Study and Discernment

1. Study and Discernment Welcome! We’re glad you’re here!

2. Agenda for Our Conversation • Welcome, Prayer, Overview, and Introductions • Background – how this came to be, what we’ve done • Timeline of tentative activities • Our goals for tonight and beyond – share information and listen - listen to you and to God about the next chapter • Dick Hamm material – what is the Regional church? • History and current situation in the life of the church • Small group discussion – your thoughts? • Review and Wrap Up

3. The DesignOf the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) See the Disciples Yearbook for a complete copy of the Design

4. NATURE AND PURPOSE • 19. The primary nature of regions is drawn from the Acts of the Apostles in Paul’s desire to nurture, support, and engage congregations as unique entities and as gatherings of congregations related to one another in their mission. Regions should embody the character of the ministry to which Christ calls His people in their mutual commitment to Him and to one another.

5. NATURE AND PURPOSE The primary purpose of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in regions is twofold: (1) to extend the ministry of Christ in mission, teaching, witness, and service among the people and social structures of the region; and (2) to establish, receive, and nurture congregations in the region, providing help, counsel, and pastoral care to members, ministers, and congregations in their mutual relationships, and relating them to the worldwide mission and witness of the whole church.

6. Six Generations are active today! Dick Hamm

7. • Builders (1915-30): shaped by WWII as young adults • Silents (1930-45): shaped by WWII as youth • Baby Boomers (1945-65): shaped by prosperity, optimism, Civil Rights Movement, and Viet Nam. • Baby Busters (1965-1982): shaped by shortages and lowered Expectations • Millennials (1982-2000): shaped by post-modern world, a time of relative prosperity and peace. • Generation Z (after 2000): shaped by technology, recession, many wars.

8. The Legacy of the Builders Generation • Direct democracy • Large boards • “Functional Committees” • Traditional worship and music (which has lost its power in many churches) • Pastor-Centered style

9. Generational Change • People over 60 experience God in and through institutions • People under 60 experience God in and through relationships • People over 60 like to think and talk together about a need and then do something about it. • People under 60 like to do something about a need and then think and talk together about it.

10. Generational Change - continued • Many pastors (and lay leaders) under 60 know little about how to nurture an institution for growth and effectiveness. • The flattening of hierarchies means all church polities (including episcopal and presbyterian) are increasingly congregational in polity.

11. Some Profound Differences Between the Modern and Post-Modern Eras Dick Hamm

12. Some Profound Differences Between the Modern and Post-Modern Eras Modern (before 1968) • The universe is characterized by immutable physical laws. • Linear, rational, symmetrical. • The building block of the world order is nation-states • Authority is granted by office (hierarchical). • Institutional • Broad social consensus driven by WASP males. • Communication is oratorical, formal, indirect • Progress is inevitable

13. Some Profound Differences Between the Modern and Post-Modern Eras Post-Modern (after 1968) The universe is characterized By relativity (Einstein). Non-linear, asymmetrical, many focuses. The building blocks are nation- states, ethnic groups, mass communication, and the market. Authority is granted by relationship. Relational No single social consensus – great diversity, many voices. Communication is conversational, informal, direct Progress is possible

14. The Three Most Important Questions • What time is it? • Where am I? • What am I doing here? Remember: All institutions hate change. Anxiety makes everything worse and drives us to our default (which is the modern).

15. Regional Responsibilities What was/is the role of the Regional church?

16. Communications • Resource packet mailings • Newsletters, Pastoral letters • Websites

17. Congregational Relationships • Disputes and Conflict mediation in congregations: • internal, with pastors, with denomination

18. Denominational • Promotion and interpretation • Meetings of Regional ministers and other denominational meetings + Reports • Service on institutional boards

19. Embodiment of the Tradition • Ecumenical representation • Guest preaching • Symbolic representation Installations, Ordinations, Anniversaries

20. Finances and fundraising • Annual funds • Operational budgets • Special outreach offerings • Development work

21. Governance • Constitution, by-laws, policies • Regional Assemblies and Board • Personnel, property management, planning

22. Office management • Bookkeeping and financial audits • Data base management • Regional calendar • Staff meetings • Staff team oversight/resourcing

23. Fellowship Programs • Men, Women, Young Adults, Youth • Racial/ethnic groups

24. Order of Ministry • Clergy misconduct and allegations • Annual renewal of standing • Chaplaincy endorsements • Implement Policies and Criteria • Search and call references

25. Congregational nurture and relationships • Consultations, visits, assessments • Interim ministries • Leader development • Search and call • Technology

26. Denominational partnerships • 2020 Vision initiatives: • New congregations, revitalization, leadership, anti-racism/pro-reconciliation • College, seminary relationships • DMF, Reconciliation, Week • General Assembly, Unit initiatives

27. Ministry • Clergy wellness and ethics • Continuing Education events • Licensed minister mentors • New minister orientation • Pastoral care, crisis, transition • Recruitment & discernment of call • Seminarians under care

28. Mission • Local and global mission trips • Ecumenical mission • Miracle Days • Social concerns

29. Programming • Area/cluster events • Camps and outdoor ministries • Christian education, Evangelism, Worship • Stewardship and outreach education • Resource Center and A.V. library

30. Methodologies • Clinics • Chaplaincy • Consulting • Coaching • Communities of Learning

31. Approaches • Hub • Network • Brokering

32. Results of Hub and Spoke • Burn-out • Isolation of congregations from each other; • Isolation of ministers from each other; • Isolation of lay leaders from each other; • “Gassing off” of congregations, clergy and lay leaders.

33. Roles of Regional Church Staff In A Network Model • Legal and Moral Representative of the Judicatory • Sacramental role • Identifier and recruiter of talent among ministers and lay leaders • Identifier of creative congregations and programs • Inviter into various groups and relationships • Lineman for the County (Glen Campbell)

34. Network Possibilities/Building Blocks • Regional Elders • Regional Resource Teams • Clergy Peer Groups • Lay Leader Peer Groups • Affinity Groups (already present for men, women, outdoor ministries) • Dialogues (cultural, generational, theological) • Regional/District/cluster mission projects • Annual Planning Event

35. Network Possibilities/Building Blocks • Note: All these require a sophisticated interactive communication system • Note: Not just a matter of redistributing work, but developing relationships!

36. The Three Most Important Questions • What time is it? • Where am I? • What am I doing here? Remember: All institutions hate change. Anxiety makes everything worse and drives us to our default (which is the modern).

37. Can we talk? • Small group discussion • Recruit a reporter for your group • Address the questions in the handout • Please give us a copy of the responses from your group