Ministry Together

Clergy Resources from the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest

May | 2024

Looking Ahead

Rev. Joshua Patty

Regional Minister and President

John Caughron shared an audio devotion for a recent gathering of his clergy cluster. With John’s permission, I’m delighted to share his thoughtful reflection on roots and growth. You can download John’s audio reflection here.

2025 Boundaries Training

All ordained and commissioned ministers of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Upper Midwest are required to complete a boundaries course in 2025. Our region is preparing a one-day onsite course for Wednesday, January 22 at the CCC (following Ministers Institute). There also will be an online option of multiple shorter sessions covering the same material.

The 2025 Boundaries Training offered by our region will focus on our Ministerial Code of Ethics. You are invited to help focus our time by completing a survey, which should only take a few minutes. The survey asks two things. First, help us prioritize the session by identifying the five bullet points of the code of ethics you most want discussed in boundaries training. Second, you have the opportunity to suggest case study ideas for small group discussions related to potential boundaries violations. Find the survey here.

Amending Regional Bylaws

The recent Visioning Together conversations have confirmed conversations that Operations Council has had for a few months. We see a need to add some definition to our regional structure. These changes likely are not intended to alter our Disciples Together vision, but will make certain things in our structure more explicit.

I, along with other regional leaders, believe that our region might benefit from making changes before the denominational changes to General Assembly and General Board take place in 2025. Members of our Operations Council are considering amended bylaws in the coming weeks. As specific decisions are made, I’ll share them with our region. (In case you are unaware, our Operations Council is entrusted with the responsibility to amend our current bylaws.)

Celebrations

Ordination of Casey Brown

Casey Brown was ordained on May 18, 2024, at Panora Christian Church, Panora, IA. Congratulations, and may God bless your ministry!

Installation of Don Naftz

On April 21, Don was installed as the pastor of Bloomfield Christian Church, Bloomfield, IA. Congratulations, and may your ministry together be Spirit-filled!

Installation of Mike Miller

On May 19, Mike Miller was installed as the pastor of Marion Christian Church, Marion, IA. Congratulations, and may your ministry together be Spirit-filled!

Important News and Resources

Join Josh in prayer on the first Thursday of each month, at 9:30a. The link for June.

National Convocation

The biennial session will be in Greensboro, NC from July 11-14. Register here. See the promotional video here.

The National Convocation's Vision Statement is to be a leaven in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) under One God as One Church with One Mission in the world; as a voice promoting pertinent issues related to the African American Church, carrying out the biblical mandate, and to transform lives.

NAPAD Convocation

The NAPAD Convocation is in Salt Lake City. For more information and to register.

NAPAD stands for North American Pacific/Asian Disciples of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). They affirm the cultures and heritages of Pacific/Asian peoples within the historic and living Christian faith. As part of the Disciples, they join with other Disciples in the total mission o the church, to recognize and promote the gifts and presence of North American Pacific/Asian Disciples in the life and work of the Church.

NBA's Chaplains Peer & Learning Wellness Group

The NBA is forming a 2-year hybrid Peer Learning & Wellness Group for Disciples chaplains. This group will start in September and run through August 2026. For more information.

LGBTQ+ Youth Retreat

This weekend retreat for Disciples LGBTQ+ youth (grades 8-12) is a time for new friendships, sharing of experiences, and attending to one's spiritual connection. Retreaters will hear from a keynote speaker, share in worship and workshops, and explore some sites of St. Louis. This event is supported by multiple regions, including the Upper Midwest.

To register.

Luke and Mark Ehrhardt, pastors at West Des Moines Christian Church, West Des Moines, Iowa along with Brian Nixon, pastor from First Christian Church Keokuk, IA, wrote and recorded a song called "It Would Have Been Enough," inspired by Dr. Hooker's "Dayenu" message at General Assembly last summer and the work of the Church Narrative Project. It was released on all streaming platforms on May 3.

General Church Gatherings

Pension Fund's The Gathering, which will be in DC on Sept. 3-5, 2024. The Gathering is a biennial conference that helps you connect with other clergy as you join together to learn and connect.
The Proclamation Project is hosting a preaching retreat from Oct. 28-30, 2024, in Scottsdale, AZ. For more information .

Transitions and Prayers

Please submit your celebrations and personal prayer requests to Liz Woodward, liz@uppermidwestcc.org.

Prayers for Clergy Colleagues

There is a holy and sacred responsibility for each of us to hold one another in prayer. Colleagues of all ages experience health issues, life-altering experiences filled with concern and joy, as well as the fatigue and energy of ministry. Take a moment to offer prayer for one another.

Congratulations to Andrea Brownlee, who has received her Certificate in Spiritual Direction from Columbia Theological Seminary.

Congratulations to Jessie Lent, a Disciples pastor serving Hope United Church of Christ, Hiawatha, IA on his installation as pastor on Sunday, May 19.

Congratulations to Aaron Bruner, who was called as the settled pastor of Glen Echo Christian Church, Des Moines, IA.

Congratulations to Sherry Schwab, who was called as settled pastor of New Disciples Christian Church, Cedar Rapids, IA.

Please hold fellow clergy who are encouraging and supporting congregational members after the May storms.

