Southeastern District makes disciples, welcomes fellowship.

July 30-Aug. 1 Southeastern District Conference met at Mars Hill (N.C.) College on the theme, "Go and Make Disciples of All Nations." Tim Coulthard served as moderator for the meeting at which 34 churches were represented by 107 delegates and over 200 registered participants.

The conference unanimously approved a new fellowship called HIS Way, or Jesucristo, El Camino, along with the purchase of a house that will serve as a parsonage and a location for the church. A budget of $141,401 was approved for the coming year. Jim Hoffman, Peak Creak Church of the Brethren, Sparta, N.C., was chosen as moderator elect and Harold Rose, Cumberland Church of the Brethren, Clintwood, Va., will serve as moderator for the 2004-05 year. A quilt auction raised about $4,000 for disaster relief and the churches of the district also collected 200 Gift of the Heart school kits.

"The overall mood of the conference was good," reported Stan Noffsinger and Carol Yeazell, who were there to represent the General Board. "A sense of unity is present and there is much excitement over the planting of the new congregation in Hendersonville."

General secretary Noffsinger attended along with General Board chair Donna Shumate. In a question-and-answer session he spoke of the need for disciples and Christians to look at the simple ways in which they can contribute to the work of congregations, districts, and denomination. He challenged every person present to give two cents a day--the equivalent, he said, of one Starbuck's speciality drink--and contribute that money to the church. These gifts would go a long way to meet the current needs of the church as it seeks to share the good news, and would overcome many budget needs, he told the conference.

John Thomas, representing the board's funding program, and Yeazell, Congregational Life Team member, also shared brief reports. Yeazell led two insight sessions on a paper on Leadership Team Structure, a model that some of those attending have begun to use.

Source: Newsline 09/03/2004
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