Title: Disciples form network to address domestic and global issues
Date: February 17, 1997
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: news@cm.disciples.org
97b-6
INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- Old-fashioned teamwork is helping the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) respond to pressing domestic and international issues.
The denomination's new "Rapid Response Team, " coordinated by the Divisions of Homeland and Overseas Ministries, will help church members act on their faith. The project, which began Jan. 1, helps Disciples share concerns about social issues, influence legislation and deepen their own understanding of issues in the U.S. and abroad.
How does the process work? Team "members," supported with information on health care, the environment and other domestic matters, or global activities in Africa, Europe and other regions, are urged to simply contact their legislators and news media, and express their opinions.
The project offers an opportunity for any person interested in doing advocacy to participate in this ministry, said the Rev. Pat Tucker Spier, DOM president.
By signing on with the Rapid Response Team they covenant to do something, said the Rev. Jane Lawrence, Homeland Ministries vice president of the Center for Education and Mission. Her hope is to broaden the opportunity for church persons and congregations in the Midwest and Western U.S. -- as well as the Eastern seaboard -- to influence legislative policy.
"As specific legislative bulletins come out, we'll e-mail, phone or fax team members," said Lawrence. They are then urged to call or write state and/or national legislators and local news media.
Coordinators of the project aren't asking Rapid Response members to take specific positions on any issues, according to Lawrence. Church members are encouraged to arrive at their own decisions on social and world concerns. "We just want to encourage Disciples to act on their faith," said the HM executive.
The response team evolved from discussions begun in a new Public Issues Coordinating Council to address the divisions' common needs for advocacy and mobilizing volunteers to respond.
Education is a key component of the project, according to Lawrence. In addition to the legislative bulletin, team members also receive a one-page bibliography of materials for further study.
The contact persons for the "Rapid Response Team" are Lawrence and the Rev. Gerald Cunningham, a Homeland Ministries senior associate, and Marianne Collar, DOM director of communication and interpretation.
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