MILE MARKER #78: VISIONING OUR FUTURE

By Don Dewey, Co-Regional Minister/President

“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” ~Proverbs 29:18

Since coming to this Region in 1985, I have had two primary passions in my ministry beyond the local church. One a lifelong love for youth ministry and the other a desire to see new churches started. I lived out these passions by serving on our Regions Youth Leadership Team as an adult sponsor for over 18 years as well as Counseling and Directing camps for over 30 years and served on our Regions New Church Development committee both as member and then Chair for almost 15 years.

As I reflect on these passions for ministry I have come to realize that they stem from my love of the transforming grace I know in Jesus Christ and my desire to share it with our next generations of youth and young adults. Growing up as a PK (preachers kid) I sometimes took for granted the love and support as a young person discerning my faith that I received from faithful adults who nurtured me and taught me what it means to be a Christian person.

It was these faithful, caring adults that made room for my questions, my challenges, my need to do things differently that instilled in me a desire to make our Gospel witness accessible to those coming after us. Through their faithful lives I was able to “catch” the love and grace of God for myself and build a life-sustaining faith.

Unfortunately, that has not always been the case for many of our young people. As a Disciples of Christ denomination, as is true with most mainline denominations, we have been in serious decline for over 4 decades. We have failed to reach in any significant way the next generations and so many of our churches are dwindling and aging.

Along the way, attempts have been made to slow or stop the decline – the Church Growth Movement of the 70’s and 80’s, and the Transformation Movement beginning in the 90’s until now.

In early 2000 former General Minister and President Dick Hamm proposed a bold 2020 vision for our denomination. Challenging the Church to start 1000 new congregations by the year 2020. Since then we as a denomination have started over 800 new churches. Unfortunately, some of them have failed but many have continued which has brought new life and hope to us as Disciples.

The same has been true for this Region over the last decades. We have started new congregations and some have continued while others have failed. We have invested time, energy and resources along the way with the hope of creating new places of witness and ministry as we seek to follow the command of Jesus to “go make disciples.”

When we were called into Regional Ministry, I brought these same passions for ministry into our call. I continued to give time to growing our Regions youth ministry and working with our New Church Development committee to launch new Disciple congregations. In the meantime, we were faced with congregations deciding they needed to close and pass on their resources for new potential ministries.

One of those congregations was South Bay Christian Church. After going through a 3 year discernment process with an Interim Minister and seeking insight from several consultants about potential new ministry opportunities, they reached the conclusion that they were no longer able to provide the leadership that would be needed to revitalize and transform their ministry into a new future.

Though I had met with their leadership numerous times, I was invited back to meet again to hear their decision to close as a congregation. It was a painful and difficult decision but one they made looking toward the future. They wanted to deed their property and their resources over to the Region with the promise that they would be used for creating a new Disciple ministry in the Redondo Beach area.

This gift became the launching pad for what has developed into the Hatchery ministry. The Hatchery is an innovative church-planting ministry of the Region with the focus on reaching the next generation with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

The Hatchery is a three-year church-planting incubator for those seeking to start new Disciples churches. The Hatchery provides a place for theological training and hands on social entrepreneur experience for starting and developing new models of sustainable Disciple ministries within our Region.

Directed by ordained Disciple Minister Spencer Burke, who also serves on our Regional staff as New Church consultant and under the guidance of our Regions Leadership Development committee the Hatchery ministry has received unanimous support from our Regional Board since 2013 including start up funds designated in 2014.

This ministry officially launched in September 2015 with six potential new church planters. Due to unforeseen situations three of them have been unable to continue at this time in the program. However, the remaining three will be creating and developing three new sustainable Disciple ministries within our Region by end of their three-year study and preparation.

The goal is to have up to nine new church-planter students per year who are interested in developing entrepreneurial leadership skills along with a theological education to start self-sustaining Disciple ministries in our Region.

This new church-planting model has gained the attention of several of our Disciple Regions across the denomination as well as the interest of other denominational leaders. This model is not to replace other models of church planting employed by our Region’s New Church Development committee nor to take away from those seeking a more traditional approach to both theological education and church ministry but rather to expand our witness of the Gospel for future generations.

If we truly wish to live into the 2020 vision of starting 1000 new congregations in 1000 different ways as one of our Disciple priorities, then this model maybe another way for us to fulfill that commitment. 

I am excited that the PSWR is willing to be bold in their vision for sharing our witness of the Gospel, and pray that we will continue to explore and try new creative and innovative ways in responding to the command of Jesus to “go make disciples.” 

Will some of these attempts fail? Yes, we know that some will. But will some succeed? Absolutely! We also know that if we are not willing to step out in faith and take some risks we will continue to decline. 

Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” I give thanks for the faithful members of South Bay Christian Church whose desire to leave a legacy as they envisioned a future for those who would come after them, have allowed us to create a place for future new ministries to be developed. May we all be as bold and faithful!

Together on the journey,

Don & Susan

MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

WEAR GREEN! 

No, we are not late for St. Patrick's Day, but right on time for Mental Health Awareness Month.

Church in Society Committee of the PSWR has determined that there is both a need and interest in equipping congregations to accompany people who are afflicted by mental illness. We hope this helps.

In 2014 Chalice Press published “Blessed Are the Crazy: Breaking the Silence about Mental Illness, Family and Church” by Sarah Lund Griffith.  It is both biographical and practical as it includes steps and guides for congregations to assist those living with mental illness directly and indirectly. Included on this webpage are other important sources including a study guide and quick reference guide for clergy and more. 

In response to an approved resolution at the 2015 General Assembly, “Becoming a People of Welcome and Support to People with Mental Illness and/or Mental Health Issues”,  NBA (National Benevolent Association) of the Christian Church (DOC) developed “NBA Mental Health and Congregational Care Affinity Group” that is a vehicle for information and support for those affected by mental illness or other mental health issues. 

A webinar series began just last month by NBA and the first presentation can be viewed or downloaded HERE.  This webinar is highly informational and provides many other resources for faith leaders and congregations.

NBA also is producing a blog about mental illness from a variety of perspectives.

Disciples Women also immediately responded to the call for journeying with people with mental illness and their families in their Fall 2015 issue of Just Women.  A complementary study guide is also available.

Outside of our Disciples world, other helpful resources are available.  NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) provides bulletin inserts, suggestions and a network with other faith organizations that are striving to meet the needs of people affected by mental health issues.  NAMI FaithNet is the website where much of this can be found. For a quick look at how faith and spirituality is helpful when dealing with mental illness click HERE.

As we walk together towards the all-curing gileadic balm, may these resources bring sustenance and light our way through the darkness of mental illness.

Rev. Cheri Metier
PSWR Church in Society
Mission Project Consultant

Joint Appeal for Ecuador Earthquake Relief

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Week of Compassion and The United Church of Christ One Great Hour of Sharing issue this joint special appeal for $500,000 for Ecuador earthquake relief and recovery.  The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and The United Church of Christ, with our ecumenical partners, are well-positioned to respond to immediate needs and to be strategically active in long-term accompaniment as people recover their lives and livelihoods.

Your generosity to this special appeal will enable a far-reaching response.

On the 16th of April 2016 the people of Ecuador experienced a 7.8 magnitude earthquake. The death toll of hundreds and injury count of thousands are rising daily.  Physical damage to buildings and infrastructure is catastrophic, including demolished buildings, broken roadways, and lost electricity along the Pacific coastline.  A state of emergency has been called for 6 of Ecuador’s coastal provinces.

Because the scope of the damage is so immense, the disaster ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ are leveraging our existing partnership to respond jointly. As members of the one body of Christ, we strengthen one another and stand together with those who are suffering.

Through our partnership, you are already there in the heart of the response. You are there as traumatized survivors evaluate their next steps amid the rubble of their former homes and as rescue responders continue to search for survivors. You are accompanying the people of Ecuador through your support of the Disciples and UCC disaster ministries.

Solidarity grants to Global Ministries (Disciples/UCC) partner, FEDICE (the Ecumenical Foundation for Integral Development, Training, and Education) already are enabling the provision of food, water, blankets, clothes and first aid supplies to the affected communities.  World-wide church partners with disaster response capacity and expertise, including the ACT Alliance, are mobilizing responses with local members and global connections, with support from our denominations.

The situation is urgent. The need is great. You can help!

PRAY 

Pray for those affected by disasters and those who respond in the aftermath.
Click here for prayers written by Karl Jones, a UCC Conference Disaster Coordinator.

GIVE

On-line: 

Week of Compassion at: www.weekofcompassion.org/donate - securely online
Or TEXT using your smartphone “HelpEcuador ” to 41444
One Great Hour of Sharing: www.ucc.org/oghs

By check (please be sure to specify "Ecuador Earthquake Relief"):  

Week of Compassion
PO Box 1986
Indianapolis, IN 46206

One Great Hour of Sharing (UCC)
700 Prospect Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44115-1100
 

STAY connected
            Week of Compassion Facebook and Twitter
            One Great Hour of Sharing Facebook and Twitter

 

Thank you, Pacific Southwest Region

The Lingala word for Thank You is “Melesi.” To say thank you very much is “Melesi Mingi”. Thank you United Christian Church for your support of the partnership between Global Ministries and the Community of Disciples of Christ in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Melesi Mingi for enriching the fellowship and work of the church on two continents, and supporting development activities so that communities in DR Congo can fully realize the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Paul Turner
Global Ministries Missionary
Democratic Republic of the Congo

In Search of a New Story for DR Congo By Paul Turner

Easter is a time to commemorate and celebrate how God transformed an old story involving separation, violence and death, to a new story of reconciliation, love and eternal life. It’s a powerful story that empowers the faithful around the world to bring about wholeness, forgiveness and peace.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) needs a new story. The story of DR Congo feeds the status quo of media messaging. All the elements are there…isolation, conflict, violence and death. This story demonstrates the aim of showing human flaws rather than human potential; part of a corporate takeover of media that has diminished journalism and replaced it with images and stories to reinforce materialism, survival of the fittest and scarcity.

