ChristiaNet
Monthly Global News and Information of the
Christian - Churches of Christ - Disciples of Christ family of churches
from World Convention
ChristiaNet Number 11 - February 2004
To contact us, or discontinue, write to worldconv@aol.com - ChristiaNet uses a send-only address.
Excitement Building for 'Brighton' World Convention.
With less than six months to go until the 16th World Convention (Christian - Churches of Christ - Disciples of Christ) in Brighton, England everything is coming together for this high point in our global fellowship. We have a 'best ever' program which will inspire, inform and equip those who are able to attend. You can register at the convention but we strongly recommend registering before hand so that we can keep you well informed. And you will be saved a long wait. Those who need visas for the United Kingdom should register immediately so we can organise your support letter. Registrations are in from twenty-six countries so far. At this time, unfortunately, there is no fund to assist conventioners. You must meet all your own expenses. World Convention tours A, B C & D (see World Christian coloured issue - number 41) covering Britain and Europe, all have places thanks to the addition of three extra coaches. Ask for an information/registration brochure at worldconv@aol.com or visit www.worldconvention.org
167 Chapters - in a book that will never be printed!
World Convention is writing a book with 167 chapters - national profiles of each country where there are Christian - Churches of Christ - Disciples of Christ churches. It's a book that will never be printed and never be finished - but it's on the World Convention web site now! (www.worldconvention.org) The first fifty-six chapters have been written! The most recent additions are South Korea and Haiti each of which have about 500 congregations and a great deal of other work. Tell us what we need to correct or add. Maybe you can send us information to help with the remaining 111 chapters we are working on!
Special Focus
The ministry of World Convention gratefully received a five page special focus highlighting Brighton in the February 8 issue of the Christian Standard. The February 15 issue focussed on the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ North American Christian Convention, July 5-8 in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Information: www.christianstandard.com
Joy and excitement in Thailand
Over 4000 people enjoyed the Lisu Christian Convention hosted by the Lisu Bible Institute, December 12-15. More than 1500 camped at the campus for each of the three nights.
USA Disciples growing
Eighty-two new church starts in The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the USA & Canada in 2003, represent a 2.14% growth according to Rick Morse, Lead Minister for New Church Ministry. He estimates that this has added 8,500 to 11,000 Disciples - a level of growth that has not occurred for close to a century.
Chaplains in Australia
Of 112 full time and part time Protestant chaplains in the Australian Defence Force, about twenty-five are from Churches of Christ - ten of them full time. There are about 500 congregations of Churches of Christ in Australia. (The names 'Christian Church' and 'Disciples of Christ' are seldom used in Australia. Commonwealth countries traditionally used the British, 'Churches of Christ'.)
Canadian Church Planting.
Churches of Christ/Christian Churches and Disciples of Christ in Canada, are supporting a wider national effort to establish 10,000 new churches in Canada by 2015. Jim Litteral (a Canadian, serving in New Zealand for many years until recently), and Martin Robinson from the Fellowship of Churches of Christ in Britain (& opening night speaker at World Convention on July 28), met at the interdenominational church planting conference in Vancouver, Canada last November.
The first quarter issue of World Christian with more exciting news of our churches and the upcoming convention will be mailed early in March. If you're not on the mailing list, send your postal address to worldconv@aol.com right away.
Items for prayer:
- The continuing search process for a new General Secretary of World Convention to take office January 1, 2005. It is hoped that the called person will be set aside for this ministry at 'Brighton' and begin later this year to provide 'overlap' with the current executive staff who retire December 31.
- How to Create a Vibrant Senior Adult Ministry in Your Church - sponsored by Christian Seniors Fellowship and Church Development Fund at Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, Kentucky - the largest congregation of Christian Churches/Churches of Christ. February 19-20. www.SoutheastChristian.org
- Jamaica Churches of Christ/Christian Churches Youth Convention, February 25.
- March 1-2: Fellowship of Churches of Christ in Britain LINK (leadership) Conference.
- March 15: Global Day of Prayer for Burma. We have members of our church family involved in this Christians Concerned for Burma focus. www.prayforburma.org
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 at least 167 countries.
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'As one totally captured by God then, I beg you to live lives worthy of your high calling. Accept life with humility and patience, making allowances for each other because you love each other.' Ephesians 4:1-2.