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Angelique previously served as the Regional Director of the Communications Ministry in The Christian Church (DOC) in Illinois and Wisconsin (and Michigan). She is a Disciple from Illinois. She authored the book, “The Phygital Church: Using Social Ministry to Make Disciples,” to assist congregations with being intentional about ministry in the digital space.

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The Board of Directors of Higher Education and Leadership Ministries (HELM) of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is excited to share with the larger church the election of the Rev. Dr. Tamara Nichols Rodenberg as the newly elected President of Higher Education and Leadership Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). 

The Rev. Dr. Rodenberg served as the 20th President of Bethany College in Bethany, West Virginia (2016-2022). From 2011-2016, Dr. Rodenberg served as Vice President for Advancement at Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, TX. Prior to Brite, Dr. Rodenberg served as a two-year intentional interim President at the Disciples Seminary Foundation in Claremont, CA (2009-2011). 

In addition to her academic administrative work, Dr. Rodenberg is an ethicist, earning her PHD from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA. She earned her Master of Divinity from Lexington Theological Seminary and was ordained by the Christian Church in Kentucky in 1992. Her call to be the President of HELM is historic, as she is the first woman to serve in this capacity. 

The Rev. Dr. Rodenberg comes to HELM as an accomplished administrator, collaboration-builder, and gifted leader of our church. The HELM Board of Directors congratulates the Rev. Dr. Tamara Nichols Rodenberg and welcomes her to the HELM family. We also honor her husband, the Rev. John Rodenberg, and two adult children, Heather and Matthew. Dr. Rodenberg will begin her ministry with HELM on May 1, 2023.

The post President of Higher Education and Leadership Ministries Announced appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

The Board of Directors of Higher Education and Leadership Ministries (HELM) seeks a President who will work with HELM’s board and higher education constituents to:

• Enrich the current mission and programs of HELM, while strategically looking to the future of HELM’s ministry.
• Consult and network with other persons and entities within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) that include leadership development in their core missions, especially for young adults;
• Develop collaborative relationships that strengthen HELM’s capacity to enact its core mission;
• Develop and begin to implement a plan for economic equilibrium and a sustainable funding formula to enable HELM’s ministry long-term.

Our 2023 Context

HELM represents the continuation of over a century of organized Disciples commitment to the ministries of higher education as manifested in colleges and universities, campus ministries, and graduate theological education. Identifying, cultivating, equipping and supporting transformative leaders is HELM’s core work.

We live in an age of ongoing disruption of patterns of religious affiliation and participation, a disruption that has been underlined by the Covid-19 pandemic. These new and different ways of understanding and participating with “church” markedly affect congregations, regional and general expressions of church, and institutions of church-related higher education — both undergraduate educationand graduate theological education. HELM, concerned with the development of spiritual leaders (especially Christian, and particularly Disciples of Christ), must continually assess what is needed now and in the times to come.

The President will face a combination of opportunities and challenges in helping HELM enact its mission, relationships, and programs. Here are a few that the Board has identified:

• God is at work in the world calling forth and equipping leaders to serve the future needs of God’s mission. This is HELM’s central opportunity and challenge. HELM seeks to join God in the work of calling and equipping leaders for a changing world, especially among those persons in Disciples- related institutions of higher education.
• Many expressions of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) are either engaged in or talking about the work of leadership development. How might HELM take a more active role in networking and amplifying this work?
• HELM’s leadership programs, especially the HELM Leadership Fellows Program, are critical components of HELM’s ministry and have important and impressive outcomes. How will these programs be sustained and improved?
• Funding the mission is a critical issue. Some endowed funds support HELM’s programs. Operating money from Disciples Mission Fund will continue to decrease. What does economic equilibrium look like for HELM?
•  Relationships with the HELM’s core ministry partners – the fifteen colleges and universities, and the seven graduate theological institutions affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) – need continued development and deepening.