After reading David Van Reybrouck’s book, The Congo: The Epic History of a People, one can’t help but come away with an appreciation for the power of story- telling. That’s because Van Reybrouck chronicles the history of DR Congo in a way few have before. He interviews a number of octogenarians to get a rare and unique perspective into the complex history and stories of people who actually lived through the last 120 years. He begins with the Congo of antiquity…how early inhabitants lived by foraging, later hunting and then becoming part of the first people on the planet to cultivate crops. Early Congolese could send messages by drum for hundreds of miles through the forest centuries before the telegraph was invented. There was no tribalism, but cooperation and trade among all who inhabited the vast reaches of the Congo River basin. The Congolese people can choose to build on this aspect of their history to become more self-aware, and strengthen a moral ethos that can challenge the corruption that has plagued the country for decades.

Very few places in the world can honestly say they were better off 60 years ago. Beginning with the Arab Slave Trade in the 1800s, then the atrocities of king Leopold and repressive Belgian colonial rule, the last 150 years has been turbulent and tragic. Independence in 1960 was followed by brutal dictatorship, kleptocracy, and in the last 20 years, a war claiming an estimated 6 million lives emanating from the Rwandan genocide and opportunism by DR Congo’s neighbors to pillage its immense natural resources. Conflict is the dominant story one hears in relation to DR Congo. Yet, two years ago a surge by UN and Congolese forces against the primary rebel group, the M23, has brought some stability to the eastern provinces of North and South Kivu.

It’s time to shift the story from conflict in the east to the debilitating poverty that grips most of the nation. By shifting the story we can shift resources from swords to ploughshares - literally. The Equateur Province is a place where poverty and the effects of climate change can be witnessed. Recent flooding from the Congo River and extended dry seasons have ruined crops,

damaged homes, and in some areas, claimed lives. Yes, there are still conflicts in the eastern part of the country, but right now what impacts the entire country more than conflict is poverty.

Another obstacle to shifting the story to poverty is the likelihood that the constitution will not be respected in the DR Congo elections this coming November. President Kabila’s refusal to indicate whether he’s pursuing an unconstitutional third term is now feeding the old story. Kabila is one in a long line of current African leaders refusing to step down or prolonging their presidency. Western countries and international institutions are withholding investment and aid until after the elections, further constraining the assistance needed to help address poverty.

Thankfully, a new story is being developed that features DR Congo’s opportunities and assets, not just its challenges and needs, to address widespread poverty and climate change. The creation of this new story centers on the strong faith and personal power of the Congolese people to shape their own future. The Communaute Des Disciples du Christ Au Congo (CDCC), an indigenous faith-based institution based in Mbandaka in the Equateur Province is helping to write this new story. This new story is the opposite of the old one because it’s about establishing a movement of nonviolence and peace. Michael Nagler, with the Metta Center for Nonviolence, promotes a roadmap for nonviolent social change that uses the method of peace. The elements of peace featured in the roadmap are occurring within the actions of CDCC.

• The CDCC is a community of faith that knows there are connections between combating poverty and protecting the rainforest, between democracy and social justice, and economic development.

• The CDCC is actively replacing the worldview the media has propagated with a constructive program of peacebuilding by ending hunger and increasing the availability of nutritious foods.

• The CDCC is educating young people in peacekeeping by preparing them to embrace their collective responsibility to engage in solutions now, not just in the future.

• The CDCC is establishing a network for peacemaking through conflict resolution, promoting cooperative economics and creating associations to improve health and access to clean water.

It’s been said that DR Congo may be too big to govern. It’s true the vast territory at times has proven difficult to manage, but that doesn’t stop cell phone companies operating in DR Congo from reaching more customers each year. It’s also been said that DR Congo’s mineral wealth is its curse. The mineral wealth would be a blessing to many if only a few were not attempting to steal or control it.

New stories, like the old ones, are passed along. All of us now have the ability to become alternative media by communicating stories of nonviolent resistance and social change. By doing so we throw off and confound the old stories that would have us fear and distrust one another.

The story of Easter reminds us that we can follow God’s example through Jesus Christ to rewrite the narrative by once again making love for humanity the center of the story.