DE Ponderings
This column will be a bit longer than usual as I have several things to share.
Newsletter and Gil Crosby
We are glad to publish a newsletter again after a brief period of not doing so. We counted on the skill and passion of Gil Crosby as publisher, and, since his untimely death this past August, the work he so capably did was not continued. This is no reflection on Gil, at all, except to say that he set the bar high and we are committing now to stay at that level.
I want to take this opportunity to express deep gratitude for the work Gil Crosby did as newsletter publisher. We never had to alert Gil that it was time to produce a newsletter. The opposite was the case. He contacted us to say it was time to submit an article or share pertinent information. Such dedication to the effort was a gift to the district and has been sorely missed.
Emerging Ministries
The advent of the district’s Church Revitalization and Development Team (CRDT) was announced at the 2012 District Conference at the Lake Williamson Retreat Center in Carlinville, IL. The CRDT’s early work focused primarily on church revitalization. Those efforts led the way to several congregations engaging in components of the Vital Ministry Journey, a revitalization initiative supported by our denomination’s Congregational Life Ministries office. The CRDT is available to assist in exploring other options for revitalization, as well. In addition, the team has developed a resource list that can be accessed on the district’s website (http://iwdcob.org/crdt.shtml).
The CRDT is also responsible for new church development, work that has its own set of challenges. The team called and talked with church planters in other districts to hear about their experiences in starting new ministries. I talked with other District Executives about church development in their districts. I also talked with the Illinois/Wisconsin Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) about their church planting efforts. Some valuable information was gleaned from these conversations.
However, questions remained. If we engage in new church/ministry development, where do we find planters, those willing to originate new ministries? Where do we start new ministries and/or congregations? How do encourage interest in new church/ministry development?
As these questions were being considered, two inquiries about starting new ministries emerged from our district. The CRDT, then, changed the questions being asked. Instead of who will plant and where, the question became, how do we support the ministries being proposed?
The CRDT considered heavily what we learned from the challenges of recent church planting efforts in our district. Using this information, the CRDT worked on developing new policy as well as determining strategy for funding and fundraising. The result was a decision to set aside $200,000 of district reserves (which was subsequently approved by the District Leadership Team) to be used for specifically supporting emerging ministries. No additional reserves will be allocated for this purpose for a period of five years. In addition, priority will be given to fundraising efforts as a means of securing new money for emerging ministry commitments.
Newly emerging ministries supported by district funding are subject to policy guidelines. The guidelines indicate the amount of assistance a ministry can receive based on a percentage of their annual budget. Funding will be reduced on a sliding scale over a 4 year period. Ministries are required to report to the District Leadership Team on a monthly basis as long as they are receiving assistance. A process for auditing the progress of emerging ministries will be developed and implemented as well.
The CRDT and Leadership Team, and emerging ministries, understand that we are, in some ways, entering into the church development landscape as pioneers. We will likely make mistakes along the way. We will continue to consult with other church planters, districts, and ecumenical middle judicatories to discern and implement best practices. We will revise and update policy as needed. We will strive to minimize risk and frequently communicate news about emerging ministry developments. Following is the beginning of such news, a brief summary of the two emerging ministries.
Parables Ministry
I am proud, in a humble, Brethren way, of the IL/WI District. We’ve experienced conflict within our district over the past year or two that could have but did not divide us. We stayed the course to remain community through structured and informal conversations and dialogue. Granted, our differences are not resolved, and we have more conversation and work ahead of us. But our commitment to that which is beyond and higher than the issues upon which we disagree continues to be our guiding beacon. So I’m proud, or in a more Brethren frame of speaking, grateful for the efforts put forth by this district to be community.
I’m also keenly aware that to be community requires continued, substantial work. I see this work persisting through the efforts of our standing and ministry teams. Those who serve on these teams consistently sacrifice their time and energy to ensure good progress. Congregations and individuals give dependably in many ways—financially, prayerfully, sharing gifts and talents and skills. Ministers and leaders tirelessly serve their constituencies, spending hours in study, driving countless miles, and praying fervently. How good it is for the glory of God and the good of our neighbor that all of these efforts endure.
