Our Church Made the Local Paper (mystic, tradition, missionaries, grace)

[CaptainXeroid]

Our local newspaper, the Atlanta Journal Constitution, has a Saturday section called Faith and Values that has a listing of local churches and articles concerning religion. When our pastor begin service mentioning the paper, I thought he was promoting our 'Faith and Values' Sunday School class, until he mentioned this nice article.

Church has foundation of embracing diversity
Candice Hannigan - For the Journal-Constitution
Saturday, August 19, 2006


Mission statement
"Resolve to love, agree to differ, unite to serve, break bread together."
History The congregation was founded 85 years ago this Christmas. The current facility was built in 1950. The church has had only five pastors in the last 73 years and has been involved in the ordination of 19 men and women to Christian ministry. Throughout its history, First Christian has played an active role in the civil rights movement, and opened its doors to people of all races in the 1960s.


Pastor's path
(James) Brewer-Calvert earned a master's of divinity from Union Theological Seminary in New York and a doctorate of ministry from Lexington Theological Seminary in Kentucky. He's served congregations in New York, Texas and Tennessee. His parents were urban missionaries, which placed him in congregation that he called "a true melting pot."
"My three brothers and I were raised in a local church in Harlem, and we witnessed the amazing power and grace of God at work among America's poorest and oppressed people," said Brewer-Calvert. "I didn't know I was Caucasian until I went to junior high school outside of east Harlem and saw racism."

Brewer-Calvert and his brothers, as well as members of the Harlem youth group, are involved in ministries of reconciliation, renewal and hope.

Ministries
Creative children's and youth programs highlight the church's ministries. Brewer-Calvert said church members and neighbors created "an amazing park and playground that has the unofficial world record for the most used swing set." The park offers a safe and shady play place for families. "We're delighted with the playground because it symbolizes church, and the neighborhood working together to build something positive for all," he said. The church created and sustains the Decatur Cooperative Ministry and the Decatur Emergency Assistance ministry, ecumenical programs that help empower, feed and house impoverished members of the community, the pastor said. The congregation hosts meetings of groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and offers the church lawn as a place to watch Decatur's July 4th fireworks display. For Brewer-Calvert, accepting and listening is part of the ministry offered at First Christian. "It's not all activity. Part of the ministry of the church is encouraging people to listen, helping people to sit with God in prayer."

Thoughts from the pastor
"First Christian Church faithfully seeks to reflect the diversity of Decatur and our surrounding cities. We're a unique and blessed blend of people from all walks of life," said Brewer-Calvert. "Here people find an open table to which everyone is invited to reconnect with Christ. Here there are no barriers, no lines in the sand no creed but Christ."
candihan@bellsouth.net

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF DECATUR

• 601 W. Ponce de Leon, Decatur, GA 30030
• Phone: 404-378-3621
• Web site: www.decaturdisciples.org.
• E-mail: 1stcc@bellsouth.net
• Services:. 8:30 a.m. Awakenings service in chapel, 9:30 classes for all ages, 10:50 a.m. sanctuary service
• Worship style: Blend of traditional, contemporary with open communion
• Average attendance: 120
• Pastor: James Brewer-Calvert
• Denomination affiliation: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) www.disciples.org.

Source. You have to be registered at AJC.com to read it there.

[MysticSang'ha]

"Resolve to love, agree to differ, unite to serve, break bread together."

If only every sect of every religion in the world could have a mission statement like this, we would experience true harmony in mankind. Your church is a shining example for all of us!




Peace,
Mystic

[CaptainXeroid]

Originally Posted by MysticSang'ha

If only every sect of every religion in the world could have a mission statement like this, we would experience true harmony in mankind. Your church is a shining example for all of us!

Peace,
Mystic

Thank you for the kind words. We have quite a diverse congregation, so do a lot of each of the four parts of our mission statement.

[MysticSang'ha]

I'd love to visit your church someday. It's website looked and felt so inviting, warm, and refreshing.



Peace,
Mystic

[sojourner]

What a great statement! This is why I love this denomination.

[Terrywoodenpic]

Sounds like a place that knows Christ.

[evearael]

How did I miss this thread? That is a truly wonderful mission statement, CX! Thanks for sharing the article.

[Terrywoodenpic]

I looked through your Churches web site and The Churches national web site; I find that I agree with everything I have read; though of course I have questions.
Two of which are...
How literally does the church take the Bible?
Do you have women Pastors?

[sojourner]