wfn.org | Georgia Disciples choose new regional minister

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

Date: November 18, 1998
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Curt Miller
Email: CMiller@oc.disciples.org
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org

98c-69

	INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- Georgia Disciples have elected the Rev. Tom 
Neal, Abilene, Texas, as regional minister. Meeting Nov. 13-15 for 
the 149th annual Regional Assembly on St. Simon's Island, the 
assembly elected Neal by unanimous vote.

	Neal accepted the position with the hope that the region will choose 
to call a person of color to serve as co-regional minister. He 
believes the Georgia region has the opportunity to model reconciling, 
cooperative ministry. "Georgia is on the threshold of becoming a 
model region for the church," he said. "For perhaps 2000 years now, 
the world has set the agenda for the church and now the church has 
the opportunity to set the agenda for the world."

	Neal's election comes a year after the regional board decided not to 
forward the name of an African American candidate for the executive 
position to the regional assembly for a vote. Although board members 
noted concerns about the candidate's experience, the decision was 
labeled by some as racist. Amid vigorous church-wide discussion of 
the vote and its effect, the Georgia board adopted a plan to receive 
anti-racism training and to equip others to carry the training into 
Georgia congregations. 

	One of the new regional minister's first priorities will be meetings 
with clergy and congregations to set mutually agreed upon goals for 
the region.

	The newly elected regional minister has served as Central Area 
minister for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the 
Southwest since 1993. Previously he served congregations in Texas and 
Tennessee. Neal was ordained in 1975 in Knox City, Texas.

	A Texas native, Neal, 52, received a bachelor's degree from 
Disciples-related Eureka (Ill.) College and a master of divinity 
degree from Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University. In 
1986 he completed his doctor of ministry degree, also at Brite.

	His wife, Linda Neal, is director of human resources for the Abilene 
State School, a facility providing services to individuals with 
mental retardation. The couple has two grown sons and one grandson.

	-- end -- 

{Note to Editors: Photo of Rev. Neal will be mailed}

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