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Introducing Mission First!
 Dear colleagues in ministry -
It's likely your faith community has done some visioning in the last few years. The general expression of the Church is doing the same. As the year 2020 nears, it is time to listen for God's continuing call and to seek together where God is calling Disciples next in our shared mission and ministry.
Addressing the 2014 General Board, I set out a challenge: "The time has come to lighten our load and tighten our focus - on mission! I am inviting our church, in all its expressions, to join in a conversation on God's mission for Disciples today." (audio of address)
Since General Board, a group of Disciples from many professional and cultural backgrounds has been meeting about just how to find this new focus. They will present a proposal called Mission First! to the General Board in April 2015. The proposal will include a call to mission and a pilot model for helping us identify a common direction in mission. If the General Board approves the process outlined, we will discuss it further in Columbus at the General Assembly.
Mission First! addresses the need to find a new shared focus in mission. We are not setting aside pro-reconciliation/anti-racism, new and transforming churches or leadership development. Mission First! seeks to help Disciples identify the next mission priorities God has for us as we move toward the year 2020 and beyond.
At the heart of this process are Mission Gatherings where we hope you and your leaders will participate in sharing what your congregation is passionate about doing in the mission field. These gatherings may take place at your 2016 regional or racial/ethnic assemblies or at camp or other places where Disciples gather. A Church-wide Mission Council will receive the information from the gatherings and identify a mission focus for a specified time.
Moving forward in this way would call for reorganization of our general church governance structures,, so I am asking for a provisional try - a trial run up until 2017. Based on what we learn, we would anticipate making some permanent changes at the 2017 assembly.
A more detailed letter was mailed to you in late January. Look for more information in the Communique that will come out after the April board meeting. I look forward to finding collaborative ways for all three expressions of our Church to SOAR!
In mission and witness together -
 _______ Week of Compassion lasting all year  | |
Transitional Program Associate Dawn Barnes and Executive Director Vy Ngyuen
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by Week of Compassion In 2015 we would love to see how you, your congregation, your community are putting your Compassion into Action! Are there mission opportunities where you have put your compassion in action? How do you partner with Week of Compassion? There are so many ways that we as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) put our Compassion into Action...EVERY SINGLE DAY....all around the WORLD! And this year we want to SEE your Compassion in Action! We are asking you to post a picture with the Week of Compassion logo and a caption of you, your congregation, your community, your compassion in action on our Facebook page, tag us at "Week of Compassion" or e-mail it to us and if you tweet use the hashtag #compassioninaction so that everyone can see how many ways that we make a difference around the world, every single day! You can download the logo from our website or we can send you one from the office, just drop us an e-mail.
Invite at least 3 of your friends to do the same, make it your Facebook profile or cover picture, tag others to post their pictures of #compassioninaction. Let's see how many people and how many ways our compassion reaches from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth this year! _______
Disciples Church Extension Fund co-sponsors ecumenical seminar on buildings
Are you looking for an event that might give your congregation the information and inspiration needed to pursue creative, resourceful and strategic solutions to your building issues? "Buildings for a New Tomorrow" may be right down your alley. Presented by the Episcopal Church Building Fund and sponsored by the Disciples Church Extension Fund, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Mission Investment Fund, and the United Church of Christ Building & Loan Fund, this ecumenical event in April is chock-full of empowering and hope-filled messages and ideas. For more information, visit http://www.ecbf.org/bfnt/
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Greater Kansas City region opens regional minister search The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Greater Kansas City is seeking to call an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to the position of Regional Minister. A Regional Profile and Position Description are posted on http://kcdisciples.org/ All applicants are required to provide updated search and call paper work in order to be considered. Furthermore, all applicants are required to submit a letter of interest to the Greater Kansas City Regional Office addressed to: Search Committee Chairperson, Christian Church of Greater Kansas City, 7600 W 75th St, Suite 6, Overland Park, KS 66204-2894.
The application deadline is Feb. 28, 2015 ________ | 
