Resources Archives - Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) https://disciples.org/category/dns-resources/ We are Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness. Mon, 25 Mar 2024 17:50:15 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 https://cdn.disciples.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/06161620/cropped-favicon-32x32.png Resources Archives - Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) https://disciples.org/category/dns-resources/ 32 32 OGMP announces Director of Communications https://disciples.org/administrative-committee/ogmp-announces-director-of-communications/ Fri, 15 Dec 2023 20:43:26 +0000 https://disciples.org/?p=35430 The Office of the General Minister and President is pleased to announce that Angelique Jordan Byrd has been appointed as the new Director of Communications, effective January 1, 2024. She […]

The post OGMP announces Director of Communications appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]> The Office of the General Minister and President is pleased to announce that Angelique Jordan Byrd has been appointed as the new Director of Communications, effective January 1, 2024. She has a wealth of marketing experience spanning 29 years and is adept at planning and executing omnichannel campaigns with strong analytical, strategy, project management, and leadership skills. She reflects, “working for a major advertising agency, telecommunication company, and a leading utility corporation was rewarding, but nothing compares to using my gifts in ministry.”

She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Advertising from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana and a Master of Science Degree in Marketing Communications from Roosevelt University.

Angelique previously served as the Regional Director of the Communications Ministry in The Christian Church (DOC) in Illinois and Wisconsin (and Michigan). She is a Disciple from Illinois. She authored the book, “The Phygital Church: Using Social Ministry to Make Disciples,” to assist congregations with being intentional about ministry in the digital space.

The post OGMP announces Director of Communications appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]> Imagine with Me: Financial Ministries https://disciples.org/general-ministries/imagine-with-me-financial-ministries/ Fri, 26 Aug 2022 18:00:38 +0000 https://disciples.org/?p=27383 On this episode of Imagine with Me, General Minister and President, Rev. Terri Hord Owens welcomes Rev. Dr. Todd Adams, President and CEO of the Pension Fund of the Christian […]

The post Imagine with Me: Financial Ministries appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]>

On this episode of Imagine with Me, General Minister and President, Rev. Terri Hord Owens welcomes Rev. Dr. Todd Adams, President and CEO of the Pension Fund of the Christian Church, Rev. Gary Kidwell, President of the Christian Church Foundation and Belinda King, President of Disciples Church Extension Fund. Their conversation talks about the role of the financial ministries of the church in doing the transformative work of the church.

Resources

Learn more about the ministries mentioned in this episode and their programs.

Pension Fund of the Christian Church offers three programs for clergy beyond the pension plan: Excellence in Ministry, Learn to Live, and Your Money Line.

Christian Church Foundation serves congregations through planning investments for the future.

Disciples Church Extension Fund offers capital planning and funding services.

Transcript

Rev. Teresa Hord Owens: Hello Disciples and welcome to another episode of Imagine with Me where I get an opportunity to talk with creative and innovative leaders across the life of our church today. I am excited to have the leaders of the three ministries that we refer to, as the financial ministries. And we will talk a little bit more about what that means. But the leaders of the Christian Church Foundation, the Pension Fund of the Christian Church and The Disciples of Christ Church Extension Fund. So we’re so excited to have a Gary Kidwell, Todd Adams and Belinda King with us today.

Welcome my friends and colleagues, I am so glad that you all took the time you’re busy people as we all are. We also thank you for taking the time to talk to the church. I know that you all know that sometimes we can assume that people in congregations know a lot about general church ministry, and they often don’t know as much as they need to know. And so we wanted to have this opportunity for people to learn more about your ministries. So Gary, I will start with you as the senior statesman, so to speak. You have been with the Christian Church Foundation in general ministry for quite a while. So tell us a little bit about yourself, the Foundation and give us a hint of some exciting things that are happening with the Foundation these days.

Rev. Gary Kidwell: Yeah, as they say age before beauty right? Well, I am a product of the Christian Church in Kentucky and I graduated and ordained…graduated from Lexington Seminary and ordained in 1981, and I have been in general ministry since ‘91 and my story is much like a lot of servants of the church. I never imagined I would be here. I always thought that when I made the commitment to ministry that my only ministry would be in the parish and was able to serve student church in Sparta, Kentucky and serve the church in Walton, Kentucky and then was part of a new church start in Lexington before coming to the general ministries. And then all of a sudden I looked around and I realize that my calling is at the intersection of money and ministry. And for some reason I am not sure how I let this happen but Todd Adams introduce me at some event, and he introduced me as having a Bible in one hand and the Wall Street Journal in the other. And that was actually that’s actually kind of the way my mind and ministry shaped up so.

So things happen at the Christian Church Foundation…I have been with the foundation since 1998 and I have been privileged to be a part of tremendous growing ministry. When I joined staff the foundation’s assets were at around one hundred, about 130 million and last year, we crossed in total assets of over a billion dollars. So that’s tremendous growth and that’s not about us. That’s about, that’s, that’s really just as a witness of the love that people across the life of the church have for Disciples and for the ministries that Disciples are doing.

So it’s been a great privilege to be a part of that play a small part in the, in the tremendous growth, I think the most exciting thing happening at the Foundation is we are doing more and taking less because as we have grown, as we have accumulated more than donors have made gifts through us. And as if we and as minister and as partner ministries have invested alongside us, we have use that growth to give back more to the church by lowering our costs. And when we lower our costs, that means more dollars to mission. And so, we really see our mission as moving money to ministry. And so, that’s exciting for me.

Amen, that’s incredible growth and I have witnessed your passion for that marriage of money and ministry and moving finding people’s passion and helping them direct the resources to it. So the whole church is grateful for that. I am going to turn to the newest member of this group Belinda King, who is the new president of Disciples Church Extension Fund a historic choice, first woman and first person of color to be in this role. So congratulations again, Belinda in your new role, what seven months into the role? I do invite you to share a little bit about yourself. And, and to tell folks a little bit about what’s happening with DCEF and some exciting things going on there.

Belinda King: Thank you, Reverend, Terri. I appreciate and am humbled to be here. My name again is Belinda King, and I am the new person. However, I am not new to Disciples Church Extension Fund or to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). I have actually been serving DCEF, we call ourselves for short, for 10 years before coming on, in January as the new president and CEO. While I have also been a member and still is obviously a member of Light of the World Christian Church. I have been doing this work with Christian Church for 30 plus years.

