ChristiaNet
Monthly Global News and Information of the
Christian - Churches of Christ - Disciples of Christ family of churches
from World Convention
ChristiaNet Number 12 - March 2004
To contact us, or discontinue, write to worldconv@aol.com - ChristiaNet uses a send-only address.
Excitement Building for 'Brighton' World Convention.
Natural Church Growth.
Christian Schwarz, the Director of the Institute for Natural Church Growth, is one of fifty speakers and leaders at our World Convention in Brighton, July 28 - August 1. From 1994-1996 Christian directed the most comprehensive research about the reasons for church growth that has ever been conducted. More than 1000 churches on five continents took part in the study. How fortunate are we to have Christian at World Convention? He travels only four months every second year. 2004 is the 'second' year and he will visit about three dozen countries. How long will he be in the United Kingdom? Just two days - at World Convention. Christian had offered these days to another UK organisation. The dates did not suit them and World Convention had requested the same two days! God has led Christian to be at Brighton. Perhaps God is leading you too! Come to World Convention if you possibly can - for a feast of opportunities. Register now. Information at www.worldconvention.org
Haiti in the news.
One of the most recent national profiles of our movement to be added to the World Convention web site (www.worldconvention.org) is Haiti. We have no less than 600 congregations in Haiti as well as ecumenical partnerships and other ministries. Please read the profile and pray for all people in Haiti. During this time of political crisis let us remember the ongoing crisis in this poorest country in the Americas - starvation, lack of health care and fear.
Christian Churches Together in the USA
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is working with other national Christian families (Evangelical/Pentecostal, Catholic, Orthodox, historic Racial/ethnic and historic Protestant) and a number of national Christian organisations to launch a new inter-confessional entity called, 'Christian Churches Together in the USA'. This follows a global trend to create national, broader, minimal infrastructure means of enabling churches and national Christian organisations to grow closer together in order to strengthen the Christian witness. www.disciples.org/ccu/news/011604.htm
Ninety-seven Megachurches
The Christian Standard for March 7 carries its annual listing of megachurches within the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ in the USA. Seven of the ninety-seven churches of more than 1000 members have an average weekly attendance of over 5000; thirty-five others have more than 2000 attend each week.
Magazines on line
You may wish to find out more about your historic church family in the USA. For Disciples World, a journal of news, opinion and mission for the Christian Church Disciples of Christ) see www.disciplesworld.com You can read the Christian Standard with news, views and information related to the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ at www.christianstandard.com The Christian Chronicle, a very informative 'international newspaper for members of churches of Christ, published by Oklahoma Christian University can be read at www.christianchronicle.org
Keep In Touch - Know What's Happening!
- The first quarter 2004 issue of World Christian will be mailed towards the end of March. It will contain an outline of the World Convention program, details of optional programs and ticketed functions (asking conventioners to send in their choices) and more news of the ministry of World Convention and our global church family. If you're not on the mailing list, send your postal address to worldconv@aol.com right away.
- Registration for World Convention will continue right through to the convention itself. You can even register on the spot. However, we recommend registering now to ensure you receive all convention information before leaving home. Pre & post convention tours A-D organised by the World Convention office all have space available. An extra coach has been added to three of these tours.
Events for prayer:
- March 12: Good News Productions International annual meeting and celebration dinner at Joplin, Missouri, USA. This Christian Church/Churches of Christ ministry majors in technological support for outreach in more than 100 countries. www.gnpi.org or (800) 457-4674 within the USA.
- March 15: Global Day of Prayer for Burma. We have members of our church family involved in this Christians Concerned for Burma focus. www.prayforburma.org
- March 17: World Convention Program Committee meeting, London. The stage is set; the details are being finalised!
World Convention seeks to build up fellowship, understanding and common purpose within the Christian - Churches of Christ - Disciples of Christ family of churches, now serving and witnessing as part of Christ's church in at least 167 countries.
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The passion of the Christ. 'Let us keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He did not give up because of the cross. On the contrary, because of the joy that was waiting for him, he thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross, and now he is seated at the right hand of God.' Hebrews 12: 2