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‘We hear you, God!’ Fifth Christian Church finds new life in mission
When Fifth Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Cleveland, Ohio called Rev. E. Regis Bunch to serve as Transitional Pastor, its community of faith stood at a crossroads. “The congregation knew they were experiencing a deep decline, but they didn’t have consensus...
Washington camp is making a comeback after a devastating fire
Gwinwood Retreat Center, a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) camp in the Northern Lights Region, sits at the edge of Hicks Lake in Lacey, WA. On a good day, you can see Mt. Rainier in the distance. But on July 4, 2023, the only thing Gwinwood’s neighbors across...
Why do Rev. Dr. Dick Hamm and his wife Mindy support New Ways into the World?
When Rev. Dr. Richard Hamm, then-General Minister and President, and other church leaders dreamed up the 2020 Vision, none of them imagined the global pandemic that 2020 would bring. However, the 2020 Vision – with its prescription for new churches, revitalized...
DCEF supports Illinois church to provide community healthcare
When the new pastor of Memorial Christian Church walked by the “for sale” sign in the front yard in 2020, she expected a short, sad tenure with this small church in Peoria, Ill. Of course, that was before there were bouncy castles in the sanctuary. Although the...
Leadership Academy introduces new ‘architecture’ for new church movement
Iconic North American architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s “church of the future” proved a fitting setting to introduce DisciplesNEXT, a new framework for New Church Ministry (NCM) in a pandemic-informed ministry context. More than 50 clergy and laity gathered for...
DCEF Helps Texas Disciples Find ‘New Ways Into the World’
In 2014, First Christian Church (FCC), Odessa, Texas, was literally in a bad place. Membership was down. The building had significant accessibility issues and was hidden from view behind another church. Without transformation, the congregation would perish. So, First...
Alabama Church Survives Hurricane, Relies on Insurance Claim Advocate in the Aftermath
On Wednesday, September 16, 2020, at the corner of Highway 59 and Keller Road in Foley, Ala., a sign read: “South Baldwin Christian Church 1/2 mile W.” When Hurricane Sally made landfall that day, Foley – and the sign – stood directly in the path. Sally’s winds ripped...
Latinx Congregation Shares Faith ‘In-Between’
When describing the ministry of Comunidad Limen Christian Church, the organizing pastor of this Latinx, Spanish-speaking, open-and-affirming congregation in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) pauses. “Have you seen the movie Luca?” While it’s not typical...
Colorado Church Leads Childcare and Housing Crisis Response
Fort Collins, Colo., is by no means a metropolis, yet it struggles with issues many densely populated cities face: affordable housing and childcare. Heart of the Rockies Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) (HRCC), blessed with large acreage, recognized the need and...
