wfn.org | New associate general minister called

["Office of Communications"<wshuffit@oc.disciples.org>]

Date: July 25, 2000
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
E-mail: CWillis@oc.disciples.org
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org

00a-40

	INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- A Cincinnati pastor and former Homeland Ministries 
executive has been named associate general minister and vice president of 
the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The Administrative Committee 
elected the Rev. William H. Edwards here July 22. Edwards is expected to 
begin his ministry in the Office of General Minister and President in 
early October. 

	Edwards, 44 comes to the position from the Disciples Center of 
Cincinnati, a joint ministry of Forest Park Christian Church, a 
predominantly white congregation, and St. John's Christian Church, with 
mostly African American members.  Edwards' resume describes his ministry 
in Cincinnati as "developing a model of ministry to overcome one of the 
greatest barriers that separates us as people of God, the barrier of 
race." 

	Prior to his call to Cincinnati, Edwards was executive pastor of 
Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, serving as chief operating officer 
of the 8,500-member Memphis Disciples congregation.  

	From 1982 to 1995, Edwards served as senior associate in Homeland 
Ministries' Center for Congregational Growth and Vitality.  

	"I feel that Bill is really well-equipped to serve as a vice president, 
which means, in part, tracking all the various initiatives of the Office 
of General Minister and President in the life of the church," said General 
Minister and President Richard L. Hamm. "I'm very excited about Bill's 
coming. I think he'll be a great partner in ministry," said Hamm. 

	"I'm also excited about the opportunity to serve the church in this role. 
 I think this is a real critical time in the life of our church," Edwards 
said.  "Some may think it's the worst of times, but I think it's the best 
of times – an opportunity for God to intervene, and for the OGMP to give 
some significant leadership to where God would have us go." 

	Edwards earned a doctor of ministry degree at McCormick Theological 
Seminary, Chicago.  He holds a master of divinity degree from Christian 
Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, and a bachelor of arts degree from 
Hiram (Ohio) College. Additionally, Edwards holds an executive master of 
business administration degree from the University of Memphis. 

	Edwards and his wife Sabrina are the parents of three sons,  Deon, 
Emmanuel and Jeremiah; and two daughters, Korean and Rachel.  They have 
five grandchildren, Taylor, Zuri, William, Tyre and Sarah. 

	The search that resulted in Edwards' call followed the provisions of the 
model executive search policy just endorsed by the General Board.  At 
least half of the members of the search committee were persons of color, 
applicants were solicited from outside the Office of General Minister and 
President, and a personnel administrator from outside the OGMP screened 
applications. 

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