Prayers for Sherry Schwab on the passing of her son, Josh.

Prayers for the family of Nancy Jensen on her passing into eternal life. Obituary

Prayers for the family of Charles Fry on his passing into eternal life. Obituary

Prayers for Carla Nelson and family on the passing of her sister, Teresa. Obituary

Prayers for Heidi Hulme as she recovers from surgery.

Continued prayers for John Caughron as he journeys the difficult path of ALS. Please remember John's family in your prayers as they support and nurture him during this illness.

General/Ecumenical Church Jobs

Coordinator for Ministry with Youth & Young Adults, Disciples Home Mission
Vice President for Development for the Southeast Zone, Christian Church Foundation
Program Associate for Resource Development, Global Ministries
Global Relations Minister, Latin America and the Caribbean, Global Ministries
Director of Financial Services, Disciples Church Extension Fund
Financial Services Representative (Lending), Disciples Church Extension Fund

Congregations in Transition

Friends, these are the congregations in the Upper Midwest in the search and call process. Please keep them in your prayers during these transitions.

Altoona Christian Church is in the search and call process.
Bondurant Christian Church is seeking an interim.
Central Christian Church, Boone, is in the search and call process, with David Clark as the interim.
Highland Park Christian Church is in the search and call process and has called Arlene Johnson as interim.
First Christian Church, Adel has called Tim Johnson as interim.
Davis Street Christian Church, Ottumwa has called Terry Wise as their interim beginning in Jan 2024.
Lennox Christian Church is in the search and call process.
Trinity Christian Church, Bridgewater, will enter the search and call process.
Hedrick Christian Church is seeking pulpit supply.
Union Church, Ira, is in the search process.
First Christian Church, Muscatine and Nichols Christian Church are being served by Marcy Heil during the process of search and call.
Central Christian Church, Marshalltown has called Michael Carlson as interim.
Pleasantville Christian Church is beginning the search process.
First Christian Church, Estherville will enter the search process. Doug Burton plans to retire Jan 2025.
Howard Street Christian Church will enter the search process. Tom Burns plans to retire Aug 2024.

Chaplain Jobs

Luther Park Community in Des Moines, IA, is looking for an associate chaplain. Luther Park is a not-for-profit senior living community. For more information and to apply. Email Anjeanette Perkins, the chaplain, with any questions.

Looking to Serve?

Each month we list the congregations in the Upper Midwest who are in the search and call process. This month there are 20 congregations in the search and call process. It is challenging to identify enough pulpit supply, interim, and settled ministers for these many congregations to consider.

Please contact Josh or Liz to learn more or share your ideas.

Clergy Book Study Resumes in Fall

The regional Clergy Book Study held on the fourth Thursday, 2 pm, will read Michael Kinnamon's new novel The Nominee. Set in 1991 against the backdrop of America's intensifying culture wars, The Nominee draws inspiration from Michael's own experience of being nominated to serve as General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The prologue and the first four chapters will be the discussion material for August 22. September 26 will cover chapters five through eight. October 24 will cover chapters nine through twelve. This will be an engaging conversation about a time in the history of the Christian Church (disciples of Christ). The zoom link for the clergy study will be sent the morning on the session. If you are interested in participating in the book study, please email Liz Woodward at liz@uppermidwestcc.org

Continuing Education Opportunities

Luther Seminary

Bonhoeffer Discussion

June 11, 5:30-7:30p

Tripp Fuller and Andrew Root will deliver a lecture on the life and relevance of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. For more information.

The Disciples Preaching Retreat

October 28-30, 2024

The Disciples Preaching Retreat, Beautiful Feet, will bein Phoenix, AZ. The Keynote Speaker will be Dr. Frank A. Thomas. For more information.

Convergence

Life After Doom

Recorded conversation between Rev. Cameron Trimble and Brian McLaren about Life After Doom. For more information.

Wesley Seminary

Leadership Imagination

Self-guided class on leadership imagination. Free until June.

More info and registration.

New Church Ministry

Leadership Academy

New Church Ministry is excited to announce that Meizon Church will be hosting Leadership Academy this year! The event will be in Gainesville, FL, or available online later. Stay tuned for registration details!

Continuing Education Requirement

All Upper Midwest clergy are expected to complete continuing education each year in order to be granted ministerial standing in the following years. Details on our regional website.

Resources and News

Clergy Sermon Resources

Six Part Sermon Series on the Psalms, from the Proclamation Project

"Within Us, Among Us" Preaching Resource, tied to 2023 General Assembly

Sermons by Mission Co-Workers, offered through Global Ministries

Mental Health Sermons, prepared by Mental Health taskforce of National Benevolent Association

Fourth Sunday Sermons, recorded and offered by AllianceQ for Disciples congregations to use

Other Resources

Children Worship & Wonder trainings, offered by Ministry Across Generations

Disciples Tech Corp, technology guides for congregations

Mental Health Resource for all active ministers and families

Important -- you do not need to be a member of Pension Fund to access this service, but only active minister of a DOC church

Free Stewardship campaign materials

"Marks of a Vital Congregation" videos

Practicing Our Faith website

Helpful Articles

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