wfn.org | Record numbers expected for Denver

[DISCNEWS.parti@ecunet.org]

assembly
Date: August 7, 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-43

     INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- The largest youth
contingent in more than 12 years is expected at
the July 25-29 General Assembly of the Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ) in Denver.

     The good news is "we have now broken General
Assembly registration records back to Des Moines
(1985) for 13- to 23-year-olds," said the Rev.
Randy Kuss, Homeland Ministries youth associate.
Nearly 950 Disciples youth -- 761 of them aged 13-17 -- have registered for the event. The 1985
assembly attracted 627 teen- and college-age
participants.

     The Disciples of Christ also expect to
eclipse the overall 1985 attendance figure of more
than 7,500. With one week to go before the  97
event, 7,350 persons have registered. Church
officials anticipate 8,000 persons to attend the
Denver assembly. 

     With any luck, the 1997 attendance may top
the 1991 figure of 8,774 in Tulsa, Okla. The
anticipated election of a controversial nominee
for general minister and president, in part,
spurred the high attendance that year.  

     This assembly also has more time devoted to
equipping and strengthening congregations for
ministry through a "mission festival" and numerous
youth activities. Key business agenda items during
this year's assembly include resolutions calling
for removal of the U.S. military from Okinawa,
increased humanitarian aid for the people of Cuba,
and more police accountability.  The assembly also
will do a test run of the discernment proposed by
General Minister and President Richard L. Hamm.

     The process is designed to promote churchwide
dialogue on controversial issues facing society
and the denomination. The topics for the Denver
assembly are the nature of biblical authority and
racism in North America.

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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