So, I am not new to the Christian Church. I have served, I am the laity and so not only am I the newest person, I am also a late leader and this, but I am very proud of the that effort because I have been very involved in every part of the church from serving my church in every leadership role there is, and also serving the Indiana region as well as now serving the greater church. So, I am excited to do that.

When I joined Disciples Church Extension Fund 10 years ago, I came from the commercial lending banking industry where I served in big conglomerate banks to small local, local bank. So I have seen every side in facet of that and of course, when I was in those banks, people always called me the church lady because I wanted to always do churches. I navigated to that. No one else wanted to do church loans, or help the churches in that, just was a natural ministry for me.

Of course, when I come fast-forward and come to Disciples Church Extension Fund, then the financial skills and talent that came along with that I got started being called the bank lady. So there we are. But anyhow, I am excited on the things that Disciples Church Extension Fund is doing our role here is that we get to, we get to guide, our Disciples congregations to use all of their assets and their buildings, their finances, and the people you to take your ministry to the next level. I often say our motto is when churches thrive week thrive, and so we have a vested interest in doing that with our congregations. Our passion, and people drive these Ministries,  they know what they’re doing, and we’re just there alongside to guide them along that way.

And so with their finances, one of the things that we are excited about is the main thing that I am most excited about is, you know, watching our churches now emerge from the last two and a half years, and with the new confidence and commitment about their ministry. And so that has been exciting to see. I think there was a time when we were comfortable in our pew, and we just, you know, we used our building as our anchor. And so now we are realizing that our building is a way now, in order to do ministry and it’s just it’s a process, it’s a process in getting there. And so as congregations, learn to be faithful in the new things, I am excited about the ways in which Disciples Church Extension Fund continues to guide our congregations coming out with some new things that will be sharing and Regional assemblies and of course General Assembly, as we do this work in a different way in of our current situation.

THO: Thank you so much, Belinda. We’re excited that you’re now in that leadership role that you will continue to serve DCEF. Well, full disclosure Light of the World Christian Church is my home congregation, so you and I have known each other for many, many years. So, it’s great to work with you in this new way. And now I will turn to the ministry—wherever the pension fund is named people always say thank God for the Pension Fund, and so we welcome the Dr. Todd Adams, who is the current President of the Pension Fund of the Christian Church. Thanks Todd, tell us a little bit about yourself and your ministry, and what’s happening with the Pension Fund?

Rev. Dr. Todd Adams: Thanks, Terri. It’s good to be with you all today. Todd Adams, I am a product of the Christian Church in Oklahoma and importantly, I think I am a product of Disciples Mission Fund. I can look at my call to ministry and see the different places Disciples Mission Fund made that call possible. Whether it was church camp growing up here in Oklahoma or Disciples related scholarships at Chapman and Phillips. And then having the opportunity to serve in the Office of the General Minister and President for eight and a half years before coming to the Pension Fund staff. But I am again, a product, a child with a church and pleased to be in this chair serving on behalf of our pastors at Pension Fund.

We Steward 3.9 billion dollars in assets, and we do so understanding that, that money belongs to our members and that we make member-centric decisions when it comes to stewarding those assets and that we get to invest with the faith and the teachings of the church that definitely shape our decision-making. We’re also privileged to be one of 75, non-bank trustees in the US. So I think it’s an interesting place for us to be at this unique intersection of finance and mission as a highly regulated financial institution. And I think all three of us have different parts that the tax code and the federal statutes that we have to comply with that.

Make us different in the work that we do but also getting to do so through the lens of ministry, stewarding the assets administer relief and assistance and ensuring the strong smart, secure retirement. For each of our pastors and church workers in about the new initiative front right now for us at Pension Fund. Literally this morning, signed the ink on the contract with a marketing consulting firm will be helping us to look at historically underserved communities in the life of the church and how we might better relate to those communities, and many of them are communities of color, but also our bi- and tri-vocational pastors.

And we are an employer-sponsored, employer-oriented retirement provider. But as a non-bank trustee, we also have the opportunity for individuals to save with us resources that they accumulate in other places. And so this diversity Equity accessibility and belonging initiative will really carry us forward into the next 100 plus years of service as we look forward to future.

THO: Thanks, Todd. That’s exciting news and again wherever the Pension Fund is mentioned I see you in lots of places presenting honored ministers pins to recent retirees and people are always so grateful for the provision that is offered to them because of the Pension Fund.

Your point about reaching historically underserved communities leads me to another question. We call your three ministries, the financial ministries. And we know that, as you have mentioned, you all operate under various forms of regulation that you that kind of creates a firewall in many cases between you and the rest of the church. But how do you see yourselves as part of the whole church? And how does it, how do these financial ministries help the church really live in Covenant with one another? And I open up the floor to anybody who’d like to begin answering that question, how do you see yourself as part of the whole church?

TA: Well, I will jump in, I think when we think about clergy, that’s the part of the church that we serve. We partner with the congregation says the employer, but when they Covenant, at the point of ordination, or they covenanted at the point of entering Seminary, Pension Fund starts their relationship with them. And that relationship is not just about getting to a magic age, where you have accumulated a certain amount of money, or a certain amount of credits and can retire. Well, it’s a relationship that continues throughout, so our programs around Excellence in Ministry, Learn to Live our online mental health program that we have launched this last year, Your Money Line, all of those pieces that we offer to help keep people healthy and get them mentally, physically, spiritually healthy throughout their ministry, to get them to that place of retirement so they can enjoy. And I think that’s part of the way that our Alpha and Omega logo from the beginning, your first day of seminary, all the way through your last breath, we’re there with you and we’re helping to uphold the churches of it to support ministry and to be there for the support of ministry.

THO: Amen. Amen.

BK: I’ll jump in. I feel like these three ministries Disciples Church Extension Fund, Christian Church Foundation, or the foundation as we often refer to them as, and the Pension Fund, all have aspects that really can be translated into the ministry, just like our congregations we need to be able to allow, you know, our net assets to become an anchor as I kind of mentioned before, we’d like our churches to be and need our churches to be creative using financial resources as a launch pad for their ministry.

