'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 36 – April 2006
To contact us, or discontinue, write only to worldconv@aol.com ChristiaNet uses a send-only address.
Happy Easter from the World Convention Staff and Volunteers!
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.
He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’”
Matthew 28: 5-7 (NIV)
As we celebrate the Resurrection of Our Lord the World Convention wishes you the blessings of the day.
Despite Persecution and Natural Disaster the Work of the Lord Prospers
The World Convention office receives regular correspondence from Christians all over the world. Sometimes those letters and emails are requests for help when times are tough others are to share good news of how the Lord is at work. Despite political unrest and landslides in the Philippines Ross Wissman of International Christian College of Manila reports that New Hope Christian Church in Calapan recently completed the 40 Days of Purpose Campaign and 31 people recently came forward to be baptized. The church has grown from 30 to several hundred in the last few months due, in part, to a successful cell group ministry. Likewise, Vinay Kumar of the Naidupet Church of Christ in India reports five baptisms in the month of March. In many parts of India there is persecution of the Christian community by extreme Hindu groups trying to stop the rapid growth of Christianity in the Indian sub-continent.
Unity a Popular Theme for 2006
Correction: In the February/March issue of ChristiaNet we recommended an article by Doug Foster giving the historical backgrounds of the 1906 Division in the Winter 2006 issue of One Body magazine published by Peace on Earth Ministries. Unfortunately we made an error in the website, it should be www.poeministries.org Victor Knowles, Editor of One Body has a new book ready which focuses on unity, it is Together in Christ: More than a Dream, it is available for $11.99 from www.collegepress.com. The book has already received numerous positive reviews.
Another Resource on Christian Unity
Thomas Langford, retired Dean of the Graduate School at Texas Tech University, has a new book available, On Common Ground: Essays on Unity. This collection of 46 essays written over the last 20 years is available for $10 at www.KetchPublishing.com
Two recent meetings focused on Unity
In recent issues we have reminded you of the dates and themes for the Tulsa Soul Winning Workshop and the Abilene Christian University Lectureship held in conjunction with Restoration Forum XXIV. These events have now passed into the realm of history but much good was accomplished through these gatherings in lifting up the body Christ. History was made at the ACU Lectureship when President Royce Money invited Donald R. Jeanes, President of Milligan College in East Tennessee to deliver the opening sermon. Audio CD’s of the ACU lectures are available at www.gayloronline.com Reports from Tulsa can be found at www.tulsaworkshop.org.
Resources on Worship Sought
John Wakefield, Associate Professor in music at Milligan College has embarked upon research for a forthcoming book with the anticipated title of Why Churches Worship the Way They Do: A History of Public Worship in the Stone-Campbell Movement. John would appreciate hearing from our readers around the world and across the spectrum of the Movement who have suggestions for resources that will aid him in his research. He can be reached at jcwakefield@milligan.edu
News Briefs:
<> The April 9, 2006 issue of the Christian Standard features the annual list of “Mega-churches” (2000+ in weekly attendance) and “Emerging Mega-churches” (1000-1999 in weekly attendance) among the U.S. Christian Churches and Churches of Christ (www.christianstandard.com). Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky again tops the list with 18,520 in average weekly attendance. World Convention would like to hear from any Stone-Campbell Movement congregation outside of the U.S. that meets the above qualifications for mega-church or emerging mega-church by email at worldconvclint@aol.com If we hear from several congregations we will share our findings with you in a future issue.
<> Fred B. Craddock will deliver the final lectures for the School of Theology for Laity (STL), in Dallas, Texas on April 22, 2006. Since 1978 the goal of STL has been to expose members of local churches to the leading theological minds of the day. Begun by Joe and Nancy Stalcup and members of the East Dallas Christian Church (DoC) the School will be transferred to Brite Divinity School of Texas Christian University where it will be known as the Stalcup School of Theology for the Laity. In the fall Brite’s President, Newell Williams, will kick-off the new lecture series with a lecture on the spiritual roots of mainline Protestants. In 2007 the Biannual lectures will feature Marjorie Suchocki and Fred Craddock.
<> Recently 22 year-old Miss Oklahoma Jennifer Berry was crowned the next Miss America in the annual pageant. On October 13, 2005 Jennifer was baptized at the Skiatook, Oklahoma Church of Christ. Debbie Kendall, whose husband is s deacon at the Church, says Jennifer “is serious about her faith and her relationship with the Lord, and she shares her faith everywhere she goes.” As part of her travels Jennifer is the national spokesperson for Mothers Against Drunk Drivers. For Jennifer’s speaking schedule visit www.missamerica.org
<> 10,000 Disciples Praying is a new initiative launched on March 1 encouraging 10,000 Disciples to pray daily for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). More than 2000 people committed to daily prayer in the first week of the initiative. To be one of 10,000 go to www.disciples.org/10000 Why not become one of the 10,000 and be a part of the World Convention 11:11 Get Connected prayer network that pauses to pray each day at 11:11 a.m. For more information about getting connected go to www.worldconvention.org
<> Prayer Focus: Remember to pray for the Stone-Campbell missions and ministries in East Africa, particularly Kenya and Malawi which are experiencing record droughts. See the national profiles for Kenya and Malawi www.worldconvention.org for further information on these countries and contact information for some of mission organizations working in East Africa.
Coming Events:
Oreon E. Scott Lectures at Bethany College, Bethany West Virginia will be held April 24-25, 2006 with Kathleen Norris as presenter. Norris is the author of New York Times bestsellers, The Cloister Walk, Dakota. A Spiritual Geography and Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith. See www.bethanywv.edu for more information.
Columbia Christian College and Cascade College of the a cappella Churches of Christ will celebrate a heritage of fifty years of Christian higher education in the Pacific Northwest with an Alumni Summit and Reunion Weekend in Portland, Oregon June 22-25, 2006. The theme for the celebration is We Are One –Celebrate-Connect-Unite- Log on to www.cascade.edu to register.
Mix in ’06 is the name of the 2006 Disciples Women’s Quadrennial Assembly to be held June 21-25, 2006 at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis. The Disciples Women’s Ministries will look to the future with the theme ‘Dream On, Sisters!” Register online at www.dreamonsisters.com
Cane Ridge Day 2006 will be Saturday, June 24, 2006. The theme for this year’s annual gathering will be “Cane Ridge preservation at 75: The Past, Present and Future.” The Cane Ridge Meeting House outside of Lexington, Kentucky is sacred to the memory of all members of the Stone-Campbell Movement as the site of the Cane Ridge Revival of 1801 and the ministry of Barton W. Stone. For further information contact co-curators Robert and Diane Steffer at CANERDGMTG@aol.com.
The North American Christian Convention will be held June 27-30, 2006 at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, KY under the theme “Together in Christ.” Convention President is Dr. David Faust. Visit the World Convention booth while at the Convention. Register at www.nacctheconnectingplace.com
The 13th National Hispanic and Bilingual Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will held July 13-16, 2006 in Killeen, Texas at the Iglesia Cristiana Monte Sinai. This year’s theme, “Tell My People to March!” is taken from 1 Peter 2: 9-10. Registration can be completed online at www.obrahispana.org/asamlea.htm.
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
8th Annual Pan European Lectureship will be held in Brussels, Belgium August 1-5, 2006. The theme for the lectureship will be taken from 1Timothy 4:16, “How to Save Yourself and Other.” For more information go to www.lectureship.org
August 9-12, 2006 are the dates for the 14th Biennial Convocation of the National Association of Asian Pacific Disciples to be held in San Francisco, California. See www.napad.net for themes, speakers and events.
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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