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What gifts shall we bring?
The Christmas Offering of Disciples Mission Fund (DMF)  benefits the regions of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), one of the most tangible ways our congregations become a community of communities. Whether it is camping together, meeting as Disciples Women or pitching in to get rice and beans to the hungry, the region plays a key role in doing together what we cannot do apart - and it often involves luggage.
The scripture chosen for the 2013 offering (collected in most congregations Dec. 15 and 22) is Matthew 2:11 - "They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh." (The Message)
On the DMF website, the regions offer this word: "We may think ourselves incapable of giving such gifts until we remember that the good news of Jesus' birth also came to common folk like the shepherds, and that extravagance comes in many forms.... Whatever gift you bring, give it joyfully; that's the kind of giving that makes God smile, and therein lies the secret of its extravagance."
Customized bulletin inserts for several regions as well as generic materials and logos are available on the DMF website.
Authors examine facets of revitalized ministry, church planting
Most people believe in an "ideal type" for revitalizing a ministry or church planting - entrepreneurial, a born leader and risk-taker - as if a checklist of attributes is all that matters. But a desire to serve others and dedication to scripture matters at least as much as personality type. Having seen success with diverse personalities and gifts, Allan Karr and Linda Bergquist challenge limiting ideas.
For ministers, it's easy to want everyone to just come to their church. But Bergquist offers this advice: "Really consider if that's realistic. Share volunteers, share community news, and let go of trying to be all things to all people."
Both Bergquist and Karr lift up the role of "ordinary" Christians can support new and revitalizing churches. People can help connect churches with resources such as meeting spaces. Prayer provides an incredible opportunity to help. Established churches can even host "baby showers" for church plants, engaging people of all ages.
Karr and Berquist expand on these ideas in The Wholehearted Church Planter: Leadership from the inside out. The book has an introspective quality that makes it a useful tool for self-reflection for anyone thinking about following Christ in a new way either through planting or revitalization. It is useful for individuals considering church planting because it affirms the wealth of gifts and circumstances that lead people to build communities of faith.
The book can be pre-ordered from www.chalicepress.com
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