Disciples gathered in General Assembly here today reaffirmed their commitment to planting new churches and voiced support and concern for the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Some Disciples are “Telling It” and “Showing It” while in Nashville for the General Assembly this year. Numerous volunteers have been and are “telling it” by putting their faith into action. Volunteers had several opportunities to sign up for the project of their choice while attending the assembly.
“Welcome home” was the message conveyed by National Benevolent Association President Mark D. Anderson at a dinner the NBA held jointly with the Disciples Care Network. The event was attended by more than 200 Disciples, including representatives from many of the NBA and DCN agencies present at the General Assembly.
Votive candles and a tapestry of musical and worship styles filled Plenary Hall Monday night, as noted author and activist Brian McLaren highlighted what he called a “Luke 10” approach to today’s – and tomorrow’s – Christianity.
Cyrus N. (Russ) White, outgoing President and Publisher of Chalice Press (Christian Board of Publication), was presented the 2011 Faithful Servant Award at the General Assembly of Disciples meeting in Nashville, Tennessee.
Disciples Justice Action Network (DJAN) members met here today during the 2011 General Assembly to mark the passing of two long-time members and elect new members of the DJAN Decisions Team, which acts as the organization’s board of directors.
Delegates to the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) heard reports today from several general ministries of the church, including a combined report from Higher Education and Leadership Ministries (HELM), Church Extension (CE), and Disciples Home Missions (DHM) about a new collaboration called the HOPE Partnership for Missional Transformation.
The Christian Church Foundation celebrated its 50th anniversary Tuesday night, recognizing its growth from about $1,000 in assets in 1961 to a record $438.6 million in 2011. The event was part of the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Nashville, TN.
If the Council on Christian Unity were seeking a topic designed to engage Disciples in vigorous, robust discussion on the challenges of putting faith into practice, they found just the topic at the General Assembly during a series called “Faithful Conversations.”
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 2011 General Assembly – A new online resource for churches and congregations in transformation has been launched to provide access to high-quality online learning, courseware, consultation and coaching processes.
Today’s diverse Christians around the world are poised to move beyond the “devil’s deal” created by Constantine in the 4th century and return to the “horizontally organized counter-culture” of the early church, a hopeful Harvey Cox posited in Monday’s “Be The Change” lecture in Plenary Hall during the 2011 General Assembly.
A diverse trio of Disciples expressed gratitude and deep conviction to the love of Jesus Christ as the 2011 General Assembly approved by acclamation the nominations of Regina Morton of Somerville, TN, (member at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis), as Moderator; Dr. Susan Diamond, senior minister of First Christian Church of Montgomery, AL as First Vice-Moderator and Rick Ikeda of Salem, OR, (member at First Christian Church, Salem, OR) as Second Vice-Moderator. The team will serve a two-year term.
A former Disciples moderator and current pastor of Loudon Avenue Christian Church in Roanoke, Virginia challenged Disciples to adopt a “by whatever means necessary” mentality during a service of prayer and healing for those living with HIV/AIDS and their caregivers.
More than 700 people came with hope to the Living Cloud of Witnesses dinner, the first dinner event of the 2011 General Assembly on Saturday, July 9. Hosted by Church Extension (CE), Disciples Home Missions (DHM) and Higher Education & Leadership Ministries (HELM), the event celebrated the launch of Hope Partnership for Missional Transformation and the leadership of Jim Powell, retiring former president of Church Extension.
Music City USA lived up to its billing Sunday night, as some of its best musicians – who just happen to be Disciples – took the stage at Plenary Hall as the “Tell It!” assembly theme became “Sing It!”
On a Sunday morning packed with activities during the 2011 General Assembly, the Nashville-based Disciples of Christ Historical Society joined the Central Pastoral Office for Hispanic Ministries to dedicate a portrait of Disciples minister Lucas Torres Román in ceremonies at the society's Thomas W. Phillips Memorial Archives near Vanderbilt University.
Delegates to the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) opened their first business session yesterday, receiving General Minister and President Sharon E. Watkins’ “State of the Church” address and learning of a new model for discussing controversial topics in the church.
Before an energized crowd of over 400, Lexington Theological Seminary (LTS) trustee chair Gary Kidwell exclaimed, “I don’t have good news today; I have great news!”
As music filled the atrium of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Week of Compassion honored Disciples and partners at a “Compassion Hall of Fame” event Sunday night.
Delegates to the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) voted overwhelmingly to re-elect General Minister and President Sharon E. Watkins for a second six-year term.