Title: Disciples begin journey toward discernment
February 5, 1997
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: news@cm.disciples.org
97b-3
INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- Less parliamentary and more spiritual. That just about sums up an experiment with the "spiritual disciplines" by the Administrative Committee of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) General Board.
The 40-member group, meeting here Jan. 26-28, took its time to explore the scriptures, share faith stories, pray and reflect on God's will for each of them and for the business at hand. This exercise was an attempt to emphasize use of the spiritual disciplines over Robert's Rules of Order in church business meetings, said the Rev. Lori Adams. She is a staff minister in the Office of General Minister and President.
It also marked the early stages of a journey toward implementing a new discernment process advocated by Disciples General Minister and President Richard L. Hamm. Through the process the church "seeks the will of God" regarding significant doctrinal and social justice issues confronting the denomination. A distinguishing mark of the discernment process is an emphasis on settling potentially divisive church issues through study, reflection, prayer and dialogue rather than casting votes.
Moderator Janet Long of Elyria, Ohio, thanked committee members for their participation in the "experiment in openness." Long is pastor of Washington Avenue Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Elyria.
It was quite a departure from the usual dizzying round of section or small group meetings on Sunday, followed by whole-group gatherings on Monday and Tuesday. There also were no evening sessions, except for the Executive Committee.
The highlight was a Monday agenda devoted to dialogue, prayer and reflection on two key issues gripping the million-member denomination -- theological and racial diversity. The Disciples General Assembly, meeting July 25-30 in Denver, will engage in a more in-depth process of discernment on two related issues -- biblical authority and racism in North America.
Committee members appreciated the "different way of being together," said the Rev. Jeff Wright, Ft. Collins, Colo.
Discernment will take us into places we do not want to go, said the Rev. Paul A. Crow Jr., president of the Council on Christian Unity.
The need to vote on complex issues is an example of the "culture of autonomy within our church," said Hamm. While autonomy is part of the church's strength it also "leads to a breakdown of cooperation" and "posturing by various groups . . . seeking to win,' to carry a vote.
"We must ask ourselves, Is this the nature of truth?' Do we determine truth simply by voting on it?'" Hamm inquired of committee members. Most church members would say "of course not," yet because of autonomy the church is inclined toward more political approaches.
The alternative, said the Disciples leader, is a move toward "a culture of discernment" which seeks to discover "God's leading for the church" in addition to church members' opinions. Discernment means thinking in a context of prayer and Bible study and Disciples tradition. "It means seeking the truth while "we wait on the Lord' for direction and guidance."
"What a gift a church would be that lived a culture of discernment'" in a world engaged in culture wars and steeped in radical individualism, Hamm said.
"We're on the edge of something fairly revolutionary," he declared to the administrative body. Through the process, God will hopefully use Disciples to "plow new ground" for other mainline denominations.
His aim is to help the church live out three particular "marks" or callings of a faithful church: deep spirituality, a passion for justice and true community. Disciples will attempt to do this while fulfilling mission imperatives to:
* renew congregational life through faith development and spiritual nurture;
* do evangelism by establishing new congregations and strengthening ministries with families, children, youth and young adults; and
* engage in ministries of compassion, unity and justice.
Besides the discernment process Hamm has attempted to streamline and coordinate the denomination's planning process. Toward that end, the committee received a report affirming the General Board as the "unifying locus" for this task; and recommending an on-going cycle for church wide planning through a "biennial planning session" in off-General Assembly years.
The key to making this process work relies on a proposal to reduce General Board membership from the current 161 persons to 96. Board meetings during non-assembly years might involve up to 180 persons. Thirty non-members of the board and 54 resource persons from regions, general units, higher education and other institutions may be invited to participate, according to the report.
Together the two proposals would mean that the General Board would have "much more meaningful work and a more important role in the life of the church," according to a work group. Board members will be involved in strategic planning around mission imperatives -- "not simply in receiving reports, and giving consideration and action to policy statements and resolutions."
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