wfn.org | Disciples launch 100-plus new churches in fewer than two years

["Wilma Shufitt" <wshuffit@cm.disciples.org>]

Date: November 26, 2002
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Melinda Mains
Phone: 317-713-2496
E-mail: mmains@cm.disciples.org
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org

INDIANAPOLIS, November 26, 2002 -- Disciples new churches started since
January 2001 topped a benchmark 101 with the early November opening of
Bethel Christian Church, an Hispanic congregation in San Benito, Texas,
according to Church Extension of the Disciples of Christ.

Annual new-church growth has reached its highest point since 1953, with
61 new congregations started so far in 2002. More starts are anticipated
in the remainder of November and December. Disciples started 40 new
congregations in 2001.

Bethel Christian, a congregation of about 60 worshipers who meet in a
warehouse, typifies the humble beginnings of most new Disciples
congregations. However, the movement also has spawned congregations like
New Direction Christian Church in Memphis, Tenn. Begun in July 2001, the
congregation currently has about 1,150 in worship on an average Sunday,
according to Pastor Stacy Spencer. New Direction started in partnership
with the Tennessee region and with Mississippi Boulevard Christian
Church, the Disciples' largest congregation.

"If this were just about numbers, we obviously would have cause for
celebration," said Rick Morse, New Church Ministry director. "But this
whole effort is about being responsive to the movement of the Holy
Spirit. We experience miracles every day with this work. The numbers
can't begin to measure the real impact of this movement. So many lives
are being transformed by the encounter with the love of God."

Gains so far in 2002 are well ahead of expectations, boosting Disciples
to a 1.5 percent growth rate in new congregations, according to Morse.
Establishing new congregations is the first step toward renewing overall
membership growth, according to church consultant George Bullard.

The denomination will be positioned to grow numerically again when
new-church growth rates reach 2 percent, Bullard said. New Church
Ministry staff of Church Extension expected new church growth to reach
the 2 percent figure by 2006. However, continued success at current
rates would put the effort ahead of that projection.

"Some of the most exciting news of this body of believers comes
directly from this grassroots effort to start new churches," said
Richard L. Hamm, Disciples General Minister and President. "The new
church movement continues to inspire Disciples with an outstanding
response to the call of God to make new disciples."

The 2001 and 2002 Disciples new-church growth rate exceeds the growth
rate of even the 1950s, when many Disciples will recall denominational
vitality. By comparison, rates in the '50s were less than one-half of
one percent.

The current trend puts Disciples well on pace for establishing 1,000
new congregations by 2020, a denominational goal.

"Disciples new church planters operate much the same way as their
counterparts in the 1900s when this church was expanding faster than any
other on the American Frontier," Hamm said. "They are stepping out on
faith, leaving paying jobs and even their homes to launch churches in
the places where they are needed most. 

"It's exciting work, but it can be isolating," Hamm said. "They need to
know at a spiritual and emotional level that we are with them as a whole
body. We do our part as we lend our prayers and other tangible actions
of support for them."

One source of funding for the effort is the New Church Ministry Annual
Fund, which has a goal of $265,000 for the year. To date, about $221,500
is committed toward that figure. Contact Ellen Mitchell, Church
Extension, 1-800-274-1883, for more information.

Church Extension, a unit of the Indianapolis-based Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ), assists new and existing local congregations in
planning, financing and maintaining facilities and ministries. 

					     --End --

02-95

Contact: Rick Morse, director
New Church Ministry
Church Extension
1-800-274-1883
rmorse@churchextension.org