DISCIPLES NEWS DIGEST
Jan 1999
Disciples elected to World Council positions
INDIANAPOLIS -- The World Council of Churches Eighth Assembly didn't change the world. But Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) delegates say the assembly transcends individual issues and Disciples' participation is a natural expression of the denomination's historical commitment to global church unity, and vital for the future of that vocation.
"The World Council of Churches is the most effective, representative ecumenical body," said the Rev. Paul A. Crow, Jr., outgoing president of the Council on Christian Unity. Without the World Council of Churches and our very active participation in it we would be a small church in a sectarian eddy."
Crow and five other Disciples delegates represented the church as a whole at the assembly Dec. 2-14 in Harare, Zimbabwe. Stan Litke, Executive Director of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Canada also served as a delegate, representing the Disciples as a national church of Canada.
The assembly elected Disciples General Minister and President Richard L. Hamm to the 150-member WCC central committee. "Someone said that it felt like the closing of an era, but it didn't feel like a new era was opened," said the GMP. "I think we're in a transition period over the next seven years as we find our way into whatever is next in the worldwide expression of the ecumenical movement. It's an exciting time to be part of it."
During the Harare assembly, the Rev. Robert K. Welsh, president of the Council on Christian Unity as of January 1, 1999, was elected to a new seven-year term as moderator of the board of the WCC-related Bossey Ecumenical Institute, Celigny, Switzerland. Welsh's Bossey position also puts him on the central committee, where he'll advise Hamm, as well as represent the Institute.
Crow hopes the WCC will change as new leaders take it into the 21st century. "What all ecumenical institutions need now is to give up this idea that they are the privileged instruments of the ecumenical movement. Their function is to draw the churches into a deeper unity -- not to be the symbol of unity themselves."
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BCE board hears new loan reports, elects officers
INDIANAPOLIS -- Election of a new board member and new board officers were among the actions taken by the governing body of the Board of Church Extension of Disciples of Christ (BCE) during its December board of directors meeting.
During the session, the Rev. Marvin K. Eckfeldt, senior minister of First Christian Church, Kent, Wash., and Gregory C. Smith, a certified public accountant and attorney from West Lafayette, Ind., were elected chairperson and vice chairperson of the board, respectively.
Minnie L. Smith, a claims representative for the Social Security Administration in Hannibal, Mo., was elected as a new board member to serve a three-year term.
Also during the meeting, four directors were re-elected to three-year terms. They are: the Rev. Gilberto Collazo, minister, University Gardens Christian Church, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico; Marty Hollcroft, church and community volunteer, Phoenix, Ariz.; Jose D. (Bob) Santiago, assistant vice president of systems for Smith Barney, Queens Village, N.Y.; and the Rev. Charles D. Watkins, senior minister, Central Christian Church, Decatur, Ill.
Connie S. Inglish, outgoing BCE board chair, and director of stewardship and development for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oklahoma, received a certificate of appreciation for her six years of service.
Loan approvals of $7.3 million reported to BCE directors will finance expansion and improvements for Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregations and other organizations. The projected loans, ranging in size from $4,200 to $1.5 million and coming from 14 states, will finance 32 building projects valued at $11 million for new construction, remodeling and debt refinancing.
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Homeland Ministries calls Christian educator
and new young adult leadershipINDIANAPOLIS -- Two persons have been called to the Homeland Ministries staff. The Rev. James Brooks, Macon, Ga., has been called as minister for Christian education, Center for Education and Mission. The Rev. J. Bruce Fowlkes, Fort Worth, Texas, has been called as director of young adult ministries, Center for Congregational Growth and Vitality.
In his new position, Brooks will work to strengthen Christian education through work with congregations, regions and ecumenical efforts. He is former president of the Association of Christian Church Educators and will also work closely with the organization. Brooks has been a church camp director and a part of regional commissions on youth and outdoor education.
As director of young adult ministries, Fowlkes will provide resources to congregations and regions for both existing and new ministries. He has been active in regional general church activities, most recently as a member of the board of directors, Division of Higher Education.
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Apartments under construction at former
Disciples headquartersINDIANAPOLIS -- Nearly four years after the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) moved its general offices from the historic Missions Building to downtown Indianapolis, work is underway to transform the former church headquarters on the city's east side into a senior housing facility.
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Indiana Black Expo Economic Development Corporation are the project's general partners. Columbia Housing Corporation of Portland, Ore., is the investment limited partner.
The $6.5 million project is funded by the $4.2 million sale of housing tax credits, HOME funds from the Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development and a conventional loan. The church contributed the building to the project, but neither the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) nor IBEEDC have invested cash. Both will receive portions of development fees and eventually will receive portions of revenue generated by the apartments. The Missions Apartments will begin pre-leasing in the summer of 1999 with occupancy as early as October. The complex will feature 79 apartments: 51 single-bedroom; 12 two-bedroom; and 16 studios. The apartments will be available for rent to adults 55 years of age and older who have restricted income.
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HUD confidence in NBA shows in new round of grants
ST. LOUIS -- The National Benevolent Association of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has been awarded seven federal Housing and Urban Development grants, totaling more than $15.3 million to construct housing for older adults (age 62 and over) who have low incomes. The seven projects selected were among 10 submitted -- an unprecedented acceptance rate. Kevin McKinney, NBA's associate vice president for affordable housing, said that the three applications not approved this year will be reviewed and will probably be resubmitted in 1999. The awards were granted for the following: Colorado Springs, Colo. (not named yet) - 51 apartments - $3.5 million capital advance; Idaho Falls, Idaho (NBA-Mountain Falls II) - 22 apartments - $1.2 million ; Marion, Ind. (NBA-Emily Flinn House) - 23 apartments - $1.4 million; Spencer, Okla. (NBA-Roscoe Dunjee II) - 26 apartments - $1.4 million; Memphis, Tenn. (not named yet) - 50 apartments - $2.9 million; Houston, Texas (NBA- El Redentor II) - 33 apartments - $1.9 million; Longview, Texas (NBA-Page Place) - 51 apartments - $2.8 million. The seven facilities will probably begin construction in late 1999, and will open approximately 10-12 months later, in the fall of 2000.
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Board of Church Extension seeks award applicants
INDIANAPOLIS -- Board of Church Extension is seeking nominations for the 1998 "BCE Presidents' Award for Architectural Excellence." This church architectural recognition, formerly known as the Wickes Award, will honor congregations and other organizations of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and their design professionals for quality architecture in recent building programs. A jury composed of design professionals and other consultative staff to the BCE will consider awards in the following categories: new construction, renovations/additions, accessibility, and visual arts. Any congregation or organization listed in the Yearbook and Directory of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) that has completed a religious building or work of visual art since Jan. 1, 1990, is eligible to enter the competition.
Awards will include honor certificates plus a $500 cash gift to the top award winner in each category, given to the outreach ministry of the winner's choice. All award recipients will be honored at the October 1999 General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Cincinnati. To enter, either a representative from the congregation/organization or the design professional should contact BCE for an application. Contact BCE at PO Box 7030, Indianapolis, Ind., 46204; (800) 274-1883; or at bce@bce.disciples.org. There is an entry fee of $50; entries must be postmarked by July 1, 1999.
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