Links For

One Covenant Community

Collaborating for Pastoral Call, Preparation, and Support

The One Covenant Community project seeks to cultivate a thriving ecosystem of pastoral leadership across the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) by strengthening the full arc of vocational discernment, theological education, credentialing, and lifelong support—through deep collaboration among Covenant institutions, conferences, congregations, and communities.

About the Initiative

One Covenant Community is a collaborative endeavor funded by the Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative, led by North Park Theological Seminary (NPTS), and supported by a wide network of ECC partners. Together, we are building coordinated systems to identify, prepare, and sustain pastoral leaders in ways that are relevant, accessible, and deeply communal.

This initiative brings together every major Covenant entity involved in congregational leadership development—from regional conferences and camps to educational affiliates and denominational bodies—to address urgent challenges facing the church and its leaders.

Key Activities

  • Develop vocational discernment resources for youth and lay leaders.
  • Create educational pathways from undergraduate to seminary, including accelerated degree options.
  • Reduce barriers to theological education through scholarships and credentialing reform.

  • Build a centralized hub for continuing education for clergy and lay leaders.
  • Design responsive, holistic learning experiences that address real-world ministry challenges.
  • Establish a culture of lifelong learning within the Covenant ministerium.

  • Provide fundraising and nonprofit leadership training for partner institutions.
  • Share resources across academic and ministry organizations to reduce costs and increase impact.
  • Revise financial models to ensure the long-term viability of theological education.

  • Revise and unify Covenant Orientation pathways to foster denominational coherence and intercultural formation.
  • Cultivate collaborative practices rooted in Covenant values—humility, generosity, and deep listening.
  • Build a shared endowment to sustain collaboration and leadership development into the future.

 

Anticipated Outcomes

By the end of the grant period, One Covenant Community will:

  • Engage 25% of ECC young adults in vocational discernment.
  • Expand participation in adult call retreats and lay leadership programs.
  • Reduce pastoral burnout and increase participation in continuing education.
  • Improve institutional sustainability and collaboration across Covenant partners.
  • Strengthen denominational identity and unity across diverse regions and communities.

 

A Model for the Church

This initiative seeks to offer a replicable model for other denominations and seminaries seeking to build collaborative, sustainable systems for leadership development. By investing in shared infrastructure, mutual trust, and coordinated action, One Covenant Community is helping the ECC thrive in its mission to form healthy congregations led by healthy, equipped leaders.

Real Lives. Real Churches. Real Change.

Across the Evangelical Covenant Church, the One Covenant Community initiative is sparking renewal—from youth camps to seminary classrooms, from rural congregations to urban ministries. Read stories that reflect the heart of our mission: to form whole leaders for whole communities through collaborative, accessible, and sustainable pathways.

Over the course of our shared project, you’ll meet young adults discovering their call to ministry, pastors finding new strength through continuing education, and congregations empowered by equipped lay leaders. You’ll see how shared resources, deep partnerships, and a commitment to lifelong learning are transforming the way we prepare and support church leaders.

Each story is a glimpse into the growing ecosystem of pastoral leadership—built not by one institution, but by many, working together for God’s glory and neighbor’s good.

Explore Stories

Ways to get involved

  • Discern Your Call
    • Explore vocational discernment resources, retreats, and mentorship opportunities through your regional conference or Covenant camp.
  • Pursue Theological Education
    • Discover accessible pathways to seminary, including scholarships, hybrid cohorts, and accelerated degree programs.
  • Continue Your Growth
    • Engage in new continuing education offerings for clergy and lay leaders—designed to be relevant, responsive, and accessible.

  • Sponsor a Student
    • Support a member of your congregation in a regional seminary cohort or non-degree leadership program.
  • Equip Your Lay Leaders
    • Connect your ministry teams to specialized training and resources for lay leadership.
  • Share Your Story
    • Help shape future resources by sharing your congregation’s needs, challenges, and successes.

  • Collaborate in Curriculum
    • Join our educational consortium to share resources, build pipelines, and strengthen theological education across contexts.
  • Build Capacity Together
    • Participate in fundraising and nonprofit leadership training to strengthen your organization’s sustainability.
  • Contribute to the Covenant Mosaic
    • Help us build intercultural classrooms, shared learning spaces, and unified orientation pathways that reflect the diversity of our church.

Your financial support helps us:

  • Fund scholarships for under-resourced pastors and students.
  • Build a centralized hub for continuing education.
  • Sustain collaboration across the Covenant family.

Make a gift.

Let’s go far–together

By working together, we can build a future of thriving congregations led by healthy, well-equipped leaders. Join us in this mission—for God’s glory and neighbor’s good.

Questions? Want to connect?
Email Hauna Ondrey