Showing posts with label Membership. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Membership. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 03, 2023
Saturday, December 02, 2017
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Sunday, March 20, 2011
He's Here to Pump You Up
DEPICTIONS OF JESUS MAY HAVE ALIENATED MEN
An unspoken reason for the defection of some men from church may be in the way Jesus has been portrayed by artists, at least since the Renaissance and Reformation. In a huge number of portraits during the past few centuries, the Lord is depicted as nearly androgynous -- when indications from the world of visions and mysticism are that He was anything but.
An unspoken reason for the defection of some men from church may be in the way Jesus has been portrayed by artists, at least since the Renaissance and Reformation. In a huge number of portraits during the past few centuries, the Lord is depicted as nearly androgynous -- when indications from the world of visions and mysticism are that He was anything but.
Monday, May 02, 2005
Another_way_of_Spiraling
Church of the Brethren Membership Falls Again in 2004
Overall Church of the Brethren membership continued to decline in 2004, according to year-end figures collected by the "Church of the Brethren Yearbook," published by Brethren Press. The denomination reported a net loss of 1,280 members last year, down just under one percent from the previous year. It is, however, a smaller decline than in 2003, when the Church of the Brethren had a net loss of 1,363 members.
The declining membership has been described as a death spiral. A query will be coming to Annual Conference requesting that 70% of the couples in the Brethren denomination should be required to have three or more children in order to reverse this trend.
Overall Church of the Brethren membership continued to decline in 2004, according to year-end figures collected by the "Church of the Brethren Yearbook," published by Brethren Press. The denomination reported a net loss of 1,280 members last year, down just under one percent from the previous year. It is, however, a smaller decline than in 2003, when the Church of the Brethren had a net loss of 1,363 members.
The declining membership has been described as a death spiral. A query will be coming to Annual Conference requesting that 70% of the couples in the Brethren denomination should be required to have three or more children in order to reverse this trend.
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
Ad Hoc Takes Stock on ReLoc
With the reduction of the position of New Windsor Conference Center Director and no apparent plans to hire a replacement director, doubts are being cast upon any plans to consolidate denominational offices to the Maryland site. And ever since the Ad Hoc Relocation Committee was formed by the General Board at its March Board Meetings, staff at the Elgin (IL) headquarters have been uneasy about their future. Now it appears that, in an apparent attempt to return to the denomination’s roots, a third location is being considered.
Kable News and Watt Publishing are in negotiations to sell some of their property, originally bought from the Church of the Brethren, in Mount Morris. With the currently small and shrinking size of the denomination such a small town setting will prove efficacious.
It is also noted that other reports suggest that an overseas location is also under consideration.
With the reduction of the position of New Windsor Conference Center Director and no apparent plans to hire a replacement director, doubts are being cast upon any plans to consolidate denominational offices to the Maryland site. And ever since the Ad Hoc Relocation Committee was formed by the General Board at its March Board Meetings, staff at the Elgin (IL) headquarters have been uneasy about their future. Now it appears that, in an apparent attempt to return to the denomination’s roots, a third location is being considered.
Kable News and Watt Publishing are in negotiations to sell some of their property, originally bought from the Church of the Brethren, in Mount Morris. With the currently small and shrinking size of the denomination such a small town setting will prove efficacious.
It is also noted that other reports suggest that an overseas location is also under consideration.
Friday, June 21, 2002
The Small Picture: What do peas have to do with me?
The unique event was co-sponsored by Brethren Service Center, New Windsor Conference Center, On Earth Peace, and the General Board's Small Membership/Rural Church Advisory Committee.
The day began with a challenge to the small, rural churches from Congregational Life Team staff member Jim Kinsey.
Throughout the day workshops were offered on topics includingthe group's identity and function, the pressing needs of small membership and rural churches, the best ways to process these needs, and changing rural paradigms. Participants also had the opportunity to meet with agency staff from the General Board, On Earth Peace, and the Washington Office.
Representatives Ray Barkey, Northern Indiana District, and Mary Jane Button-Harrison, Northern Plains, called it “a marvelous event which exemplifies the impact church agencies can have when they utilize their partnerships to bring people together.”
The unique event was co-sponsored by Brethren Service Center, New Windsor Conference Center, On Earth Peace, and the General Board's Small Membership/Rural Church Advisory Committee.
The day began with a challenge to the small, rural churches from Congregational Life Team staff member Jim Kinsey.
Throughout the day workshops were offered on topics includingthe group's identity and function, the pressing needs of small membership and rural churches, the best ways to process these needs, and changing rural paradigms. Participants also had the opportunity to meet with agency staff from the General Board, On Earth Peace, and the Washington Office.
Representatives Ray Barkey, Northern Indiana District, and Mary Jane Button-Harrison, Northern Plains, called it “a marvelous event which exemplifies the impact church agencies can have when they utilize their partnerships to bring people together.”
Personnel
In light of the fact that membership (although the decline has slowed) is still declining, the General Board has announced the creation of a new Director of Evangelism staff position. “We realized that the Church of the Brethren is just not as popular as most of the main stream denominations, and we needed someone who can bring people to the denomination in spite of our poor performance,” said General Secretary Judy Mills Reimer. Barring a miracle, Andy McPhail will assume evangelism duties for the Church of the Brethren this October
In light of the fact that membership (although the decline has slowed) is still declining, the General Board has announced the creation of a new Director of Evangelism staff position. “We realized that the Church of the Brethren is just not as popular as most of the main stream denominations, and we needed someone who can bring people to the denomination in spite of our poor performance,” said General Secretary Judy Mills Reimer. Barring a miracle, Andy McPhail will assume evangelism duties for the Church of the Brethren this October
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