Congo Initiative LaunchedGlobal Ministries is excited to announce thelaunch <strong>of</strong> a new initiative designed toencourage individuals and congregations t<strong>of</strong>orm deeper connections with internationalpartners. In seeking to enable <strong><strong>Christ</strong>ian</strong> <strong>Church</strong>(<strong>Disciples</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Christ</strong>) and United <strong>Church</strong> <strong>of</strong><strong>Christ</strong> (UCC) constituents to experience adeeper understandingand closer connections t oparticular partners,while continuing theongoing work withpartners globally,Global Ministries is focusing attention on aspecific region <strong>of</strong> the world. For the next 18months we will be focusing on our partners inthe Democratic Republic <strong>of</strong> CongoThere are a number <strong>of</strong> reasons for this specific focus. In2011, both the UCC Synod and DOC <strong>Assembly</strong> approvedresolutions calling for reflection, education and advocacyon behalf <strong>of</strong> the Congo. Over the past decade,approximately 6 million people have been killed in ongoingconflict and war for control <strong>of</strong> the Congo’s vast mineralresources. Any <strong>of</strong> us who currently use cell phones andcomputers benefit from these mineral resources thatcause so much death and misery. In addition, we have along history <strong>of</strong> engagement in the Congo and today,through Global Ministries, the <strong><strong>Christ</strong>ian</strong> <strong>Church</strong> (<strong>Disciples</strong><strong>of</strong> <strong>Christ</strong>) and the United <strong>Church</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Christ</strong> continue thislegacy <strong>of</strong> connections and relationships. I Corinthians12:16 states that when one part <strong>of</strong> the body suffers, weall suffer. With a history and engagement in the Congosince 1899, we cannot ignore our calling to walk insolidarity with sisters and brothers there.This emphasis will involve manyaspects <strong>of</strong> engagement:• Bible study curriculum, written by both NorthAmericans and Congolese, focusing on issues suchas partnership and mutuality, HIV/AIDS andhealthcare, the rights <strong>of</strong> women and children, andthe access to and use <strong>of</strong> natural resources• People to People immersion trips to the Congo aswell as hosting delegates from the partner church/organization• opportunities to learn about and be involved inadvocacy issues which have been identified bypartners in the Congo• worship resources designed to help experience Godand faith in new and challenging ways.Our hope and prayer is that through these many andvaried experiences, we will better understand the issues,priorities, successes and struggles <strong>of</strong> sisters and brothersin the Congo and, in turn, be challenged to understandourselves, our world and our faith anew. In short, wehope that this emphasis puts a very real and personalface on God’s mission in the world as we engage withfriends.To learn more about this exciting new initiative, please visit www.GlobalMinistries.org/congo-initiative/4CHRISTIAN CHURCH DISCIPLES OF CHRIST | JULY 13-17, 2013
We’re a movement whose time has come!An Identity Initiative was launched at the<strong>General</strong> <strong>Assembly</strong> in Orlando, a joint projectbetween the Council on <strong><strong>Christ</strong>ian</strong> Unity andCommunication Ministries. Foundational to thework is the identity statement.We are <strong>Disciples</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Christ</strong>, a movement forwholeness in a fragmented world. As members<strong>of</strong> the one body <strong>of</strong> <strong>Christ</strong>, we welcome all tothe Lord’s Table as God has welcomed us.Explaining the Disciple identity takes effort at severallevels. A summary <strong>of</strong> Disciple attributes is available onthe “Who We Are/Our Identity” page on disciples.orgunder the “summary” tab.First, the people within our faith communities need tohave an understanding <strong>of</strong> the shared traits <strong>of</strong> themovement. For this, the Council on <strong><strong>Christ</strong>ian</strong> Unity hasdeveloped videos and accompanying study guides.Focusing on the identity statement, the words movement,wholeness, table and welcome are lifted up as centralconcepts for the <strong>Disciples</strong> way <strong>of</strong> working in the world.Videos are available online under “Who We Are/OurIdentity” on disciples.org with study guides under the“teaching” tab.In addition, pastors can share these basic traits in theirsermons, liturgies and other communications to helpmembers become more comfortable with the conceptsand language. Many congregations choose to use thepreamble to The Design as a way <strong>of</strong> connecting withDisciple theology during worship. Some use the identitystatement in various forms. Pastors might consider asermon series based on the principles behind the identitystatement as well or studies based on movement,wholeness, table and welcome. Those materials are listedon the “Our Identity” page under the “preaching” tab.Once our members have a grasp <strong>of</strong> our distinctive mix<strong>of</strong> attributes, we need ways to make these clear as weconnect with those who have not discovered thecommunity we find so meaningful. Invitation fromindividuals is proven to be the single most effective wayto connect a new person to the community, but thereare also other ways to help support our members tomake the “ask.” Materials to help with promotingthrough advertising are listed under the “telling tactics”tab.CHRISTIAN CHURCH DISCIPLES OF CHRIST | JULY 13-17, 2013 5