This offering will be received on December 14 and 21, 2008. Online giving for this offering will be available in late November.
At the heart of the "Nineteenth Century Reformation" led by Stone and the Campbells was the call to form congregations modeled after the simple essentials of the church of the apostles. State Evangelists were charged with the responsibility of forming numerous congregations and preaching points. But early Disciples soon discovered that cooperation was necessary for congregations to get their start, to survive in times of need, and to minister effectively. As mission societies developed, the position of State Secretary was created to coordinate the mission of the church. With the adoption of the Design for the Christian Church, Disciples affirmed the covenant relationship between "Regions" and the other institutional expressions of the church.
Each Region is led by a Regional Minister who not only serves as a programmatic leader and as an administrator for the many and varied ministries of the church, but gives general pastoral oversight of all members of the church in a given Region. Each Region is charged with the responsibility for working to fulfill the mission of the church and providing for the continuing renewal of the life of congregations, members, and ministers.
With the gifts they receive, Regional Ministries support congregations through:
- Planning, visioning, pastoral care and conflict management
- Empowering leaders through workshops, resources and networking
- Strengthening ministry through calling new ministers
- Licensing, ordaining and maintaining current ministers
- Growing faithful disciples through camps, conferences, youth ministries and ministries to men and women
- Providing outreach through establishing new congregations, eradicating racism, sharing in mission with projects and trips, and ecumenical partnerships
With your Christmas Offering, you support the ministries offered by the Region that serve your church.