Disciples reach mark of 700 new congregations
Indianapolis, April 25 – As New Church Ministry prepares for the 2011 Pentecost Offering, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has reached the mark of 700 new congregations and counting!
According to Rick Morse, vice president of New Church Ministry and Mission Initiatives, these are exciting times for the Disciples as the commitment grows to partner in new ways to expand the Disciples witness. "Inspiring and well equipped New Church planters are expanding the table by discovering unique ways to partner with other Disciples ministries and regions. These leaders are essential to the creation and sustainability of new congregations."
New Church Ministry will "Continue the Mission" with the 2011 Pentecost Offering, which will be taken in Disciples congregations throughout the United States and Canada on June 5 and June 12. The Pentecost Offering, divided evenly between the region in which the offering is taken and New Church Ministry, funds recruitment, training, coaching and assessment of new church planters.
More than 12 years ago, Reverend Richard Hamm, who created the 2020 Vision for Disciples, imagined Disciples doing a new thing for the Christian Church. He envisioned a new Disciples movement that would start 1,000 churches by 2020. Today, the New Church Ministry Movement is thriving. "With 700 new congregations, we are reaching more than 42,000 new Disciples," says Morse. "The challenge is great and the momentum needs to continue," he says. "With everyone's assistance we can achieve our goal of new 1,000 churches by 2020. Supporting the Pentecost Offering means Disciples congregations are supporting a movement that is vital to the future of the church."
"With the prayers and financial support of Disciples, together we can continue the mission of expanding the table and sharing the message of Jesus Christ from our doorsteps to the ends of the Earth," says Morse.
