The church remembers long-time Brethren leader Don Rowe.

The church this week is remembering the life of Don Rowe, the architect of the current district organizational structure and a long-time church leader known for his warmth. Rowe died Feb. 2 in Maryland, where he was a member of Westminster Church of the Brethren. He was 83.

Rowe served in several denominational capacities, most recently as director of District Ministries for the General Board from 1987 to 1992. He had previously been director of Interpretation, manager of Annual Conference, director of field ministries, and director of personnel for the World Ministries Commission. He was moderator of Annual Conference in 1975.

He had also been executive secretary of the denomination's Western Region in the 1950s and Mid-Atlantic District executive from 1971 to 1986. He began his ministry career as a local pastor, serving congregations in Illinois and California.

It was during his work with field ministries (later called district ministries) in the 1960s that the current district map took shape. After an Annual Conference decision in 1960, Rowe worked with a re-organization committee to oversee the move from 48 districts to the current 23. "That was a major kind of adminstrative change," Rowe recalled in an interview with Messenger last year.

"Don was ever an affirming colleague," said Howard Royer, a long-time co-worker of Rowe, "one who brought energy and openness to the envisioning process."

A memorial service for Rowe will take place 3 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Westminster congregation.

Source: Newsline 2/06/2004
top