Regional Staffing Report

The Regional Board met on March 26 and finalized updated staffing configurations following the retirement of Rev. Ron Routledge as co-regional minister. They have spent the past three months in prayerful discernment, listening to staff, pastors, and congregations, and looking at finances and mission contributions carefully with our regional treasurer. We are thankful for the Board’s dedication, discernment and vision. We are excited to share this information with you. We thank the board and our entire Regional Minister Team (RMT) for their dedication to our ongoing vital work.

We thank the Mid-America Region for your partnership, patience, and perspectives as we grow into our new calling. The past ten years have been remarkable and necessary for us to live into our full identity since restructuring in 2015. We thank those who served ably in regional capacities during this time especially those no longer serving: Penny Ross-Corona, Mike Weinman, Bill Rose-Heim, Kris Tenny-Brittian, Larry Colvin, Ron Routledge, Katrina Palin, Christine Chenoweth, Katherine Kinnamon, and Phil Snider.

Read the whole report from Regional Minister Paul Koch here>

Why I Love The Church

In short, I love The Church because The Church is saying, “YES!”

The Regional Commission on Ministry (RCOM) is actively creating multiple paths towards ordination. They recognize that all of the work a minister does is ordained ministry. Yes, some have the ability to attend graduate school. Others have the ability to be apprenticed by mentors, other clergy, and support teams. And so, RCOM has begun a program for ministers who have been commissioned in our region for at least 5 years and have maintained the requirements for standing in each of those years, to become ordained.

      Currently we have 12 Commissioned Ministers who have met and exceeded those requirements and are on the path towards ordination. All of them were at one time told by our region, “no you cannot be ordained” for various reasons. And yet, they all chose to serve in our region with honor and distinction.

      I love the Church because, today, we are recognizing and honoring the selflessness and sacrifice ALL ministers make when answering God’s call to Christian vocation. And I love the Christian Church in Mid-America for equipping our ministers with the tools and best practices for every congregation and ministry setting being served in our region!

Read more about these changes from Associate Regional Minister and RCOM Coordinator David Woodard here>

General Assembly Preachers

Among those scheduled to preach at our upcoming General Assembly in Memphis is Mid-America's own Rev. Brian Kirk! He serves as the pastor of First Christian Church in St. Joseph, where we were blessed by his sermon at last year's Regional Assembly. Learn about the other scheduled preachers and get registered to hear them today>

Care for God's Creation by 'Going Green'

In neighborhoods across the United States and Canada, spring brings with it new growth, warmer temperatures... and rain, lots of rain. If your congregation's place of worship needs to be weatherproofed or have its leaky windows replaced or repaired, then Disciples Church Extension Fund’s green loans of up to US $150,000 can not only help your faith community weather any storm, but ensure that it is being environmentally friendly.  

Interested in improving operations that contribute to a more energy-efficient building? If so, then contact your regional Building and Capital Services Advisor Jim Michel. 

Phillips Weekend in Boonville

On May 2-4, First Christian Church in Boonville will be hosting Phillips Theological Seminary Weekend. Dr. Warren Carter, Professor of New Testament, will present a clergy conversation circle, a community event, and a Sunday School class. Learn more>