April, 2015
THE DISCIPLES DISPATCH
THE NEWS AND HAPPENINGS OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DOC) IN MONTANA
Special Regional Assembly Addition
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) IN MONTANA

Last week, Central Christian Church in Great Falls hosted the Regional Assembly. Thirteen ministers and sixteen representatives from all but one of our congregations voted during Friday night's Annual Meeting.  They approved members of the Regional Board for 2015-2017:

2015 Board of Directors

2015 - 2017 Regional Board

Moderator
Vice-Moderator
Secretary
Treasurer
Past Moderator
General Board Rep.
Commission on Ministry Chair
Youth Ministry Chair
Real Property Chair
Outdoor Ministries Chair
At Large Member
At Large Member
At Large Member
At Large Member

Dana Keener
Don Beal
Gloria Soja
LeAnn Budeski
Rick Bischoff
Mary Larsen
Alan Hilberg
Barb Lancaster
Jeremy Comstock
Ron Greene
Mark MacWhorter
Chuck Shannon
Bonnie Hohn
Brenda Johnson

Billings
Billings
Helena
Great Falls
Joliet
Helena
Missoula
Helena
Great Falls
Great Falls
Bozeman
Kalispell
Helena
Helena

They learned about Mission First and how Montana will be asked to participate in 2016.They received the report by Mary Larsen about the General Board meeting. They voted for the 2014 Commissions to continue their work until July 1, 2015 when new commissions
Scarves for camp helpers

will be in place. They heard about one of our Global Ministries Mission Project in Israel/Palestine. 

 

They honored churches that increased their giving to Disciples Mission Fund and that gave to all six of the Special Day Offerings.  They honored the twenty-seven people who gave time and energy into making camp at Cane Ridge West happen in 2014.


They honored outgoing officers Rick Bischoff, Dana Keener, Stephanie Skaer, and Gloria Soja for their work and they heard an address by Regional Minister, Ruth Fletcher.


 
Rick Bischoff

Alan Hilberg & Mark MacWhorter

Ruth
Ruth Fletcher
WORSHIP AND COMMUNITY BUILDING
Dana Keener

The Assembly planning committee was chaired by Dana Keener. Worship and community building at the event focused on the theme scripture "Rekindle the gift of God that is within you....

 "2 Timothy 1:6. Attendees named the gifts they and their congregations bring to the Regional Church and they took away some of those "gifts" in the form of painted rocks provided by Alan and Kathy Hilberg. 

 
FRESH START PROCESS WITH DENNY WILLIAMS
Denny Williams

On Saturday, forty people spent time assessing where we are as a Region and developing some strategies for the future.  Denny Williams, Regional Minister from Arizona facilitated the conversation.  Building on information that came out of the Board Meeting held February 19-20, 2015, they considered some realities about the Region.  They learned that in the last ten years,

  • The number of DOC churches in Montana decreased by 35%.
  • The overall number of participating members decreased by 48% even though JourneyBe in Polson and Seeker's Harbor in Billings grew during that same time period.
  • Disciples Mission Fund giving decreased by 20%.

They also learned that three congregations supported 91% of the Regional Budget in 2014 while three churches gave nothing to support the Regional Church. 

 
FUTURE DIRECTIONS

The Assembly suggested some broad strategies for the Regional Church over the next 3-5 years. 

  • Reduced expenditures so to match current income.
  • Increase rental income from Cane Ridge West so that it covers maintenance and improvements to the property.
  • Steward Regional Investments.

It suggested that the Regional Church give priority to

  • Focusing on mission, not maintenance.
  • Encouraging new forms of ministry that are relevant to younger generations.
  • Providing quality camping and youth programs at Cane Ridge West.
  • Providing opportunities for the Regional Church to gather (in person or via technology) for learning and fellowship.
  • Support clergy.

A full report will be available soon.
Work Weekend
Work Weekend at Cane Ridge West Conference & Retreat Center will be held on May 15 - 17.

This year will will need help doing these jobs:

Staining the Fellowship House & Cabins
Grounds clean-up
Tree removal/Wood Splitting 
Annual cleaing of the Lodge, Fellowship House and other buildings
And much more!

No experience necessary!  Help YOUR  camp get ready for all the summer activities! 
Webinar Series: Creating Vital Congregations
Lexington Theogical Seminary is hosting a webinar series Creating Vital Congregations: Practical Help for Laity & Clergy. On Saturday, May 16, 11:30am to 1:30pm (MST), Bruce A Barkhauer, Minister for Faith and Giving for The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will present Creating a Culture of Generosity in Your Congregation.

On line registration is $10 per login. There is no limit to the number of participants. Register at http://www.lextheo.edu (Click Events under the News/Events tab)
Upcoming Events

May 15-17 - Work Weekend at CRWCRC






Aug 21-23 - i-Camp
Contact Us:

Regional Office Phone:

(406) 564-1887





The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Montana | 406-564-1887 
www.montanadisciples.org
1019 Central Ave
Great Falls, MT 59401


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