And so Christians, as Christians, we don’t you know get extra points and brownie points or anything like that. For amazing wealth, but we are called to do with the financial responsibilities that we have. And so our financial Ministries can bully model for our congregation, what it looks like to continue to use everything that we have and all that we have As Financial organizations, in order, to make sure that our congregations are empowered to be the body of Christ in the world that we have been called to do.

And, to end, to end to be okay with know that it takes Financial Resources in order to do this, 

GK: And to tag onto that with what Todd and Belinda both said, none of us are vendors. We are ministry partners, and we were created by the church for the church. And so every part of our work is we, you know, we have legal fiduciary responsibilities but we even, but we have a higher calling and that is every dollar which we receive every dollar which we manage, we have a responsibility to care for that because it’s God’s money and you’re not going to get that from vendor.

So as we work with congregations, as we work with regions, as we work with General Ministries, as we work with all our ministry partners, I know that the Foundation, the Pension Fund and Church Extension. We never do what’s best for our ministry, we’re there to do what’s best for the church because again, we were created by the church to serve the church, and we have a higher calling which means that we have a greater responsibility. To not only care for the resources, but to use those resources in as a, as a way in which we could proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and, and carry out our mission to serve the whole world and to serve everyone.

So, I mean, that’s why we’re, our ministries are involved, you know, with Interfaith on Center for Corporate Responsibility, for example, You know, we have taken stands on human rights on a short for racial equality, just for just one small example.

I know that in this latest proxy season, we were advocates for calling companies to do racial equality edits, the audits racial quality audits and, you know, that’s making a difference and, and I think the great misconception sometimes is that there are ministries that are social witness and then there are ministries that manage money. We’re both of those 

THO: I think that’s a really important point to add to make Gary and Todd. You made reference to not only gives me not only the marketing efforts that are looking at serving at historically and it’s their communities but you have gone through your own racial equity work as well. I may want to throw that question back out. We talked about being the church that we say we are we have wonderful language that say we’re a movement for wholeness and a fragmented world is part of the one body of Christ, we welcome all to the Lord’s table is God has welcomed us and that we are in a pro-reconciling, anti-racist Church. How are we that? Given some examples of ways in which your ministries help us live into that. And Gary, you have mentioned some sort of responsible investing, the racial audit other examples of the way these ministries, reflect who disciples are and are living into who we say.

TA: We are I am a very tangible way for us at pension fund, we just hired a new member for our call center. So we’re able to now press 1 for Spanish preferred. And so we have four fully, bilingual employees, who can assist those members who are Spanish, preferred, and can help bridge the gap rather than someone who doesn’t speak Spanish trying to, you know, find somebody who can and explain and to somebody what they’re trying to do. And you know, and then around our strategic initiative, and it’s also about the way in which our border structure.

We have 45 percent persons of color on our board of directors now at Pension Fund, which is the largest percentage we have ever had, representing the diversity of the church but not any one of those individuals as their simple because of their racial ethnic background. These are qualified competent industry professionals leaders pastors, members, actuaries, accountants, auditors, attorney, you name it. Who also happened to be part of our racial ethnic constituents within the life of the church. And so, I think part of that is intentionality, right?

So it’s easy to go with your network and who, you know, and it’s but the challenge of the call of churches for us to be intentional and everything that we do, whether it’s for development investment selection, hiring recruiting staff, expectations for training around racial ethnic diversity, and pro-reconciliation, anti-racism priority. Those are decisions, we make as leaders and ways in which we are Covenant, partners with the church and ways in which the church also helps to hold us accountable to do the work, the church calls us to do.

GK: I would lift up couple examples. We partner, we have been partnering with Disciples Women and the whole area of human trafficking and, you know, it’s one thing just to call for change. It’s another to to leverage our resources and the resources of pension fund and church extension and other ministry partners to say to a company. Look, why don’t you examine your supply chain and ways of which you are a part of human trafficking?

That’s just one example. Another example we became very involved in the campaign against Ghost guns which are unregistered guns. I know that Todd and Belinda been a part of that, you know, we, we are all involved in the Human Rights Coalition. So there are all sorts of ways in which we as ministry partners can resource each other and frankly when you get down to many of the human rights and equality issues, they are very much economic issues.

THO: I think that’s some of the power that you all have demonstrated that the church is committed to that kind of justice. As we live in to being an anti-racist Church, a movement for wholeness in a world that is so fragmented. And ensuring that serving underserved populations as well.

Belinda, is there anything that you’d like to say we’re about to wrap up? But I wanted you to weigh in on that last question. If you had anything you wanted to add?

BK: Yes, I just wanted to add is I am excited that we are doing things as a financial Ministries out there, but I also want to honestly recognize that we still have a ways to go, but some things that Disciples Church Extension Fund is doing is we have had a part of our policies and our procedures from hiring to how we do our lending practices, to making sure that there are particular loans and interest free loans set aside for are racially ethnic congregations.

And so, those are things that we have been doing and need to do more of. We also obviously have a separate anti-racism pro-reconciliation team or a AR/ PR team that we call who leads that effort in everything that we do for my policies like we’re reviewing our entire policies and procedures in our handbook. And they will have a say in that before tt actually is finalized before a board.

And of course we continue to have the balance on our board members and intentional which is what Todd said, I like that because we are intentional and who’s on there in the gifts that they bring but also recognizing that. And then the last thing, Thing is we have actually set aside funding, and we have begun conversations through AR/PR. Our team to work alongside of all of the ethnic racial ministries as to how we do this work together. And so that’s some of the things that we’re doing it to continue to do, as we move.

THO: Yeah, I think that’s a wonderful way to close the loop the intentionality, right? That it requires all of us to live into ministry, so that we don’t just have wonderful language, but that we’re actually living in to being the church that we say we are and what tremendous partners we have in the three of you and the ministries that you represent, it’s been great to have you with us today.

And I hope what congregations anyone who’s listening, make sure your pastor’s in the Pension Fund. Make sure that clergy, who are part of your community, understand the benefits that are there from the online assistance to financial wellness programs like Thriving Ministry.

The online mental health encouraging, people who have a passion for giving to connect with the Christian Church Foundation, as a way to figure out how you can share your resources with the whole church and then as a pastor I had to get a new heating system when I was a local congregation and my the chair of my church Council was looking at Banks and was like bags, we have a bag Disciples Church extension fund, and so I was able to make them aware of that and There’s so much support and consultation that DCF provides for congregations about using their resources.

