About

Conference

The Central Conference of Evangelical Covenant Churches unites, plants, and strengthens more than one hundred churches of all shapes and sizes in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, eastern Missouri, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Learn more about the Conference through the resources and ministries presented in the website, or contact the Central Conference at 4055 W. Peterson Ave., Suite 106, Chicago, IL 60646 or (773) 267-3060.

• Brief History of the Conference (coming soon)
• Constitution & Bylaws
• Annual Meeting Summary (2010)

Boards & Commissions of the Conference

The boards and commissions of the Central Conference administer specific areas of ministry for the benefit of member churches. Volunteers are appointed or elected to direct each group’s work, in conjunction with staff support.

BOARDS of the Conference

Executive Board administers conference ministries on behalf of Central Conference churches.

Harbor Point Ministries Board oversees both Covenant Harbor Bible Camp & Retreat Center (Lake Geneva WI) and Covenant Point Bible Camp (Iron River MI) in the Central Conference.

Central Conference Women Ministries Board coordinates and supports Central Conference women ministries including local groups, fall retreat, and other projects.

Ministerial Association Board represents and attends to the credentialed Covenant ministers and staff of the Central Conference.

COMMISSIONS of the Conference

Church Planting Commission identifies, enables and coaches new church plants and their planting pastors, together with neighboring churches.

 

Christian Formation Commission coordinates and supports ministries of Christian formation, regional youth events, and leadership development.

Compassion, Mercy & Justice Commission promotes urban and multicultural ministry and supports ministries of community development, compassion, and justice.

Ministerial Care Commission supports ministers in crisis, and encourages healthy pastoral conduct.

Nominating Commission identifies and recommends gifted people for all conference ministries, and prepares the ballot for the Central Conference Annual Meeting.

Communications Commission gathers and disseminates information and stories that illustrate God’s work in and through the Central Conference via various media and events.

GROUPS of the Conference

  

District Pastors’ Clusters coordinates, supports, and networks area pastors.

African-American Ministries coordinates, supports, and networks pastors and churches.

Hispanic Ministries coordinates, supports, and networks pastors and churches.

Korean Ministries coordinates, supports, and networks pastors and churches.

Women Clergy coordinates, supports, and networks  female Covenant pastors.

2010-Delegate-summary.pdf

Leadership

The leadership of the Central Conference are essential to fulfilling the Great Commission in this region as gifted people give time, vision, and industry to the relationships and ministries that plant, unite and strengthen our churches.

Complete the Volunteer Application to serve on a Conference board or commission.

BOARD & COMMISSION Chairpersons

Executive Board Chair, Rev. Peter Erickson

Women Ministries Board, Ann Richards

Ministerial Association Board, Dr. M. Randolph Thompson

Christian Formation Commission, Rev. Andrew Hopp

Compassion, Mercy & Justice Commission, Lisa Caridine

Nominating Commission, Rev. David Green

Women Clergy Association, Rev. Rita Kay Lochner

STAFF of the Conference 

Superintendent Rev. Jerome Nelson serves as the executive pastor for the Central Conference ministries and staff.

Associate Superintendent Rev. Jolene Bergstrom-Carlson serves new churches and church planters, while also sharing other superintendent responsibilities.

Director of Mission and Outreach Rev. Deborah Griffith Samuels serves churches in the areas of Christian formation and ministries of compassion, mercy and justice.

Director of Congregational Vitality Rev. Peter Sjoblom serves churches in the area of congregational health and revitalization.

Contact the staff by email (info@centralconf.org) or call the conference office at (773) 267-3060.

Churches

The churches of the Central Conference include 111 congregations in five states, and have a combined membership of over 17,000 people. Our churches range in attendance from 15 to 1400 and are located in rural, suburban, and urban settings. Although the denomination has a Swedish heritage, today over 20% of our congregations are primarily African-American, Hispanic, or Korean and many of the churches include a variety of ethnicities and cultures.

Search for a church in the Central Conference church directory.

Visit a new church plant in the Central Conference.

Archived Stories