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Report on the
158th Regional Assembly of the Christian Church (DOC) in Georgia
November
9-10, 2007 - Sandy Springs Christian Church
 Seeing Visions
and Dreaming Dreams:
We are the People We’re Waiting For
Page
2 - Saturday
For Friday's Report Click HERE
On all photos - click on the thumbnail for a
larger image.
Saturday Morning - November 10
Breakfast
The day dawned bright and early with 7:30
breakfast meetings for both Christian Women and Men. Breakfast was
served together before the men adjourned to the Sanctuary leaving the
women hear Rev. Wendy Miles.
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| Dr. Ray Miles
says grace |
French Toast
Casserole, bacon and sausage |
Good
Fellowship |
Rev. Wendy
Miles |
Rev. Wendy Miles spoke to the Women. She
challenged the women to think outside the box and to dream what God is
guiding us to be. What are the new dreams that God has for us now?
she asked, suggesting that Women's Ministries can be much more that just
CWF. She encouraged the Women to stop every day and fall in love
with the dreamer of dreams - Jesus - asking "what dreams do you have for
me today." She pointed out that "We can do anything that God calls
us to do."
Rev. Randy Johnson spoke to the Men. Randy read
John 21, the story of Jesus coming to the disciples after his
resurrection and helping them with their fishing. He pointed out
that Jesus taught them to fish a different way, from the other side of
the boat. But he never told them to stop fishing. Randy said
that some churches spend all their time worrying about what they aren't
- they worry they don't have a praise band or a large Sunday School.
He pointed out that God wants us to be the very best we can be with the
gifts that he has given us.
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| Men's
President John Anderson |
Rev. Randy
Johnson |
The men |
Rev. Ray Miles
and Moderator Brad Miller get ready for the business session. |
Workshops - Morning
At 9:00am every one broke into workshops.
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| An Interfaith Poetry Circle: a
Celebration of Love, Longing and Desire |
Being a
Disciple...Who We Are and What We Believe |
Church Transformation |
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| Spiritual
Transformation and Cleanliness through Forgiveness |
Welcoming All God's Children: Practicing Biblical Hospitality
among Gays and Lesbians and straight Disciples |
Churches
Planting New Churches |
Church Transformation… led by the
Regional Church Transformation Team
This session provided a chance for congregations engaged in
transformation or interested in it to meet and share what they are doing
and learn how the Regional Church Transformation Team can assist.
Being a Disciple...Who We Are and What
We Believe... Dr. Glenn Carson, President of Disciples Historical
Society. This workshop covered the foundational principles of what
it means to be called Disciples. From the New Testament, to Unity, to
the Table, Disciples principles were highlighted to tie the past to the
future.
Welcoming All God's Children:
Hospitality with Gays and Lesbians… Leland Mott, First Christian
Church of Atlanta
The Body of Christ is called to be hospitable to all. It has been
difficult for the church to welcome people who are gay or lesbian. This
workshop included a panel discussion of how the congregation can be a
safe and hospitable place which encourages all people to worship and
relate.
An Interfaith Poetry Circle: a
Celebration of Love, Longing and Desire... Rev. Phil Foster,
Disciple therapist in Atlanta
This presentation focused on the visionary quality of ecstatic poetry.
The connection between spirituality and sexuality was explored through
the sharing of poems from several faith traditions. Included was the
poetry of Mirabi, the Song of Songs, Tagore and Rumi.
Spiritual Transformation and
Cleanliness through Forgiveness… Rev. Leon Jones
The workshop focused on the importance of and necessity for forgiveness
as it pertains to salvation. It scripturally taught that if we do not
forgive others, God will not forgive us. The choice between heaven and
hell is determined by a forgiving and repentant heart.
Churches Planting New Churches...
Rev. Gilberto Collazo, Vice President for New Church Establishment for
the Disciples of Christ
This workshop focused on the strategy of congregations who wish to be
involved in the establishment of new churches as part of their
congregation mission rather than leaving that to other parts of the
church.
