wfn.org | Disciples convene ‘summit' on new congregation establishment

[wshuffit@oc.disciples.org]

 From nobody@wfn.org  Tue Dec 12 00:00:00 2000
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
Date: December 12, 2000
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org
E-mail: CWillis@oc.disciples.org

00b-72

	INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- More than 100 leaders of the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) gathered here Nov. 28-30 for a summit on the future
of new congregation establishment. 

	In doing so, the 130 participants helped launch a new movement of carrying
out the Great Commission through starting new congregations, according to
the Rev. James Powell, president of Board of Church Extension. "We prayed
for nothing less than launching a movement of empowered people." 

	During the conference, new congregation pastors, regional ministers,
higher education representatives and general unit staff focused on
congregations starting congregations, and leadership recruitment and
development. 

	Stimulating the discussion were presentations from two consultants, the
Revs. Tom Bandy, Guelph, Ont., and George Bullard, Columbia, S.C.

	Bandy offered a provocative look at the church of the future -- one that
has adapted to the post-modern culture. "This is a new apostolic age," said
the former United Church of Canada evangelism executive. "A new species of
church is emerging."

	He called for mainline congregations to move from being a "lovely pond" to
becoming a changing "whitewater experience" that meet the needs of
participants. The question is: "Are people being gifted, called, equipped
and sent?" 

	Seekers today have little interest in the "Christian year" and other
liturgical trappings of the church, according to Bandy. Today's faith
pilgrims want an experience with God. "What is your experience with Jesus
that this community can't live without?" he asked.

	Tomorrow's thriving churches will be those that focus on several tasks:

	* transforming adults between 18 and 45,
	
	* establishing growth groups linked to a worship experience,

	* promoting and providing continuing education resources for laity, and

	* encouraging participation over membership.

	If they will change, denominations can have a relevant role in organizing
the movement to establish new congregations, said Bullard. The Southern
Baptist minister is a former denominational executive and "church planter."

	He counseled using a dual track of revitalizing existing congregations
while establishing new ones. "Can the ones that have existed be
transformed?" he asked. "It is a mission possible. They must choose to
accept it  . . .  to reinvent themselves."

	That's where denominational structures come in, according to Bullard. They
can help transform existing congregations, as well as establish new ones.
The goal is healthy congregations, which in turn, can be the source or
impetus for new, healthy congregations.

	Congregational multiplication (or new church establishment) is "the most
important thing a denomination can be doing over the long haul," Bullard
said. Denominations that declare "church planting celibacy" by not
establishing new faith communities will die within 80 years.  

	General Minister and President Richard L. Hamm recently announced a
denomination-wide goal of starting 630 new churches by 2020. Bullard,
however, advises denominations to begin a number equal to 3 percent of the
current number of congregations. For Disciples, he recommended starting
1,500 over the next 20 years. By 2020 that means Disciples would have 4,500
total congregations and 1 million members.

	"We've got work to do," said Hamm in response to that challenge. "We will
start as many new churches as we are led to start. If we are open to what
God has for us, we will be absolutely amazed."

	The denomination's first goal is to be faithful to the Great Commission,
said the Rev. Rick Morse. The Kirkland, Wash., pastor begins March 1 as
director of New Church Establishment. Morse's remarks echoed a theme shared
numerous times by pastors of new congregations throughout the conference.  

	The challenges to starting new churches are to discover and develop
leadership, to create partnerships among congregational, national and
regional bodies, and to secure finances. "It takes a lot less funding than
some people think," Bullard said while reemphasizing the importance of
congregations starting congregations. "It's a grassroots movement," he
added.

	That message was especially helpful for the Disciples crowd, many of whom
were disenchanted with the "pastor developer" model used exclusively within
the denomination. It is too expensive and takes too long, some lamented.

	The Rev. Sharon Freeland, Hillsborough, N.C., challenged Disciples leaders
to think about community partnerships when establishing new congregations
or engaging in outreach ministries. "Good work is made easier when we enter
into partnerships," she said.

	A Baptist minister, she is executive director of Orange Congregations in
Mission. The rural ecumenical coalition was established in 1981 by three
congregations and had an initial budget of $11,000. OCIM is now an
interracial, interfaith group of 55 participating congregations with a $1
million budget.

	As the consultation continued, participants broke into several
strategy/action groups to plan for leadership recruitment, congregations
starting congregations, starting racial/ethnic churches, marketing and
communication and other priorities. These groups will carry out new
initiatives with the support of the New Congregation staff of Board of
Church Extension and Homeland Ministries.

	Ideas that surfaced included commissioning new church development
professionals as counselors in summer camp programs; placing
pre-ministerial college interns in new church starts and using the gifts of
retired clergy and committed laypersons.

	Other suggestions included identifying and enlisting "strategic"
congregations in new church projects, and providing training and staff
support for them; adopting aggressive regional goals to establish ethnic
congregations and recruiting leadership; and helping congregations utilize
emerging technology, and communication and marketing techniques.  
	
 	-- end --

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