On behalf of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oklahoma I submitted last month an annual report to the General Board of our denomination. What follows is a synopsis of that report:
There is perhaps no other place in ministry where service and the knowledge of Jesus Christ are more keenly felt that in the summer camp and conference ministry. More than 763 youth were involved in summer camp and conference ministry. Hats off to Rev. Gary Mitchell, Associate Regional Pastor for Children, Youth, and Young Adults and the scores of volunteers, lay and clergy, who give countless hours and several days from their summer to provide a wonderful Disciples educational and recreational experience for Oklahoma youth.
In young adult ministry, a data base has been created that provides contact resources that enhance the work of a new Young Adult Council. Specific ministries are being created that encourage both congregational and regional church participation by those aged 19 through 25. Among these ministries are an annual regional church retreat, water weekend, mission event, and winter ski trip.
Disciple Men are now involved in the on-going plans for the Oklahoma region to host Sessions 2008. Meeting with the general church planning team, Oklahoma men have brought to the table their unique perspectives and challenge that will prompt Sessions 2008, July 17-20, to be an outstanding men’s event.
Disciple Women were actively engaged in attending Mix in ’06 with 77 Oklahomans in attendance – a 10% increase over the ’04 event. More than 180 women attended Spring Previews of fall study materials and the three women’s retreats held each fall are continuing opportunities for Oklahoma women to share their faith and grow in Christian stewardship. Rev. Loma Sullivan, formerly half-time staff for Women’s Ministries, was called in January 2007 to a full-time Associate Regional Pastor position with additional ministries being added to her portfolio.
In response to the continuing need for gulf coast recovery efforts, the Oklahoma regional church, through its 175 congregations, has sent scores of volunteers and financial assistance directly to those in need. In February, the Central Area organized a work trip during Week of Compassion that involved 34 persons from fourteen congregations in a week long effort at Westside Christian Church, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Beginning a Journey of Transformation has been a theme of the regional church this past year as we prepared for the Transformational Summit, which was held April 21, 2007. Those attending gained valuable information about what transformation is and is not, why we need to be about congregational transformation, what marks healthy congregations, their life cycles, and the step in a congregational transformation process.
Once again, the traditional format of one-half day intensive training session held on the last Saturday in January entitled Leadership Training School was a great success for our regional church. Held at First Christian Church, Oklahoma City, approximately 540 participants from 68 churches attended.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of statehood for Oklahoma. The regional church is proud to recognize in 2007 six Oklahoma congregations that will be celebrating their 100th birthdays: First Christian Church, Pawhuska, First Christian Church, Skiatook, First Christian Church, Altus, First Christian Church, Anadarko, First Christian Church, Alva, and Pine Street Christian Church, Tulsa. Congratulations to these churches and their memberships for 10 decades of witness, ministry and mission within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oklahoma!
Disciples Retirement Community of Oklahoma, Inc., established in May, 2005, in direct response to the sale of the Oklahoma Christian Retirement Community by the National Benevolent Association, has been a shining example of our regional church “longing for God’s justice”. During its second year, DRCO has received gifts totaling over $68,700 that were used to provide benevolent care for four Disciple residents of the former OCRC that are in need. While there is no way to predict the number of residents or the dollars needed for the future, DRCO is committed to finding ways to provide for those who entered OCRC believing that the “church would take care of them if they should ever run out of funds.”
The Oklahoma regional board continues to pursue with the National Benevolent Association the just and fair distribution of dollars given to OCRC for the express purposes of providing benevolent care for those in need. In recent months, NBA has indicated a willingness to distribute funds directly to Oklahoma so that benevolent care can be offered to those who were residents of OCRC at the time of the NBA bankruptcy in 2005.
The regional church Faith in Action Commission established three priorities on which to work during the past year and progress has been made in each of these areas:
Disaster Response: A “Disaster Response Team” was appointed in 2006 and is developing a network of congregations to assist in response to future regional, state, national and/or global disasters. Red Cross disaster training for this team will be provided in late April 2007.
Nicaragua Mission Pilgrimage: Planning began during the past year for a mission pilgrimage to Nicaragua in late 2007.
Reconciliation: In May 2006, Reconciliation grants totaling $16,000 were disbursed to five Disciples related organizations involved in programs promoting reconciliation, tolerance and cultural sensitivity.
Through the regional church Evangelism Commission’s oversight during the past year ministry has developed in two areas: Congregational Transformation and New Church Establishment.
New Church Establishment: Odyssey Christian Church and New Vessels Christian Church received their charters as new congregations at the October 2006 Regional Assembly. A new church council in Edmond was organized to explore feasibility of a new church start in that city. The New Church Establishment Council provided oversight to 10-15 new church initiatives in 2006. Oklahoma’s contributions to the 2006 Pentecost Offering increased 25 percent (to $38,000) over 2005 offerings.
“Share the Feast,” the theme for this year’s General Assembly, has become the theme for Oklahoma’s regional church program promoting Disciples Mission Fund giving in 2007! Based on the scriptural witnesses of Matthew 6:19-21 and Psalm 8, the regional church is encouraging all 175 congregations to participate in looking at their past efforts of giving to missions beyond their doorsteps, to affirm at least a title of annual church income for DMF, and to work toward the regional church goal of a 15 percent increase over 2005 contributions. This will mean a total DMF giving from Oklahoma congregations in 2007 of $870,000 by year’s end.
Stole Camp, a one-day session for students in practical parish ministries, was held once again this year in conjunction with Phillips Theological Seminary. This event invites first year seminarians and participants in the licensed minister training program to be engaged with regional church pastoral staff and seminary faculty in particular parish skills that are crucial for those just beginning ministry in a congregational setting.
Our regional church licensed minister training program continues to grow under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Les Brown, First Christian Church, Midwest City. Twenty-two men and women are participating in the current year’s program. Shauna Becker, First Christian Church, Midwest City graduated from this two-year program in 2007.
The Oklahoma regional church, in covenant with two local congregations, ordained two persons into ministry thus far in 2007: Bethany Albrecht, Bethany Christian Church, Tulsa and Janet Daniel, Wildewood Christian Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
The Oklahoma Disciples Foundation was able to distribute from 46 named endowment funds some $244,476 in 2007 – an overall increase of 80.5% from 2006. The amazing accomplishment occurred because the Foundation is now investing for and distributing total return. Not just traditional income. While such growth is not anticipated in future years, distributions should be more consistent at this level. These funds not only support regional church ministries, but also three regional church campsites, Phillips Theological Seminary, women’s and men’s ministries, scholarships, minority and small congregations’ ministries. The Rev. Dr. Kyle Maxwell, Executive Director and Ms. Linda Hill, Development Specialist, form the staff of the foundation which is governed by an Oklahoma board of directors.
Nearly 400 Oklahoma Disciples registered for the 2006 Regional Assembly in Edmond at First Christian Church held last October. The Regional Assembly hit some really high notes with guest speaker, author and pastor, Philip Gulley. Philip is the author of the Harmony series of popular books and opened the Assembly on Friday evening to a packed sanctuary. One of the highlights of the Assembly was the chartering of two new congregations – New Vessels Christian Church, Oklahoma City and Odyssey Christian Church, Jenks. What a glorious day as we celebrated these newest members in our regional church family. When we gathered for worship on Saturday evening, our General Minister and President, the Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, offered us an inspiring and challenging message. It was good to have Sharon return home for this, the first Oklahoma assembly, since she became General Minister and President of our church. During the business session, the Rev. Thomas R. Jewell, was unanimously re-elected for a term of six years.
In Christ,
