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Date: April 29, 1997
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
Email: CWillis@oc.disciples.org
on the web: http//www.disciples.org

97b-23

     INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- New directions for
world ministries in the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ
highlighted the April 17-20 agenda of the Common
Global Ministries Board. 

     In the third meeting of the Common Board,
directors discussed several recommendations which
emerged as part of the strategic planning process.
Among them were suggestions to close the New York
office and move office staff to Cleveland or
Indianapolis, and to establish a common treasury
operation for the Disciples and UCC world ministry
units.

     Several key executives of the CGMB work out
of offices in the New York Interchurch Center.
Economic issues, along with more effective staff
management were among the reasons cited for
closing the office. Board members opposing the
move said the Common Board's access to the
National Council of Churches and other ecumenical
partners would be diminished. It would also limit
relations with visiting international church
leaders, for whom the Interchurch Center is a
frequent stop.

     Some kind of presence is needed in New York,
board members said. Offered as an alternative was
a branch office to act as a liaison with the
United Nations and NCC, and to welcome visiting
church leaders.

     Board members also discussed consolidation of
executive leadership positions in the CGMB and the
elimination of a senior level post of general
secretary for mission program. It is "too soon to
eliminate the general secretary's position," board
members said. Current staff configurations and
administrative responsibilities make that post
essential.

     In other action, the CGMB appointed 19
persons to overseas assignments.

     Three persons were sent to Latin America and
the Caribbean. The Rev. Jorge Bardeguez is
returning for another three-year term with
Christian Mission of Nicaragua. Longtime
missionaries Violet and Victor Vaca return to
Quito, Ecuador, for service with the Ecumenical
Foundation for Integral Development, Training and
Education.

     Headed to Africa for three years are the
Revs. Larry and Tim Colvin, Indianapolis, and
veteran missionaries Sandra and Daniel Gourdet,
Birmingham, Ala. The Colvins will work at
Kgologano College of Gaborone, Botswana. The
Gourdets are returning to posts with the United
Church of Christ in Zimbabwe.

     Also receiving Africa appointments are the
Revs. John and Tamara Rodenberg, Bowling Green,
Ky.; Carmen Samuels, San Diego, Calif.; and the
Rev. James and Jayanthi Wilson, Cairo, Mo.

     The Rodenbergs received two-year terms with
the Kukhay'Okusha Zion of Swaziland. Samuels will
volunteer for one year with the Christian Health
Association of Lesotho. The Wilsons received
three-year terms with the Lesotho Evangelical
Church.

     Headed to India are the Rev. Nathan and
Martha Knoll, Sidney, B.C., and Elizabeth and L.L.
(Jim) Lehman. The Knolls received three-year
appointments to Kodaikanal International School.
The Lehmans received two-year appointments to
Woodstock School, Mussoorie.

     In the remaining appointments, Lori E. Hayes,
South Hamilton, Mass., will serve for one year as
a global mission intern at Rawdat Al Zuhur
Elementary School in Jerusalem. Salvador Martinez
will serve for two years as an international
associate with the Church of Christ in Thailand.

     Other CGMB directorate changes include the
appointment of the Rev. Barbara Kershner Daniel,
Fleetwood, Pa., as interim vice chair. Peggy
Liggett, College Park, Md., was named chairperson
of the board of directors for the Disciples
Division of Overseas Ministries, beginning January
1998.

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DISCNEWS - inbox for Disciples News Service, Office of Communication, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), PO Box 1986 Indianapolis, IN 46206, tele. (317) 635-3100, (DISCNEWS@ecunet.org) Wilma Shuffitt, News and Information Assistant; (CWILLIS@oc.disciples.org) Cliff Willis, Director of News and Information; (CMILLER@oc.disciples.org) Executive Director