And as you said Belinda how we’re expanding beyond the use of our buildings or re-purposing in some cases existing buildings and thinking about the infrastructure that we need to do ministry in this time. 

So thanks again to all of you and it’s been great to have you here on another episode of Imagine with Me, I am so grateful for your time and all that you do for the church. Thank you. God bless. 

Disciples, I just want to thank you again for being with us for this time of information and hopefully inspiration. I hope that you understand there’s so many ways in which we are church together in our finances. Financial ministries are certainly our ministry partners and hopefully something that you have learned today will give you some ideas as to how you can engage with the work of the Pension Fund, the Christian Church Foundation and Church Extension. 

So thanks again, and we will see you on the next episode. And in the meantime, remember that God loves you and so do I. Take care.

The post Imagine with Me: Financial Ministries appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]> Statement on the Supreme Court Dobbs Decision https://disciples.org/general-assembly/statement-on-the-supreme-court-dobbs-decision/ https://disciples.org/general-assembly/statement-on-the-supreme-court-dobbs-decision/#comments Sat, 25 Jun 2022 14:15:10 +0000 https://disciples.org/?p=27109 June 24, 2022 Dear Disciples, Today’s US Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization to overturn the 1973 Roe v Wade Supreme Court ruling granting women reproductive freedom has been met […]

The post Statement on the Supreme Court Dobbs Decision appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]> June 24, 2022

Dear Disciples,

Today’s US Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization to overturn the 1973 Roe v Wade Supreme Court ruling granting women reproductive freedom has been met with lament and anger by many, and with celebration by others.  For decades, the issue of women’s reproductive rights has been a divisive one in the US, even as Roe v Wade was considered settled law and an established precedent.  Hostile debates and even violence have accompanied this debate in recent years, the impacts of which have been felt in our churches as well.  

The General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has wrestled with the issue of abortion on the floor on many occasions, consistently affirming support for reproductive freedom for women.  In these proceedings, the church has consistently affirmed the sanctity of human life.  The General Assembly has also wrestled with the fact that there is not agreement within the broader Christian community as to when life begins, and has accordingly raised concerns about legislating a specific religious belief upon all Americans.  The General Assembly has also affirmed education for the prevention of unwanted pregnancies, and has raised concern about the lack of access to quality  healthcare for poor women, including reproductive care, and the inequity that results when that care is not available to all.  We have consistently issued a call to action to address these inequities.  The General Assembly has also called on congregations to provide spiritual and emotional support for women and families faced with the difficult decisions that unwanted pregnancy can present.  The historical record is clear that we have sought to engage the issue of reproductive freedom in all of its complexity, resulting in consistent affirmation of a commitment to reproductive rights for women.

 In our commitment to be a reflection of the reconciling love of Christ, we have always valued the importance of respecting our differing theological perspectives, calling ourselves to continue to reflect and educate ourselves on these issues, reminding ourselves that Scripture teaches that God has “reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation;” (2 Corinthians 5:18, NRSVue).  And so as this Supreme Court decision throws into stark relief strong divisions within our society and our church, I am reminded that the aspiration of our movement for wholeness has been to somehow bear witness to God’s love in ways that model the difficult work of sharing in this common cause of Christ.  As individual citizens, there are means by which we can participate to make our voices heard, change policies, impact legislation.  As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to do that work in ways that yet affirm God’s love for all, even when we disagree.  

I pray that we as Disciples will find ways to hold our hearts and be mindful of the great pain that this decision has caused for many, even as we recognize that there are also those who have welcomed this decision.  As a woman, I have grown up with the understood right to make my own choices regarding reproduction, and I must honestly confess my lament that today’s decision removes that freedom in many states for my daughter-in-law and my nieces. Our ability to navigate the tension of disagreement can be a powerful witness to the Christ we follow. I hope that you will familiarize yourself with the history of the church’s strong support for reproductive freedom for women, and that our continued wrestling might yet bear witness to the power of God’s limitless love for all.  

In Christ,

Rev. Teresa “Terri” Hord Owens 

GA 8954 WEBSTER VS REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE SERVICES

GA 0725 PROACTIVE PREVENTION SEEKING COMMON GROUND ON THE ISSUE OF ABORTION

GA 0730 CONCERNING THE ETHICAL PROVISION OF HEALTH CARE IN A RELIGIOUSLY PLURALISTIC SOCIETY

The post Statement on the Supreme Court Dobbs Decision appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]> https://disciples.org/general-assembly/statement-on-the-supreme-court-dobbs-decision/feed/ 19 Imagine with Me: Joselyn Spence Talks About Mental Health & Ministry https://disciples.org/congregations/imagine-with-me-jocelyn-spence-talks-about-mental-health-ministry/ Fri, 11 Mar 2022 17:40:52 +0000 https://disciples.org/?p=26793 On this episode of Imagine with Me, Rev. Terri Hord Owens speaks with Joselyn Spence Director of the National Benevolent Association’s Mental Health and Wellness Initiative about clergy mental health […]

The post Imagine with Me: Joselyn Spence Talks About Mental Health & Ministry appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]>

On this episode of Imagine with Me, Rev. Terri Hord Owens speaks with Joselyn Spence Director of the National Benevolent Association’s Mental Health and Wellness Initiative about clergy mental health and resources for congregations.

“When I think about the ministry of Jesus and Jesus being a Healer, not only did he heal people, but he also made people aware of what they could do within their healing. Whether that was your faith has made you well. Take up your mat and walk. You know, I think about the people who witnessed that, I think about the people who were there, who helped people to get to their healing, the friends who brought their friend to the roof. But to also think about who else in the community was helping them get to the top of the roof. And so when we think about our work together as a church and mental health and wellness and how we support one another, it’s pausing to see ourselves in these narratives and to think through what is it that I can do today?” – Joselyn Spence

Transcript

The post Imagine with Me: Joselyn Spence Talks About Mental Health & Ministry appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]> Disciples ministries across the church respond to Ukraine https://disciples.org/general/disciples-ministries-across-the-church-respond-to-ukraine/ Mon, 07 Mar 2022 19:08:07 +0000 https://disciples.org/?p=26764 Across The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), General Ministries are responding to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. General Minister and President, Teresa “Terri” Hord Owens released a statement on March […]

The post Disciples ministries across the church respond to Ukraine appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]>

Across The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), General Ministries are responding to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. General Minister and President, Teresa “Terri” Hord Owens released a statement on March 4, 2022 joining ecumenical and global partners.