The HELM board is ,overall, an active and committed group. That said, board development and achieving full engagement will be a priority. Over the past three decades, HELM’s staff has been reduced. The President will need to assess the staff—employed and volunteer— HELM needs in order to accomplish its mission. Currently, there is a half-time program coordinator, and two part-time administrative support staff.

We invite interested and qualified persons to join us in this journey!

We hope that you will be thoughtful and intentional in your consideration of this job announcement, and make your application before the February 22, 2023 deadline. Or, if you know someone who would be a great candidate, please share this invitation and our job description. The information about how to apply is located at the end of the job description.

We are committed that HELM will be a ministry that continues to make a difference in the world, and we hope you will join us!

The post Higher Education and Leadership Ministry launches search for next President appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Rev. Ronald J. Degges is gifted with a deep, joyous, articulate and always respectful-of-others faith that has been a constant inspiration to his parishioners, colleagues in ministry, and ecumenical and interfaith partners. Ron motivates and inspires people. He sees the qualities of others and taps into them, inviting and guiding them to contribute. He then helps them be successful. Through his nearly five decades in ministry serving churches in Maryland, Iowa, Delaware, Virginia, Indiana, and California, Ron has seen and experienced the Disciples from coast to coast.

Through his work with the San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council, he has developed and hosted a series of interfaith discussions throughout Southern California and produced an interfaith film, “Putting Faith Into Action.” He has recently traveled to Turkey, Israel, Jordan, and Palestine to meet with Muslim, Christian, and Jewish leaders. He participated in a seminar on Contemporary Muslim Thought held at Southern Methodist University in Dallas and represented the Disciples at the Inaugural Institute on Religion and Civic Values event entitled, “Educating for Religious Freedom and Mutual Respect,” held at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

In his work with churches and interfaith groups, Ron articulates his vision, inspires the group to form a plan, encourages members to reach out of their comfort zones to participate in leadership and team roles. He encourages people to never settle for anything less than the best in their life, in their world, and in their universe.

Retiring after a productive decade as President of Disciples Home Missions in 2017, Ron re-entered active ministry in 2020-2021 to serve as Interim Senior Minister at Speedway Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Speedway, IN.

Rev. Degges is a graduate of Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City, Tennessee and Yale University Divinity School in New Haven, Connecticut. His most recent publication is, “Fifty-four Years, Four Months, Seventeen Days: Relationships That Enhance Our Living.”

He lives in Indianapolis, Indiana with his wife of thirty-six years, Deniese Ruth Degges, and is father of five children: Joshua, Randall, Joey, Hope and Michele. Joshua is married to wife, Brandy, with grandchildren, Wyatt and Dylan, and live in Houston, Texas. Randall and his wife, Samantha, and dog, Dandelion, live in Concord, California. Joey and his partner, Tiffany, live in Fairfield, California. Hope lives with husband, Paul, in Fairfax, Virginia. Youngest daughter, Michele, lives with her two dogs, Pumpkin and Goldilocks, in Sacramento, California.

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Primary Function:
The Executive Director for Phillips University Legacy Foundation (PULF) will lead and inspire all aspects of
the delivery of the mission which includes community engagement and donor relationships, program
delivery and outcomes measurements, and oversight of the vision and direction for the future of the
organization.
The position has oversight of a full-time development director and several full and part-time
administrative positions.

Essential Functions:
PLANNING AND STRATEGIC DIRECTION
• Work with the board to develop a shared vision for the future of the organization and build
understanding for the mission throughout the organization and its stakeholders that will
execute appropriate goals and strategies that will advance PULF’s mission.
• Oversee all strategic direction including implementation of strategic plans. Work with the board
to establish both short and long-term plans to ensure for effective planning.
• Work within all planning deadlines for the organization and provide counsel to the board of
directors about the advancement of the strategic visions/plan along with updates on its
successful milestones or challenges.
• Be in front of the vision and direction of the organization. Inspire staff to adopt the strategic
directions established by the Executive Director and the Board of Directors and motivate staff to
create additional aspirational hopes for the organization that will support the organization’s
long-term sustainability.
• Remain current about trends, policies, legal requirements, strategies and best-practices so that
the organization remains in good standing and compliance as a nonprofit organization
throughout its planning processes.

