Annual Conference theme will be 'TOGETHER: Exercising Daily in God.'

The Annual Conference Program and Arrangements Committee has announced the theme for the 2006 Conference in Des Moines, Iowa. The "TOGETHER: Conversations on Being the Church" event will be launched at Des Moines next summer, and so moderator Ronald D. Beachley suggested the theme, "TOGETHER: Exercising Daily in God."

Church of the Brethren congregations and individuals are invited to explore the theme scriptures and how they apply to our faith journey, reported Lerry Fogle, executive director of the Conference. Moderator Beachley will issue a challenge related to the theme each month preceding Conference. Those theme challenges will be available at www.brethren.org/ac/.

The complete theme statement from the moderator follows:

"Discipline was a hallmark of the early faith community. It appeared to be a natural part of commitment, because of the persecution faced by Jesus' followers. Dedication and commitment seem to be lacking from our lives and faith vocabulary today. The church needs to be encouraged and challenged to a stronger commitment. This will be significant for the denomination as we begin the conversation about being the church during the next year.

"The scriptures, especially Paul's letters, remind us often of the merit and blessings of spiritual discipline. Certainly, the example of Jesus is the model for us to imitate. The early faith community was persecuted and that appeared to produce discipline. The church needs to be challenged to value spiritual discipline. Discipline could strengthen our commitment and dedication to the Lord and the faith community. We need to be reminded over and over again of the value and blessings of spiritual discipline and sharing Christ's love with others.

"Traveling and listening during this past year has been a new adventure. I have encountered many dedicated persons in our denomination. However, I have heard some of these same persons lament the lack of commitment and outreach in the local faith communities.

"Therefore, I'm going to challenge us to a new level of discipline and commitment. Part of the discipline will be to read a chapter a day in the New Testament. Secondly, pray daily for an individual who needs to know Christ as Lord and Savior. I would also encourage you to join a cell group in your congregation to pray with on a regular basis.

"I'm proposing the theme, TOGETHER: EXERCISE DAILY IN GOD, as the theme for the 2006 Annual Conference, using 1 Timothy 4:6-8 as the primary text. The actual wording comes from 'The Message.'"

Source: 08/31/2005 Newsline
top