From immediate response to refugees, to working with global partners, to working within the US and Canada to welcome Ukrainian refugees, to the ongoing financial divestment from Russia, the church responds across its many manifestations to create a more compassionate world. Learn more about the way the church has collaborated with ecumenical and international partners to reveal God’s limitless love.

Statement from Rev. Teresa “Terri” Hord Owens

On March 4, 2022 Rev. Teresa “Terri” Hord Owens released a statement on Ukraine saying, “As a follower of Jesus Christ and a minister of the gospel, I must condemn this premeditated and unprovoked aggression and violence against the people of Ukraine. The Russian initiative to occupy and annex Ukrainian lands and populations stands in contradiction to the value of human life as well as principles of international law that deem the acquisition of territory by force illegal.”

See the full Statement

Week of Compassion

Week of Compassion, the relief, refugee, and development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), is working collaboratively with partners on the ground in Eastern Europe to address the emergent needs of refugees and internally displaced persons. Through Week of Compassion partners like ACT Alliance and the European Baptist Federation, they are focused on providing relief and response.

Get the latest news on how to support impacted Ukrainians by visiting Week of Compassion.

Get the Latest News

Global Ministries/Division of Overseas Ministries

On March 3, 2022 The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) released a joint statement with the United Church of Christ as part of our shared ministry through Global Ministries. General Minister and President Rev. Teresa “Terri” Hord Owens joined Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ, Rev. LaMarco Cable, President of the Division of Overseas Ministries and Co-Executive of Global Ministries and Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson, Associate General Minister for Wider Church Ministries and Co-Executive of Global Ministries in saying “We mourn that, yet again, the desire for power, control, and expansion has taken precedence over respect for human lives, livelihood, and dignity. We condemn in the Russian initiative to occupy and annex Ukrainian lands and populations, in contradiction to principles of international law that deem the acquisition of territory by force illegal.”

Get the Latest Update

Pension Fund & Christian Church Foundation

On March 1, 2022 Pension Fund and the Christian Church Foundation released a joint statement from Rev. Dr. Todd A. Adams, President/CEO Pension Fund of the Christian Church, and Rev. Gary W. Kidwell, President of the Christian Church Foundation regarding their ongoing commitment to protect the church’s financial assets and engage in ethical investment strategies.

“Together, we seek to fulfill God’s call for a peaceable realm and raise matters of justice across the spectrum from economic justice, racial justice, and certainly the rights of a sovereign, democratic nation to maintain its own borders.”

Read the full Statement

The post Disciples ministries across the church respond to Ukraine appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]> Registration Now Open for the 2022 Kirkpatrick Conference https://disciples.org/general/registration-now-open-for-the-2022-kirkpatrick-conference/ Wed, 29 Dec 2021 15:37:19 +0000 https://disciples.org/?p=26390 Registration for the 2022 Kirkpatrick Conference is now open. This academic conference, Visions of Wholeness: Systemic Racism, Antiracism, and “Reconciliation” in Our Shared History and Tradition will be held March 18-19, 2022, at […]

The post Registration Now Open for the 2022 Kirkpatrick Conference appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]> Registration for the 2022 Kirkpatrick Conference is now open. This academic conference, Visions of Wholeness: Systemic Racism, Antiracism, and “Reconciliation” in Our Shared History and Tradition will be held March 18-19, 2022, at Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The conference is sponsored through Disciples of Christ Historical Society’s Kirkpatrick Lecture Endowment. 

Bringing together leading Disciples and Stone Campbell scholars and church leaders, this is an academic conference open to the public. Papers and panel discussions will critically analyze the impact of systemic racism in Disciples and Stone-Campbell history and tell important stories of resistance to it from the earliest days of our movement to the present time. We will conclude with a conversation about where we go from here as we live more fully into the antiracism priority we have claimed as a church.

Rev. Dr. William Barber II, will present the keynote address on Friday evening of the conference. Rev. Dr. Frank Thomas will be the preacher for the closing worship on Saturday, and Rev. Terri Hord Owens will give the charge as the conference closes. Rev. Sandhya Jha will open the conference on Friday morning. On Saturday morning, participants will gather at Reconciliation Park in the Greenwood Community for a remembrance of the 1921 Tulsa Massacre.

Major grant funding provided by Reconciliation Ministry and the Oreon E. Scott Foundation, in addition to partnerships and sponsorships from various Disciples ministries, makes it possible to offer travel grants. Applications for grant funds will be available in January.

The registration fee for the day and a half event is $70, which includes three meals. Register for in-person or livestream attendance.

Register

The post Registration Now Open for the 2022 Kirkpatrick Conference appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]> More than dates https://disciples.org/congregations/more-than-dates/ Fri, 05 Nov 2021 15:51:51 +0000 https://disciples.org/?p=26126 from Chalice Press Yes, the Annual Planning Guide and Calendar is… a calendar. Usually there’s nothing terribly exciting about that. What’s exciting about this year’s calendar, though, is the addition […]

The post More than dates appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]> from Chalice Press

Yes, the Annual Planning Guide and Calendar is… a calendar. Usually there’s nothing terribly exciting about that. What’s exciting about this year’s calendar, though, is the addition of monthly reflections from leaders across the church to make sure everybody is on the same page, organizationally and spiritually.

Communication Ministries and Chalice Press partnered to collect the prayers and reflections that adorn each month in the 2022-2023 Annual Planning Guide and Calendar, available exclusively through ChalicePress.com and their customer service phone center. In addition to general and regional ministries, contributors represent National Convocation, Obra Hispana, General Youth Council, Disciples AllianceQ, Bethany Fellows, Disciples Peace Fellowship, Disciples Public Presence, Disciples seminaries, and the denominational moderator team.

Whether you’re planning for Easter 16 months down the road or need to know what today’s liturgical colors are, find the information you need — and find a little moment to take a spirit-filled breath while you’re at it.

Purchase a copy for each member of your leadership team, worship committee, elders, and others who value knowing the commemorations, scriptures, and events that unite Disciples congregations every day.

