wfn.org | Welsh confirmed as fourth Council on Christian Unity

["Wilma Shuffitt"<wshuffit@oc.disciples.org>]

president
Date: July 21, 1998
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
Email: CWillis@oc.disciples.org
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org

98b-45

	INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- The Rev. Robert K. Welsh has been elected the 
fourth president of the Council on Christian Unity of the Christian 
Church (Disciples of Christ). He assumes the new post, Jan. 1, 1999.

	Welsh was formally elected July 16 by the CCU board of directors. 
The Indianapolis resident currently is associate general minister and 
president of the Church Finance Council.  The Fort Worth, Texas, 
native most recently served as vice president of the Christian Church 
Foundation. 

	The president-elect had excellent letters of recommendation to the 
position, according to Sally Paulsell, Lexington, Ky. During the 
interview process Welsh also "showed a passion for ecumenism," said 
the first vice chairperson in a report to the board.

	Current President Paul A. Crow Jr., expressed a "sense of joy" over 
Welsh's appointment. "I have found in him the essence of an 
ecumenist," he said. "The ecumenical movement is not a comfortable 
place, but Robert has the stamina, and enough experience to find his 
way." 

	Crow retires Dec. 31, after leading the council for 25 years. The 
Disciples will mark Crow's contributions to ecumenism during 
celebrations Nov. 7-8 that include a forum and retirement dinner. The 
17th Peter Ainslie celebration, which Crow will deliver, caps the 
weekend activities.  

	Welsh's career in ecumenism has crossed paths with Crow before. He 
worked from 1976-1988 as vice president of the Council on Christian 
Unity. From 1974-1976 Welsh was executive secretary of the World 
Council of Churches' Faith and Order Commission. He also is an 
alumnus of the Ecumenical Institute of Bossey, Geneva, Switzerland. 
Crow has a long and distinguished history, in the Disciples' behalf, 
with both ecumenical bodies. 

	 "I am very pleased and humbled by the vote," said Welsh. "This 
(ecumenical work) is my first love in ministry. And it feels like I'm 
returning home."

	At the same time, he shared  "an awareness of what it means 
following in the footsteps of ecumenical giants (like) Peter Ainslie, 
George Beazley and Paul Crow. It is an awesome experience to be part 
of that lineage," Welsh said. 

	One of his first tasks will involve strengthening the board of 
directors "to be a strategic center on behalf of Disciples 
congregations to articulate an ecumenical vision that is ours." He 
also envisions "strengthening the relationship and partnership" of 
the Council on Christian Unity with the Office of General Minister 
and President, other general units, regions and congregations. 

	Welsh holds a bachelor's degree from Transylvania University, 
Lexington, Ky., and a doctor of ministry degree from Lexington 
Theological Seminary. He has done further study at the Ecumenical 
Institute, Bossey, and at Westminster Theological College, Cambridge, 
England. 

	He and his spouse, Nancy, are the parents of two adult children, 
Jennifer, and David Robert. 

	In other action, the CCU board confirmed several ecumenical 
appointments including those of Thomas Best with the World Council of 
Churches and the Rev. William Tabbernee to the executive board of the 
Faith and Order Commission. Ten persons were confirmed as delegates 
to the 18th plenary of the Consultation on Church Union in January 
1999, in St. Louis.

	-- end --

 Editor's note: A photograph of Mr. Welsh will be mailed.

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are available at http://www.disciples.org/dns/index.htm