BOARD RELATIONS
• The Executive Director works closely with the Board of Directors as the leadership team of PULF.
The Executive Director is responsible establishing a strong working relationship with the board
and designing a system for sharing information that allows the board to effectively carry out its
governance role.
• Maintain collaboration with the board and meet frequently with board committees and board of
directors to ensure that goals and objectives are met or exceeded both annually and long-term.
• Provide timely and accurate communication with the board of directors and its committees that
includes reporting on work, recommending items and opportunities for consideration, reviewing
governing material and updating key documents, and reminding board of directors of choices
for service and to exercise their role and responsibilities.
• Meet regularly with the board leadership to discuss projects, strategic initiatives, finances,
programs and other pertinent information.

COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONSHIPS
• Serve as a primary spokesperson and public face for the organization.
• Effectively promote the organization, advocating for the mission and work of the organization,
and building relationships with constituent or stakeholder groups critical to PULF’s success.
• Represent to all constituents the maturity, professionalism, and culture of inquiry established by
Phillips University in the four pillars of personal development: spiritual development, intellectual
development, social interaction and growth, and physical development.
• Effectively work with all audiences that relate to the organization: alumni/ae, companion
organizations (alumni association), churches, parents and scholars, donors, and community
partners.
• Maintain all communication channels and media including annual reports, newsletters, websites
and social media.
• Serve as a community leader by constituents and networks with constituents and identify and
cultivate new donor and community partnerships.

FUNDRAISING
• The Executive Director, in partnership with the board and development staff, is responsible for
designing and implementing the fundraising systems and strategies that enable PULF to meet its
development goals and carry out its programs and operations.
• Maintain a leadership role in fundraising for the organization including stewarding major donor
relationships, working with development committee, developing and implementing plans and
cultivation efforts with development staff, and stewarding existing and potential donors.
• Implement proven management strategies to move prospects to donors.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
• Ensure that resources are managed wisely and that sound financial management that includes
solid budgeting and accounting systems are in place and that appropriate financial controls and
risk-management strategies protect the organization’s assets.
• Able to navigate organizational assets including the management of endowments and long-term
objectives in investing.
• Establish budget goals annually for both contributed and investment incomes as well as ensure
that staff and performance can annually meet or exceed those goals. Report regularly on the
budgeted goals to the board of directors.

ADMINISTRATION:
• The Executive Director has overall responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the
organization and works with staff and key volunteers to develop and maintain systems and
resources that facilitate the effective operation of the organization toward the objectives of
PULF’s strategies and plans.
• Manage a staffing team who oversee various aspects of programs, finances, operations,
fundraising, and community engagement to ensure goals and objectives are met. Provide staff
development and team building and supervision for each position.
• Ensure the ongoing robustness of the programs which includes the design and structure of the
annual Leadership Conference, and the distribution of the funds for the undergraduate and
graduate scholarship program.
• In cooperation with the board of directors and committees, manage, maintain, follow and
update policies and procedures pertaining to the operational and governing needs of PULF.
Oversee the retention of all corporate documents.
• Engage in professional development activities such as training, conferences, research, and
coaching.

Education and Expertise
• A minimum of a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with a preference for
alumni from Phillips University or other Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) higher education
institutions.
• Knowledge of technology and software related to office and fundraising management (donor
database, Microsoft Office, website administration, etc.)
• Exceptional communication skills (verbal, written, presentation)

REPORTS TO:
• Board of Directors

POSITION:
• The position is an exempt position and can be located remotely.
• Benefits include a health reimbursement account, paid leave, and other benefits provided
employees.

