In this issue:
NEW CHURCH STARTS ON PACE TO REACH GOAL
The exciting pace of new church starts in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) continues. Thirty churches have been added since January of this year, bringing the total to 468 since 2001. Disciples new church starts have set an all time record for this decade. Twelve percent of all Disciples congregations have started since 2001.
The news suggests that the Christian Church (DOC) is well on the road to reaching its goal of 1,000 new churches by 2020. The number of new congregations underway is already approaching the half-way point of the 2020 goal. “As we tell pastors, the challenge is great and it takes an act of faith to start a new congregation,” said Rick Morse, Vice-President of New Church Ministry and Mission Initiatives. “However, we are excited that so many congregations are catching the vision and joining the New Church Ministry movement.” For more information about the growth of new churches see: www.disciples.org/dns/releases2007/07017.pdf
WANTED: YOUR VIDEO TO PROMOTE THE 2007 GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Disciples will soon have a place to feature witty and interesting videos other than on YouTube and MySpace. Communication Ministries is inviting Disciples to submit short video clips that feature “you” (and friends or family) inviting other Disciples to attend this year’s General Assembly. The videos will be posted on the General Assembly web site, www.disciples.org/ga and the most watched ones may be featured at General Assembly in Fort Worth, Texas.
You needn’t be a filmmaker to apply. Just have a lot (or even a little) creativity, and a camera to record your General Assembly commercials.
To see how one group of Disciples young adults is using video to invite others to the 2007 General Assembly, visit: http://www.disciples.org/ga/media/?id=100. To learn how to submit your video to Communication Ministries, go to: www.disciples.org/ga/promotion/cometofortworth
KANSAS REGION NAMES PAXTON JONES AS REGIONAL MINISTER
Paxton Jones has been named regional minister and president of the Christian Church in Kansas (Disciples of Christ), effective May 1. Jones has served as the deputy regional minister in Kansas for the past eight years. He succeeds Patsie Sweeden, who retired in June 2006.
Jones was ordained in 1975 by the Christian Church in Missouri and Raytown Christian Church in Raytown, Mo., where his father, Woodrow W. Jones, was pastor. Learn more about the calling of a new Kansas regional minister at: www.disciples.org/dns/releases2007/07018.html
GENERAL ASSEMBLY PROMOTION SUNDAY IS THIS WEEK
General Assembly Promotion Sunday is March 4. Congregations are encouraged to use the date as an opportunity to learn more about the many unique and interesting aspects of this year’s Assembly, which will be July 21-25 in Fort Worth, Texas. In addition to voting representatives, congregations are invited to send church elders, educators, youth and others who may benefit from this year’s event, themed “Share the Feast.”
There will be a wide range of activities and events at the Assembly that include outstanding speakers, worship, mission work, and youth and young adult activities. General Minister and President Sharon Watkins reminds us that General Assembly is the broadest gathering of our church. “It is important to the whole body that all congregations are represented, that all parts of the body are heard, " she said. Everyone needs to be at General Assembly so we get the most complete wisdom and discernment about what God is saying to Disciples today.”
For more information and to make your reservation for the Assembly, visit: www.disciples.org/ga
CHRISTIAN CHURCH FOUNDATION DISTRIBUTES RECORD $17.6 MILLION
The Christian Church Foundation, the planned giving and permanent fund ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), distributed $15.1 million to Disciples ministries named by donors and investing institutions in 2006. Another $2.5 million went to individuals under terms of life-income gift agreements.
The Foundation's distribution to church causes was up $2.5 million from dollars distributed in 2005. To read more about the Foundation's 2006 performance, visit: www.disciples.org/ccf/news/default.asp
PENSION FUND APPROVES SPECIAL APPORTIONMENTS
The Board of Directors of the Pension Fund of the Christian Church (DOC) approved a 5 percent special apportionment at its Feb. 22-23 meeting. Persons receiving retirement, surviving spouse or disability pensions will receive checks/deposits reflecting the increase beginning on July 1.
Active members who are accumulating pension credits will have their credits as of Dec. 31, 2006, increased by the 5 percent special apportionment on July 1. To learn more about the approval of special apportionments, go to: www.disciples.org/dns/releases2007/07019.pdf
GLOBAL MINISTRIES OFFERS FREE VIDEO ABOUT WORLDWIDE MISSION
The Global Ministries “Connecting Threads Video Series” can assist congregations in highlighting the work of Disciples and the United Church of Christ (UCC) in their common witness around the globe. The entire seven-week video series, which is normally sold for $10 a video, is now being offered free of charge. The series works well with Sunday school classes and monthly fellowship gatherings.
The videos explain Global Ministries mission, priorities, and critical presence around the world, as well as feature mission work in places that include Africa, Southern Asia, the Middle East and Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and East Asia and the Pacific. To read more about the various videos in the series, see www.disciples.org/dns/releases2007/07024.html To order, call 1-800-537-3394
MISSION FORT WORTH: REACHING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY DURING GENERAL ASSEMBLY
For Disciples who want to serve others during the General Assembly in Fort Worth, Texas, mission work may be just the thing. There will be several opportunities to “Share the Feast,” through mission outreach at the July 21-25 event.
