'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
48 – April 2007
Clinton J. Holloway,
Editor
Call for International Communion
Meditations
A feature of the 2008 World Convention will be the
launch of the bicentennial celebrating the 1809 publication of Thomas Campbell’s
Declaration and Address. The Bicentennial Task Force is planning a
special book to commemorate the event and issue a new call to Christian Unity.
One feature of the book will be the inclusion of up to six communion
meditations from international voices. Others not chosen for
inclusion in the volume may appear on the forthcoming www.greatcommunion.org website.
Writers are invited to submit a communion meditation of 250-300 words, in
English, under the theme “The Unity
We Share at the Table.” Scripture texts should be included but need not
be part of the overall word count. Deadline for submission is June 1,
2007 and should be sent as an email or attachment to Clinton J.
Holloway at milligan95@yahoo.com under
the subject heading “Communion Meditation.” Manuscripts may be sent to 5043
Briarwood Drive, Nashville, TN 37211 USA. We look forward to your
submission.
New Stone-Campbell Resources
Available
Recreating the Church: Leadership in a Postmodern Age,
by Dick Hamm, was released by
Chalice Press in March. Hamm is the former General Minister and President of the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and is currently president of the
Columbia Partnership, a community of Christian leaders seeking to assist
churches in sustaining Christ-centered ministries. The book can be
purchased by calling 1-800-366-3383 or visiting www.ChalicePress.com
Where the Saints Have Trod…In Campbell Country (Vol. 1)
is available for $18.95 through
Garrett Publishing. Much like a historical travel guide, “Where the Saints Have
Trod” traces the footsteps of early leaders of the Movement and identifies the
significant historical sites related to these leaders in the US. The 306 page
book includes photos, maps and vignettes. This is the third in Garrett’s series,
which also includes “Where the Saints Have Trod…In Kentucky”and “Where Saints
Have Trod and Sung…in Great Britain. To order contact Paul Garrett
at garrettpe@aol.com
Max Lucado Stepping Out of the
Pulpit
Internationally-known minister and best selling author
with more than 25 million books in print, and perhaps the Stone-Campbell
Movement’s most well known author is leaving the pulpit of the Oak Hills
Church of Christ in San Antonio,
Texas, a congregation he has served for nearly twenty
years. Lucado, 52, was recently diagnosed with the heart disorder atrial
fibrillation. Max will remain on staff of the Oak Hills Church –which
numbers about 5,500 members-as part of the teaching staff. He will also continue
writing. Lucado has two books due out in 2007. www.oakhillssa.org We would
encourage your prayers for Max Lucado at this time.
Prayer Focus
Hyperinflation is destroying the lives of many in
Zimbabwe who have no ability to pay in local currency nor leave
the country. Severe drought, high unemployment and economic hardship have left
many in desperate need. The National Council of Churches of Christ in Australia
have commenced an effort to raise $250,000 (AU) by June 30,
2007 in order to purchase food (particularly maize), distribute this food and
drill wells to provide water in rural areas where rivers have dried out. To
assist in this effort contact the Global Mission Partners at gmp@gmp.org.au. The presence of the
Stone-Campbell Movement has been felt in Zimbabwe since 1898 (see Zimbabwe
profile at www.worldconvention.org) and our
churches there are quite strong including ties to all three streams of the
movement in the US as well as strong ties are maintained between New Zealand,
Australia, Great Britain and Zimbabwe. Mr. B.J. Mpofu, former
President of the Associated Churches of Christ of Zimbabwe is the current World
Convention Vice President. Contact the World Convention office at worldconv@aol.com for more information on
how you can minister to those in need in Zimbabwe.
News Briefs
World Convention has recently learned of the passing of
longtime supporter and advocate of Christian Unity, Dr. Robert
Shaw on March 25th. Robert Shaw was for many years the minister of the
Central Christian Church in Coral Gables, Florida. Dr. Shaw, and his wife Virgie
Lee, have established an Endowment Fund with World Convention that bears their
name. Dr. Shaw once wrote of their gifts to World Convention, “We have felt
that the work of World Convention (was) is so important to the realizing of the
genius of the American Reformation Movement of Stone and the Campbell’s and to
the urgent and continuing promotion of the internal unity of the Movement…”
Thank you, Dr. Shaw, for your friendship; you will be
missed.
Mother’s Day is approaching in the United States. A lovely gift for
Mother, wife or yourself would be a colorful, handmade purse or tote created out
of nylon twine by women of India working to support themselves and their
families. “Sofi Totes” can be seen at http://eternalthreads.com
Correction: In the last issue of ChristiaNet we reported that
Standard Publishing had recently moved offices after five
decades at their former location. An incorrect address was given. The correct
address should be: Standard Publishing, 8805 Governor’s Hill Drive,
Suite 400, Cincinnati, OH 45249. We apologize for the
error.
Franklin, Tennessee based World Christian
Broadcasting will host Daniel Pipes internationally
recognized expert on the Middle East and founder of the Middle East Forum on
Thursday evening April 26 at 7pm at the Franklin/Cool Springs Marriott Hotel for
dinner, a presentation by Daniel Pipes and a book-signing. Reservations can be
secured by contacting kcaudill@worldchristian.org or by
calling (615) 371-7807 ext. 100
World Convention on the Road: Executive Director Jeff Weston is traveling to
Frankfurt, Germany April 16-20
to attend IMEX, an international assembly of meeting and conference
planners. He will interview prospective convention centers from Africa, Asia and
South America in search of a location for the 2012 World Convention. Please keep
Jeff and the search in prayer!
2007
Calendar of Events
May 1-4, Pepperdine University Bible Lectures, Malibu,
California
May 31-June 2 Oklahoma Christian University Quest,
Focusing Ministry on Transformation, www.oc.edu
July 4-7, “Messiah! The Astonishing Stories and
Timeless Teachings of Jesus from Matthew,” Summer Celebration, Lipscomb
University, Nashville, Tennessee, contact: http://summercelebration.lipscomb.edu
July 17-19, National Hispanic Convention, Valley View
Christian Church, Dallas, Texas, contact: iglecristopvida@aol.com
July 21-25, Disciples General Assembly, “Share The
Feast,” Fort Worth, Texas, www.disciples.org
August 3-6, Alberta Bible College, 75th
Anniversary Homecoming, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, contact: www.abc-ca.org
August 5, World Convention
Sunday, all over the
world. The first Sunday of August each year is set aside as a day to lift up the
mission and focus of the World Convention in the life of the global community of
Stone-Campbell Movement Churches. This year is particularly important as we
count down the year to the 2008 Convention in Nashville!
August 6-8, 75th Anniversary Celebration,
Korean Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, Seoul, Korea, contact: yoonkwonchae@hotmail.com
August 30-September 1,
European Christian
Workshop at Lancaster University. Contact Gafisher888@aol.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 178
countries.
SHARE
YOUR NEWS BY MAILING OR EMAILING TO WORLD CONVENTION
17th World
Convention
“Together
in Christ”
NASHVILLE,
TENNESSEE U.S.A
July 30 – August 3,
2008