'ChristiaNet'

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’

Number 34 – January 2006
To contact us, or discontinue, write only to worldconv@aol.com 
ChristiaNet uses a send-only address.

 

History in the Making for World Convention

For the first time in the World Convention’s 75 year history the Convention offices will be located in property owned by World Convention! Whether in New York City, Texas or Tennessee the World Convention has always occupied ‘rented” space; for most of the last fifteen years that has been in the Disciples of Christ Historical Society or First Christian Church, both in Nashville.  Closing on the new property, 1279 Brentwood Highlands, Nashville, occurred on January 11. The new offices will be located on the ground floor while the upper levels will be utilized as a residence for the General Secretary and his family. The move is scheduled to take place in February. However, it should be noted that the mailing address for World Convention will remain the same for the foreseeable future (see below). Watch the upcoming issue of World Christian for further details. Please remember the Convention Staff in your prayers as we make the transition. Anyone wishing to financially assist with the purchase of the new facility is encouraged to contact Jeff Weston, General Secretary.

 

Update from the Westons in Australia

Jeff and Rosemary Weston have been on a working holiday in Australia for the months of December and January. Before returning to Nashville they will be attending the Religious Conference Managers Association annual gathering in San Jose, California at the beginning of February. Please pray for them as they travel. Jeff and Rosemary send this greeting to Friends of World Convention everywhere:   

  "Currently Rosemary and I are in Australia having a vacation and also visiting Churches promoting the World Convention. Those who have heard some of our plans for the 17th World Convention in Nashville, July 2008, are quite excited and looking forward to attending. We return to Nashville on February 3 and are looking forward to seeing all our US friends again. We pray that you have had a wonderful start to 2006 and that this year will be a special year full of excitement and joy as you serve the Lord."

 

Change in Leadership at Largest Stone-Campbell Movement Congregation in U.S.

Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky with a membership of 17,000, is the largest Stone-Campbell Movement congregation in the United States, one of the ten largest congregations in the United States and thought to be the largest Stone-Campbell Movement congregation in the world. Since 1966 Bob Russell, 62, has served Southeast as Senior Minister. During Jan 7-8 worship services Russell handed the reigns of leadership over to Dave Stone, 44, chosen five years ago to be Russell’s successor. Stone has served with Southeast for seventeen years.  Bob Russell will continue to preach until June. For more information see the Church website www.southeastchristian.org.

 

CANE RIDGE PRESERVATION SHRINE BEGINS SEARCH FOR NEW CURATORS
After eight years as Co-Curators of Cane Ridge Preservation Shrine, Diane and Robert Steffer have announced their intention to resign by Dec. 31. The Steffers have led Cane Ridge through several important historical anniversary celebrations, supervised improvements to the facilities, and raised awareness of the Shrine's historical importance. A search committee has been formed and an extensive church-wide search will begin immediately. Persons wishing to apply for the position should send a letter of application and resume to Melvia Fields, 626 Windsor Way, Paris, KY 40361. Read the full release at: www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2006/0606.html. For more information on Cane Ridge, visit: www.ccinky.net/CaneRidge/

      

News Briefs:

·         Dr. Yoon Kwon Chae, President of Korea Christian Gospel Mission, has announced that plans have begun to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ slated for August 6-8, 2007. (For the history of the Stone-Campbell Movement in Korea see the Korea profile on the World Convention homepage www.worldconvention.org .) Contact Dr. Chae at CPO Box 1728, Seoul, Korea 100.  

·         A working group including members of all three streams of the Stone-Campbell Movement has been called together to begin laying plans for Bicentennial observance of Thomas Campbell’s Declaration and Address (1809) and the 100th anniversary of the great Centennial Celebration held in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania in 1909. The focus of the bicentennial will be the unity found within the movement through the Lord’s Supper. Among those asked to be a part of the working group are several members and former members of the World Convention Executive Committee. Jeff Weston has been asked to serve on the working group, which will meet in Nashville, Tennessee March 3-4, 2006, and will represent the interest of the global family in planning the Bicentennial. A website is currently under construction at www.greatcommunion.org.   

