ChristiaNet
Monthly Global News and Information of the
Christian - Churches of Christ - Disciples of Christ family of churches
from World Convention
Number 5 - August 2003
To contact us, or discontinue, write to worldconv@aol.com ChristiaNet uses a send-only address.
This issue of ChristiaNet is being written in England
where we are continuing work with local folk on program and other details for
the next World Convention. The 16th World Convention in Brighton is just
a year away. It opens on the last Wednesday in July (28th) 2004 and finishes
on the first Sunday in August (1st). Many ChristiaNet readers will have received
the special coloured issue of World Christian mailed in June with the latest
details of the convention. We have had a great response to that. If you are
able to come we urge you to register as soon as possible (now) to make sure
you get your accommodation and tour options. Read the brochure carefully
and send in your response! (To obtain a copy email: worldconv@aol.com)
Lorraine was able to make a short visit to the Pan European Lectureship
of the a cappella Churches of Christ in Geneva, Switzerland, while in the UK.
About 150 people gathered. We are grateful for the ever-growing interest
of churches of Christ in the family fellowship and networking that World
Convention offers.
The ministry of World Convention
is dedicated to building up fellowship, understanding and common purpose within
our family of churches. The quadrennial conventions play an important part
in this but we know that not everybody can get to a World Convention. Through
ChristiaNet, World Christian, World Convention Sunday, 'family'-inclusive
brochures, email, regular mailings, our web site (www.worldconvention.org)
and staff visiting we seek to build up an 'everyday' sense of family within
our global movement.
More congregations than ever before
are celebrating World Convention Sunday this year. We recommend the first Sunday
in August - August 3 this year. This is a special opportunity for churches
to look at their common heritage, characteristics and destiny - and give
thanks for the unifying ministry of World Convention. World Communion Sunday
- the first Sunday in October - is an opportunity to celebrate our part in
the whole church of Jesus Christ. We need to remember always that unity was
the 'polar star' for our pioneers who saw division as a huge, un-Godly barrier
to the effective sharing of the Gospel. They sought the renewal and unity
of the church as envisioned in the New Testament.
The city of Brasilia
was established only a little over forty years ago as a new, visionary federal
capital for Brazil. We recall Brasilia's beginnings and it was exciting to
make our first visit mid-July. This was in fact our first visit to South
America. What we did not know was that David and Ruth Sanders, Christian
Church missionaries from the USA, had begun establishing churches in this
area sixty years ago and dreamed of establishing churches in Brasilia just
as soon as it was established. They were ready. We were amazed to discover
that there are now as many as eighty enthusiastic Christian Church/Churches
of Christ congregations in this city of 2.5 million. The surprise didn't
end there. Phil & Tabita McAfee (our hosts) took us to visit several
congregations in the surrounding state - but we could visit only a handful
of the 300 congregations in this state of Goias! Some of these churches are
mega churches too; 700, 800 - even 1500. There is a passion for growth. One
church had already started 24 new churches. Each of these churches is committed
to starting another. The goal of the mother congregation is 200 new congregations
within a decade. David (now an active 86 years old) told us that there are
now Churches of Christ/Christian churches and/or a cappella Churches of Christ
in every state in Brazil. We can only touch on the details here (more in
the next World Christian) but this is a common story around the world. We
did not do everything right in the 20th Century but it was a century of tremendous
growth into about 140 new countries. The witness in these countries is always
faithful; in many it is also very extensive. Let us give thanks for the work
of God, through the people of God.
Our retirement at the end of 2004
means the appointment of new World Convention Executive staff. This is a final
reminder that applications or expressions of interest for the position of
General Secretary are to be in the hands of the search committee convened
by World Convention President, Dr David Thompson, at dmt3@hermes.cam.ac.uk
by September 8th. Information can be obtained from David.
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.
Lorraine & Lyndsay Jacobs
PLEASE KEEP WORLD CONVENTION INFORMED ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE DOING!
'I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the
calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with
patience, accepting one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the
Spirit in the bond of peace.' Ephesians 4: 1-3