3 pm - Meet and Greet – Assembly Registration Area and Youth Home Base
The GYC will meet and greet the youth, parents and adult leaders at the front doors of the Nashville Convention Center and escort them to “Youth Home Base.” While at Home Base, schedules, instructions, directions and all kinds of information will be distributed. Once young people have finished their registration and have checked into housing, they’re welcome to participate in games led by regional youth ministry groups. Come and stay for a couple minutes or a couple hours.
7:30 pm - All-Assembly Opening Worship – Plenary Hall
(Doors open at 7 pm for seating) We’ll light the Christ candle for the opening night of General Assembly, with 13-year-old Madison Oliver dancing. Holly McKissick, a Disciples pastor from Olathe, KS, will preach. Enjoy the music of the Host Area Choir. BRING YOUR OWN GUITAR and be part of the Volunteer Guitar Ensemble.
Sunday Morning, July 10
8:30 am - HIV/AIDS Healing Worship – Plenary Hall
(Doors open at 8 am for seating) Join with thousands of Disciples as we pray for healing for many illnesses, including HIV/AIDS. Watch for special participation by youth and children in this, and all All-Assembly worship services. William “Bill” Lee will preach on the story of the paralyzed man, whose friends went to great extremes to make sure he could get to Jesus who healed him.
10 am - Worship in the Community
There are numerous worship opportunities in middle Tennessee and even southern Kentucky! Optional road trip! A list of congregations and preachers will be available in the Youth Home Base or you can see them here.
Sunday Afternoon, July 10
2:30 pm - State of the Church Address – Plenary Hall
(Doors open at 2 pm for seating) During the opening business session of the General Assembly, hear General Minister and President Sharon E. Watkins tell us what’s up for Disciples, in her “State of the Church” address.
4:15 pm – Youth Musical Performance – Youth Home Base
Edmond Oklahoma’s First Christian Church Student Ministries (led by Greg Bunton, Associate Minister) presents, “Life on the Edge” - a youth musical about real life and the choices we make. This musical reminds us that in the midst of uncertainty, God is there and we can trust God no matter what!
5:30 pm - Dinner Break
This is a great evening to enjoy dinner in downtown Nashville before the workweek starts again and the restaurants become more crowded.
7 pm - All-Assembly Concert – Plenary Hall
(Doors open at 6:30 pm for seating) Our friends from Week of Compassion have put together a wonderful concert highlighting two local Disciple musicians, Gabe Dixon and Craig Wiseman. This is a great introduction to the Nashville Music scene, hosted by Andra Moran and Michael Morton, who also are musicians from Nashville, and you may recognize them from previous General Assemblies and youth events!
8:45 pm - Open Mic Night (aka Karaoke) – Youth Home Base
After all the fabulous music we’ve heard today, it’s time to make a little music of our own. It’s Karaoke Night in the Youth Home Base sponsored by the Senior Class of the Tennessee Christian Youth Fellowship. Bring your voice and bring a friend; this is a night we’ll all remember!
Monday Morning, July 11
Mission Work w/Disciples Volunteering (8 am to 2 pm)
Teenagers who did not participate in the pre-assembly mission trip with Disciples Volunteering are invited to choose either Monday or Tuesday to join with Disciples of all ages as we work together in the Nashville community. Space is limited, so don't delay in signing up for this opportunity. Visit www.gd4jc.org for more information
8:30 am - 12:15 pm - Business Session
If you are a certified voting representative of your local congregation, please plan to attend this session to participate in the business of the Church.
9 am - International Disciple Dodgeball Invitational - IDDI
The International Disciple Dodgeball Invitational-IDDI is our way of making a difference in the world. Here's how it's done: Put together a team of 6 to 10 players, pay your registration fee ($10 per person), wear tennis shoes and come ready to play. Just want to watch? It’s $5 admittance for spectators, coaches, parents and cheerleaders, and well worth it: Week of Compassion will receive 100% of the registration fees and ticket sales. Small Print: This is a double-elimination tournament and is played with positive conduct, using the rules and standards of the National Amateur Dodgeball Association. Professional dodgeball players may not enter this tournament.
12:30 Lunch Break
Today you might check out the ideas by our Green Team on where to eat to “keep it green” near the Convention Center. There’s a Farmer’s Market within walking distance!
Monday Afternoon, July 11
Decisions. Decisions. Decisions.
Resource Groups and/or Digital Scavenger Hunt and/or Youth Choir. This afternoon is CRAZY! How in the world is anyone expected to make such difficult decisions? There are Resource Groups (workshops), a Digital Scavenger Hunt, and/or your daily dose of Youth Choir. Check out the Youth Home Base for all the details!
2:30 pm to 5 pm – Choose from among dozens of Resource Groups (workshops). Learn more about your options.
4:30pm - Youth Choir – Youth Home Base
Thom Schuyler is one of the most respected songwriters in Nashville – and he's a Disciple Youth Minister!! We will be learning two of his songs as a musical offering during worship on Wednesday night. You may sing with the Youth Choir in worship by attending at least two choir rehearsals.