Pre-events run July 18-21. During the Assembly, mission work takes place on Monday, July 23 and Tuesday, July 24. Volunteers will work with senior citizens, the homeless, at food pantries and in other local ministries in Fort Worth, including Tarrant Area Food Bank, Mission Arlington, Juliet Fowler Christian Homes, Presbyterian Night Shelter, Northside Inter-Church Agency and Meals on Wheels.
There also will be several mission projects inside the Fort Worth Convention Center, including a canned goods collection, health survival kits for the homeless, and a blood drive. To find out more, visit: www.disciples.org/dns/releases2007/07020.html
INSURANCE BOARD EXPERIENCES YEAR OF POSITIVE TRANSITION
The United Church of Christ Insurance Board (UCCIB), a provider of insurance, liability and risk management services to Disciples and UCC churches, reported that 2006 was a year of positive transition during its recent annual meeting. The insurance board continued to rebuild relationships with churches that left the UCCIB in 2005 at a time of uncertainty. Currently more than 2,600 UCC and Disciples churches and related organizations are active in the UCCIB, down more than one-third from its peak in 2005. There are 372 Disciples congregations in 27 regions participating.
Projections for 2007 anticipate modest growth as churches realize that the Insurance Board continues its mission of being a partner with Disciples and UCC churches throughout the country. To read more, go to: www.disciples.org/dns/releases2007/07021.pdf
CHILDREN’S PANEL CONVENES DURING ADVOCACY DAYS
Disciples who attend Ecumenical Advocacy Days 2007 have been invited to a “Special Panel on Children’s Issues” that will be held at 6:30 p.m. on March 10 at the Double Tree Hotel in Arlington, Va. Prayer, conversation, food, and music will bring together Disciples, Methodists and members of the United Church of Christ (UCC) at the children’s panel. For more on the panel, go to. home.comcast.net/~disciplescenter/alerts/28feb07.html
More than 1,000 human rights advocates and faith leaders are expected to attend Ecumenical Advocacy Days, which will be held March 9-12 in Washington D.C. This year’s conference, themed “And How are the Children,” will include workshops, advocacy training, and a day of lobbying lawmakers on Capitol Hill to advocate for greater U.S. support for young people around the world. To learn more, visit, www.advocacydays.org
LICENSED MINISTERS CLASSES AVAILABLE IN KENTUCKY
The 2007 Licensed Ministers School will offer six courses in this year’s event, June 11-15. The school, begun in 1992, is held on the Lexington Theological Seminary campus in Lexington, Ky. The courses are conducted in cooperation between LTS and the Christian Church (DOC) in Kentucky.
Tuition for the ministers’ school is $125 for each of the five day classes or $65 each for two-day classes. Classes include ministerial ethics, evangelism and church leadership. Lodging and meals are in addition to the tuition. For more information, visit: www.disciples.org/dns/releases2007/07022.html
COORDINATOR SOUGHT FOR 2010 QUADRENNIAL ASSEMBLY
The search is underway for a 2010 Quadrennial Assembly coordinator. The Quadrennial will be held at the Koury Convention Center and Four Seasons Sheraton in Greensboro, N.C., June 23-27, 2010. The coordinator position will direct the planning, implementation and event oversight for the Quadrennial, which will be attended by Disciples women and their guests.
The coordinator position is funded by the International Disciples Women’s Ministries (IDWM) and will be located in the offices of Disciples Home Missions in Indianapolis. June 1 is the deadline to submit resumes. If you are you ready for an adventure or know someone who might be interested, apply today at www.discipleshomemissions.org/Women/Quadrennial.htm
DISCIPLES MEN WILL HOLD SESSIONS 2008 IN OKLAHOMA CITY
Join Disciples men from across the United States and Canada in Oklahoma City, Okla., in 2008 for inspiration, fellowship, education, and spiritual renewal in July 2008. The Office of Disciples Men, part of Disciples Home Missions, is planning the Sessions 2008 event, which will be held July 17-20, 2008.
It’s not too early to mark your calendar and register. The Session 2008 website is now open, and allows on-line registration. For more information, go to: www.sessions2008.org
BETHANY COLLEGE NAMES CURATOR OF GALLERY
Bethany College President G.T. “Buck” Smith recently announced that Kenn Morgan, a professor of fine arts at the college, will serve as the coordinator and curator of the Renner Union Gallery and the college’s permanent art collection. Bethany is associated with the Christian Church (DOC) and located in Bethany, W.V.
Morgan, a 1971 graduate of Bethany, has devoted his expertise and talent to enhancing the beauty of Bethany for many years. To read more about his appointment, see: www.disciples.org/dns/releases2007/07023.pdf
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