A necessary component for all that we do in community is money. I am grateful that our district is privileged with this valuable resource in the form of contributions from congregations and individuals as well as reserves that have accumulated over the years. I recently read that, ironically, “the more we are given, the more our sense of entitlement seems to grow. However, the more we are given, the more that is expected of us, not the more we are entitled to receive. With greater privilege comes greater responsibility” (40 Things to Give Up for Lent, Phil Ressler, 2015). So, with such a great storehouse of riches in this district, we are not entitled to receive more, but rather we are called to wisely use and care for that which we are privileged to have. We have the opportunity to use our funds to reach new people with the good news of Jesus the Christ. We, in turn, have the opportunity to use reserves in a manner that will give us a good base to continue the supportive ministries now offered. Our responsibility is not to choose between using funds to reach beyond where we are or building the base which we have. The responsibility is rather to choose to do both. At this moment in our life together, I believe we are choosing both, a manifestation of the responsibilities we are faithfully called to live out as a result of our great privilege.
I hope I’ve revealed a few good reasons for why I am proud of this district. We have a lot of different things going on and we are going in a variety of directions and we have a diversity of understandings. But what I’m noticing right now is that we have a keen awareness that we’re all in this together. Together, we are most effective...and most responsible.
Newsletter and Gil Crosby
We are glad to publish a newsletter again after a brief period of not doing so. We counted on the skill and passion of Gil Crosby as publisher, and, since his untimely death this past August, the work he so capably did was not continued. This is no reflection on Gil, at all, except to say that he set the bar high and we are committing now to stay at that level.
I want to take this opportunity to express deep gratitude for the work Gil Crosby did as newsletter publisher. We never had to alert Gil that it was time to produce a newsletter. The opposite was the case. He contacted us to say it was time to submit an article or share pertinent information. Such dedication to the effort was a gift to the district and has been sorely missed.
Emerging Ministries
The advent of the district’s Church Revitalization and Development Team (CRDT) was announced at the 2012 District Conference at the Lake Williamson Retreat Center in Carlinville, IL. The CRDT’s early work focused primarily on church revitalization. Those efforts led the way to several congregations engaging in components of the Vital Ministry Journey, a revitalization initiative supported by our denomination’s Congregational Life Ministries office. The CRDT is available to assist in exploring other options for revitalization, as well. In addition, the team has developed a resource list that can be accessed on the district’s website (http://iwdcob.org/crdt.shtml).
The CRDT is also responsible for new church development, work that has its own set of challenges. The team called and talked with church planters in other districts to hear about their experiences in starting new ministries. I talked with other District Executives about church development in their districts. I also talked with the Illinois/Wisconsin Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) about their church planting efforts. Some valuable information was gleaned from these conversations.
However, questions remained. If we engage in new church/ministry development, where do we find planters, those willing to originate new ministries? Where do we start new ministries and/or congregations? How do encourage interest in new church/ministry development?
As these questions were being considered, two inquiries about starting new ministries emerged from our district. The CRDT, then, changed the questions being asked. Instead of who will plant and where, the question became, how do we support the ministries being proposed?
The CRDT considered heavily what we learned from the challenges of recent church planting efforts in our district. Using this information, the CRDT worked on developing new policy as well as determining strategy for funding and fundraising. The result was a decision to set aside $200,000 of district reserves (which was subsequently approved by the District Leadership Team) to be used for specifically supporting emerging ministries. No additional reserves will be allocated for this purpose for a period of five years. In addition, priority will be given to fundraising efforts as a means of securing new money for emerging ministry commitments.
