wfn.org | DENOMINATION MOURNS LOSS OF DEDICATED SUPPORTER

["Wilma Shuffitt" <wshuffitt@cm.disciples.org>]

Date: Aug. 18, 2004
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Phone: 317-713-2496
Contact: Wanda Bryant Wills
E-mail: wbwills@cm.disciples.org
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org

J. Irwin Miller, a noted philanthropist, lay leader, and dedicated
supporter of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), died Monday
morning from natural causes at age 95.	

Miller was a long time member of North Christian Church in Columbus,
Ind., which he helped to organize several decades ago.	During the 1950s
he provided outstanding leadership on the Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ) Church Extension Board.  He also was a long-time supporter of
Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, a Disciples-affiliated
institution.

"J. Irwin Miller is a man of true faith who manifested that faith in
so many things that he did," said William Chris Hobgood, General
Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). 
"It's hard to put into words the greatness of this man and what
he's meant to so many people and institutions."

Miller's many contributions to religion led to his selection as the
first lay president of the National Council of Churches (NCC) from 1960
to 1963. Under his leadership, the NCC founded the Commission on
Religion and Race, which coordinated organized religion's support for
strong civil rights legislation, and jointly sponsored the March on
Washington, led by the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  He was also
vice-president of NCC's Division of Christian Life and Work from
1957-1960, and helped lead the launching of NCC's Nationwide Program
for Peace.

Miller headed the Cummins Engine Co. in Columbus for more than 40
years, helping to transform the family business into a Fortune 500
enterprise with worldwide operations.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Aug. 21 at 2 p.m.  In lieu of
flowers, donations can be made to the North Christian Church Endowment
Fund, 850 Tipton Lane, Columbus, Ind., or to an organization of interest
to the donor.

- end -

Several other reflections of Miller from those within the Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ) who knew him well are included below.

Lois Artis, president of the Church Finance Council -- "J. Irwin
Miller was a man who sought justice for all, loved kindness and walked
humbly with God. With great facility he could discuss business, politics
and art.  Yet the greatest spark came to his eyes when we discussed the
need for racial justice in America.  The late J. Irwin Miller loved his
church, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  The Gospel of Luke
teaches, "For where your heart is there your treasure will be also."
  There is no doubt about where Mr. Miller's heart was and continues
to be.	He supported passionately and generously the ministries of the
church in an effort to create justice for all of humanity.  Disciples
will remember J. Irwin Miller in many ways.  Most notably we will
remember the stories of his faithful Christian stewardship." 

Robert Welsh, president of the Council on Christian Unity  -- "I had
the privilege of working with Mr. Miller on several occasions - and was
always humbled by his simple, yet straight-forward commitment to justice
and reconciliation. They were the hallmarks of his life and faith.  He
stood on the side of the poor and oppressed, and worked actively for
understanding and equality early on in our nation's struggle against the
sin of racism.	His greatest contribution, perhaps, was in bringing
together leaders of business and the churches to address common issues
and challenges. His ecumenism had a human face, and a practical focus in
building a more just society and world."

Paul Crow, retired president of the Council on Christian Unity. --
"He was a good friend. He was the quintessential Christian
layperson of the twentieth century and he shaped the church by his
witness. He truly shared the ecumenical vision of the church and you
could see it by him serving as president of the National Council of
Churches. What impressed me most about him was that his faith was always
visible in the church and that he had a combination of integrity and
love for humanity."  

Contact:
Wanda Bryant Wills
317-713-2496
wbwills@cm.disciples.org 

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