To apply, submit resume and references to Ryan DeArman,
rdearman@cox.net

The post Phillips University Legacy Foundation seeks executive director appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

BETHANY, W.Va. – The author of a biography on the founder of Bethany College will be the keynote speaker at the college’s annual Founder’s Day Convocation on March 4.

Douglas A. Foster is a scholar in residence at Abilene Christian University, where he was a full-time professor for more than 25 years. His latest book, “A Life of Alexander Campbell,” was published in June and is considered the first critical biography of Campbell.

Campbell was a leader in childhood and adolescent education and championed universal female education. He also was one of the principal founders of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and of Bethany College.

With COVID-19 safeguards in place at Bethany, the college will host this year’s Founder’s Day via Zoom. Register for the 11 a.m. March 4 event at tinyurl.com/bc-founders-day.

He was general editor for “The Encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement” (2004) and “The Stone-Campbell Movement: A Global History” (2013). Also in 2013, he published “The Story of Churches of Christ,” which was followed the next year with a video series of the same name.

In 2017, he wrote a chapter on the history of white supremacy and the church in “Thinking Theologically about Mass Incarceration: Biblical Foundations and Justice Imperatives.”

Last winter, Foster’s article “Reclaiming Reconciliation: The Corruption of ‘Racial Reconciliation’ and How It Might Be Reclaimed for Racial Justice and Unity” appeared in the Journal of Ecumenical Studies 55.

Bethany College holds Founder’s Day annually on the first Thursday of March.

Bethany received its original charter March 2, 1840, from the Legislature of Virginia. It was reaffirmed on June 20, 1863, by the legislature of newly formed West Virginia.

Founder’s Day also features a wreath-laying service at Campbell’s grave at nearby God’s Acre Cemetery.

Campbell died March 4, 1866, in Bethany.

ABOUT BETHANY COLLEGE

Bethany College, founded in 1840, is the oldest private college in West Virginia. The Bethany experience focuses on academic excellence in the area of liberal arts and prepares students for a lifetime of work and a life of significance.

The post Campbell scholar to speak for Founder’s Day in virtual lecture appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Questions? Contact Dr. Schade

The post Survey on ministry, preaching, and social issues appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Emma Drake

There are no words to express my daily gratitude for being an active part of the Disciples on Campus group. The Disciples of Christ has been present throughout my entire life, but I am especially thankful for it at college. I chose to attend a school on the opposite side of the country from my home. Even though it’s what I wanted, feeling suddenly detached from everything I care about was absolutely terrifying. Our DOC leaders here are wonderful and they made sure I would always have a place to feel welcome. This community is an amazing safety net for anybody who needs it. My older brother is a part of DOC at Texas Christian University, and he encouraged me to be active because he knew how supportive it would be. Even though it’s a little more difficult to feel connected to our Chapman DOC community during the pandemic and online school, we still have multiple weekly opportunities to see each other. Speaking from experience, people will still reach out to you even if you’re too busy to go to events or you’re feeling mentally overwhelmed. I have honestly never felt more surrounded by support and love from one community in my entire life.

Marci Mazza-Fredey

As a young disciple attending a Disciples of Christ affiliated institution, I have realized just how blessed I am. While being at Bethany, I have drawn so close to my faith and seen the importance of calling on God when I am in times of need. Attending a Disciples of Christ related school has given me the ability to attend Bethany Memorial Christian Church and meet other young Disciples. It is difficult being a young adult attending college for the first time. However, attending an institution where I can openly connect to my faith has reminded me just how important it is to lean on those around me when things get stressful. Being on this beautiful campus has given me a calm environment to call upon God when I need to, while being surrounded by a family who will help me along the way. During the first week at Bethany, freshman attend a three-day camp-like experience called Camp Bell. This is where students are able to meet one another and engage in multiple ice-breaker activities. One of the activities this year was yoga; something that was easily done while social distancing. While doing yoga, the amazing bells from Old Main on campus began to ring. While we sat in the halls of Old Main, focusing in our breathing, our instructor told us that when we hear the bells every day, we should do something that centers us. Now, every time I hear those bells, I pray. I look around me and think of all of the blessings God has given me in that moment; and in every prayer, I thank God for this glorious opportunity to be here.

