Plans for 'Conversations on Being the Church' continue.

A group making plans for a denomination-wide conversation on the state of the church has announced a new name for the effort and a timeline of events. The group of representatives of Annual Conference, the districts, and Conference agencies met Sept. 29-30 at Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind. "TOGETHER: Conversations on Being the Church" is the new name for the effort previously referred to as an "ecclesiology consultation."

At the meeting, the group "put more thought into the basics. We got some good work done," reported Brethren Press publisher Wendy McFadden. Agenda items included the new name, a logo, budget, a timeline of events, a study guide, and continuing discussion of questions raised at previous meetings.

Graphic designer Debbie Noffsinger is being commissioned to create a logo using church images that are "undisputed," said McFadden, "images that all can rally around." Images that may be used include the cross, the bread and cup, and the basin and towel.

A timeline for the conversations, which will take place in 2006-07, will begin with a Launch Event Feb. 24-26, 2006, in New Windsor, Md. The launch will train some 125 representatives of districts and Conference agencies to lead conversations in their own areas, districts, and congregations following Annual Conference that year, said Julie Hostetter of the General Board's Congregational Life Teams and chair of the launch subcommittee. "A key component is the study guide," she said. The "TOGETHER" guide will be used in the conversations at all levels: Annual Conference, district conferences, area events, and congregations. The group discussed possible writers and McFadden was given responsibility to continue planning the guide.

Following the launch, conversations will continue at Annual Conference 2006 in 30-minute time slots during each business session, and at some insight sessions. District conferences in 2006 will be invited to have "TOGETHER" conversations. Throughout the latter half of 2006 and the first half of 2007, those trained at the launch will lead conversations. Area events will be coordinated by Ron and Harriett Finney. "TOGETHER" will culminate at Annual Conference 2007.

Other key issues are still in the planning stage, McFadden said, such as how to secure financing and how to include all segments of the denomination. The group continued discussing "Who is listening?"--a question raised at its last meeting in May. A subcommittee was appointed to work on "listening teams" for the process.

Representing the districts were chair Mark Flory Steury of Southern Ohio, Don Booz of Mid-Atlantic, and David Shumate of Virlina. Representing Annual Conference was secretary Fred Swartz. Representing the agencies were, from the Association of Brethren Caregivers, executive director Kathy Reid; from Bethany, professor Jeff Bach and dean Steve Reid; from Brethren Benefit Trust, president Wil Nolen; from the General Board, Ministry director Mary Jo Flory Steury, Hostetter, Congregational Life Ministries executive Del Keeney, McFadden; from On Earth Peace, peace witness coordinator Matt Guynn; and Bethany Academy director Jonathan Shively. Ron and Harriett Finney attended as coordinators of the regional events. The group will meet again Jan. 20-21 at Bethany.

Source: 10/29/2004 Newsline
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