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DISCIPLES
COMMITTEE ON RENEWAL AND
The Standing Committee on Renewal and Structural Reform of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is considering two proposals aimed at enhancing church effectiveness. The proposals were presented at the committee’s meeting in Indianapolis in late September, along with reports from a number of subcommittees. One proposal seeks to “right-size” the General Board of the church. It is thought that the current 160-member board is too large for effective meetings and good decision-making. Also considered was the idea of having some members of the board elected directly by individual congregations. The Standing Committee also reviewed work advanced by a subcommittee, led by Ted Waggoner, a former vice-moderator of the church, to update the Design of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The Design serves as a covenant that offers direction for the church, since there is not a constitution that outlines how the church is to operate. The committee reviewed the proposal and is in the process of making revisions. The position of the congregation in the church was uplifted in the subcommittee’s new version of the document. In other action at the committee’s meeting, T. Eugene Fisher, Minister of Reconciliation, made a report regarding some issues in Reconciliation, the Disciples racial justice ministry, but no action was required. Pablo Jiminez, National Pastor of Hispanic Ministries, gave a report regarding the place of minority constituency groups in the denomination. Again no action was required. “Our meeting reflected lots of work done by a number of people in preparation for this meeting,” noted Glen Stewart, Regional Minister of Tennessee and Chairperson of the Standing Committee for Renewal and Structural Reform. “The church seems to be calling for changes in the life of the church and the members of this committee are offering good changes to the church.” Proposals that are approved by the Standing Committee will now be considered by the Administrative Committee of the General Board, then by the General Board and may possibly go before the General Assembly in July in Portland. The Committee will meet in early 2005 to make final preparations for documents to go before those groups. #### Contact: |