wfn.org | February 1998 Digest

[DISCNEWS.parti@ecunet.org (DISCNEWS)]

February 1998

Disciples register increase in  97 outreach giving

     INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- Outreach giving by
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1997
exceeded the 1996 figure by more than half a
percent. The 1997 increase, $133,310 is a .67%
increase over 1996.

     And that's just part of the good news,
according to the Rev. Robert K. Welsh, Church
Finance Council president. For the first time in
six years, giving to the church's family budget --
Basic Mission Finance -- increased every month in
comparison to the previous year. 

     Welsh calls the increases significant
compared to figures showing a 30-month decrease in
BMF from June 1992 through May 1995. 

     The total amount contributed to BMF in 1997 -- $20,064,899 -- is the highest amount given by
Disciples in four years. Church members then gave
$20,366,928. 

     Welsh expressed his excitement over the
positive report on giving from congregations to
the church's basic outreach fund.  "I believe
giving to Basic Mission Finance is an important
gauge of the overall health and vitality of our
church," he said. 

                     *****

  Light of the World, NBA unveil senior center

     INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- A 50-unit housing
complex for low-income senior citizens has been
opened in Indianapolis by the National Benevolent
Association and Light of the World Christian
Church.

     The Jackson-Peoples Senior Living Center was
funded by a $2.9 million grant from the Department
of Housing and Urban Development. The new complex
is located on land adjacent to the church.

     The center is named after Marilla Jackson,
grandmother of Bishop T. Garrott Benjamin, senior
minister of Light of the World, and the Rev.
Robert Peoples. Peoples was a former minister of
the congregation -- then known as Second Christian
Church.  

     In related news, NBA will receive $13.6
million in capital advances from HUD to erect four
facilities in St. Louis, Greensboro, N.C.,
Washington, N.C., and Orlando, Fla. Groundbreaking
for the projects is anticipated for fall of this
year, with openings available in late 1999. 

                      *****
General Assembly preacher, Disciples pastor dies
                 in Los Angeles
 
     LOS ANGELES (DNS) -- The Rev. Antonio "T.J."
Bottoms, pastor of All Peoples Christian Church of
Los Angeles, died, Dec. 21.  He was 38. Memorial
services for Bottoms were Jan. 4 at All Peoples
Church.

     Bottoms was diagnosed with an inoperable,
malignant brain tumor only weeks before his death. 
He died "surrounded by people who loved him
dearly," said Frankie Stewart, moderator-elect of
All Peoples Church and Bottoms' close friend.  "It
was very peaceful."  

     The All Peoples Church pastor served on the
General Board of the Christian Church (Disciples
of Christ).  He was known for outspokenness that
was often modulated by humor. 

     From the pulpit at the 1997 General Assembly
of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Bottoms shared his deep feelings that the Gospel
calls Christians to a passion for justice. "Did
you know that the homeless and destitute man who
annoys you every day is an embodiment of the
Christ of God, and that everybody watching you
will make a decision about you and your beliefs
based on your treatment of that man?" Bottoms
exhorted. 

     Bottoms became pastor of All People's Church
in 1988.  He served as an associate pastor at
First Christian Church of Santa Monica, Calif.,
and as a student associate pastor at Mississippi
Boulevard Christian Church, Memphis, Tenn. 

     He graduated from Jarvis Christian College,
Hawkins, Texas, attended Memphis State University,
and the School of Theology at Claremont, Calif. 
He was ordained in 1991. 

                     *****

 Pastor named to mission funding and churchwide
               research position 
 
     INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- An Indiana pastor with
strong credentials in computer skills has been
called as the new administrative assistant for the
Commission on Mission Funding and Research.

     The Rev. Michael E. Naylor, pastor at
Providence Christian Church in Bargersville, Ind.,
began his new ministry Jan. 15. His primary duties
are to provide staff support to the work of the
Commission on Mission Funding and to resource
regions and general units in their financial and
statistical data needs.  He also will assist in
researching the future needs and possibilities of
the whole church. 

     General Minister and President Richard L.
Hamm said in making the appointment, "Mike brings
a unique blend of Christian commitment, pastoral
experience and high-level computer skills to this
most important post in the life of our church."

     Naylor received his master of divinity degree
from Christian Theological Seminary in
Indianapolis in 1989.  He also completed an
associate of applied science degree at Purdue
University, W. Lafayette, Ind., where he received
his bachelor of arts in 1971.

     In addition to his experience as a pastor,
Naylor worked with DiscipleData, Inc., from 1988
to August 1990 as a technical writer and sales
manager.  He served as president and director of
sales for Technology Concepts, Inc., where he
wrote documentation for a complete line of
computer software related to the funding system
developed for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

     Naylor is married to Jane Naylor, who works
with Alcoa in Lafayette, Ind.  They have three
children, Deb Newkirk, Mick and Matt.

                     *****

    Lynchburg College chaplain memorialized

     INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- Memorial services were
held Dec. 30 for the Rev. Rex Mix, chaplain of
Lynchburg (Va.) College. He died Dec. 26 at his
home.

     Services for Mix were held at First Christian
Church in Lynchburg. He was the spouse of Susan
Shank Mix, national president of Church Women
United. Susan serves on the International
Christian Women's Fellowship Quadrennial Assembly
Committee and has been stage director for the past
three General Assemblies. 

                     *****

Interim leaders named for Yakama Christian Mission

     INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- The Rev. Robert C. and
Berlena Brock have been called as interim mission
pastors at Yakama Christian Mission/Log Church in
White Swan, Wash.

     Robert Brock retired in 1996 as regional
minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ) in the Northwest. Berlena Brock was
director of resident activities for Kenney
Presbyterian Retirement Center, Seattle, until
retiring in 1996.

     The couple succeeds the Rev. Moses Garcia,
who served from February 1994 until October 1997
as pastor-director of the mission. He and his
spouse, Judy, "were familiar and tireless
interpreters" of the mission's work, according to
Homeland Ministries officials. Yakama Mission/Log
Church is one of four HM mission centers.

     "Moses and Judy Garcia brought many of us to
a greater understanding of the Yakama nation and
the needs of the people. They will be deeply
missed," said HM President Ann Updegraff Spleth.
"But the presence of Bob and Berlena Brock is a
great gift. We look forward to the mission's
future ministry under their direction."

                     *****

    Torres moves retirement to December 1998

     INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- The Pastoral Commission
for Hispanic Ministries has begun its search for a
successor to the National Pastor Lucas Torres. 

     Torres has reset his retirement date for Dec.
31, 1998, instead of May 1999 as we previously
reported.
The search committee, chaired by Elias Vasquez,
Robstown, Texas, is receiving resumes and
nominations until Feb. 2. Nominations may be sent
to Vasquez at P.O. Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN
46206.

     With his December departure, Torres will
conclude 40 years in ministry. He spent 23 years
in the pastorate before assuming the national
pastor's post in 1993.  

                     *****

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