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Board OKs new name for BMF INDIANAPOLIS, IN, July 23, 2002 -- What's in a name? Hopefully, new vitality is in a new name for the common mission fund of the Disciples of Christ. Disciples General Board approved here July 23 the name Disciples Mission Fund for the fund now known as Basic Mission Finance, or BMF. The name change comes after two years of surveys and research by the Church Finance Council through Shank Public Relations Counselors of Indianapolis. David Shank, president of the firm and a Disciples layman, led the study. The results of Shank's research indicated that while senior clergy may understand Basic Mission Finance and its role in supporting the mission of the 800,000-member denomination, many Disciples do not share that understanding. Studies revealed that one-third of Disciples surveyed favored the name Basic Mission Finance, while two-thirds wanted to see a new name but did not know what that new name should be. Research also revealed that two words stood out for a new name-"Disciples" and "mission." Research included online surveys, telephone interviews with church leaders, a conference call with congregational leaders, and a focus group of Disciples communicators. According to survey findings, the dilemmas facing Basic Mission Finance included: the name conveys no meaning to today's younger givers; most Disciples do not identify with BMF; the name does not convey what the church is doing in mission; and the name has come to hinder rather than facilitate the promotion and interpretation of mission. The Church Finance Council staff brought Shank's research and suggestions to the CFC board during its July 9-10 meeting in Indianapolis. CFC board members approved the name "Disciples Mission Fund," and forwarded their action to the General Board for final approval. The board also approved the descriptive tag line "giving changes lives." At the board's direction, no graphic image besides the Disciples chalice-and-cross logo will be used with the words. This is not the first name change for the church's common mission fund. The name "Basic Mission Finance" came into being in 1975 with the establishment of the Church Finance Council. The common mission fund was begun in 1935 as the "Unified Promotion." "Disciples Mission Fund" will be used beginning Jan. 2003, whether or not the new funding system, approved July 22 by the General Board (see other story), is approved by two-thirds of the boards of the general, regional and higher education ministries. All three of these areas include the 76 mission partners who receive common mission funds. To promote and interpret the new name Disciples Mission Fund, the Church Finance Council will produce and distribute guidelines for use of the new name. -- end -- 02-71 Church Finance Council |