CCOK301, Author at Christian Church in Oklahoma

Laity Training for Pro-Reconciliation and Anti-Racism

The Region’s Faith in Action Commission is pleased to offer training for congregational leadership, laity and clergy on Pro-Reconciliation and Anti-Racism (PRAR). One-day PRAR workshops are being offered statewide during the year and we encourage you take advantage of this excellent opportunity.

Please download the poster and place in your congregations’ gathering area, and include the information in your newsletter. The cost is $35 per person and training dates and registration is available online at this link.

If you have questions about the training, please contact Marilynn Knott, chair of the Faith in Action Commission, for more information at 405-524-5074 or email her at [email protected].

Download the PRAR Training Flyer

CCOK3012019-03-18T10:26:00-05:00Mar 14, 2019|PRAR|Comments Off

Job Posting: Praise Band Leader at FCC Edmond

First Christian Church Edmond is looking to hire a Praise Band Leader. If you are interested in this position please contact Rev. John Regan at
[email protected] or by phone at 341-3544. Please include all relevant experience, instruments you play and contact information. Click HERE to view the full job description.

CCOK3012019-03-12T09:44:44-05:00Mar 12, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off

Photo Gallery 2019 Leadership Training School

Thank you for a great Leadership Training School!

Over 240 Oklahoma Disciples gathered on a windy Saturday in February for fellowship, learning and inspiration at First Christian Church Edmond. We are so pleased to see our laity and clergy uniting at 2019 Leadership Training School to learn how to address the important topics of justice, disciples roots and inclusivity. Thank you to our workshop leaders for sharing your ideas and experiences.

We offered a warm welcome to General Minister and President Teresa “Terri” Hord Owens with a rousing rendition of “Oklahoma” at worship. And we appreciated her message of inspiration in worship, her workshop and availability to answer individual questions over coffee.

As you’ll see in the photo gallery over a dozen of Oklahoma’s and international Disciples ministries and mission projects explained their activities to LTS participants in our exhibit area.

We extend special thanks to our sponsors: Phillips Seminary, and the clergy groups from the Northwest, Northeast and Central Areas. We also appreciate the hospitality of First Christian Church Edmond for hosting our event, and Mary Beth and Kim Becker for the delicious treats. Thanks to the Regional Youth Council for their assistance in welcoming our participants.

Leadership Training School is planned, organized and carried out by clergy, laity and Regional staff. Thank you to LTS event leader Shannon Cook and her team: John Regan, Amy Rogers, Shannon Grubbs, Geoffrey Brewster, Colton Lott, Brandon Johnson and the Regional staff Michael Davison, Ellen Beer, Jennifer Gallaway and Pam Holt.

CCOK3012019-03-14T11:34:01-05:00Mar 11, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off

Oklahoma Region Search & Call

You may now find an up to date list of Oklahoma congregations that are currently in the search and call process, click HERE to view.

CCOK3012019-03-11T12:13:19-05:00Mar 11, 2019|Congregations|Comments Off

The Rev. Geoffrey Brewster Joins the Pension Fund Development Team

Press Release from Rev. Dr. Todd Adams, President, CEO of Pension Fund of the Christian Church:

The Reverend Geoffrey Shon Brewster will join Pension Fund’s staff as Annual Fund Director on April 1, 2019. Rev. Brewster joins Pension Fund after nine years at Phillips Theological Seminary, where he most recently served as Senior Director of Advancement. The addition of Rev. Brewster to the development team will further shape the expansion of Ministerial Relief and Assistance and help ensure its critical funding.

“Rev. Brewster is the ‘right person at the right time’ to help us expand our base of support while building upon the tremendous generosity of our current donors. His experience and expertise will be a real gift to our team as a whole,” shared Rev. Julie Richardson, Assistant Vice President for Development.

Rev. Brewster began his service to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) during high school, when he served as a children’s ministry intern at First Christian Church, Shawnee, Okla. Rev. Brewster spent 12 years in children’s, youth and young adult ministry, serving Faith Community Christian Church, Choctaw, Okla., and Southern Hills Christian Church, Edmond, Okla., before joining the staff at Phillips.

“During my time at Phillips, it became clear that for our graduates to be successful in ministry, systems of support were needed. Pension Fund is investing in the development and expansion of those systems. I am grateful and excited to be called to raise the resources necessary to ensure these programs thrive and our ministers find the support they need,” said Rev. Brewster.

Rev. Dr. Todd A. Adams, President/CEO reflected, “Not only is Geoff a gifted fund raiser, but his connections to, and understanding of, the challenges facing pastors today – especially recent seminary graduates – will be invaluable to our mission.” Rev. Brewster holds a Master of Divinity from Phillips Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Central Oklahoma. He will work remotely from his home in Tulsa, Okla.

Pension Fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) provides pension and retirement savings accounts for clergy and lay employees of congregations, regions, general ministries and church-related colleges and seminaries of the Stone-Campbell (Restoration) Movement. Pension Fund manages more than $3 billion in net assets on behalf of those serving in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and related international ministries.

