FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 23, 2003

James to Join OGMP and National Convocation

The Rev. Timothy James will assume the role of Associate General Minister and Administrative Secretary of the National Convocation on January 1, 2004. James was elected during the Administrative Committee's General Assembly meeting, Oct. 17.

James comes from Cleveland, Ohio where he has served as pastor of Fifth Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) since 1978. He has also pastored in Louisville, Ky. James has provided district and regional leadership including the Commission on Ministry for the Christian Church in Ohio as both member and chair. His relationship with the National Convocation is not entirely new. He served as National Convocation president from 1994-1996.

"…my ultimate vision is that the National Convocation would lead the way in making this truly an anti-racist/pro-reconciling church as well as a denomination…I would like to see the National Convocation as the forum or the arena where all peoples of the Church gather for prayer and praise, education and dialogue, refreshment and revival, where we are recognized not by the color of our skin but by the content of our faith," said James.

James received a B.A. from Culver-Stockton College (Canton, MO), a M. Div. from Christian Theological Seminary, (Indianapolis, IN), and a D. Min. from United Theological Seminary (Dayton, OH).

As a Disciples minister, James sees himself, "…on a collegial relationship with all pastors and minister of the gospel (ordained and lay), college and seminary professors, department heads, directors of agencies and their respective officers. We are all in this 'fellowship' together, working to equip the people, the saints, the church - for service in meeting human need and to glorify God."

James follows the Rev. John R. Foulkes in this position, who served as Associate General Minister and Administrative Secretary since 1986.

The National Convocation is an instrumentality within the structure of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to support and strengthen African American congregations' partnership in the total mission of the church.

Contact: Melinda Mains
317-713-2496
mmains@cm.disciples.org

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