wfn.org | DISCIPLES MOURN THE LOSS OF DENOMINATION'S ARCHITECT

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

Date: September 23, 2002
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Melinda Mains
Phone: 317-713-2496
E-mail: mmains@cm.disciples.org
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org

INDIANAPOLIS, September 23, 2002 -- Kenneth L. Teegarden,
who for 12 years headed the Indianapolis-based Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ), died Sunday in Fort Worth,
Texas, at 80.  He was the architect of a major
restructuring of the 800,000 member Disciples of Christ in
the 1960s and 1970s.

Teegarden retired in 1985 as the denomination's general
minister and president.  He served the maximum two six-year
terms from 1973 - 1985.

Teegarden suffered an aneurysm in May and had been
hospitalized since.

An Oklahoma native, the clergyman first came to
Indianapolis in 1965 as the staff executive for the
restructure process.  He did much of the conceptualizing of
the new structure for the denomination and was a relentless
promoter of it.   His efforts changed the 170-year-old
American-born church from a collection of independent
agencies and congregations to a more organized body with a
representative general assembly. 

Teegarden served church pastorates in Oklahoma, Texas and
Arkansas, regional minister posts in Texas and Arkansas
before taking leadership positions in the denominations
Indianapolis offices.

He has been recognized for not only being a sensitive
pastor, but for ecumenical leadership and community service
including efforts in Little Rock, Ark., in 1957 to support
public school integration enforced by federal troops.  But
he may be most remembered for his enormous capacity for
friendship.
 
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday in
University Christian Church, Fort Worth.  He is survived by
his wife Wanda, sons David and Kirk, and grandchildren, all
in Texas.

In lieu of flowers gifts can be made to University
Christian Church or Brite Divinity School, both in Fort
Worth, Texas.

 From the current and former general minister and presidents

"Ken Teegarden helped to shape my ministry and that of so
many who were young ministers while he was serving as a
regional minister and then general minister and president. 
If Dale Fiers was the father of Restructure, Ken Teegarden
gave it specific form and made it work. He will be sorely
missed by us all."  
Richard L. Hamm, 1993-2005.

"Ken Teegarden, more than any other human being, was the
architect of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ),
bringing many traditions and organizations into one church.
His contribution, in all manifestations of the church, was
enormous, and the whole church is greatly in his debt. 
Though he walked in the company of the powerful and famous,
he remained humble, selfless and ready to serve wherever
God led him.  He had a clear vision of the mission of the
church, and devoted himself tirelessly to the service of
that mission.  A saint, a scholar, and a human being much
loved by a multitude of friends, Ken was a treasurehouse of
blessings, to which we have all become heirs." 
C. William Nichols, 1991-1993

Many will speak of Kenneth L. Teegarden's skill and vision
as the architect of the historic restructure of the
Disciples of Christ, and his administrative acumen as
General Minister and President.  Serving as one of his
Deputy General Ministers for eight years, on so many
occasions, I witnessed his pastoral heart, his love of the
church, his integrity in living out the vision of covenant,
and the joy and energy with which he served.  He was,
indeed, one of God's choice servants, and a warm and loyal
friend.
John O. Humbert, 1985-1991

"Kenneth Teegarden was one of the great leaders of the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Our church will  
forever bear the mark of his faithful and creative service
as pastor of local congregations, regional minister,
executive of the Commission on Brotherhood Restructure,
General Minister and President. A grateful Church joins his
wife Wanda and family in grieving his loss while
celebrating his wonderful life." 
A. Dale Fiers, 1968-1973  

						-- End --

Photo available at:
www.disciples.org/internal/news/teegarden.htm

Contact:
Melinda Mains
Communication Ministries
317-713-2496
mmains@cm.disciples.org