Next Steps and Process Update from Jenell Pluim and Leadership Board
Greetings to the Fellowship of Churches of the Canada Covenant,
As you already have been informed, our current President/Superintendent of the Canada Covenant, Glenn Peterson, has been called to the position of Director of Church Planting with the ECC as of December 2, 2024. We wish Glenn and Bekah and their family God’s grace as they make that transition. We are grateful that Glenn will be leading from a position that will continue to support our mission of church planting in the Canada Covenant as well as south of the border.
The Canada Covenant Leadership Board (LB) has met by zoom and in person since my last letter to you. At our meetings in person October 18-19, 2024 some next step decisions have been made.
1. Rob Peterson, associate superintendent has been appointed as Acting President/Superintendent as of December 1-May 3, 2025 when the Stronger Together AGM will be held. A candidate for the election of permanent President/Superintendent will take place at the AGM in May 2025.
2. The LB acts as the nominating committee for the search process for a new President/Superintendent. This process does not include staff, to maintain arms length and confidentiality, and is guided by the President of the ECC, Tammy Swanson-Draheim.
3. Because the selection of leadership is so important, we will be entering a careful and prayerful process of discernment that advances the entire mission as it identifies gifted and Godly people uniquely capable of significantly advancing the ministry of the Canada Covenant.
4. Due to the importance of electing a new President/Superintendent, the Stronger Together and AGM will be held in one central site, May 2-3, 2025. Details around location will be forthcoming.
Here is a brief timeline of our projected process:
October: A survey will be developed and sent out to the broader Canada Covenant for feedback concerning the needs of the Canada Covenant and our discernment around a new President/Superintendent.
November: An invitation will be sent out for nominations (and self-nominations) for President/Superintendent position with supporting documents.
December: All nominations will be received and reviewed by the LB and a short list will be chosen for further processing.
January-February: The short-listed nominees will follow up with written responses to pertinent ministry questions as well as submitting video speaking clips.
March 14-15, 2025: Face to face interviews will be held with no more than 3-5 candidates.
By the end of March it would be our intention to be able to present a nominee for the President/Superintendent position to the executive board of the ECC. Once it is ratified by the executive board, the chosen candidate will be publicly announced, and then brought to the annual meeting of our Canada Covenant in May for election. If elected, the nominee will be installed officially at the annual meeting of the ECC denomination in June 2025.
It is important to our LB to hear from you. We will be guided by your insights, concerns, questions, and wisdom. Please take time to fill out the survey that will be coming in the next week or so.
This is a significant moment in time when we can rely on God’s leading and guidance to direct us for the future of the church and advancing the Kingdom in our Canadian communities. Would you prayerfully enter into the discussion with us for Christ’s sake in reaching our world?
If you have any question please connect with Jenell Pluim chairperson, or any member of the Leadership Board.
Grace and Peace,
Jenell Pluim
Chair of the Canada Covenant Leadership Board
Bethany Abramson (Newmarket, ON)
Paul Campbell (Sarnia, ON)
Jason Charles (Langley, BC)
Clarissa Cheung (Toronto, ON)
Jennifer Fetch (Winnipeg, MB)
Rob Horsley (Saskatoon, SK)
Jenell Pluim (Wetaskiwin, AB)
Marc Vandersluys (Minnedosa, MB)
