Covenant Connections Partners,

After 90 days of prayer, discernment, and seeking God’s direction, I’m thrilled to share some incredible news—we have a new Executive Director! Rick Grover has said yes, and we couldn’t be more excited or confident in the future of Covenant Connections under his leadership.

Rick has served as the Lead Pastor at East 91st Street Christian Church in Indianapolis for the past thirteen years. He’s been in our ministry with our founder, Alan Ahlgrim, from the beginning—an early adopter of the Covenant Connections vision and our most committed and productive group leader over the years.

During the past couple of months, Rick and the Elders of E91 have been prayerfully considering this opportunity and seeking the Lord’s direction in this season of transition. Their conclusion is clear: this is a Kingdom assignment.

E91’s Elders see Rick’s new role as Executive Director as a natural extension of their church’s vision to be Kingdom-minded. They have given their full support for Rick to continue serving full-time as E91’s Lead Pastor while also stepping into this new part-time leadership role with Covenant Connections.

Two quick clarifications:

Covenant Connections remains independent of E91. This will not become a ministry of E91—we’re partnering together just like I hope your churches are, or will be.

Rick will serve part-time as Executive Director while continuing full-time in his role at E91. He’s already begun building a leadership team to carry the vision forward for long-term, healthy, sustainable growth and Kingdom impact.

From this point forward, Rick will be leading the charge and sharing the vision for what’s next. I want to personally thank my fellow board members for their leadership during this transition. I also want to thank each of you for your ongoing prayers and partnership.

The future is bright—and we’re just getting started.

Grateful,
Shan Moyers
Lead Pastor, Central Christian Church
Board Chair, Covenant Connections

Rick and Laura Grover serve the E91st Christian Church in Indianapolis, IN. They have 3 grown children. 

overwhelmed. Many others feel deeply discouraged to the point that in a 2022 survey,* 42% reported that they were seriously considering dropping out of ministry. We now know that 70% drop out after 10 years and that 90% do not finish well.
Maybe you can relate.

to provide a safe and confidential setting for leaders to candidly process the hard hits and the heart hits that inevitably come their way. 

A covenant group is a healthy community in which each member is seeking something for the others and committed to helping one another serve well and finish well. Sadly, spiritual leaders usually talk about community the most, but typically experience it the least!

The model we follow is typically 4-3-2-1: four leaders, meeting over three years, twice a year in retreat, and once a month by Zoom or phone calls with an experienced facilitator.

This model allows honest, transparent and even vulnerable sharing as relationships deepen through the consistent devotion of a disciplined community. The group is not out to “fix others” or even to hold others accountable; rather, the commitment to be close establishes an atmosphere where all of this consistently occurs.

You will meet with three other leaders, one of which is your group facilitator. The small number allows for honest, open sharing as your relationships deepen.

A covenant group is a relational agreement based upon trust. No leader will ever be stronger or more secure than the small circle of other leaders who surround and support him. We were made for life-enriching relationships. Community is at the heart of true Christianity, and true community can’t be rushed.

You will stay in your group for three years. Transformation is not an event; it’s a journey. It only happens on purpose, over time and in community. 

Soul work is not only slow work but shared work. Just as no one can speed their way into a soul satisfying relationship with God, neither can anyone speed their way into a soul enriching relationship with others.

You will gather for two in-person retreats each year. Seeing each other face-to-face is one of the keys to deepening relationships. Being in the same room with each other allows for even greater opportunities to be open, vulnerable, and authentic. 

You will gather with your group virtually in one video meeting a month. Meeting with this much regularity allows you to receive ongoing support, encouragement, and allows you to give updates on your life and ministry.  

“The Covenant Group experience was exceptionally life giving for my spiritual, emotional, and relational health. There’s just simply nothing else like it. It’s not shop talk, it’s soul talk! It’s perhaps the one place where you’re not the most influential leader in the room, and that’s a good thing! It’s only then I can come face-to-face with my greatest fears and greatest joys. All the while, being embraced by the Caretaker of my soul and understood by guys who know what it’s like to carry the weight of spiritual leadership.”

JAY SCOTT
Outreach Minister
Worthington Christian Church

“You need someone to care for your soul-life! In a three-year covenant group, you will laugh, cry, sigh, roll your eyes, and take a deep-dive into caring for your soul. Where and Who cares for your soul, or encourages you to care for your soul? A covenant group can do that!  I said to our facilitator recently, ‘This is an authentic group. Some groups let you look into the windows of their life, some the front door. But, a Covenant Group lets you look in the garage.’ You know, the real stuff that causes you the real pain and keeps you from realizing you are a beloved child of the Most High God. These men are my ‘heart-friends’ and will influence me for the rest of my life!'“

RICK SHONKWILER
Director of Operations
Covenant Connections

is either coming out of a season of special challenge, in the middle of a season of special challenge or heading into a season of special challenge! In a post Christian culture, facing complexities and moral ambiguities as never seen in our lifetime, leadership is more challenging than ever.

Join a soul care group and make sure you aren’t facing those challenges alone!

Not quite ready to commit? Get in touch through "Connect"!