wfn.org | Finance council leader asks for single ministry focus

["Communication Ministries" <wshuffit@oc.disciples.org>]

Date: June 11, 2001
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Curt Miller
E-mail: Cmiller@oc.disciples.org
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org

01a-33

	INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- The president of the Church Finance
Council (CFC) of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has
asked that she be relieved of the title Associate General
Minister and the responsibilities of that position. Lois Artis
Murray has asked that the church's Administrative Committee,
serving as the CFC board, approve her request to serve solely as
Church Finance Council president. 

	The Administrative Committee's Executive Committee has
recommended that Murray's request be approved. The full
Administrative Committee will vote on the proposal via mail
ballot in June. 

	Murray inherited the dual position of Associate General
Minister and President of the Church Finance Council when she
was called in the spring of 1999. But heavy responsibilities for
the church's anti-racism initiatives were added to her portfolio
as associate.

	"My vision for the Church Finance Council and our need to
support the 2020 vision of the church makes it extremely
important that I, as the leader of CFC, devote 100 percent of my
time to promoting faithful stewardship and creating a culture of
joyful giving in the life of the church," Murray said.  

	That vision is supported by strategy, according to Murray. "Our
strategic design is to close the gap between the current level
of funding and the resources needed to support mission in the
21st century," she said. "It is because of my desire to devote
full attention to developing this strategy that I am making this
request." 

	As associate general minister, Murray has been a key leader in
the establishment and growth of the Disciples anti-racism and
reconciliation work. The General Board's recent approval of an
anti-racism commission, and the search for a Minister of
Reconciliation pave the way for others to assume the leadership
of this initiative. 

	"I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the Office of General
Minister and President team and I have felt strongly supported
by the general minister and president," said the CFC executive.
"We will still share some mutual relationships, but it's my
decision to devote full time and attention to the Church Finance
Council." 

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