CCOK3012019-03-11T11:24:35-05:00Mar 11, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off

April 6: Northeast Oklahoma Disciples Women 2019 Spring General Meeting

You are invited to join the Northeast Oklahoma Disciples Women for the 2019 Spring General Meeting. The meeting will take place on April 6, 2019 at 10am at Bethany Christian Church located at 6730 S. Sheridan Road, Tulsa, OK.

Dr. Ellen Blue, of Phillips Theological Seminary will speak about her attributes in her book, In Case of Katrina, which studies rebuilding vs reinventing church after a disaster.

Cost $10 at the door (includes box lunch)
Pre-registration is encouraged in order to have a headcount for lunches. Register HERE. You may also pay at the door.

Click HERE to download the flyer. Please contact Delois Guess at 918-695-4039 with any questions.

CCOK3012019-03-12T11:08:09-05:00Mar 11, 2019|Disciples Women|Comments Off

Pastor’s Pathway Silent Retreat April 22- 24

Come practice the art of silence at the Pastor’s Pathway Silent Retreat April 22-24. Registration deadline is April 8th.

Location: St. Crispin’s Conference Center located at 36302 State Hwy 9, Wewoka, OK 74884
Cost: $190.50/per person (if meals are included)
Registration: Call Christine Pomaville (405) 248-6282

CCOK3012019-03-11T10:42:30-05:00Mar 11, 2019|Clergy News|Comments Off

100 Folding Chairs Needed for Simplicity Christian Church

Simplicity Christian Church is in need of around 100 folding chairs for their growing congregation. If you have folding chairs for sale, loan, or as a gift please contact Jamie Bramble at 405-812-8206 or [email protected]

CCOK3012019-03-11T10:05:04-05:00Mar 11, 2019|Congregations|Comments Off

Modeling Jesus – Season of Prayer on Racism

Modeling Jesus

By Ms. Marilynn Knott (Retired Commissioned Minister)
Chair, Commission on Faith in Action
Member, Crown Heights Christian Church, OKC

Race as a descriptor of human types is a relatively recent addition to history, first appearing around the 17th century CE. Tribalism was the predominant difference during the centuries covered in the Bible. Both provided fodder for discrimination. We deal with both racism and tribalism today. While our indigenous tribes have felt the sting of bigotry since the arrival of others to what was described at the time as the New World, we now seem as a people to be developing groupings based on privilege.

An elderly white female being interviewed after voting recently said she voted for a certain candidate because she represented the woman’s culture. She apparently did not take into consideration the candidate’s positions on the issues. Fear of losing our identity to diversity is a very real challenge in our world today as it was in Jesus’ time.

For our prayer experience this week we invite you to spend some time meditating on how Jesus dealt with peoples of different cultures and backgrounds. One way to do this is to read the story shared in scripture and then re-enact it in your mind, putting yourself in the various roles of the participants ending each time in the role of Jesus. Will you be modeling Jesus?

For example, read the story of Jesus and the Syrophoenician Woman found in Mark 7:24-30. Sit back and relax in a quiet place, close your eyes and image yourself in the story as the Syrophoenician Woman.

What does that feel like?
What do you think of this man you have challenged?
Why did you have enough nerve to talk to him in the first place?

Now replay the scene and see yourself as one of the disciples.

What are you thinking?
What are you learning about Jesus?
About people from other tribes?

Finally, try to take on the persona of Jesus. See the woman as he sees her. What do you think he sees that his disciples do not see? That we do not see?

Now try some others. How about Jesus meeting with the Roman Centurion in Matthew 8:5-16 or Simon of Cyrene carrying Jesus’ cross in Mark 15 or Jesus’ interaction with the Gerasene demoniac in Mark 5:1-20 and Luke 8:26-39.

What common themes occurred in each situation? What surprised you? What are some of the things from Jesus’ behavior can you adopt to help you love your diverse neighbors more successfully?

CCOK3012019-02-28T11:46:55-06:00Mar 11, 2019|PRAR|Comments Off

March 15: You’re Invited to Join the Pension Fund of the Christian Church for Lunch

The Pension Fund would like to invite you to lunch on March 15th from 11am – 1:30pm at First Christian Church Norman, located at 220 S. Webster Ave. Norman, OK 73069.

Pension Fund is hosting a member luncheon to share with you the exciting work of Pension Fund this past year including our focused efforts on Ministerial Relief & Assistance.

Seating is limited so please RSVP to Chandra Haskett no later than March 8. You may RSVP via email ([email protected]) or by phone at 317.713.2630. Be sure to let her know if you have any special dietary restrictions.

We look forward to seeing you in March!

Sincerely,
Rev. Dr. Todd Adams and Rev. Kyle Fauntleroy

CCOK3012019-03-05T13:50:12-06:00Mar 5, 2019|Congregations|Comments Off

CCOK301

About CCOK301

Thank you for a great Leadership Training School!

Modeling Jesus