Another Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) General Assembly is in the books! Lots of good stuff happened – even some history making stuff!!
WE HAVE A NEW GENERAL MINISTER AND PRESIDENT
We elected and installed a new General Minister and President, the Rev. Teresa (Terri) Hord Owens! Rev. Owens is the first African-American woman elected to head a major mainline denomination. Here are a couple of articles:
An Indy-based church of diversity elects first black woman to lead a major denomination
Following the Good News Towards Christian Unity
Here’s a picture from the installation prayer (credit: Angela Kaufman):
And, here’s a video from the procession gifts portion of the installation – Rev. Dr. Mark Johnston of the Disciples LGBTQ+ Alliance is presenting the chalice. This was also a history-making moment, as this is the first time that the Alliance has been part of the installation of a general minister and president.
RESOLUTIONS
Important work took place at this assembly. One of the many reasons Disciples attend the General Assembly is to perform the worshipful work of the Church through business sessions. The General Assembly is the general representative body of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and receives and acts upon proposed policy and program, reports and resolutions, and other items of business presented during business sessions.
While there was a lower number of resolutions than in previous years, there were several deeply important ones that tie to our mission at First Christian Church. You can view the full list here. Of particular interest to us:
GA-1722 (FCC was a signatory on this – APPROVED): REPUDIATION OF THE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE OF DISCOVERY: A CALL TO EDUCATION AND ACTION AND SUPPORT FOR INDIGENOUS VOICES IN THE WITNESS OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)
GA-1723 (APPROVED): ON BECOMING IMMIGRANT WELCOMING CONGREGATIONS
EMERGENCY RESOLUTION GA-1739 (APPROVED): CONCERNING EXECUTIVE ORDER 13780
Regarding a recent Executive Order by U.S. President Donald Trump having to do with immigration.
EMERGENCY RESOLUTION GA-1740 (APPROVED): CONCERNING SUPPORT FOR THE “NEW POOR PEOPLE’S CAMPAIGN: NATIONAL CALL FOR A MORAL REVIVAL”
This resolution encourages all expressions of the church to support the New Poor People’s Campaign: National Call for a Moral Revival in 2018.
Pastor Laurie was part of the group that helped draft this emergency resolution.
2019 GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS CLOSE TO HOME – WE”LL BE IN DES MOINES!
Always wanted to go to a General Assembly? 2019 will be your chance, as we’ll be down the interstate in Des Moines!! The Upper Midwest Region is the host region for the 2019 General Assembly, so stay tuned as we’ll need lots of help to make this happen and welcome our fellow Disciples.