Sarah Sandoval

I am a lifelong Disciple and grew up attending churches in the Pacific Southwest Region. As a freshman, coming into college during this season has been extremely difficult, especially as all of our classes are currently online. What has made the transition easier has been the community I have found in the Disciples on Campus group at Chapman University. Entering the Chapman family, I knew I would be involved with this group of people and it was a significant factor in my college decision – knowing I would have a community I could become a part of that I had already been exposed to through participation in PSWR events. This community is important to me because it allows me to enter a space of acceptance and understanding at our Wednesday Night Worship Services. Despite being on zoom, we have found ways to create community, have fun, and further develop our Christian faith. Having the Disciples community on our campus (although it is virtual now) has helped me bring my faith with me to college instead of leaving it at home, as so many college students do. I am extremely thankful for the opportunity I have to attend Chapman and the opportunity I have to continue participating in the Disciples community despite being in a college environment. Thank you so much for your support of the Thanksgiving offering.

The post In their own words: Emma Drake, Marci Mazza-Fredey, and Sarah Sandoval appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

provided by Higher Education & Leadership Ministries

The Thanksgiving Offering, received this year on Nov. 15 and 22, directly supports programs and students on the campuses of Disciples-related institutions of higher education, including 15 colleges and universities as well as seven theological institutions. While supporting these schools has always been an important focus for the Disciples of Christ, this year it is even more important. In the midst of national and global challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, our higher education institutions are facing unprecedented challenges and they need our support now, more than ever.

Despite these unprecedented challenges, Disciples-related schools continue to be places that not only provide education to students, but guidance and care as well. As Yejin Lim, a junior majoring in busines at Texas Christian University, shares that the experiences gained by attending a Disciples-related school have been formative in connecting faith to vocation:

There are moments while I walk to class that my heart is full and prayers of thanksgiving pour out naturally. I see the beautiful campus of TCU and pray to Yahweh Yireh, the Lord who provides, for leading me here.

Living as a missionary kid and now as a pastor’s kid, I know my family was not financially stable enough to support my educational expenses. However, the extra financial support I received as a Disciple made it possible for me to attend TCU. I have learned and experienced so much already in the three years here. Meeting people with various backgrounds has broadened my perspective of the world, strengthening my ability to understand and empathize with others. Disciples on Campus has especially created a welcoming space for conversations and occasions to connect with the local community. I have grown academically, spiritually, and professionally from all the opportunities I have faced at TCU.

My dream is to become an influential leader in the business world that demonstrates Christ through my life – being a person who is loving, accepting, and forgiving. I make efforts every day towards that vision, little by little, and plan to continue my journey at TCU with thankfulness.

On Nov. 15 and 22, please give generously to the Thanksgiving Offering. Your gift makes a difference in the lives of our students and it makes a difference in the world.

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Phillips Theological Seminary is providing churches meeting online an opportunity to take a break from the weekly creation of worship by providing a ready-to-stream downloadable service.

The seminary has created the complete digital service as a gift to pastors, congregational leaders and musicians needing a break after months of being out of their church buildings.

“The Advancement Office staff felt that our friends and colleagues across the nation might need a respite from the weekly work of crafting remote worship,” said Phillips Vice President of Advancement Terry Ewing. “When we shared this idea with others at the seminary, they were eager to contribute to the digital service.”

Members of the Phillips community contributed to the service, with President Nancy Claire Pittman preaching the sermon on Ecclesiastes 2:18-26.

In addition to offering the full service, each component of worship is available for download as its own file. This means congregations in need of a specific part of worship can pick and choose what they need.