Newly emerging ministries supported by district funding are subject to policy guidelines. The guidelines indicate the amount of assistance a ministry can receive based on a percentage of their annual budget. Funding will be reduced on a sliding scale over a 4 year period. Ministries are required to report to the District Leadership Team on a monthly basis as long as they are receiving assistance. A process for auditing the progress of emerging ministries will be developed and implemented as well.
The CRDT and Leadership Team, and emerging ministries, understand that we are, in some ways, entering into the church development landscape as pioneers. We will likely make mistakes along the way. We will continue to consult with other church planters, districts, and ecumenical middle judicatories to discern and implement best practices. We will revise and update policy as needed. We will strive to minimize risk and frequently communicate news about emerging ministry developments. Following is the beginning of such news, a brief summary of the two emerging ministries.
Parables Ministry
Leader: Jeanne DaviesThe Gathering Chicago
Location: Lombard, IL (York Center Church of the
Brethren)
The Parables Ministry provides a worship experience that welcomes all people but is designed to be a place of empowerment and belonging for those with special needs. There is great freedom for the participants in the service to speak out of turn, to sing, to dance, to play instruments, to read, to lead in liturgy—to join in the celebration of worship however individuals are able. The only boundary is to make sure that everyone in the room is safe. High functioning young adults with special needs will have the opportunity to take leadership roles—serving as ushers and scripture readers, even giving the sermon or benediction
Leader: LaDonna NkosiWe’re All In This Together
Location: Hyde Park, Chicago, IL
The Gathering Chicago is designed to host retreats, prayer trainings and meetings, Peace in the City conferences and meetings and serves as a gathering place of spiritual refreshment, prayer and intercession and community for those living, working and serving for justice, peace, healing, and restoration in and for the city.
The vision is to have a house of prayer, retreat, and gathering in the city where people from the city and beyond can come for retreat, prayer, discernment and community and can be sent out together in service.
I am proud, in a humble, Brethren way, of the IL/WI District. We’ve experienced conflict within our district over the past year or two that could have but did not divide us. We stayed the course to remain community through structured and informal conversations and dialogue. Granted, our differences are not resolved, and we have more conversation and work ahead of us. But our commitment to that which is beyond and higher than the issues upon which we disagree continues to be our guiding beacon. So I’m proud, or in a more Brethren frame of speaking, grateful for the efforts put forth by this district to be community.
I’m also keenly aware that to be community requires continued, substantial work. I see this work persisting through the efforts of our standing and ministry teams. Those who serve on these teams consistently sacrifice their time and energy to ensure good progress. Congregations and individuals give dependably in many ways—financially, prayerfully, sharing gifts and talents and skills. Ministers and leaders tirelessly serve their constituencies, spending hours in study, driving countless miles, and praying fervently. How good it is for the glory of God and the good of our neighbor that all of these efforts endure.
A necessary component for all that we do in community is money. I am grateful that our district is privileged with this valuable resource in the form of contributions from congregations and individuals as well as reserves that have accumulated over the years. I recently read that, ironically, “the more we are given, the more our sense of entitlement seems to grow. However, the more we are given, the more that is expected of us, not the more we are entitled to receive. With greater privilege comes greater responsibility” (40 Things to Give Up for Lent, Phil Ressler, 2015). So, with such a great storehouse of riches in this district, we are not entitled to receive more, but rather we are called to wisely use and care for that which we are privileged to have. We have the opportunity to use our funds to reach new people with the good news of Jesus the Christ. We, in turn, have the opportunity to use reserves in a manner that will give us a good base to continue the supportive ministries now offered. Our responsibility is not to choose between using funds to reach beyond where we are or building the base which we have. The responsibility is rather to choose to do both. At this moment in our life together, I believe we are choosing both, a manifestation of the responsibilities we are faithfully called to live out as a result of our great privilege.
I hope I’ve revealed a few good reasons for why I am proud of this district. We have a lot of different things going on and we are going in a variety of directions and we have a diversity of understandings. But what I’m noticing right now is that we have a keen awareness that we’re all in this together. Together, we are most effective...and most responsible.
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