wfn.org | Disciples racially ethnic church leaders advise

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fund-raising changes
Date: October 13, 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-55
     
     INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- Fund-raising models need to be
designed to fit the various cultures of Disciples ethnic and
European-American congregations if capital campaigns are to
become more effective, a conference of Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) leaders concluded recently.
    
     Suggestions made by conference participants called for
the Board of Church Extension to look more closely at
developing fund-raising resources that place even more
emphasis upon stewardship, prayer and spirituality. They
suggested that in many churches, especially racially ethnic
congregations, the pastor tends to be more prominent in any
fund-raising leadership role. 
     
    BCE staff also was told that in many congregations
fewer special committees may be necessary since church
leaders already are looked upon as the stewards and leaders.
Consequently, these persons would be expected to lead the
fund-raising efforts.

    "One message from this conference for BCE will be to
find new ways to help congregations grow beyond their
current expectations in giving, while not overloading them
with additional structures and limited approaches that don't
fit their culture," noted the Rev. Eugene Randall, II,
Church Extension consultant and meeting organizer.

    "Clearly, future planning and preparation of fund-raising material by
BCE will be impacted by the helpful observations shared by these
Disciples leaders," Randall observed.  
     
    Ten American Asian, Hispanic and African American
representatives from seven regions and two general units
were joined by five staff members of the Board of Church
Extension. BCE initially called the racially ethnic leaders
together to discuss the general unit's fund-raising services
with the desire to make them more effective for all
congregations.

    Participants included: the Rev. Jaikwan Ahn, Glendale,
Calif.; Noemi E. Cruz, Chicago, Ill.; the Rev. Eugene T.
Fisher, Sr., Canton, Ohio; and Rafael A. Gonzalez, Oviedo,
Fla. Also participating were Rafael Mendez, Hammond, Ind.;
Royal Morales, Gardena, Calif.; the Rev. Magdalen Shelton,
Laurelton, N.Y.; and Evangelist Vasie B. Wilkins, Goldsboro,
N.C.  

    The Revs. Lucas Torres, national Hispanic pastor, and
Geunhee Yu, executive pastor for North American Asian
Ministries, Homeland Ministries, both of Indianapolis, were
among the general unit participants. 

    Besides Randall, other BCE staff joining them were the
Rev. Luis E. Ferrer, the Rev. Gary W. Kidwell, Betty
Manlove, and the Rev. James L. Powell, president, all of
Indianapolis.

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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