds a fall retreat each year for pastors and spouses, as well as our annual meeting each April. We encourage churches to support their pastors and ministerial staff by encouraging them to attend these various meetings and gatherings and providing the funds needed to get there.
What does the NWCMA do for clergy?
Good question. We are a community of Covenant Clergy that seeks to strengthen, equip, and care for each other.
The Executive Board works to support and coordinate all of the below as well as the association’s annual meeting each spring at the Northwest Conference’s annual Celebration. The current officers are:
- Jim Murphy, Chair (email)
- Colleen Nelson, Vice-Chair (email)
- Evan Kolding, Secretary (email)
- Rachel Hart, Vice-Secretary (email)
- Brian Asker, Treasurer (email)
The Committee of Ministerial Standing interviews and recommends candidates for ministerial licensing, commissioning, and ordination.
- Learn more about credentialing here or start the process by contacting the Conference office.
The Ministerial Care and Development Committee provides an annual retreat each fall for connection and renewal and works throughout the year to foster community and professional development among our clergy.
The Spiritual Directors Network provides a ministry of holy listening with a trained spiritual companion. Together, through prayer and discernment, one may grow in awareness of the presence of God, the movement of the Holy Spirit, and a deepening relationship with Jesus Christ.
- Learn more about the Spiritual Directors Network here.
The Minister’s Crisis Fund provides financial assistance to credentialed Conference pastors and their families. This fund often works to supplement other resources available through the Northwest Conference and the denominational ministerium. This assistance is designed to help provide a financial “bridge” during urgent circumstances such as unusual medical expenses not covered by insurance, utility payments or unexpected housing expenses, emergency food or transportation needs.
- Download more information here.
Each of the Conference Districts also convene periodically for community, mutual support and encouragement. Contact the Conference office to get in touch with your district’s convener.
- Download the District Map here.
Ministerial Dues & good standing
Ministerial dues must be paid by March 31st of each year to maintain “Good Standing” for the current year. Good standing is required to maintain your credentials with the ECC, vote on ministerial matters at the NWCMA Annual Meeting and the ECCMA Annual Meeting, and receive any Sustaining Pastoral Excellence grants from the ECC. To maintain “Good Standing,” you must do the following.
- Attend the association’s annual meeting at Celebration each spring. If you cannot attend, you must send regrets to the association’s secretary.
- Be current with annual dues. Pay here by March 31st of each year.
- Complete the annual Vocational Growth Tool each spring.
- Update your CovConnect Profile every 3 years.
- Collegially maintain ongoing conference and denominational connections.
If you are retired, out of call, have moved to a different conference, or are serving outside of the ECC, you must coordinate your status and any changes with the office of Serve Clergy. You can send an email to ministry@covchurch.org. You are obligated to pay dues until your status is officially changed with them.
If you are having trouble with paying your dues, please contact the association chair.
- You may be given a short grace period. Exemptions from dues for one year are a possibility due to personal needs or circumstances but must be requested. Conference dues may be granted by the conference chair and exemption from national dues may be granted by the national chair.
- We also have supporters who are willing to assist clergy who are unable to cover their dues.