ChristiaNet Number 8 - November 2003 [Second series]

ChristiaNet

Monthly Global News and Information of the
Christian - Churches of Christ - Disciples of Christ family of churches
from World Convention

Number 8 - November 2003 [Second series]

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

Formal opening of new campus at Phillips Theological Seminary

November 4-9 sees a number of celebrations to dedicate the new campus of Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. Classes began there on August 25th. The seminary became independent of the now closed Disciples-related Phillips University in Enid in 1987 and consolidated its classes in Tulsa in 1997. http://www.ptstulsa.edu

Motor Cycles for Pastors

Ten new motor cycles will be presented to pastors at the Associated Churches of Christ in Zimbabwe conference, October 31 - November 2. The motor cycles, ideal for rural pastors, are a gift from Churches of Christ in Australia. About 20% of the approximately 1000 congregations in Zimbabwe (mainly those that have grown from mission work started by New Zealand Churches of Christ and currently in partnership with Australian and New Zealand churches) belong to the association. (There is also a National Convention.) Zimbabwean churches continue to grow although the country currently faces huge food, economic, political and AIDS problems.

One hundred years of teaching in the South Pacific

Ranwadi Churches of Christ College (high school) in Vanuatu is celebrating its centenary, November 20-24. This school has an excellent reputation - many national leaders attended 'Ranwadi' and many people have come to faith there. Churches of Christ were established in Vanuatu (until 1981 known as the New Hebrides) in 1901. About one in twenty-five people in this nation are members of Churches of Christ, probably the highest ratio of any country where our movement is represented. You can meet people from Vanuatu at World Convention next year!

Twenty-first Restoration Forum honours World Convention

Three hundred people attended the annual Restoration Forum held this year in Johnson City, Tennessee, USA in mid October. This forum celebrates the common heritage of all three streams of the Stone-Campbell movement in the USA and with program participants from across the movement, explores diverse topics in the interest of building up understanding and relationships. Lyndsay & Lorraine Jacobs, General Secretaries of World Convention, were added to the Forum's Honor Roll of Christian Unity.

"One Church, One Vision"

More than 5,600 Disciples from the USA and Canada attended the biennial General Assembly in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA October 17-21. Chris Hobgood was installed as interim General Minister and President until the next Assembly in Portland, Oregon in 2005. Retiring GMP Richard Hamm was recognised for his 'ten years of remarkable leadership'. In future all Assemblies will be held in the summer. http://www.disciples.org

World Convention updates

- The fourth quarter 2003 issue of World Christian will be mailed at the end of November. It will include Are We There Yet?, a paper by the General Secretaries of World Convention, giving a personal view of the direction of our movement globally in the coming decades. If you are not on the mailing list, email your name & address to worldconv@aol.com
- Program and local arrangements meetings for the World Convention in Brighton, July 28 - August 1 next year are being held in the United Kingdom in the first week of November. Please pray for this vital 'family gathering' and attend if you possibly can! Those requesting tours, travel and accommodation through the World Convention office are urged to do so before the end of the year to ensure first choices.

Eleven: Eleven - Get Connected!

Have you set your watch yet? Join our every-time-zone prayer partnership daily at 11:11 am!
1. Thank God for what you have; pray for what you need.
2. Include any person around you in your prayer.
3. Be truthful if you are asked what is happening (an opportunity for witness).
4. Remember your global church family and that you are a loved and commissioned member of the whole church of Jesus Christ.

Please pray for:

- The National Convention of the Associated Churches of Christ in New Zealand, Dates now known: November 7-9. President: John Fulford.
- The annual National Missionary Convention (Christian Churches/Churches of Christ in the USA) in Cincinnati, Ohio, November 20-23. President: Greg Pruett.
- Gandep Bible School in Papua New Guinea holding its first graduation service, November 29-30.

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 in at least 165 countries

PLEASE TELL 'WORLD CONVENTION' WHAT YOU ARE DOING!

"It is through faith that all of you are God's children in union with Christ Jesus. You were baptised into union with Christ and now you are 'clothed' with the life of Christ himself. So there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, slaves and free, men and women; you are all one in union with Jesus Christ." Gal 3: 26-28.