(Indianapolis, Ind. – DNS – Nov. 5, 2008) – The Administrative Committee met in Indianapolis Oct. 31-Nov. 1 for its fall meeting. During the two-day session, the committee heard updates on the Church’s progress in addressing its Church-wide priorities, a report on the work of the Mission Alignment Coordinating Council and a proposed approach that provides new ways for Disciples to express their views on important moral, ethical or religious issues at General Assembly gatherings.
Rick Morse of Church Extension reported to AC members that 575 new congregations have been started since 2001, and that 80 percent of those churches are reaching sustainability level. Morse, Vice-President for New Church Ministry and Mission Initiatives, noted that about 40 percent of new churches among Disciples will have started since 2001. This growth rate exceeds projections of new church growth by this point. As one of the Church’s priorities, the goal is to start 1,000 new churches by the year 2020.
However, the new church movement faces challenges, Morse stressed, since the annual Pentecost Offering does not begin to cover the expenses needed for the ministry and since Church Extension may not be able to continue to provide the type of funding it has put into the ministry. More and varied means of funding are needed, Morse said. In addition, the Church needs to work on providing more Church-wide policies on credentialing pastors.
"Starting a new church is difficult work," Morse said. "But it’s because of their commitment to the Gospel that people step into these positions."
A report also was given on the transformation process that calls for 1,000 transformed churches by the year 2020. Resource materials have been developed to assist congregations in transformation, stated Doug Pfeiffer, pastor of Faith Christian Church in Omaha, Neb. by conference call. A series of transformation conferences also are being held around the country in 2008-2009. But Disciples need to collaboratively push transformation to the regional level and develop metrics on what makes a transforming church, said Pfeiffer who is Coordinator of the transformation conferences, known as God’s Positioning Spirit.
The Church’s third priority is calling and forming new leaders and continuing to re-form current leaders. Dennis Landon, President of Higher Education and Leadership Ministries (HELM), stated that the challenge in this area is to make distinctions, set goals, marshal the resources and make evaluations. "What might we learn from the new church movement that would have been helpful to us and that would help us move closer to anti-racism?" asked Landon.
April Johnson, new Minister of Reconciliation for Reconciliation Ministry (RM), stated that her priorities over the next year will be in the areas of relationship building, relevance and responsible accountability. Much of the work of RM will be directed by Resolution 0731, passed at the 2007 Ft. Worth General Assembly. Therefore, the current task of RM is to interpret and communicate the work of "guiding the whole Church in eradicating the sin of racism." Among other things, RM is designing a new website with new content and information. RM will soon secure a new bibliography and a "call for papers" request for sermons, litanies and reflections.
General Minister and President Sharon E. Watkins said the work of the Mission Alignment Coordinating Council (MACC) is underway. The desired outcomes and alignment principles have been affirmed by the larger church. The council is working to identify better and more effective ways to accomplish mission, while listening to the voice of God. The Council met in June and September, and has meetings scheduled for later this month and in January.
"People have affirmed that this is the time to do this work, and these are the right questions," said Watkins. "However, there are concerns about the timeline being too aggressive and making sure that all communities are fully engaged. We are sensitive to those concerns."
To read more about the MACC, go to: www.disciples.org/macc
The Standing Committee on Renewal and Structural Reform (SCRSR) presented its report on new ways for Disciples to express their views on important issues facing the Church, society or the world at General Assembly meetings. The report recommended combining three categories of General Assembly business (Sense of the Assembly Resolutions, Study Documents, and Items for Research and Reflection) into a new category – Call of the Assembly to the Church for Study, Reflection and Action.
The suggested change requires action by the 2009 General Assembly. If adopted, the 2011 General Assembly is the earliest that the new Call process could be used. Read more about the report to the Administrative Committee.
The Administrative Committee also heard a recommendation from the SCRSR to move the General Assembly to a quadrennial gathering. The SCRSR noted that the change would, among other things, allow for increased accountability of the Church through a strengthened and reorganized General Board, provide more time to plan for in-depth study and reflection between assemblies, and allow time to accomplish the business of the assembly and follow up on actions of the assembly. Todd Adams, Associate General Minister and Vice-President and a member of the SCRSR, also presented a proposal that would expand the Moderator Team from three to four by adding a Vice-Moderator for Finance. Adams also outlined proposed steps to reorganize the downsized General Board to create more effectiveness. The new board would conduct its work through eight committees instead of sections. Those offices would include Governance, Audit, Mission Finance and General Assembly.
Additionally, the Administrative Committee approved 2009 balanced budgets for the Office of General Minister and President.
The Administrative Committee meets again in April, just prior to the General Board meeting, which will be held in Indianapolis.
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Written by: Wanda Bryant Wills
[email protected]
