Disciples News Brief
December 10, 2004
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Wanda Bryant Wills, Editor
E-mail: news@cm.disciples.org

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL OFFERING SUPPORTS REGIONAL MINISTRY
The Church Finance Council of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) announces the 2004 Christmas Special Offering titled "The Light Shines." This special offering supports the work of the Disciples' 33 regional ministries. All gifts received during the 2004 Christmas Special Offering will remain within the region in which they are received.

Ministries in each of the church's 33 regions support congregations and pastoral care; provide congregational leaders with training workshops, resources and networking and strengthen congregational ministry through licensing and ordained ministry. Gifts also provide congregations with camps, conferences and ministries to youth, men and women, plus reach out to others by establishing new churches. In addition, gifts work to eradicate racism and share in mission projects, works trips and ecumenical partnership.

Your gifts to the Christmas Special Offering enable your Region's ministry... please give generously.

LYNCHBURG COLLEGE EARNS RECOGNITION IN TWO PUBLICATIONS
Lynchburg College was recently highlighted by U.S. News and World Report in its America's Best Colleges 2005 publication. Lynchburg ranked in the top tier of southern universities that offer a full range of undergraduate programs and master's degree.

The school also was recognized by the Princeton Review in its Best Colleges: Region by Region feature. The review recognized Lynchburg as one of 115 schools in its best in the Mid-Atlantic features. The listing is designed to highlight schools that may not be as well-known as they should be. Lynchburg is a private, coeducational college founded in 1903 in covenant with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). For more information go to: http://www.lynchburg.edu

GMP RESPONDS TO NETWORKS' REFUSAL TO AIR UCC AD
General Minister and President Chris Hobgood recently wrote a letter to the presidents of CBS and NBC networks stating his disappointment in their refusal to air a television advertisement developed by the United Church of Christ (UCC). The 30-second spot, part of the denomination's new identity campaign was designed to illustrate the inclusiveness of UCC churches. Hobgood joined a nationwide group of faith leaders who termed the network's action contrary to the principles of freedom of speech and equal access to media. For more information go to: http://www.disciples.org/hobgood/ucc_response.htm.

CHURCH EXTENSION SHARES HIGHLIGHTS OF BOARD MEETING
At its November Board Meeting in Indianapolis, the Board and Staff of Church Extension continued work on its strategic plan, approving a new missional direction and affirming that the organization is called not only to build churches, but also to "build up" churches within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The leadership of Church Extension is now capturing this direction in a mission statement to be shared with the whole Church within the coming year. The Board also approved a number of priorities, the most critical of which is creating new products and services that meet the planning needs of all Disciples congregations at pivotal points in their life cycles. For more Board Meeting highlights, visit http://www.churchextension.org/about/news.htm.

FOUNDATION DIRECTORS SUSPEND NBA DISTRIBUTIONS
The Board of Directors of the Christian Church Foundation voted unanimously to temporarily suspend distributions to the National Benevolent Association (NBA) and its agencies pending further board review in April 2005. The Foundation distributes for the benefit of NBA ministries about $100,000 annually from permanent funds held in trust by the Foundation. For more information, visit http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2004/0449.htm.

MAINLINE EVANGELISM. TALKING FAITH GOES WHERE FEW HAVE TRAVELED.
A new and innovative group study is giving parishioners a lot of talk about. "Talking Faith: An Eight-Part Study on Growing & Sharing Your Faith," by Heather Kirk-Davidoff and Nancy Wood-Lyczak, encourages congregations to deepen their faith by learning to talk to others about it. Part evangelism training and part faith development, Talking Faith is ideally suited to mainline congregations who want to reach out, but who would be turned off by traditional evangelistic methods.

Talking Faith guides groups on an eight-week journey that includes singing, prayer, role-playing, communion and more. Talking Faith (ISNB: 08272-36549, $24.00) is available at your local bookstore or from Chalice Press at 1-800-366-3383, by e-mail at customerservice@cbp21.com, or visit the Chalice Press web site at http://www.chalicepress.com.

COMMUNICATION MINISTRIES OFFERS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ART
Artwork is now available on-line that regions and churches can use to help promote the upcoming General Assembly in printed material. Go to: http://www.disciples.org/ga05/ads/ads.htm to download copies of the General Assembly logo and other materials. Also don't forget to register online for the Assembly at: http://www.disciples.org/ga05.

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For more information on the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) visit http://www.disciples.org.

*The Disciples News Brief is distributed weekly or as needed by Communication Ministries. For changes, additions or deletions to our distribution list, please contact news@cm.disciples.org.

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