The post More than dates appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]> Faith Communities Today releases 2020 decadal census results https://disciples.org/congregations/faith-communities-today-releases-2020-decadal-census-results/ Thu, 14 Oct 2021 12:39:38 +0000 https://disciples.org/?p=26033 Note: Pre-pandemic, more than 1,000 Disciples congregations participated in the decadal Faith Communities Today study of religious bodies in the United States. The research from more than 80 religious bodies […]

The post Faith Communities Today releases 2020 decadal census results appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]>
FACT logo

Note: Pre-pandemic, more than 1,000 Disciples congregations participated in the decadal Faith Communities Today study of religious bodies in the United States. The research from more than 80 religious bodies representing more than 15,000 local faith communities has been compiled and is now available for study.

from Faith Communities Today

HARTFORD, CT – Faith Communities Today (FACT), a multireligious and collaborative research initiative that has been tracking trends in the U.S. religious landscape since 2000, has just released the findings of its 2020 survey of 15,278 congregations from across 80 denominations and religious groups, the largest national survey of congregations conducted in the U.S. to date.

The report “Twenty Years of Congregational Change: The 2020 Faith Communities Today Overview” captures a pre- and early pandemic picture of America’s faith communities and affirms many of the trends evident in the religious landscape over the past few decades, while also highlighting some distinct areas of change. 

Key findings include:

  • Prior to the pandemic, many congregations were small and getting smaller, while the largest ones keep getting more attendees. 
  • Despite continued declines in attendance overall, about a third of congregations are growing and are spiritually vital.
  • Being a larger congregation offers some distinct advantages, but each size grouping has certain strengths.
  • Congregations have continued to diversify, particularly in terms of racial composition.
  • A dramatically increased utilization of technology can be seen over the past two decades, even pre-pandemic.
  • The fiscal health of congregations has remained mostly steady.

There is a clear and demonstrated path toward vitality with characteristics that are consistent across the two decades of our survey efforts

“This research is thrilling both to collect and to explore. Having 20 years of results to reflect upon the trends shaping American congregations, and simultaneously examining over 15,000 recent cases to dive deep into patterns and dynamics just prior to the pandemic gives us considerable insight into what congregations are facing and the paths to emerge from the past two years with resilience and vitality,” said Scott Thumma, Director of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research and Co-Chair of Faith Communities Today.

Over the next two years, Faith Communities Today will be releasing a series of focused reports that offer a deeper dive into specific topics explored through their 2020 survey data. These reports will be available free of charge to faith leaders and other interested parties on the Faith Communities Today website. Many Faith Communities Today partners are also participating in a large national study conducted by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research entitled Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations: Innovation Amidst and Beyond COVID-19. Learn more about this project and stay up to date on the findings at www.covidreligionresearch.org. 

Go to the survey results

The post Faith Communities Today releases 2020 decadal census results appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]> Invitation to welcome refugees https://disciples.org/congregations/invitation-to-welcome-refugees/ Wed, 06 Oct 2021 14:00:00 +0000 https://disciples.org/?p=25684 THE CWS GLOBAL CONFERENCE ORIGINALLY SET FOR NOVEMBER 2021 IS BEING POSTPONED UNTIL LATE WINTER/EARLY SPRING 2022. WATCH HERE FOR MORE INFO. Many Disciples are asking how to help refugees […]

The post Invitation to welcome refugees appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]>
CWS event image

THE CWS GLOBAL CONFERENCE ORIGINALLY SET FOR NOVEMBER 2021 IS BEING POSTPONED UNTIL LATE WINTER/EARLY SPRING 2022. WATCH HERE FOR MORE INFO.

Refugee logo
Week of Compassion logo

Many Disciples are asking how to help refugees from Afghanistan arriving in the U.S. Week of Compassion and Refugee and Immigration Ministries (RIM) are working together to help connect Disciples congregations with the needs closest to their local communities.

Congregations that are interested in welcoming refugees can complete this form to indicate their interest, or contact RIM directly. 

Following long trauma and grief after the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, resettlement is needed for 50,000+ Afghan refugees in the coming weeks and months–and Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries invites you and your congregation to help lead the way to renewed hope! 

See our SACRED Refugee Response Toolkit and go here to find additional resources for how you can assist and advocate. Then, sign up here to share your questions and indicate your willingness to join our Disciples movement to welcome.  View our Recent RIM/WOC Afghan Welcome & Refugee webinar YouTube and on Facebook and share it broadly as your congregation discerns your response!

Week of Compassion has grants available to support churches in welcoming Afghans as well. Many of our partners have resources available as well, and we will make sure that financial support is available to help congregations open their doors during this time. For more information about the grants, please contact Week of Compassion. 

The post Invitation to welcome refugees appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]> Oldtimer’s Grapevine celebrates 30 years https://disciples.org/general/oldtimers-grapevine-celebrates-30-years/ Fri, 01 Oct 2021 14:37:24 +0000 https://disciples.org/?p=25918 Its not too late … to celebrate The Oldtimers’ Grapevine 30th anniversary year contributed by the editors of The Oldtimer’s Grapevine This continues to be a great 30th Anniversary year […]

The post Oldtimer’s Grapevine celebrates 30 years appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]> Its not too late … to celebrate The Oldtimers’ Grapevine 30th anniversary year

contributed by the editors of The Oldtimer’s Grapevine

This continues to be a great 30th Anniversary year for The Oldtimers’ Grapevine. Our readership has grown, enabling many who were unfamiliar with this “hidden treasure” led by independent volunteers to experience its delights. Thanks to the generosity of new and faithful donors, our first major fund drive, “I Love The Grapevine” has raised over $12,000! Our goal to upgrade technology, develop a social media presence, add support staff, and grow our endowment is starting to be realized.

At the midpoint of the fund drive, we invite those who don’t know the Grapevine, to get to know us. There is no subscription fee – all you need to do is contact us to receive three issues of the newsletter throughout the year.

We are entering a new phase of the fund drive, the Disciples’ Legacy Phase, to give our supporters the opportunity to celebrate special events and to honor trailblazers and servant leaders in the life of the church. We invite you to place a Disciples’ Legacy Tribute in the next issue of the Newsletter, in support of the fund drive.  Our collective tributes will continue the 30-year mission of the Grapevine: to provide a testimony to our collective rich legacy as Disciples of Christ.

