Christian Church(Disciples of Christ)
Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ)
Contact: news@cm.disciples.org
INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- Staff promotions and the elections of new board
members and officers highlighted actions taken by the governing body of the
Board of Church Extension, meeting here in December.
Staff reassignments included the Rev. Gary W. Kidwell becoming vice-president for field services and
Ellen L. Mitchell being named assistant vice-president for development. The board also named the
Rev. Jim R. Keown, currently vice president, to become vice president for special services.
Speaking to the directors about the new appointments, BCE President James
L. Powell emphasized Church Extension's continuing commitment to its
affirmative action policy. "That policy calls for officers of this organization to be
inclusive of women and ethnic minorities within five years," he noted. "These
elections are but the first step in reaching a goal to which the staff, the directors
and I remain deeply committed."
During the meeting Robert Harry, chairman of the board of Harry Mortgage
Company, Oklahoma City, Okla., and Jane Lollis, an attorney from Louisville,
Ky., were elected chairperson and vice-chairperson of the governing board.
Four persons were elected to three-year terms with the board of directors:
the Rev. Gilberto Collazo Martinez, minister of University Gardens Christian
Church, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico; Marty Hollcroft, an active laywoman from
Phoenix, Ariz.; Jose Santiago, assistant vice president of systems for Smith
Barney, New York, N.Y., and the Rev. Charles Watkins, senior minister of
Central Christian Church, Decatur, Ill.
Connie S. Inglish, an academic counselor from Oklahoma City, Okla., was
reelected to a three-year term.
Church Extension directors also approved $2.4 million in loan requests to
finance expansion and improvements for Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
congregations and other organizations.
Loan requests came from 17 states and Puerto Rico for 26 projects including
remodeling, new construction, site purchases and debt refinancing. Combined
costs for the projects totaled more than $8 million.
Two interest-free loans totaling $110,000 were approved for Covenant
Christian Church in Cary, N.C., and Mision Hispana Cristiana del Oeste in
Orlando, Fla. Four congregations now have commitments for $182,500 in
interest-free loans.
In other action the directors:
- approved reports showing 151 staff visits made to congregations
during August, September and October.
- approved implementation of a consultant service to congregations
on sacred space with a spring 1996 launch by staff.
- postponed action on the denomination's proposed mission funding
plan until March, desiring more time for discussion and with
concern for how New Congregation Establishment support will be
provided.
- approved a 1996 operating budget of $7.9 million.
Four retiring directors were presented with certificates of appreciation.
The Rev. Robert Boyte, senior minister of First Christian Church, Decatur, Ga.;
the Rev. Juan Figueroa, pastor of Candelaria Pajaros Christian Church,
Bayamon, Puerto Rico; Paul Thompson, an attorney from Waterford, Wis., and
the Rev. Jeff Wright, organizing pastor of Heart of the Rockies Christian
Church, Ft. Collins, Colo., were honored for their many years of service to
Board of Church Extension.
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