·         World Convention Executive Dr. Ajai Lall  reports that despite tremendous opposition from local authorities and Hindu extremists, groundbreaking ceremonies were held on January 11 for the first phase of a new Christian hospital building to replace an existing structure that has been in service for over 100 years. Ignoring the threats, more than 1000 people turned out for the ceremonies for the Central India Christian Mission, www.indiamission.org.      

 

ARE YOU INTERESTED?

The World Convention is considering an invitation to take a team to visit Zimbabwe in 2006. This would not be a tour! The team would visit a number of Churches and institutions offering encouragement to leaders and churches. Living conditions may be demanding at times and team members will be expected to share in teaching and preaching. We would like to have a team that has representatives from all parts of the movement. Numbers will be limited. If you would be interested and like more information please email Jeff Weston at worldconv@aol.com

 

Coming Events:

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity  
Disciples News Service announces the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which has inspired members of most Christian traditions for nearly 100 years, will be celebrated around the globe Jan. 18-25. The theme of this year's observance is: "Where two or three are gathered in my name," invoking Jesus' promise in Matthew 18:20 that when Christians gather, "I am among them." Several excellent resources are available to prepare for the week, which is devoted to seeking peace and reconciliation in our society and our world. Visit: www.geii.org/WPCU%202006/wpcu%202006.htm for more information.

 

Oklahoma Christian University presents their 56th Annual Lectureship January 22-25, 2006 with the theme “Progress and Joy in Christ, God’s Power for Living in Philippians.” Visit www.oc.edu/lectureship to register. 

 

70th Annual Bible Lectureship at Tennessee’s Freed-Hardeman University, February 5-10, 2006 with the theme “A Call to Faithfulness” Better Things in Hebrews, for information see www.fhu.edu/soBib/lectureship/06/

 

The Eleanore Campbell Ladies Conference will be held February 18, 2006 at Milligan College, Tennessee featuring Liz Curtis Higgs presenting “Bad Girls of the Bible.” With humor and encouragement, Higgs teaches how to avoid the tragic mistakes ‘of the Bibles’ Bad Girls’ and joyfully embrace grace. Visit www.milligan.edu/ALM for details.

 

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Week of Compassion will be observed February 19-26, 2006 with the thematic verse taken from Matthew 25:37, “When Did We See You Thirsty?”  Quenching the thirst for living waters around the world is key in this year’s efforts. For updates and further information visit www.weekofcompassion.org

 

Restoration Forum XXIV will be held February 20-22, 2006 as a part of the annual Abilene University Lectureship. Register for free at www.acu.edu/events/lectureship.html or contact Kate Miller at telephone (325) 674-3750.   

 

The Faulkner University Annual Lectureship is slated for March 6-9, 2006 in Montgomery, Alabama with the theme “Surviving the Storms of Life”. For more information about the lectureship email cmay@faulkner.edu.

 

Tulsa International Soul-Winning Workshop will be held March 23-25, 2006 at Tulsa’s Expo Square. “For the Good of the World, to the Glory of God” is this year’s theme. Contact www.tulsaworkshop.org for further details.

 

The Stone-Campbell Journal Conference will be hosted at Cincinnati Bible Seminary March 31-April 1, 2006. Clark Pinnock of McMaster University is the special guest lecturer. The theme of the conference is “Embracing God in an Age of Confusion.” The conference is open to subscribers and non-subscribers of the journal alike. For further information see www.stone-campbelljournal.com

 

The Stone-Campbell Symposium sponsored by Northwest Christian College of Eugene, Oregon is slated for April 3-5, 2006 and will feature as keynote speakers the three editors of the recent Encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement. Those interested in attending this symposium inclusive of the three branches of the American Movement should visit www.nwcc.edu for details.

 

19th Biennial Session of the National Convocation Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will be held in Dearborn, Michigan July 28, August 1, 2006. The theme is “Reclaiming Prophetic Ministry: Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord.”  For more information and upcoming events see www.disciples.org/convo/index.htm 

 

We apologize that there was some confusion in the World Convention address due to a misprint on the return envelopes included in the last World Christian.  The World Convention mailing address is:

 

World Convention

P.O. Box 41487

Nashville, TN 37204-1487 USA

 

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 178 countries.
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17th World Convention

“Together in Christ”

NASHVILLE

July 30 – August 3, 2008