To become a Grapevine subscriber, to join the celebration; and to share your rich Disciples’ legacy contact us at:

oldtimers.grapevine@gmail.com

The post Oldtimer’s Grapevine celebrates 30 years appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]> Pension Fund offers a month of ministry activities https://disciples.org/congregations/pension-fund-offers-a-month-of-ministry-activities/ Mon, 20 Sep 2021 18:10:49 +0000 https://disciples.org/?p=25858 This year, Pension Fund’s Week of Ministry celebration centers around a series of webinars designed to meet you where you are right now in your calling. We hope these webinars […]

The post Pension Fund offers a month of ministry activities appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]>
Week of the Ministry graphic

This year, Pension Fund’s Week of Ministry celebration centers around a series of webinars designed to meet you where you are right now in your calling. We hope these webinars will help you create some sacred space in which to focus on your own health and spirit.

This series is for YOU. We pray it will be a blessing.

  • September 21, 2 p.m. Care of Your Emotional and Mental Self, featuring Learn to Live, a new online mental health tool Pension Fund is offering to all active member clergy households.
  • September 28, 2 p.m.  Care of Your Financial Self, featuring Pete the Planner®.
  • October 5, 11 a.m.  Care of Your Physical Self, featuring real conversation and live action regarding your overall wellbeing. Dress comfortably!
  • October 12, 11 a.m. Care of Your Spiritual Self, featuring a pastoral word from Rev. Marilyn Fiddmont of the Christian Church Foundation, for YOU, right where you are, in these very difficult days.

If you’d like to learn more about these upcoming events and/or register to attend, please visit pensionfund.org/WOM. 

The post Pension Fund offers a month of ministry activities appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]> Order your 2022 Just Women study https://disciples.org/congregations/order-your-2022-just-women-study/ Mon, 20 Sep 2021 16:43:13 +0000 https://disciples.org/?p=25855 Just Women Bible Study is by Disciples Women for Disciples Women. Pre-order your issue by December 1 and for only $15 you’ll receive your copy of eight Bible Study Lessons […]

The post Order your 2022 Just Women study appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]> Just Women Bible Study is by Disciples Women for Disciples Women. Pre-order your issue by December 1 and for only $15 you’ll receive your copy of eight Bible Study Lessons plus more! The Just Women Bible Study will nourish you all through 2022 and deepen your relationship with God so that you can become more Christ like in your journey. Yes, you read that correctly — only $15 for eight Bible Studies written by Disciples Women for Disciples Women. Order your copy here: https://www.discipleshomemissions.org/…/2020-just…/

The post Order your 2022 Just Women study appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]> Coping with trauma https://disciples.org/general/coping-with-trauma/ https://disciples.org/general/coping-with-trauma/#comments Fri, 10 Sep 2021 12:15:40 +0000 https://disciples.org/?p=25769 The 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. Hurricanes reminiscent of Katrina and Harvey. Another earthquake in Haiti. The exit of the military from Afghanistan. The […]

The post Coping with trauma appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]>

The 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. Hurricanes reminiscent of Katrina and Harvey. Another earthquake in Haiti. The exit of the military from Afghanistan. The evacuation and resettlement of thousands. The continuing COVID pandemic.

“These events have been traumatic and beyond challenging for everyone. There has been a significant amount of loss and disruption to our lives, which naturally can give rise to trauma symptoms and symptoms of grief and depression. Many of us do not feel safe and have not for a long time. During this time, it is important to understand and normalize stress and trauma responses to what we have endured,” says Joselyn Spence, NBA Director of Mental Heath and Wellness. Read more of her blog here

Week of Compassion, National Benevolent Association, and the Office of General Minister and President collaborated to present this conversation about our own coping skills in the face of so many emotional and existential situations.

Download video
09.10.2021 Trauma Roundtable TranscriptDownload

The post Coping with trauma appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]> https://disciples.org/general/coping-with-trauma/feed/ 1 Historical society seeking materials from the National Christian Missionary Convention https://disciples.org/general/historical-society-seeking-materials-from-the-national-christian-missionary-convention/ Fri, 03 Sep 2021 13:27:20 +0000 https://disciples.org/?p=25715 From the Archivist at the Disciples of Christ Historical Society In 1917, The National Christian Missionary Convention (NCMC) was established as a national convention for African American representation within the […]

The post Historical society seeking materials from the National Christian Missionary Convention appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]> From the Archivist at the Disciples of Christ Historical Society

In 1917, The National Christian Missionary Convention (NCMC) was established as a national convention for African American representation within the Disciples community. Disciples of Christ Restructure in 1969, brought about the merger of National Christian Missionary Convention, United Christian Missionary Society, and the International Convention. At that time the NCMC became a holding company that continues to administer investments and funds. 

The DCHS collection has the published annual proceedings for the NCMC from 1917 – 1969, with the exception of a few years. Our collection is missing the years 1923, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1956, 1958, 1959, 1960. If you know of the whereabouts of these proceedings, the DCHS would be happy to receive physical copies of these items, or high resolution scans of these items. Please contact Shelley Jacobs or Jim McMillan if you can help us find these items.  

The post Historical society seeking materials from the National Christian Missionary Convention appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]> Facing Brokenness: Resources and recordings https://disciples.org/congregations/facing-brokenness-resources/ Mon, 30 Aug 2021 11:13:00 +0000 https://disciples.org/?p=25184 The theme is “Facing Brokenness: Being Brave Together.” Each conversation will take on a different focus: The Church, Our Communities, The World, and Creation. Session 4: Creation – August 29, […]

The post Facing Brokenness: Resources and recordings appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]> Justice Ministries conversations 2021 graphic

The theme is “Facing Brokenness: Being Brave Together.” Each conversation will take on a different focus: The Church, Our Communities, The World, and Creation.

Session 4: Creation – August 29, 2021

In this conversation about Creation you’ll be hearing from Rev. David Bell from the Yakama Christian Mission, Rev. Carol Devine of Green Chalice, and Rev. Juan Rosario from Global Ministries.  They will be answering three questions: 1) Where do you see brokenness? 2) How do you/we work for wholeness? 3) Where do you see hope? 

This video conversation was made in partnership with our friends at Blessed Tomorrow. 

Session 3: The World – August 15, 2021

The conversation about brokenness in the World will include Jeff Wright of the Disciples Palestine-Israel Network; Natalie Teague, the Disciples immigration attorney; and Marco Cable, Global Ministries‘ executive for Africa.

