wfn.org | Governing board, staff additions highlight Church Extension meeting

[wshuffit@oc.disciples.org]

 From nobody@wfn.org  Tue Nov 28 00:00:00 2000
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
Date: November 28, 2000
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org
E-mail: CWillis@oc.disciples.org

00b-62

	INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- Election of new board members and staff additions
and promotions were among actions confirmed by the governing body of the
Board of Church Extension of Disciples of Christ during its November board
of directors meeting.

	During the session, the Rev. Gilberto Collazo, minister of University
Gardens Christian Church, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, and Linda Carlson, a
certified public accountant and financial manager from Kansas City, Mo.,
were elected chairperson and vice chairperson of the board, respectively.

	Kathy Pellman, vice president of Marketing Decisions Support Systems,
Inc., Indianapolis, and Mark Harry, vice president of Harry Mortgage
Company in Oklahoma City, Okla., were both elected as new board members to
serve three-year terms.

	Also during the meeting, three directors were reelected to three-year
terms: the Rev. W. Darwin Collins, Pittsburgh, regional minister of the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Pennsylvania; the Rev. Joyce
Frame, minister of Keizer (Ore.) Christian Church; and Marian Hamlett, a
certified public accountant from Flower Mound, Texas.

	Two directors were honored for six years of service on the board. Greg
Smith, outgoing board chair and an attorney from Lafayette, Ind., and the
Rev. J. O. Williams Sr., Wilson, N.C., retired associate regional minister
of the Christian Church in North Carolina, both received certificates of
appreciation.

	The Rev. James L. Powell, BCE president, announced the appointments of two
new staff members for New Congregation Establishment. Effective March 1,
the Rev. Rick Morse, minister of Lake Washington Christian Church,
Kirkland, Wash., will become director of New Congregation Establishment. 

	His new responsibilities will include assisting regions and congregations
in the establishment of new churches as well as supporting other new church
starts. "Rick has faithfully pastored a new congregation as well as worked
as a regional partner in supporting other new church starts," said Powell.
"He is wonderfully creative and deeply committed to starting new
congregations."

	Effective Jan. 1, the Rev. Judy Turner, minister for congregational
growth, Homeland Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ),
will join the NCE team with primary responsibility for leadership
development. She will remain a staff member of Homeland Ministries.

	"Judy brings great gifts and passion to her new ministry," Powell said.
"We celebrate Homeland Ministries' response to the need to greatly enhance
our efforts to recruit, train and nurture leaders of new congregations. BCE
and Homeland Ministries can model the kind of creative partnership around
the priority of starting new congregations that will bring a new day of
effectiveness for Disciples in fulfilling the Great Commission."

	Four BCE staff promotions were announced, also effective Jan. 1. They are:
the Rev. Eugene Randall, II, vice president of ministry resources and
corporate secretary; Ellen Mitchell, vice president for development; Mary
Beight, assistant treasurer and assistant secretary; and Katrine Brooks,
assistant vice president for human resources.

	Loan approvals of $8.1 million were confirmed by BCE directors. The
projected loans will finance 41 projects for new construction, remodeling
and debt refinancing. As of Nov. 14, 93 loans totaling nearly $21.6 million
have been made this year.

	As of Sept. 30, reports showed loan balances of $103.5 million while the
board's assets stood at nearly $118 million. Investments placed with the
board - a primary source of loan funds - totaled more than $93 million.

	In other board highlights, directors:

	-- approved an operating budget of nearly $10.9 million for 2001;

	-- reviewed a progress report on a comprehensive BCE marketing plan that
is under development;

	-- received a report on a web-based demographic service that will be
available without cost to regions and congregations through 2001;

	-- received reports showing 207 visits by staff members to Disciples
congregations and organizations from May through September;

	-- reviewed field staff reports showing 21 building fund campaigns raising
$15.1 million;

	-- reviewed plans for a new BCE internal organizational structure.

		-- end --