Regional Business Meeting
At 10:45 the Regional Assembly Business
Meeting was called to order by Moderator Brad Miller. The Regional
Staff each gave their reports. Financial Reports were presented.
Reports of the Commissions of the Region were also presented by not
read.
Read the Staff and Commission
Reports presented at the Regional Assembly (PDF Format, 500k)
Financial Reports are available on the
REPORTS PAGE.
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| Moderator Rev.
Brad Miller |
Rev. Betty
Brewer-Calvert |
Rev. Michael
Weeks |
Rev. Dr. Ray
Miles |
During his presentation, Dr. Miles gave thanks for the
other members of the regional staff, the elected leaders and volunteers
of the Region. Ray pointed out the very large list of
congregations that have new ministers and said that this was a sign that
positions were being filled. Ray further pointed out the six new
congregations currently in formation and said that "God's wind is
blowing in a fresh new way to enable us to start new churches."
"God has dangled a vision in front of us," he continued, "a vision of
new congregations . . . a vision of renewed congregations. . . a dream
that we will change lives . . . and that the church will be
overflowing." "What can we be if we dream the dream," he asked.
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| Rev. R. Woods Kent |
Presented a Regional Ministers pin |
"Woody" Kent |
Rev. Darrell Vandervort |
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| Rev. Roger
Sizemore |
Jocelyn Wheaton |
Rev. Brad
Miller |
Dr. Miles then called Rev. R. Woods Kent to the front
to be presented with a Regional Ministers Pin. Woody retired in
1996 as regional minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
in Virginia. He has also served as Church Finance Council
executive, director of development for National Benevolent
Association services in Indiana, and was a former associate regional
minister in Florida.
Ray also presented gifts to outgoing regional board
members Rev. Darrell Vandervort, Rev. Roger Sizemore, Jocelyn Wheaton
and Rev. Brad Miller.
Youth Activity Council
 While
the Regional Business meeting was going on upstairs, the Youth Activity
Council was in "the Pit" - Sandy Springs Youth room - planning the 2008
Youth-a-Palooza with Rev. Michael Weeks.
Lunch
  Sandy
Springs Volunteers again prepared an outstanding meal - Lunch consisted
of roast pork, dressing, green beans and another excellent salad.
Workshops - Afternoon
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| Beyond the
Choir: Drama and Dance in Worship |
Sabbatical for
Pastors: A Church's Blessing |
Seeing Visions
and Dreaming Dreams |
Reconciliation |
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Information for Church Treasurers |
Listening to God: Prayer and Contemplative Ministry |
Beyond the Choir: Drama and Dance in Worship...
Rev. Nancy Oliver, Peachtree Christian Church
The workshop provided an introduction to creatively incorporate Drama
and Dance into Worship services.
Listening to God: Prayer and Contemplative
Ministry… Rev. Doug Job, Interim Pastor Sandy Springs Christian
Church
This group heard what Sandy Springs Christian Church experienced when
about 90 members covenanted to meet in "Prayer and Share" Triplets this
past spring. Each group of three met ten times for about 100 minutes
each session to read, reflect, listen, and pray. The triplets' work
helped "discern" rather than "decide on" a vision and Future Story for
the congregation.
Sabbatical for Pastors: A Church's Blessing…
Rev. Dr. Brad Miller, Brookhaven Christian Church
This group discussed the issues of the Biblical basis for sabbatical;
clergy burnout; congregational and pastoral planning for sabbatical
leaves; the financial costs; and the spiritual renewal that can come
with a well planned sabbatical.
Bible Study on the Assembly Passages... Dr.
Stan Saunders, Professor at Columbia Theological Seminary
Bible study on the base passages of the Assembly, Joel 2:28 and Acts
2:17
A Handbook for Church Treasurers and Officers...
Rick Reisinger, Vice President of Church Extension
This workshop introduced a new handbook which has been produced by
various church entities to assist church treasurers and others working
with money in the church.
