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NEW CHURCH MINISTRY AND YOUR PENTECOST OFFERING |
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The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Illinois & Wisconsin |
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| Disciples new churches started since January
2001 topped 101 in November with the opening of an Hispanic congregation
in Texas. Since 1953, annual church growth has reached its highest point
with 61 new congregations in 2002. Establishing new congregations is the
first step toward renewing overall membership growth, according to church
consultant George Bullard.
Why start new churches? Rick Morse, New Church Ministry director states: If this were just about numbers, we obviously would have cause for celebration. But this whole effort (of starting new congregations) is about being responsive to the movement of the Holy Spirit. We experience miracles every day with this work. The numbers can't begin to measure the real impact of this movement. So many lives are being transformed by the encounter with the love of God. By 2006, New Church Ministry staff of Church Extension expect new church growth to reach 2%. General Minister and President Richard Hamm is excited about the new church movement within the Disciples of Christ. The new church movement continues to inspire Disciples with an outstanding response to the call of God to make new disciples. New church planters operate much the same way as their counterparts in the 1900s when this church was expanding faster than any other on the American Frontier. They are stepping out on faith, leaving paying jobs and even their homes to launch churches in the places where they are needed most. Where does the money come from? One source of funding for the effort is in the New Church Ministry Annual Fund, which has a goal of $265,000 for the year. To date, about $221,500 is committed. Another source of funding that helps establish new Disciples congregations comes from your Pentecost Offering. When you contribute, 1/2 your amount goes to Church Extension and 1/2 comes back to the CCIW Region to help the Region's New Church Committee in their work of establishing new congregations. Other things your money does is provide training for new church planters, provide help with funding issues as well as some seed money to help the church planter begin his/her work. This new arrangement, according to Matthew Keith, (pastor at FCC, Canton and the CCIW Region's Pentecost chair), is part of the new Disciples Mission Fund. Our goal in this first year of the new program is to double our Pentecost offering to deliver a massive boost to our new church efforts. So why should I contribute to the Pentecost offering? New are a few facts about new churches (contributed by Rick Morse, New Church Ministry director): ►New churches reach those with no faith community in greater numbers than existing congregations! ►New churches make a HUGE impact on people's lives. ►Un-churched people are more likely to try a new church than an existing congregation. ►New churches generate large numbers of future church leaders. ►New Congregations bring energy to the whole church! The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has been empowered with the vision of starting 1000 new churches in 1000 different ways by the year 2020. The CCIW Region is committed to doing its part in this tremendous witness of Christ and the church. On the other side you will find information about two of our New Church Starts. Watch the CCIW website and the Mission Opportunities Packet for more information about how you can play a part in starting new churches for today's children. Page 2 highlights our two churches in formation. Read on! |