The worship components include: Welcome and Introduction, Prelude Music, Morning Prayer, Words of Confession and Assurance, Special Music, Scripture Reading, Sermon, Mission Moment & Offering, Prayers of the People, Communion, Doxology, Benediction, and Postlude.

Registration to receive a link to the worship service download is available now on the Phillips website. A link to the files will be sent Sept. 17 to everyone who signs up. Technical questions about the video files or downloading should be emailed to Kurt Gwartney, senior director of communications at Phillips.

CLICK HERE to register for the worship files download.

CLICK HERE for technical questions or download issues.

The post Give your pastor a break for Week of the Ministry in October appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Online classes begin in October 2020.

To accommodate busy schedules, students attend synchronous courses online (via Zoom) as well as four-day, in-person intensive courses* at Lexington Theological Seminary in Lexington, KY, in the summer (these in-person gatherings are dependent upon changing circumstances pertaining to the COVID 19 pandemic). Upon successful completion of all 12 courses, students earn the Certificate in African American Ministry or they may apply them as continuing education (CEU) credits.

The post Lexington Theological Seminary offers new certificate in African American Ministry appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Lexington Theological Seminary is excited to partner with Reconciliation Ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to offer Facilitating Our Reconciliation: Anti-Racism and Pro-Reconciliation Facilitation Skills Train-the Trainer course.  This course will be offered online September 14-26, 2020.  

The course is offered on a first come first serve basis and will take no more than 25 students.  Do not wait and miss your opportunity!

We are offering a discounted price of $125 per person for those who register on or before August 15, 2020.   After August 15 the price increases to $150 per person.  This price includes one year’s access to the online learning materials.

Registration closes September 7, 2020.  No registrations will be accepted after that date.

Receipt of payment is considered your registration for class.  If you do not have a Paypal account you do not have to create one in order to pay.  You can simply go in as a guest.

Within 3 business days of registration you will receive an email from Instructure Canvas.  This will provide you the login information to the online classroom.  

Questions: Windy Kidd, Registrar and Director of Financial Aid

w. 859-280-1237

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The Dean will fulfill these roles by focusing time and attention to the following areas of DDH:

Visionary Leadership

Advancement

• Designs and implements plans for the financial support and advancement of the DDH.
• Builds relationships with alumni and potential donors to extend the mission of the house.
• Fosters communication with DDH alums, friends, and broader community (through various means, including social media).
• Maintains and cultivates relationships with denominational bodies through relationships, serving on the board of the Christian Church in Tennessee, and events (like General and Regional Assemblies, the Black Ministers Conference, etc.).

Spiritual Formation 

• Develops programming, small groups, and informal spaces to foster an ethos of spiritual growth and mutual support for the DDH community and all VDS Disciples Students.
• Provides individual support, mentoring, and vocational guidance for all residents and Disciples students.
• Arranges programs for students to learn more about the practices of ministry and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
• Promotes a collaborative and equitable environment that honors the diverse needs and backgrounds of the population.
• Mediates significant conflict and adjudicates disciplinary issues to maintain a safe and healthy living environment.           
• Recruits new student residents to Disciples Divinity House in consultation with VDS.

Administration

• Provides executive leadership for the DDH as a non-profit organization.
• Works with, supervises, and evaluates DDH administrator on property, rent, house logistics, finance and other administrative tasks.
• Executes required reports to the Internal Revenue Service, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and financial grant benefactors.
• Provides reporting and communicates with the Executive Committee of DDH Board of Trustees, and assists in development and preparation of the Board.

Location of Position: Disciples Divinity House at Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN.

Start Date: On or before November 2020.

Qualifications: Successful candidates will demonstrate visionary leadership and experience in institutional advancement. The candidate will possess gifts for spiritual formation, a commitment to ministries of anti-racism and justice, and solid administrative skills. The candidate will have knowledge of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), as well as working knowledge and demonstrated support of theological education. Preference will be given to ordained ministers of Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  The candidate will have a Master of Divinity, equivalent, or higher. The candidate will successfully pass a background check.

