Recent Announcements

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

We are Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness.

Disciples and COVID-19

The general ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) are working together to support congregations through the upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stay connected for the most recent news and updates:

Disciples News Service (news and updates for the whole church)
Disciples Together (primarily for pastors)
Facebook,  Twitter,  Instagram

Watch the video from the panel discussion

Considering a EIDL loan? (November 2020)

A goal of Disciples Church Extension Fund (DCEF) is to keep the congregations we serve aware of the financial relief options available to them. During the coronavirus pandemic, one such resource is the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) of which the application deadline is fast approaching.

This federal lending program can benefit churches that have exhausted their working capital or anticipate doing so due to the prolonged challenges presented by COVID-19. EIDL loans are available through the Small Business Administration, but the deadline to apply for one is December 21, 2020.

The dollar amount available through these loans is a factor of your church’s 2019 total annual income and operating expenses and is intended to provide six months of working capital. The interest rate on such loans is 2.75% and payments are amortized over 30 years. The first loan payment is deferred for one year and there are no pre-payment penalties on EIDL loans. However, unlike with the government’s Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP), the EIDL program offers no loan forgiveness. Read more

Clergy resources for crisis and trauma (November 2020)

Naming this pandemic as a trauma–the way we would with a natural disaster or other crisis event–can help provide a framework for understanding and tools for processing our experience. For clergy and church leaders, especially, this work is crucial to healthy and sustainable ministry. Check out the resources available.

From the Insurance Board (October 2020)

We created a COVID-19 training video for ministries to provide guidance as churches re-open and hold in person services. Rev. Hord Owens makes the introduction to the video training, “Re-Opening During COVID-19: Considerations for Church Leadership and Clergy”. We also made a companion video for ministry staff. Heather Kimmel, General Counsel at United Church of Christ, and Dean Rocco, Partner at Wilson Elser law firm, tackle the liability considerations, Rev. Joyce Lieberman, Executive and Stated Clerk of Synod of South Atlantic PC(USA), is also featured with providing input. We partnered with a company that offers online courses so we could use their platform to help church administers assign and track the training, and the platform issues certificate of completion which can potentially reduce liability risk by not only providing education but also documentation that the ministry took part in COVID-19 training.

Go to Insurance Board website

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) forgiveness information (Aug. 5, 2020)

What’s Next? Thinking theologically with the Center for Faith and Giving (June 23, 2020)

Blog post of interest: The Coming Pastoral Crash (June 25, 2020)

Re-opening

April 30, 2020: Read the latest letters from the General Minister and President and the College of Regional Ministers regarding re-opening churches for in-person gatherings

Re-opening considerations and resources

Congregations of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) who are listed in the Yearbook are covered under the denomination’s 501(c)3 non-profit status. Requests for 501(c)3 documentation can be sent to yearbook@disciples.org.

Can the denomination provide any support for congregations who have been financially impacted by COVID-19?

There are a variety of ways congregations can access financial support:

To help Disciples congregations minimize the impact of the coronavirus on their ministries, Disciples Church Extension Fund (DCEF) is offering a unique suite of loan products especially designed to meet borrowing needs during these uncertain times. Call us 1-800-274-1883 or contact your DCEF Building and Capital Services Advisor. Find out how we can help your church stay healthy despite the pandemic through emergency, short-term financing, including for operational purposes.

National Benevolent Association is providing grant funding to eligible Disciples-related health and social service ministries. Funds can be used for providing essential needs during the pandemic, new projects in response to COVID-19, or operational expenses to provide continuity of care. Read more and find out how to apply here.

Many regional ministries are providing some funding for churches in their regions to enhance their technical capabilities. Congregations should contact their regional office for more information.

Is there any financial support for pastors?

The Pension Fund of the Christian Church offers emergency aid for unforeseen medical expenses for pastors through ministerial relief, and offers a disaster relief grant (in partnership with Week of Compassion) for pastors who have been infected with COVID-19 and whose congregations can’t continue to pay them. For more information, contact Matt Rosine at mrosine@pensionfund.org or call 866-495-7322.

