wfn.org | Stone-Campbell "family" gathers in Calgary

[DISCNEWS.parti@ecunet.org]

August 22, 1996
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
Cliff_Willis.parti@ecunet.org
     
96a-71  
 
         CALGARY, Alberta (DNS) -- The World Convention of
Churches of Christ (WCCC), the quadrennial "family roundup"
of Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, drew together
nearly 2,500 people from 20 countries here July 30-Aug. 4.  

         Since 1930, the international event has brought
together members and leaders of the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ), the independent Christian Churches,
and the non-instrumental or "a capella" Churches of Christ
for fellowship, Bible study, worship and a modicum of
business. All three groups trace their histories to the
"Stone-Campbell movement," the North American frontier
ministries of Thomas and Alexander Campbell and Barton
Stone. The Calgary event featured program leadership,
preaching and teaching from all three traditions.  

         The Rev. Richard L. Hamm, Disciples general minister
and president, delivered the sermon "Singing the Lord's Song
in a World of Difference" before some 2,000 convention-goers
gathered for Sunday morning worship and communion.  Rod
Huron, director of the North American Christian Convention,
presided at the table.  

         Hamm portrayed a vastly diverse world, where
communication technology and travel lead to a dizzying
mingling of the customs, beliefs and characters of national,
ethnic, age and gender groups.  "How can we be open to and
engage those who are so different from us?" he asked.  

         The GMP warned against being quick to judge others by
one's own cultural standards.  "The whole world is holy
ground," he said, "God lives among strangers and in strange
cultures as surely as God lives in Kansas." 

         Addressing a global audience, Hamm maintained, "Our
mission is not to make the world the same, and certainly not
to make it all like us.  But we are called to appreciate the
world's differences and to lead the world toward being one
in Jesus Christ."

         World Convention citations, recognizing outstanding and
inclusive leadership, were awarded to: John Bergman, Canada;
Ron Fraser, Canada; Robert W. Shaw, USA; Gordon R. Stirling,
Australia; Halsey Wakelin, Canada; and Richard Ziglar, USA. 
Posthumous citations were awarded to Mary Henderson, Canada;
and Murray Sweetman, New Zealand. 

         In a business session, the WCCC elected Ron Brooker of
Australia president for the period 1996-2000.  He succeeds
outgoing president Marj Black, Guelph (Ont.) Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ). David Thompson of the United
Kingdom was elected first vice president, 1996-2000.  

         The next World Convention will be held in Brisbane,
Australia, Aug. 2-6, 2000.  The 2004 convention will be held
in the United Kingdom, tentatively at Brighton, England.  

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