5:30 pm - Dinner Break
You're on your own for dinner. We'll see you back at the Convention Center for worship when doors open at 7 pm.
7:30 pm - Emergent Worship – Plenary Hall (All Assembly)
(Doors open at 7 pm for seating) There’s a new movement among Christians that has a lot in common with Disciples. Learn a little about what it means to be a “Luke 10 church” as one of the leaders of the emergent movement, Brian McLaren, preaches. (Curious? Take a look at Luke 10, in the New Testament portion of your Bible.)
9:15 pm - Dance Party – Youth Home Base
Put on your dancin' shoes and meet us at the Youth Home Base for one hour of lively gyration. This event is free and open to anyone who is willing to have fun.
Tuesday Morning, July 12
Mission Work w/ Disciples Volunteering (8am-2pm)
Teenagers who did not participate in the pre-assembly mission trip with Disciples Volunteering are invited to choose either Monday or Tuesday to join with Disciples of all ages as we work together in the Nashville community. Visit www.gd4jc.org for more information
9:45 am - Learning Curve: Bread - Public Library Auditorium
Bread. Disciples are a people who take bread very seriously. Sharing the Lord’s Supper is central to who we are as a worshipping community. What does the Bible say about bread? What does our faith say about those who have no bread? How can we share our bread with others both for spiritual and physical nourishment? Come to the bread learning curve and figure this out with us!
Tuesday Afternoon, July 12
1 pm - Wildhorse Stampede – Wildhorse Saloon and Opera House - Downtown
We're taking to the streets of Nashville as we head to the Wildhorse Saloon and Opera House. This famous venue is the home of good food, great music and lots of line dancing! That's right, we’ll eat lunch and hit the floor for line dancing lessons in Music City, USA. Small Print: This is a ticketed event. More details to follow. (psst...Pay attention to the dance moves because you're going to need them later in the day when we create a Flash Mob back at the Nashville Convention Center.)
2:30 am - 5 pm - Business Session
If you are a certified voting representative of your local congregation, please plan to attend this session to participate in the business of the Church.
3:30 pm - Top Secret Activity – Youth Home Base, then the Exhibit Hall!
FLASH MOB! We're taking what we just learned at the Wildhorse Saloon and we're bringing it to the middle of the Exhibit area. We’ll start in the Youth Home Base to make a quick plan and then we’re off to stage what’s possibly the most exciting event that has ever come to the General Assembly Exhibit Hall!
4:30 pm - Youth Choir – Youth Home Base
Thom Schuyler is STILL one of the most respected songwriters in Nashville!! Learn two of his songs and be part of the Youth Choir’s musical offering during worship on Wednesday night. Small Print: Remember: attend at least two choir rehearsals.
5:30 pm - Dinner Break
7:30 pm - Tell It! An All-Assembly Night of Story Telling – Plenary Hall
(Doors open at 7 pm for seating) Ever sit around a campfire and tell stories? Fred Craddock is going to tell you why that’s a sacred thing to do. He’s one of the Disciples’ favorite story-telling preachers. And he is bringing the choir from his church Cherry Log Christian Church Choir, under the direction of Richard Lumpkin.
Wednesday Morning, July 13
8:30 am - 12:15 pm - Business Session
If you are a certified voting representative of your local congregation, please plan to attend this session to participate in the business of the Church.
9:45 am - Learning Curve: Home – Public Library Auditorium
Home. We all need a shelter to live in. What about that roof over your head? What does the Bible say about home? How do people of faith find a home even if they are away from the place they consider to be their true home? What about the millions in our world who have no home? As poverty and natural disasters displace people from their homes- how do we respond? Should we care? Come to the home learning curve and help us explore home together!
12 pm - Lunch Break
Watch for details on a special luncheon designed to help Disciples multiply our meal like the stories of Jesus sharing loaves and fishes to feed hundreds.
Wednesday Afternoon, July 13
1:45 pm - Learning Curve: Coal – Public Library Auditorium
Coal. The care of God’s earth is a responsibility given to us since the dawn of creation. Learn more specifically about being a steward of the all the resources God has entrusted to us. How is coal relevant to creation care? Does flipping off the light switch when you leave a room really help anything? Can I do anything about mountain top removal? How can I use the gifts God has given me to make our world better? Come to the coal learning curve and find out!
4:30 pm - Youth Choir – Youth Home Base
No, really. Thom Schuyler is one of the most respected songwriters in Nashville. And his Disciples youth group LOVES him… Two rehearsals? A Couple of hours max. Two songs sung with your new friends to a crowd of thousands of Disciples? Priceless.
5:30 pm - Dinner Break
Last dinner at General Assembly for TWO years! Make the most of it!
7 pm Youth Choir gathers – Plenary Hall
The Youth Choir gathers for any last minute directions, seating etc.
7:30pm All-Assembly Commissioning Worship
(Doors open at 7 pm for seating) Not only will the Youth Choir sing in this worship service, but 13-year-old Madison Oliver will dance, children’s advocate Marian Wright Edelman will preach and Disciples go out from that worship service ready to be a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world!