Christian Church(Disciples of Christ)
Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ)
Contact: news@cm.disciples.org
CALGARY, Alberta (DNS) -- The World Convention of Churches of
Christ (WCCC), the quadrennial "family roundup" of Christian Churches
and Churches of Christ, drew together nearly 2,500 people from 20
countries here July 30-Aug. 4.
Since 1930, the international event has brought together members
and leaders of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the
independent Christian Churches, and the non-instrumental or
"a capella" Churches of Christ for fellowship, Bible study, worship and
a modicum of business. All three groups trace their histories to the
"Stone-Campbell movement," the North American frontier ministries
of Thomas and Alexander Campbell and Barton Stone. The Calgary
event featured program leadership, preaching and teaching from all
three traditions.
The Rev. Richard L. Hamm, Disciples general minister and president,
delivered the sermon "Singing the Lord's Song in a World of Difference"
before some 2,000 convention-goers gathered for Sunday morning
worship and communion. Rod Huron, director of the North American
Christian Convention, presided at the table.
Hamm portrayed a vastly diverse world, where communication
technology and travel lead to a dizzying mingling of the customs,
beliefs and characters of national, ethnic, age and gender groups.
"How can we be open to and engage those who are so different
from us?" he asked.
The GMP warned against being quick to judge others by one's own
cultural standards. "The whole world is holy ground," he said, "God
lives among strangers and in strange cultures as surely as God
lives in Kansas."
Addressing a global audience, Hamm maintained, "Our mission is
not to make the world the same, and certainly not to make it all
like us. But we are called to appreciate the world's differences
and to lead the world toward being one in Jesus Christ."
World Convention citations, recognizing outstanding and inclusive
leadership, were awarded to: John Bergman, Canada; Ron Fraser,
Canada; Robert W. Shaw, USA; Gordon R. Stirling, Australia;
Halsey Wakelin, Canada; and Richard Ziglar, USA. Posthumous
citations were awarded to Mary Henderson, Canada; and Murray
Sweetman, New Zealand.
In a business session, the WCCC elected Ron Brooker of Australia
president for the period 1996-2000. He succeeds outgoing president
Marj Black, Guelph (Ont.) Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
David Thompson of the United Kingdom was elected first vice
president, 1996-2000.
The next World Convention will be held in Brisbane, Australia, Aug.
2-6, 2000. The 2004 convention will be held in the United Kingdom,
tentatively at Brighton, England.
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