Meeting Started at 10:00 am, Cascades Camp & Conference Center

Present: John Prouty, John Tissell, Dick Lundberg, Bud Olson, Keith Olson

Opening Meditation – John Tissell – James 1:19ff

Prayer – all

Approve Agenda – JP

Approved Minutes from the June 14, 2003 Meeting

Financial Secretary's Report – Dick Lundberg – Report given, KICY needs operating funds.

Cabin Fund Report – Dick Lundberg - $444 needed to meet goal. Those not keeping their pledge have been contacted. Numbers will be finalized at the September meeting.

Treasurer Report – Keith Olson – Report given (not much activity this past month).

Exec Committee Report – Henry Greenidge – none given/not present.

Old Business:

Mission Project 2004 – Alaska

Camp Gilead – Drug & Alcohol Rehab center near Unalakleet needs $6 – 10K/year. Cov Justice & Mercy has granted $3,000 in matching funds. That would make a $5K donation = $8K. Concerned about providing on-going staff support, as this will be a one-time gift. Also need a project that will give the men a sense of contribution ($5K of 100K is not much of an impact).

Consider asking for 100 men for $100. Suggest that this = $10/month or go home and get 10 guys to each pitch in $10.

We need to also continue supporting the other Alaska missions. Show the $ sent this year to ALL the ministries in Alaska. Also promote support of these ministries throughout the retreat.

Consider sending out monthly statements with ½ page flyers about the ministries Cov. Men are supporting.

Consider collecting e-mail addresses when people register so that we can communicate without paying postage.

Worship Team- Irvington Cov. was unable to provide a worship team. Jerry Lindman has been asked. No response as of yet.

Speaker for 2004- Suggestions were as follows: Mark Novak; Mike Ryan (Bellevue, WA Police Chaplin); Jim Bruckner (NP Seminary Prof); Donn Engebretson (ECC VP); and Dave Kerston (Exec Minister of the Ordered Ministry). Dick will talk with the Bellevue Police Dept. about Mike. Mike might be able to speak to something along the theme of "Christ in the Workplace".

Need to select nominations for the Board positions.

Portable BBQ Pit Design – John Tissell – John is preparing to do some heat tests to determine what materials to use in the design.

Train construction by Cov. Men. Asked Tom Moline for picture of the train as it is supposed to look. Need to promote this at the retreat (as well).

Brief review of the following.

Mission Statement for NPC Cov Men.

To support and encourage men of our conference in their walk of faith, service to Christ and glorification of God.

What is a Covenant Men’s Group at the local level?

A group of men in a local Covenant Church that meet together to support and encourage each other in their walk of faith, service to Christ and glorification of God.

What is Covenant Men at the conference level?

A group of men who support the men in our Conference to establish groups of men (intra/interchurch) to accomplish the purposes of Covenant Men.

How can we be effective in being Conference Cov. Men?

Problems men’s group face:

a. Men that do meet regularly don't think of themselves as Covenant Men.

b. The men meet informally without organization.

c. Men are too busy.

d. Men’s groups don’t seem to have a sense of purpose.

Ways that NPC Cov Men accomplish our mission:

a. Fall Retreat

b. Family Camp (salmon barbecue)

c. Men's breakfast at Conference Annual Meeting

d. Projects: Alaska, Cascades and Conference churches

e. Mission projects

f. Scholarships

Vision of the Future.

Steps to re-defining Cov. Men.

a. Amend the By-Laws to allow:

1.) All those attending the Fall Retreat to have full voting rights.

2.) Provide for more involvement in the leadership of NPC Cov. Men (Historian, at-large members, projects, etc.)

b. Publicize the new Cov. Men.

Next Meeting (at Cascades Camp & Conference Center) – September 13, 2003 – 9:30 am