In addition, Pension Fund provides financial coaching through Your Money Line and Pension Fund dues can be deferred for up to 6 months without members becoming inactive and losing benefits.

What about the offering?

Not meeting in person doesn’t mean people can’t give. The Center for Faith and Giving offers these FAQs about electronic giving, particularly for churches just getting started, as well as these best practices for stewardship in a time of crisis.

What other ministry resources are available?

General Minister and President Terri Hord Owens is live on Facebook on Wednesdays offering prayers for the church and the world. She will continue each Wednesday at noon EST at her  Facebook page. (May 4, 2020)

Links to a variety of mental health and trauma resources compiled by Week of Compassion, National Benevolent Association and Disciples Home Missions (April 27, 2020)

Ideas and resources for worshiping virtually can be found here, including tips for livestreaming, music licensing, prayers, and more.

Disciples Home Missions has provided a number of resources for ministry with children, youth, and families.

Insurance Board COVID-19 page with tips on reopening offices, and more  |  Insurance Board webinars on COVID-19 issues (April 28, 2020)

Care for Pastors and Chaplains

Care for pastors and chaplains

Financial support for pastors

  • Pastoral assistance from the Pension Fund 
  • Continuing education funds from Disciples Home Missions
  • Pension Fund news page
  • Week of Compassion Household Solidarity Grants for Income Loss – These grants provided assistance for hundreds of the most economically vulnerable Disciples. Recognizing the continued needs of many, Week of Compassion is assessing available resources for future response. Due to overwhelming response, however, Week of Compassion is no longer receiving applications at this time.

Resources for Ministry

Resources for Ministry

Pastoral care

Consoling the grieving – at a distance – the story of how one congregation is responding to those grieving a loved one in this season

Worship

Program

Ministries Across Generations Virtual Zoom Gathering – email Olivia Updegrove obupdegrove@dhm.disciples.org for connection information
Every FIRST Monday, 2:30 pm (EST): Sept. 14 (2nd Monday due to Labor Day), Oct. 5, Nov. 2, and Dec. 7

As we continue to worship with care, there are many ways to bring the world to you congregation.

Global Ministries mission co-workers are available to join you virtually – either live or with pre-recorded presentations:

  • to preach in a Sunday  service
  • to share in gatherings during the week
  • to lead a Sunday school classes

Looking for engaging Sunday school ideas? Consider planning four Sundays of live presentations, pre-recorded presentations, or a mixture of both.  Have an exciting month of learning about God’s work in the world!

Mission co-workers who have served in places like Kenya, the Dominican Republic, East Timor, and Greece are available.

For questions or to invite someone to share their story, please contact Cathy Nichols. 

Financial Considerations

Financial considerations

Other financial info

  • To access emergency and short-term financing through Disciples Church Extension Fund contact your DCEF Building and Capital Services Advisor. (April 14, 2020)
  • To request a 501(c)3 letter for your congregation, e-mail the name of the congregation, the address and your preferred e-mail to yearbook@disciples.org
  • To offer a rapid and impactful response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Benevolent Association Board of Trustees has authorized grant funding to support Disciples-related ministries that are working locally in response to this crisis. With this funding we seek to offer relief to ministries that have been detrimentally impacted and to support new projects created in service to those suffering because of the pandemic. Find out more

General Video Messages

General video messages

Beginning July 31, view GMP Terri Hord Owens’ weekly videos on the Office of General Minister and President page or YouTube

General News

General news

Reference Materials

Reference materials

The following references are provided for information purposes only. The CC(DOC) does not necessarily endorse the entirety of each organization listed.

CDC Emergency Partners Information Connection (EPIC) webinar, “Psychological First Aid: Addressing Mental Health Distress During Disasters:” (April 27, 2020)

Personal finances

Health Information

Crisis Planning

Subtitulado en español

Church Rituals and Public Safety

Prejudice and the Coronavirus