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.

Anticipated Outcomes

By the end of the five-year 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.

• Raise $2 million to secure a $4 million match from LEI to endow seminary scholarships and sustain Covenant collaboration in support of leadership development.

• Improve institutional sustainability and collaboration across Covenant partners.

• Strengthen denominational identity and unity across diverse regions and communities.