Monthly Global News and Information for members and friends of the
Christian - Churches of Christ - Disciples of Christ family of churches around the world from 'World Convention'
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Brighton World Convention a Milestone
The sixteenth World Convention of the Christian - Churches of Christ - Disciples of Christ family of churches, concluded on World Convention Sunday (August 1) in Brighton, England.
At the closing communion service President David Thompson focussed on the theme, Founded in Christ - Building for Tomorrow, Jeff Weston was inducted as General Secretary (officially from January 1 but with some overlap planned for the latter part of this year) and Robert Wetzel, President of Emmanuel School of Religion (Johnson City, Tennessee, USA) was installed as President for 2004-2008.
A one day Leaders' Forum preceded the World Convention. General Secretary, Lyndsay Jacobs, provided a one hour 'State of the Family' introduction to a day of learning, sharing, encouragement and looking into the future. In the State of the Family address, Lyndsay lifted up the reality that at the beginning of this new century we had become a recognisable global movement again. Many positive connections are now being made both globally and across lines of division.
Quality music and worship, dynamic plenary speakers, insightful Bible study leaders, informative 'Tools for the Task' tracks' and seminars, formal and informal opportunities for fun and fellowship, vital 'connecting', diversity amongst those attending, wonderful hosting by the United Reformed Church and the Fellowship of Churches of Christ and a warm British summer, made for a very positive and forward looking gathering.
The brief business session adopted the revised constitution which emphasises the every-day global ministry of World Convention in networking our global family, affirms the more inclusive name World Convention (Christian - Churches of Christ - Disciples of Christ) for general use, and replaced the World Convention Executive Committee with a similarly constituted Board.
Twelve years' leadership of 'World Convention' by Lyndsay and Lorraine Jacobs were recognised at the Saturday Night Celebration with a gift from friends around the world. The Jacobs move to 'retirement' in New Zealand at the end of the year.
Over 1500 registrations were received from forty-one countries and a further 250 people attended the convention for at least one session. Although the attendance was lower than the last convention (Brisbane, Australia, 2000) this was anticipated because of the large number of Australians able to attend last time. The 'Rest of the World' attendance was actually higher this time.
The 16th quadrennial World Convention was an enriching gathering, providing an important stimulus to the witness and ministry of the Christian - Churches of Christ - Disciples of Christ community (including united and partner churches in which parts of the family share) around our growing world.
Convention 2008 - Mark the dates now!
The next quadrennial World Convention will be in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, Wednesday, July 30 - Sunday, August 3, 2008. Now is the time to set your sights on the possibility of attending. With this location we anticipate attendance in the 5,000 - 10,000 range! Our quarterly, World Christian', will carry all the latest information as it is developed. Email us with your postal address if you are not receiving 'World Christian'. (There is no charge but gifts are requested from those able to support the ministry of World Convention.)
Keep In Touch - Know What's Happening!
This issue of ChristiaNet has focussed on the World Convention but the ministry of World Convention is committed to helping ALL members of our church family have a sense of belonging together EVERY DAY. We look forward to bringing you further encouraging news of your church family around the world in the September issue of ChristiaNet.
Events for prayer:
- Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 'All Canada' Assembly, Aug 12-15, Winnipeg. ccic@bellnet.ca
- National Christian Convention of the Deaf (NCCD), Niagara Falls, New York, USA, October 7-10. President@nccd-online.org
- Restoration Forum. October 15-17. Rochester Hills (Detroit area) Michigan, USA. For all Christian Church - Churches of Christ - Disciples of Christ members. tbalk@rc.edu or Tammy Balk at (248) 218-2013
- Fellowship of Churches of Christ in the United Kingdom. Task Group Vision and Sharing Day. October 16 - Birmingham. chrisworkman@beeb.net
- Associated Churches of Christ in New Zealand. National Convention, November 12-13, Auckland. Ministers: 12th. jfulford@xtra.co.nz
- European Mid-Winter Rally. December 27-31, Hermeskeil, Germany. Organised by Christian Churches/Churches of Christ members from the USA & Germany and open to all. www.midwinterrally.com or info@midwinterrally.com
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 no less than 168 countries.
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World Convention theme: Founded in Christ - Building for Tomorrow. 'So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.' Colossians 2: 6-7.
World Convention (Christian - Churches of Christ - Disciples of Christ)
4800 B Franklin Road, Nashville TN 37220-1199, USA
Phone +1 (615) 331-1824; Fax +1 (615) 331-1864
worldconv@aol.com www.worldconvention.org
Lyndsay Jacobs - General Secretary; Lorraine Jacobs - Associate General Secretary