Session 2: Community – July 25, 2021

In this conversation on Community you’ll be hearing from Sharon Stanley-Rea from Disciples Home Missions’ Refugee and Immigration Ministries, Paul Witmer representing the National Benevolent Association, Melissa Guthrie-Loy from the Disciples AllianceQ, and Brian Frederick-Gray representing Disciples Peace Fellowship. They will be answering three questions: 1) Where do you see brokenness? 2) How do you/we work for wholeness? 3) Where do you see hope?

Sign up for future Facing Brokenness watch parties

Session 1: Church – July 11, 2021

In this conversation on Church you’ll hear from Rev. April Johnson of Reconciliation Ministry, Rev. Dr. Ken Booker-Langston from the Disciples Center for Public Witness, Rev. Alex Ruth from Disciples Men, and Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan from the Disciples Justice Action Network. They discussed three questions: 1) Where do you see brokenness? 2) How do you/we work for wholeness? 3) Where do you see hope? 

Below you will find a list of links and resources to keep the conversation going and deepen our work for justice. 

The post Facing Brokenness: Resources and recordings appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]> Imagine With Me: Social entrepreneurship https://disciples.org/congregations/imagine-with-me-social-entrepreneurship/ Thu, 19 Aug 2021 19:59:24 +0000 https://disciples.org/?p=25619 And so what is new is the invitation to everyone to recognize the importance and for the church to participate collectively. And so if we’re understanding God’s kingdom to bring […]

The post Imagine With Me: Social entrepreneurship appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]>

And so what is new is the invitation to everyone to recognize the importance and for the church to participate collectively. And so if we’re understanding God’s kingdom to bring about wholeness and justice and liberation, and that is the work that we are called to, that social entrepreneurship is that journey of participation. – Rev. Ashely Mayham, social entrepreneurship program coordinator for National Benevolent Association

General Minister and President Terri Hord Owens talks with Darnell Fennell, director of social entrepreneurship, and Ashley Mayham, social entrepreneurship program coordinator, from the National Benevolent Association about the NBA’s emphasis on social service and thinking in new ways about serving communities.

Download video
08.20.2021 Imagine With Me-NBASent TranscriptDownload

Find out more

The post Imagine With Me: Social entrepreneurship appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]> Pension Fund announces new partner for clergy mental health https://disciples.org/general/pension-fund-announces-new-partner-for-clergy-mental-health/ https://disciples.org/general/pension-fund-announces-new-partner-for-clergy-mental-health/#comments Mon, 02 Aug 2021 14:56:04 +0000 https://disciples.org/?p=25338 Pension Fund is making available a new mental resource to all actively serving Disciples ministers. Learn to Live is a confidential online resource for those who are struggling with stress, […]

The post Pension Fund announces new partner for clergy mental health appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]>

Pension Fund is making available a new mental resource to all actively serving Disciples ministers. Learn to Live is a confidential online resource for those who are struggling with stress, depression, sleeplessness, social anxiety and/or substance use. Pandemic-related stressors have increased the need for clergy mental health support.

The online programs are available anywhere, anytime. Built on the principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Learn to Live programs have been proven as effective as in-person care. Personalized, one-on-one coaching with a team of clinicians (via phone, email or text) is also available through the program. Anyone, age 13 and up, in a minister’s household can access the programs for free.

Pension Fund’s Ministerial Relief and Assistance Program is providing this service at no cost for active ministers and their immediate family members. To learn more about Learn to Live, visit www.pensionfund.org/LearntoLive .

The post Pension Fund announces new partner for clergy mental health appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]> https://disciples.org/general/pension-fund-announces-new-partner-for-clergy-mental-health/feed/ 1 Disciple leaders respond to July 16 ruling on DACA https://disciples.org/from-the-gmp/disciple-leaders-respond-to-july-16-ruling-on-daca/ Tue, 20 Jul 2021 19:17:14 +0000 https://disciples.org/?p=25344 General Minister and President Terri Hord Owens, Rev. Dr. Sharon Stanley-Rea of Disciples Home Missions’ Refugee & Immigration Ministries, Rev. Lori Tapia of Obra Hispana, and Disciples Immigration Counsel Natalie […]

The post Disciple leaders respond to July 16 ruling on DACA appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]>

General Minister and President Terri Hord Owens, Rev. Dr. Sharon Stanley-Rea of Disciples Home Missions’ Refugee & Immigration Ministries, Rev. Lori Tapia of Obra Hispana, and Disciples Immigration Counsel Natalie Teague offered prayers and responses to the July 16 Texas court ruling against DACA (Dreamers).

Find out more here:

The post Disciple leaders respond to July 16 ruling on DACA appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]> ALEX adds new features https://disciples.org/congregations/alex-adds-new-features/ Fri, 09 Jul 2021 20:11:56 +0000 https://disciples.org/?p=25265 For Congregations Additional reporting capabilities have been added for congregations since the closing of the Yearbook last spring. For Online Yearbook Subscribers If you purchase an online Yearbook subscription, you […]

The post ALEX adds new features appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]> For Congregations

Additional reporting capabilities have been added for congregations since the closing of the Yearbook last spring.

For Online Yearbook Subscribers

If you purchase an online Yearbook subscription, you will have access to the real-time data in ALEX as well as past information.

Purchase a paper and/or online Yearbook

The post ALEX adds new features appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]> Disciples Tech Corps launches https://disciples.org/congregations/disciples-tech-corps-launches/ Mon, 21 Jun 2021 16:58:18 +0000 https://disciples.org/?p=25052 Disciples Tech Corp needs you! If you have skills in information technology, video editing, lighting, sound & audio engineering, worship service production & livestreaming, or website & graphic design, and […]

The post Disciples Tech Corps launches appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]>

Disciples Tech Corp needs you! If you have skills in information technology, video editing, lighting, sound & audio engineering, worship service production & livestreaming, or website & graphic design, and if you are willing to share your gifts with the church, please sign up today.  Disciples Tech Corps will provide tech support and resources to Disciples congregations. Don’t miss this opportunity to share your gifts and talents.  Visit www.DISCIPLES.TECH to learn more and to complete the tech application form.

Sign up to help
Join the Facebook group

The post Disciples Tech Corps launches appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

]]>