Two women sit down together reading Bibles. The woman on the left is pointing to words on her open Bible.

Women Living into Hard and Holy Calls

March 8 @ 3:00 pm 4:00 pm EST

“Tell me a fact and I’ll learn. Tell me a truth and I’ll believe. But tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever.”

Just as we learn from the stories recorded in scripture, we can learn from the stories of how God is moving in our lives today

On International Women’s Day, New Church Ministry will feature two fascinating female ministers, change-makers, and leaders in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) as guests on its latest New Church Hacks episode. Throughout their journey, these women have been faced with adversity and defeat, but have led with empowerment and liberation. Come and join us as we listen to these two amazing stories of how God ordained both of these women into hard and holy calls.

Guests

Rev. Christy Jo Harber was born and raised in West Tennessee and received a Bachelors in Nonprofit Leadership from Murray State University. She graduated from Vanderbilt Divinity School in Nashville, TN, in 2017 with a Master of Divinity. She served as Associate Pastor at Eastwood Christian Church (2017-2020) in Nashville TN.

Christy Jo began a wild and holy adventure serving as Woodland Christian Church’s Lead Pastor in Lexington, KY at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. She is excited to share what God has been up to since her church learned it couldn’t return from virtual worship to the sanctuary and would need over a million dollars for building repair.

Christy Jo is always looking and listening for the new thing God is doing. She is passionate about sharing the message of the liberating love of God and the intersectionality of race, gender, and sexuality. For fun she enjoys learning about the enneagram, going hiking, and exploring waterfalls!

Reverend Erin Edwards is the lead pastor and founder of LOP( Live on Purpose) Community Church, in Davis/Vacaville, CA. Married in 2017 to her wife Chelsea, they welcomed twin daughters, Erilee and Evagrae, in January 2019. Erin also became ordained in the Disciples of Christ during the pandemic and is co-pastor at the Christian Church of Woodland, CA (Disciples of Christ).

Erin graduated with a Master’s degree in Ministry and Theology and is currently attending the Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley for her Doctorate in Ministry.

As a gay, African-American woman in ministry, Erin is no stranger to opposition. Because of this, Erin has been equipped with an understanding of the marginalized and has used it as a platform to combat injustice. With a passion for what God has for His people in the here and now, Pastor Erin promotes a life lived not only with purpose but on purpose. Her voice and story speak directly to the soul, waking people up to encounter and live out their God-given dreams.

Pastor Erin and Chelsea strive to build a community in which all people are free to experience the love of God, regardless of age, gender, sexuality, race, etc.

2022 Leadership Academy

October 18, 2022 @ 8:00 am October 20, 2022 @ 5:00 pm EDT

At its annual Leadership Academy, New Church Ministry gathers leaders all across regions in the United States and Canada. Our team invites pastors, church planters, chaplains, and others who are interested in becoming empowered to join us. You do not need to be a member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to attend.

This virtual event includes:

Track Sessions

  • Start Track – this cohort is designed for core teams who have yet to launch a community of faith
  • Sustain Track – this cohort is designed for teams that have recently started a faith community
  • Multiply Track – this cohort is designed for leaders of established congregations
  • New this year is our Discerners Track, which is for those who have ever considered what it would take to start a faith community or who have ever felt called by God to start a place of worship, but don’t know where to even begin. If you are in this discerning process, then consider attending this track, which allows you to audio the Start track. In this cohort, participants will discern their missional purpose, develop their future stories, and prepare for launch. This track is ideal for those in undergraduate institutions who may feel the call to ministry, for our seminarians who are discerning what path God may be taking them down, or our ecumenical partners who may want to imagine how their ministries might be shaped by this unique training.

DOCTalks

Rev. Sandhya Jha (they/them) will be our keynote speaker this year. They will address missional transformation inclusive of every stage of leadership and congregational vitality.

LEADLabs

These (Learn.Explore.Actuate.Discover.Laboratories) are designed to help participants imagine, ideate, innovate, and implement missional concepts. This year they include interactive practical workshops from Pension Fund, Green Chalice, and the Disciples LGBTQ+ Alliance.

Accommodations for Spanish-speaking participants will be available.

Kansas City regional assembly

October 14, 2022 @ 5:00 pm October 15, 2022 @ 3:00 pm EDT

Rev. Dr. Jose Martinez, interim Minister of New Church Strategies, will be submitting a pre-recorded video to the regional assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Greater Kansas City. More information is available below.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14 

  • 5:00 pm Gathering Area Opens/displays by General and Regional Ministries
  • 5:30 pm Grilled Hot Dogs/Veggie Dogs, Chips and Water
  • 7:00 pm RED FRIDAY PRAISE & GRATITUDE CONCERT led by Disciples Musician

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15

  • 9:00 am Gathering Area Opens/displays by General and Regional Ministries
  • 9:15 am Worship and Praise – Sanctuary
  • 9:45 am   Break
  • 10:00 am Workshop:  The Struggle Is Real (Self-Care in a Season of Challenges)
  • All workshops will combine panel presentations with participant engagement
  • 10:00 am – 12 pm Youth Workshops: Bloom Where You Are Planted! (Seed Planting Evangelism)
  • Different Activities for Ages 16-17 Years, 12-15 Years, 7-11 Years, 4-6 Years, 3 Years-6 months
  • 10:50 am Break
  • 11:00 am Workshop: Making New Disciples in New Ways (Seed Planting Evangelism in 2022)
  • 12:00 pm Lunch: Sandwich and Salad, Water and Tea

Display areas opened until 1:00 pm

  • 1:10 pm Workshop:  Will the Circle Be Unbroken (New Ways to be the Church)
  • 2:00 pm Celebrating the Harvest of Seeds Planted/Blessings for the Workers
  • Gratitude for Those Who Have Served Since our Last Assembly
  • Election of New Regional Board Officers and Seven Lay Representatives
  • Commission of the New Regional Board
  • Closing Benediction
  • 3:00 pm Homeward Bound

It is the hope of the Regional Assembly Planning Team that every participant will leave this Regional Assembly renewed, affirmed, and better equipped for the ministries to which we are all called.