How to apply: Letter of interest and CV may be submitted to deansearchvandyddh@gmail.com. Review of applications will begin on July 6, 2020.

For questions or clarification please contact Rev. Dr. Wilson Dickinson wdickinson@lextheo.edu.

The selection process will include review of potential candidates, interview process with the search committee, recommendation of selected candidate to the DDH Board of Trustees for the Board’s approval.

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“We need to set an example and listen to the science,” General Minister and President Terri Hord Owens said in a recent video message to the Church sharing that she is curtailing her travel schedule. Research has shown that slowing the spread of the virus is dependent on limiting gatherings and contact. Lessening strain on the health care system will put fewer individuals at risk of not receiving appropriate care.

Disciples Church Extension Fund is successfully running their operations remotely. The ministry also moved their planned in-person board meeting to a conference call to decrease the risk to their board members. The Pension Fund and Christian Church Foundation are planning to have a number of staff working remotely while fully supporting their members and clients.

Division of Overseas Ministries (Global Ministries) and Week of Compassion, among other ministries, have restricted staff travel in accordance with World Health Organization guidance.

Several Disciple-related schools have gone to online classes for the remainder of the semester. (You can find a list of schools and their websites on this Higher Education & Leadership Ministries page.)

Owens also said in her video address, “Disciples, I am convinced that nothing in all of creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Jesus. Let’s stay connected, and together we’ll get through this. God bless you. We’ll be praying for you.”

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This theme provides opportunities for all supported ministries to share causes for celebration in their work. The logos will use the same theme but use different colors to differentiate between the offerings.

The participating offerings are Easter (supporting most general ministries), Thanksgiving (supporting higher education institutions) and Christmas (supporting regional ministries).

While these Special Day Offerings provide opportunities to highlight the work of specific ministries through Disciples Mission Fund, they are distinct from Disciples’ core support of DMF, which supports more than 70 ministries across the whole Church. Learn how your congregation’s gifts to DMF are distributed across the life of our Church.

For each Special Day Offering, free resources are provided to congregations:

• Bulletin inserts (come in packs of 50)
• Offering envelopes (come in packs of 50; shipped twice a year at Easter and Thanksgiving)
• Posters (come in packs of 3)

To place or update your order for offering materials, visit the DMF website.

Each offering webpage will also have a variety of other worship materials available for you to use, like PowerPoint slide images, videos, stories about benefitting ministries, and liturgical resources.

Find more resources for your congregation (including specific tools for treasurers and worship leaders) on the Disciples Mission Fund website.

The post 2020 Special Day Offerings share ‘Rejoice’ theme appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

In 2019, Disciples responded to the refugee crisis around the world through partnerships fostered through Global Ministries. Green Chalice encouraged congregations addressing climate change through support from Disciples Home Missions. Young adults in the XPLOR program of National Benevolent Association spent time learning about career opportunities in areas of care and service.

Disciples also continued to support and sustain education last year. Your congregation may love your students in a variety of ways, through prayer, school supply drives, and local partnerships. Through DMF, you also support Disciples students’ educational journeys through our affiliated colleges and seminaries and the scholarships and leadership development offered by Higher Education and Leadership Ministries (HELM).

Our Church worked to share the Good News in our communities by launching new congregations with the help of our regional ministries and New Church Ministry. Because of your gifts, new church planters are supported with the resources they need to succeed and grow their ministries.

Because your congregation provides ongoing core support to Disciples Mission Fund, and generous gifts to our Special Day Offerings, our regional and general ministries can serve together to be a movement for wholeness. A summary of each congregation’s 2019 giving will be mailed with this message in January 2020 (Find a Word version to use in your congregation’s bulletin or newsletter here). You are encouraged to review this information with your church leadership, celebrate what you’ve done, and commit to increasing your support of DMF in 2020.

Participating in Disciples Mission Fund is one of the most important expressions of our covenant with one another. When your congregation supports our wider Church through these ministries, you join Disciples across the world to be and share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Thank you for sharing your gifts.

