Intercultural Study Committee develops web log.

The Intercultural Study Committee formed by the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference has developed a web log in an effort to foster discussion of its investigative work on intercultural issues in the Church of the Brethren.

The study committee was elected at the 2004 Annual Conference in Charleston as a result of two queries, "Becoming a Multi-Ethnic Church," brought by Atlantic Southeast District; and "The Need for Cross-Cultural Ministries," from Oregon-Washington District. The queries referred to scripture in calling for action "to bring us into conformity with the biblical vision of a church from every nation, tribe, people, and language, united in worship before the throne of God" (Isaiah 56:6-7; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 15:9; 2 Corinthians 13:12; Revelation 7:9).

The committee continues to work on two of its five tasks, in a report from recorder Nadine L Monn. The group is working on an intercultural ministries progress report format for Annual Conference through 2010, and on action recommendations for the denomination, districts, congregations, and church members. Interested church members can visit the web log to see updates from the committee's work and to comment on them.

Additions also have been made to the committee's portion of the Annual Conference website, including a questionnaire for member input on action recommendations, a diversity survey that was circulated to all of the district executive ministers, and a table of previous Annual Conference recommendations adopted since 1989.

"Please be in prayer for the denomination as we work together to realize the Revelation 7:9 vision," Monn said. "The committee members request prayer for them as they write their 2006 Annual Conference report."

Committee members are Asha Solanky, chair; Nadine L. Monn, recorder; Darla Kay Bowman Deardorff; Ruben DeOleo; Thomas Dowdy; Neemita Pandya; Gilbert Romero; and Glenn Hatfield, ex-officio representative of the American Baptist Churches USA.

To visit the Intercultural Study Committee's portion of the Annual Conference website go to www.brethren.org/ac/multiethnic.htm. To visit the web log go to http://interculturalcob.blogspot.com.

Source: 2/1/2006 Newsline
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