The Indiana e-Christian

Indiana Disciples congregations are giving to Disciples Mission Fund at a pace 6.5% above the same period last year.  For the first quarter of 2009, Indiana’s Disciples gave $249,462 to DMF. Compared with the $234,259 given in the first quarter of 2008, that represents a 6.5% increase.

Under the current funding agreement, just over 40% of those offerings, or $100,156, come back to the region for its mission and ministry. 

The churchwide data, however, do not reflect as positive a picture.  Across the church, offerings to Disciples Mission Fund are down 5.5% compared to the first quarter of 2008.  The Northern California-Nevada region saw in increase of over $100,000 in the first quarter.  If that extraordinary increase is excluded, offerings are down 9%.

Northern California-Nevada and Indiana are two of nine regions that saw an increase of 5% or more.  Four regions’ offerings were relatively stable, neither decreasing nor increasing more than 5%.  The remaining 20 regions experienced decreases of more than 5%.  Eight of those regions saw decreases of more than 20%.

Due to current market conditions, distributions to Disciples Mission Fund from the Christian Church Foundation are down 23.6%.  However, these distributions represent only 1.5% of the total income to DMF.  More that 97% of the support for general units and regions from Disciples Mission Fund is received from congregations and Disciples Women.

More information about Disciples Mission Fund and the current funding system is available on the DMF web site.

Two Indiana congregations in formation showed the highest per capita giving to Disciples outreach in 2008.  Iglesia Cristiana Casa del Alfarero contributed over $6,000 to Disciples causes in 2008, and Living Water Christian Church contributed almost $5,000.

Casa del Alfarero (Potter’s House) is led by Rev. Daphne Arias.  The congregation started in 2003 and is currently nesting at Allisonville Christian Church in Indianapolis.

Living Water is led by Rev. Charles Webb, Jr.  The congregation started in 2007 after the closing of Faith United and University Park Christian Churches.  Living Water is currently holding its worship services in the chapel at Robin Run Village in Indianapolis.

Allisonville Christian Church showed the highest total contributions to Disciples outreach and also showed the largest dollar increase.  Rev. Bob Riester serves Allisonville as senior minister.

East Christian Church in Markleville demonstrated a significant percent increase from 2007, as did Centenary Christian Church in Indianapolis.  These churches are served by Rev. Mike Srbljan and Rev. Gregory Bryant, respectively.

Other highlights from 2008 giving reports include:

• Five congregations gave to Disciples outreach in 2008 that did not in 2007.  These gains equal $2,529.
• Seven congregations did not give to Disciples outreach in 2008 that did in 2007.  These losses equal $6,219.
• 84 congregations increased giving in 2008 over 2007.  The total increase from these churches was $156,757.

Total Disciples outreach includes all giving to Disciples causes through the DMF office, including Disciples Mission Fund, blessing boxes, special day offerings, Week of Compassion, Reconcilation, designated giving and Heartbeats of Faith.

“God Has Done Great Things” provides the theme for the 2008 Christmas Special Day Offering of Disciples Mission Fund. The theme, drawn from Mary’s song of praise in Luke 1, calls individuals and churches to recall the many blessings of God and to give as an act of rejoicing.

The Christmas Offering offers individuals and congregations the opportunity to express gratitude for the ministry of the Region in their life and work. All gifts to the Christmas Offering given by Hoosier Disciples remain in Indiana to support the many ways in which the Region equips and connects the ministries of its 185 congregations.

God has begun a great thing in the Region through the work of congregational transformation. Seven congregations participated in a pilot group that has just completed an 18-month process of discernment and training. Many of these congregations are beginning experiments to help them move toward more effective ministry. A second group of congregations is forming that will begin the process in January.

In addition, several Indiana congregations are experiencing transformation by engaging “Unbinding the Gospel.” Others have embarked on their own spiritual strategic journey. All these efforts are supported by the Region in its ongoing effort to equip congregations to proclaim the gospel and make disciples.

Camping programs continue to be one of the most visible ministries of the region. Each year over 800 youth and adults participate in the region’s summer camping program. In 2008, the camp program introduced “Created to Be Me,” a camp for eighth graders that helps them explore questions of faith and sexuality. The camp was enthusiastically welcomed.

A second group of middle school students are entering the LEAD program, sponsored by the Commission on Ministry. This program trains leaders for the church by identifying youth with leadership potential and working with them over six years to develop their leadership skills.

These ministries and many others are made possible by the support of faithful Disciples across Indiana. Please join in the great things that God is doing by giving generously to the Christmas offering.