REGISTRATION

Each paid registration makes it possible for the region to offer:

  • Spirited Worship and Celebration
  • Workshops designed to meet priority needs expressed by our congregations
  • Food on Friday and Saturday
  • Regional Assembly T-Shirt
  • Childcare for children 3 years and under
  • A $5 donation to the Micah Ministry

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Greater Kansas City

913.432.1414

https://www.kcdisciples.org

Overland Park Christian Church

7600 W 75th St
Overland Park, Kansas 66204 United States
+ Google Map

Capital Area Regional Assembly

October 14, 2022 @ 3:00 pm October 15, 2022 @ 4:00 pm EDT

Rev. Dr. Jose Martinez will be attending the Christian Church Capital Area‘s regional assembly. Find more information below.

The theme for the 2022 Regional Assembly is “Justice, Mercy, Humility: What Is Required of Disciples Today?” based upon the scripture passage Micah 6:8

Keynote Speakers for the event are Rev. Dr. Bernard Richardson (Dean of the Chapel, Howard University) and Rev. Steve Doan (Retired Disciples Chaplain)

Reverend Dr. Bernard L. Richardson

As the fourth Dean of the historic Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel, the Reverend Dr. Bernard L. Richardson is the executive officer for religious affairs at Howard University. Dr. Richardson is perhaps most widely recognized by the University community and leaders across the nation for his prolific prayers and insightful spiritual guidance.


Rev. Steve Doan & Rev. Donna Doan

Born and raised in Indiana, Steve Doan graduated from Yale University in 1967, attended Indiana University, where he met his wife Donna. Before completing his doctoral studies in English, he was drafted into the Army and became an artillery officer. Feeling a call to ministry, Steve graduated from Lexington Theological Seminary and served two Disciples of Christ churches before returning to the Army in 1985 as a chaplain. From 2005 to 2017, Steve worked as part-time deployed staff for Disciples Home Missions as the Denominational Chaplain Endorsing Officer.

Learning Center topics and Workshops include something for all ages:

(Breakout rooms details will be shared at the assembly)

  • Mastering Biblical Storytelling: For Children and Beyond 9:00-10:10am and 2:00pm-3:00pm
  • Spirituality and Activism 9:00-10:10am and 2:00pm-3:00pm
  • Refugee Resettlement Nuts and Bolts 9:00-10:10am and 2:00pm-3:00pm
  • Helping Your Church Recover from COVID 9:00-10:10am and 2:00pm-3:00pm
  • The Value of Small Churches 9:00-10:10am and 2:00pm-3:00pm
  • Principles of Board Governance for Congregations 9:00-10:10am and 2:00pm-3:00pm
  • Green Chalice – Carbon Neutral Churches 9:00-10:10am and 1:00pm-2:00pm
  • Disciples Women 1:00-2:00pm
  • Guide Meditative Walk 1:00-2:00pm
  • More to come…

           

Christian Church Capital Area

301.942.8266

https://www.cccadisciples.org/

The William F. Bolger Center

9600 Newbridge Dr
Potomac, Maryland 20854 United States
+ Google Map
(301) 983-7000
https://www.bolgercenter.com

Pacific Southwest Regional Assembly

October 14, 2022 @ 11:00 am October 15, 2022 @ 6:00 pm EDT

Rev. Dr. Joi Robinson, Associate Minister of New Church Strategies, will be attending the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Pacific Southwest Region’s assembly. Learn more about it below.

"Arise! Shine! For your light has come; and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you." - Isaiah 3:1 (CEB)
"And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord." - Acts 22:16 (King James Version)

We invite you to participate in the two-day event either in person or online through our streaming video. Registration will be available in the early fall.

Amid difficult times, our sight can become obscured by uncertainty, growing challenges, injustices, and oppressions. How do we forge ahead, beyond the gloom, and discover a new way forward? We need a light. More than ever, the world needs our light, and that great light has come in Christ, which, leads us to love, mercy, compassion, change, and reconciliation. Let us no longer wait. We are being called to Arise Anew. Together, we need to arise and shine from the depths of the former things that have weighted our path. Let us remember, reclaim, and celebrate our baptism, which has empowered us anew for the way ahead.

DELEGATE VOTING: Business sessions will take place in person at the Disciples Ministry Center in Fullerton. All voting delegates must be present to participate in the voting process.

PRE-ASSEMBLY INFORMATION SESSIONS are offered to voting church delegates, clergy, and others attending the Regional Assembly to hear the origins and significance of the resolutions that will be considered during the business session of the event. Learn more here.

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Pacific Southwest Region

(626) 296-0385

http://www.disciplespswr.org/

Disciples Ministry Center

115 E. Wilshire Avenue
Fullerton, California 92832 United States
+ Google Map