The post Disciples Mission Fund makes ministry possible appeared first on Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the President, this position supports the mission by overseeing the creation and implementation of strategies for achieving annual student recruitment goals for all degree and certificate programs including but not limited to the Master of Divinity, Master in Pastoral Studies, Master of Theological Studies, and Doctor of Ministry. This individual will also lead the general operations of the Admissions Office as they apply to recruiting, admitting and enrolling prospective students and marketing programs for the seminary. The director of admissions is the primary contact for those interested in receiving information about the seminary’s academic programs, admissions requirements, and learning community. The director is responsible for managing the overall admission process to support enrollment goals. The director works collaboratively with the admissions associate, the dean, director of financial aid, assistant to the president, alumni affairs, congregations, pastors and other church-related partners.

Education and Experience

• Minimum of three years of previous experience in higher education management (preferably in admissions), or relevant recruiting experience in another field. Successful leadership experience managing a process and the recruitment process is required.
• Experience in goal setting and achievement.
• Must be a self-starter with demonstrated leadership ability.
• Strong communications skills including proficiency with student information systems as well as Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Commitment to and support of the Seminary’s mission and core values
• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree in theology, divinity or philosophy preferred.

This is a full-time position requiring significant travel. The position is based in Lexington, KY. Salary and benefits are commensurate with education and experience. The review of applications will begin Jan. 27, 2020 and conclude when the position is filled. For more information about the position contact Ms. Jaime Mulloy, Assistant to the President at jmulloy@lextheo.edu.

To apply for the position, you may mail your resume, cover letter and contact information for 3 references to Dr. Charisse L. Gillett, President, Lexington Theological Seminary, 230 Lexington Green Circle, Suite 300, Lexington, KY 40503 OR you may send electronic applications to cgillett@lextheo.edu. Further information about LTS is available at our website. EOE

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For each Special Day Offering (Easter, Pentecost, Thanksgiving, and Christmas), the following materials are available to order on the Disciples Mission Fund website:

• Bulletin inserts (come in packs of 50)
• Offering envelopes (come in packs of 50; shipped twice a year at Easter and Thanksgiving)
• Posters (come in packs of 3)

Update or place your order here

These materials will also be linked on each offering’s webpage if you prefer digital copies, or if you need to print a few extras. The printed materials are in English, though occasional digital versions are posted online in other languages.

Each offering webpage will also have a variety of other worship materials available for you to use, like PowerPoint slide images, videos, stories about benefitting ministries, and liturgical resources.

Learn what your gifts to Disciples Mission Fund and the Special Day Offerings make possible here.

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The HELM Leadership Fellows Program is for undergraduate students who are part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The program aims to develop leaders through an intentional focus on four major areas.

The first year of the program focuses on community and students reflect on what it means to be Christian community.

The theme for the second year is transformation and it gives students a chance to reflect on how Christian communities engage in transforming church, society, and world.

In the third year, students focus on global awareness and the interconnectedness of Christian communities around the world.

The fourth and final year focuses on mentoring and spiritual vocational discernment.

In the third year, HELM partners with the Division of Overseas Missions/Global Ministries to take the students on an international trip to see how we engage in ministries of accompaniment in a particular part of the world. This year, the students traveled to Colombia where they learned about the Colombian peace accords and the successes and struggles in realizing peace in the country; heard from partner organizations working on issues of human rights and reconciliation; visited locations where Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs) have fled to find safety; and had a first-hand experience of the rich culture and history of Colombia.

Click on the name of each student to read their reflections on what they experienced during their time in Colombia!

• Ainsley Anderson
• Courtney Sells
• Jordan White
• Lydia Yang

To support the work of the seven Disciples-related theological schools and 15 colleges and universities, you’re invited to give to the 2019 Thanksgiving Special Day Offering, received in many congregations on Nov. 17 and 24.

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