Reconciliation... Jocelyn Wheaton, God’s City
of Refuge, Atlanta
This group discussed the anti-racism/pro-reconciliation work in the
church.
Closing Worship The 137 congregants present were put in the
spirit of worship by the Iglesia El Aposento Alto Praise Team from
Jonesboro, Georgia. The team serenaded the assembly in both
Spanish and English. Members of the Youth Activities Council then led
the Call to worship followed by an invocation prayer led by Red. Dr.
Percy Johnson Jr. of God's City of Refuge in Atlanta. Rev. Leland
Collins then gave a short message from the Georgia Christian Council in
which he encouraged us to "be the body of Christ."
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| Iglesia El Aposento
Alto Praise Team |
Members of the
Youth Activities Council |
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Members of YAC lead the call to worship. |
Rev. Dr. Percy
Johnson Jr. |
Rev. Leland Collins |
Following another song by Iglesia El Aposento Alto,
the assembly heard from Mr. Rick Reisinger, Vice President of Church
Extension. Rick explained that the mission of Church Extension was
to provide "mission effective" capital assistance to disciples
congregations. They are working hard on new services for all
disciple congregations including assessment tools and capital funding
loans. Rick said that twenty five congregations in Georgia have
received a total of $11.2 Million in loans. Across the U.S. and
Canada Church Extension has loaned a total of $153 Million.
Mrs. Ana Guardiola, Community Christian Church in
Fayetteville and Ms. Wanda Zayas of Iglesia El Aposento Alto in
Jonesboro read Acts 2:14-21 in both Spanish and English.
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| Iglesia El Aposento
Alto |
Mr. Rick Reisinger |
Mrs. Ana Guardiola
Ms. Wanda Zayas |
The second part of the
Dreaming Dreams Video was shown followed by the offering conducted
by Rev. Michael Weeks. Dr. Ray Miles installed the officers of the Region for the coming year.
Moderator Rev. Dr. Milton West,
Moderator-Elect Vinnetta Golphin-Wilkerson, Treasurer Rod Baker,
Secretary Rev. Sam Nichols. 2010 Class of Board Members: Angel
Guardiola, Leigh Ann Tatum and Pat Brannen.
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Dr. Miles installs the Regional Board Members |
Dr. Miles led the Assembly in communion with the
assistance of the new Regional Moderator Rev. Dr. Milton West and
Regional Moderator-Elect Rev. Vinetta Golphin-Wilkerson. The
special communion music "The Majesty and Glory of Your Name" was
performed by the choir of Central Christian Church of Augusta.
Rev. Betty Brewer-Calvert led the Assembly in the Pastoral Prayer
followed by another song from Augusta: "Joyful, Joyful Sing Praise."
Medie Still then introduced our speaker for the evening,
Rev. Gilberto Collazo.
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Communion |
Central Christian Church Augusta
Choir |
Rev. Betty Brewer-Calvert |
Mr. Medie Still |
In his Sermon, Rev. Collazo asked if were were "risk
takers or bystanders." He encouraged members of the
 Assembly
to "Step out in faith and take risks." Gilberto used Exodus 14:10,
where the Israelites tell Moses that they would rather have stayed
slaves in Egypt than to die in the desert. He pointed out that God
told the Israelites to move on across the sea - but he also gave Moses
the power to part the sea. But the sea only parted AFTER the
Israelites started moving. "There was a call to get moving," he
said, "even when things looked impossible."
 The
Disciples of Christ were given a "before the Red Sea" experience when
they were presented with the "Vision for 2020" by Rev. Dick Hamm.
When faced with a steep decline in membership and congregations we were
challenged to form 1000 new congregations by 2020. Gilberto said
"We have not been called to failure. What we need, God has put in
our hands as he put the staff in Moses hand to open the Red Sea."
Rev. Dr. Ray Miles led the Assembly in a Benediction and
closed the 2007 Regional Assembly. |
