wfn.org | Disciples News Brief

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

Date: November 27, 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 

New common mission funding system accepted

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) governing boards have
accepted a new common mission funding system to finance the general and
regional ministries of the 800,000-member denomination. It begins
January 2003. Go the worldwide web at
www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2002/0296.htm for the rest of the
story.

Vargas named acting president of 
Disciples Overseas Ministries

The board of the Division of Overseas Ministries of the Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ) announced the election of the Rev. David A.
Vargas as Acting President following the effective date of the
resignation of the Rev. Patricia M. Tucker.  Beginning January 1, 2003,
Vargas will serve until the selection and confirmation of a new
President. "We believe that this action of the DOM board will ensure
continuity and stability in the leadership which we have had in DOM and
for our work in Global Ministries with the United Church of Christ,"
noted Chad Cline, who has given leadership to the DOM's Personnel
Committee. Cline has also been named to head the Presidential Search
Committee, by DOM chairperson, Maria Perez. Visit
www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2002/0297.htm to find out more.

Church Extension budget on target 
for 2002 gains; loans at record pace

Despite economic challenges in both 2001 and 2002, Church Extension is
positioned to end this year in the black, with loan approvals at a
record pace, staff told the board of directors meeting in Indianapolis
in mid-November. Go to the DNS website at
www.churchextension.org/about/news.htm for more.

Applications available for two 
scholarship programs developing 
leaders among Disciples collegians

Disciples with leadership potential for the church who will attend
college next year are invited to apply for two leader scholarship
programs offered by the Division of Higher Education and the Phillips
University Legacy Foundation. Visit DHE's website at 
www.dhedisciples.org/dhe/02/DHE-scholarshipsavailable-112002.html .

Wrestling With The Call -- 
Leadership Development Conference 
Asks Students To Examine Their Future 
Role in the Church

"What do you do when you feel like God's calling you, but you're not
sure you want to go into ministry?" Near the end of a workshop on
discerning a call to ministry, Krista Johnson 's question caused a few
nervous chuckles from a group of 35 college students identified as
future leaders for the church. It's a question many of them are
wrestling with as they try to identify their callings in life, whether
it is ministry or social work or accounting. Go to
www.dhedisciples.org/dhe/02/DHE-02conference-112202.html  on DHE's
website for the complete release.

DHM board agrees to participate in 
new funding structure

The Division of Homeland Ministries board, meeting here Nov. 14-16,
2002, has approved participation in the Disciples Mission Funding
system. The board also approved a $2.9 million operating budget which
represents a $214,000 reduction due to this new mission funding formula.
For the complete story, visit
www.homeland.org/WhatsNewDHM.htm#BoardFall.

Fall NBA Family Talk

The Fall 2002 issue of NBA FamilyTalk is now available. Inside this
issue, you'll find examples of how NBA people live up to the motto,
"What We Do Best is Care. To subscribe to NBA FamilyTalk, visit
www.nbacares.org and click on "Free Subscriptions.