Information and Assessment Webinar

Before we start…

• Thank you for coming today!• For sound:– Turn on your computer speakers

• Slides and a recording of this session will be available at www.disciples.org

• Ask your questions any time using the question tool; we will answer as many as we can today

• Context for the information seminary and the survey

Opening

Introduction of Presenters Opening Prayer Purpose of the Information Session

Provide an update regarding Proposals 1-8 Provide information related to the research

and work for Proposal 9 Test via online survey the work of the

Proposal 9 working group. The feedback via the survey will be used by

MACC and the Proposal 9 working group.

History of MACC

2008 General Board adopted “Principles for Mission Alignment” and the “Desired Outcomes of Mission Alignment”

Authorized GMP and Moderator to appoint MACC

MACC met with general, regional, racial / ethnic and congregational representatives

MACC worked with Gil Rendle, consultant MACC members are:

Lay and clergy; male and female; ages 35 and up; general and regional ministry staff, youth workers, Elders, black, white, Hispanic and Asian.

The 2009 General Board approved the 9 MACC proposals

Principles for Mission Alignment

Priority Focused Design Guided Future leaning Promote true community by

embracing diversity Practice good stewardship Empower and enhance the networks

of the church Encourage partnerships

Desired Outcomes

Clarity about the General Board’s responsibility for the mission of the church

Congregations resourced for mission A focus on the mission priorities Networking and Partnership Streamlined General Church

Administration Attention to ongoing ministries

One church embracing our diversity

Proposals 1 and 2

Proposal 1Creation of a Covenantal Dialogue process for General Ministries

Proposal 2 The General Minister and President’s Pastoral Table

Proposals 3 and 4

Proposal 3The missional alignment of North American Pacific Asian Disciples in like manner to the Central Pastoral Office for Hispanic Ministries

Proposal 4The permanent allocation the General Ministries escrow fund

Proposals 5 and 6

Proposal 7A conversation regarding the role, future, placement and representation of Disciples Women in the life of the church

Proposal 6Networking the justice and advocacy associations of the church

Proposal 7 and 8

Proposal 7 Enhanced conversations between the Council on Christian Unity and the Office of the General Minister and President

Proposal 8 Convening a table to enhance the partnership between regions, racial / ethnic ministries and new church ministries of Church Extension

Proposal 9

Goal is to fulfill our imperative to resource congregations for mission

Purpose is to convene leaders of General, Regional, Racial / Ethnic and Congregational ministries to discover how the church can best accomplish its imperative (to resource congregations for mission); and to enhance the collaborative opportunities for shared partnership within the church

Proposal 9 Outcomes

Identified a new apostolic era, marked by four landscapes for ministry in the 21st Century

Eight Habits of transformed/transforming congregations

Eight ways forward

Desired Outcomes

Education and information to and from congregational members

Identify understandings and misunderstandings regarding the nature and purpose of regional and general ministries

Provide insight to regional and general ministries as to the contextual needs of congregations and how we might form partnership for mission

Test the work of MACC Proposal Nine group related to how congregations are resourced for mission

Participation and Representation HELM, DHM, DOM, CE Racial / Ethnic Ministries: National

Convocation, National Christian Missionary Convention, National Hispanic and Bi-Lingual Fellowship, and North American Pacific Asian Disciples

Specialized Ministries: ODW Regional Ministries Congregational Representatives Members of MACC

Landscapes for Ministry

New Apostolic Era defined by four landscapes: Mission and the Margins Evangelism and Witness The Gift of Diversity Technological Revolution

New Apostolic Era

An Apostolic era is defined as the church: Making a witness in a culture that does not

know it Offering a witness across cultural, racial, or

ethnic lines In an era of new technology

1st century Christianity spread along Roman roads

16th century Christianity spread through the advent of the printing press

21st century social technology and digital media are new technologies available to the Christian community

New Apostolic Era Continued We are in a new “apostolic era” of

growing secularism and growing racial / cultural / ethnic diversity; coupled with the possibilities for communication (technological)

We are living in an era where the church is de-centered from community

Mission and the Margins Congregations founded in the “center square”

of the community have a unique opportunity to revision ministry

The church founded as the “Center of Community” (mainline) does not have the voice it once had

The theology of marginalized communities often provides avenues for claiming voice and place in the midst of dominant community

We have an opportunity to partner with people who are globally and domestically on the margins

Technology is an avenue to connect with our global partners

Setting for Evangelism and Witness The church has a rich opportunity to name our

faith in a culture that is multi-cultural, spiritual but not religious, and inter-faith

In order to be effective for evangelism and witness: Congregations need resources to talk about what it

means to be the church and Christians given the current context

The church needs to reclaim an evangelical witness The church must gain clarity about how to articulate

that witness in both word and deed The church has to reclaim and re-teach foundational

theological language and concepts

Gift of Diversity

Diversity is inclusive of theology, social location, race, culture, language, and experience.

Christian unity is strengthened by diversity Our deepest strength emerges in

conversation and dialogue with one another

Wholeness (unity) requires respectful engagement within our diversity

Living into our diversity is an opportunity for evangelism and witness given the changing face of the US and Canada.

Technological Revolution Technology

Has the potential to unite and divide the church Makes us aware that the world is already on our

doorstep The church has a new missional opportunity to

be church via social networking / digital media Key Observations:

A challenge is to integrate the place of “The Table” and the concept of relationship ministry within the technological revolution

Technologically based ministry redefines relational ministry

Congregations, Regions and General Ministries have an opportunity to connect in new and innovative ways

Eight Habits of Faithful and Fruit-bearing Congregations Live as a joyful, spiritual community

Engage in God’s transforming mission Develop gifts, vision and competence in leaders Create intentional processes which invite people in

congregations to identify and use their gifts and passions

Articulate and share the good news with evangelical fervor

Recognize and learn from the diversity of the Body of Christ

Try new things and regularly evaluate our ministries Deepen relationships with the wider and global church

Habits and Best Practices of General and Regional Ministries (8 Ways

Forward) Hosting inclusive decision-making and strategy tables Collaboration in leadership development/training Transparency in communication Utilize Common Evaluation Norms for services,

resources, and ministries Find ways to streamline communication Build relationships Strengthen resources and seminary education for

racial/ethnic Disciples to match the context of ministry Practice humility and openness to new organizational

models with an eye toward providing geographical proximity of support to congregations

Question and Answer Time

Please use the question feature to pose questions to the presenter.

Please watch your e-mail for a survey link.

Thank you for participating in the MACC Proposal 9 Webinar.