wfn.org | Disciples churches named ‘excellent congregations'

[wshuffit@oc.disciples.org]

Date: February 2, 2001
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

01b-9

	INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- Three Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
churches have been recognized among 300 excellent Protestant congregations
across the United States. 

	Named among the "best of the best" are three predominantly African
American congregations: Ray of Hope Christian Church, Decatur, Ga.;
Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, Memphis; and Light of the World
Christian Church, Indianapolis.

	A joyful and nurturing spirit, innovative worship, a welcoming and
accessible atmosphere, and ministry that reaches out to people's needs were
some of the identifying marks of these congregations. The list also
includes 300 Catholic parishes.

	The congregations were identified during the Parish/Congregation Study, a
two-year research project funded by the Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment.
Researchers were based at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

	The team's results will be shared in a book, Excellent Protestant
Congregations: The Guide to Best Places and Practice, published by
Westminster John Knox Press. The volume will be available in April.

	Representatives from many of the congregations also will take part in the
Pastoral Summit, May 30 - June 1, in New Orleans. More than 1,000 persons
are expected for the first-year event, designed to exchange information
about best practices in North American congregational life. Guest speakers
for the summit are the Rev. Martin Marty and Father Andrew Greeley.

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