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We praise God for leadership committed to excellence! A roundtable of Regional leadership was convened to put forth some proactive steps in the midst of our economic challenges! The wisdom of God has been evident in the meetings. The leaders worked in partnership to outline a package to be effective in every aspect of our Region's ministry. We are walking in wisdom and godly counsel for the good of the whole church because: "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety!" Proverbs 11:14 Praise God!
Congregations, recognized ministries and organizations, and fellowships make up the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
The primary purpose of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Regions is threefold: (1) to communicate and connect the ministry of Christ in mission, witness, and service with the General Ministries of the denominational Church, the Church universal and the World! Specifically, to extend the ministry of Christ in mission, teaching, witness, and service among the people and social structures of the region; (2) to establish, receive, and nurture congregations in the region, providing help, counsel, and pastoral care to members, ministers, and congregations in their mutual relationships, and relating them to the worldwide mission and witness of the whole church. (3) to coordinate and connect ministries for the development of congregations related to training of members including pastors, elders, deacons, men, women, youth, young adults, children and any other issues of congregational life!
Our Region currently has the following recognized ministries designed to promote the gospel of Jesus Christ and strengthen church life!
Our Region breathes and lives out it's mission based on Ephesians 4:10-15
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things. 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
District Assembly 1 ----------Meets on the 4th Friday each Quarter
District Assembly 2 ----------As called
District Assembly 3 --------- Meets every 5th Sunday
District Convention 1---------Meets every 5th weekend Sat. - Sun.
District Convention 2---------Meets every 5th weekend Thurs.-Sat.
*Couples in Ministry
*Youth Ministry
*Regional Leaders
*Elders/Deacon
Regional Conference/Special Projects and Annual Gatherings
We will host our 6th Regional Conference at Greater Cherry Grove Christian Church, Brunson, and October 1 – 4, 2009.We have annual gatherings promoted at Camp Christian, Ole Antioch Day and the most recent being the State Convention Fellowship Day! Our special projects include supporting the building habitat houses, the Rock Hill Christian church project, partnering in providing assistance to workers in work projects related to hurricane and flood recovery and world wide relief support through Week of Compassion
We partner with the following organizations financially in ministry:
The South Carolina Christian Action Council - $500 partner fee
The New Church Ministry - 50% of the Pentecost Offering
Week of Compassion
Disciples World Magazine
Mission Alignment Coordinating Council
General Commission on Ministry
Barton College
Christmount Christian Assembly
International Disciples Women Fellowship & Quadrennial Assembly
International Disciples Men & Sessions
World Convention
General Assembly
National Convocation
General Minister and Presidents Pastor’s Conference
Black Ministers Fellowship & DHM sponsored Retreat focusing on Black Ministry
We operate the Regional Church Office weekly Monday through Friday with a committed and faithful part-time staff. The goal is to make a full-time position available in order in increase office availability. The current office hours are 8:30am to 12:30pm Monday thru Friday. It is the hub for regional communications to the churches, the general church and beyond.
Our office facility and services include office space for the Regional Pastor; joint office space for the secretary and administrative assistant; a kitchen; and a unisex restroom rented from First Christian Church, Charleston.
Our services include toll free and direct phone line, fax, email, website, regular US Postal Service mail and corporate mail services. Our office produces mailings on a regular basis and conducts special mailings and or communicates as authorized by the appropriate ministry leader/ coordinator.
Our travel funding primarily support our Regional Minister's presence in evangelistic initiatives, church development sessions, local congregation gatherings, regional gatherings, general church meetings, and partner ministry meetings. Travel funds are also available as designated by the Regional minister for appropriate staff or representation at official meetings or events. For examples, the Regional Board Chair is provided travel support for attending the meeting of the Forum for regional Moderators; the Chair of New Church Ministry is provided travel support for national New Church Training events; the Associate Regional Minister is provided travel support to participate in the Regional Ministers Retreat.
We provide opportunity as appropriate for staff to access the latest technologies. We partner with Church Extension in their healthcare program for our Regional Pastor. We offer opportunity for access to resources to provide optimum health including fitness services as appropriate ie exercise courses; fitness walk fees, and or targeted participation in fitness center or church sponsored programs.
Our Regional Pastor is the pastor of the pastors and churches in the Region. The position oversees the work of the various ministries to promote the gospel, excellence in ministry and healthy relationships. The position embodies the shared responsibility of the ministry of presence, vision casting, witnessing, encouraging, challenging, and developing congregations! It also promotes communications among our churches, the general church and beyond and vice versa.
Our Regional Pastor:1) Casts a purpose and vision that includes the priorities of the whole church and specifies a driving focus for our work together. Our purpose is to be and share the good news of Jesus Christ witnessing from our doorsteps to the end of the Earth and the end of the Earth to out doorsteps. We embrace the call to be ‘a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world.” Our vision is to be one church in Spirit manifesting in full partnership our various grace and gifts! We share the 2020 vision of 1000 new churches; 1000 transformed church; developing leadership for the church and becoming an anti-racist – pro-reconciling church!
2) Visits congregations; participates in services, preaches; conducts training sessions; cares for ministers and members; prays for and with us; invites our participation as full partners in the work of ministry; leads plenary dialogues; shares focus sessions on relevant issues; and communicates regularly throughout the region and beyond!
3) Represents us on the following general boards, general ministries and councils:4) Provides shared oversight with the Board and Pastoral Team of ministries of the Region
5) Oversees the Office Staff
The General Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and hence, the regions are dependent on receiving funds from local congregations. The covenantal relationship between congregations and General Ministries does not require dues (as some denominations do). However, the national office and regional offices would not be able to function without the generous contributions of local congregations. To have the most effective ministries, funds need to be received on a regular basis. The South Carolina Region encountered problems at the end of 2008 and beginning of 2009 because sufficient funds were not received. We were able to get some assistance from the Districts and from some reserve funds to continue operations. However, the region cannot depend on these funds in the future. Thus, help is needed to make the SC region viable and able to continue its ministries.
Pastors and Church Elders/Leaders are asked to lead the way! We can do it as you give leadership as graced and gifted by God!
We encourage churches to begin or continue to give regularly to Disciples Mission Fund with a regular offering submitted weekly or monthly! Gifts given undesignated to DMF (Disciple Mission Fund) are distributed to the DMF connected ministries of the whole church. 92% of DMF funds received from churches, individuals and ministries in SC are distributed to the Region of SC.
The Bible teaches us that tithing should be a minimum for individuals giving to the church. It seems appropriate to expect congregations to do the same when determining how much support to give to outreach. Some congregations already do this which we celebrate and thank God. Like individuals, some congregations may not be able to start giving that much immediately. In that case, we ask that you give as much as possible and work on raising that amount each year toward the goal of tithing.
Pastors and Board chairs! We ask you to lead the way in lifting up the support and celebrate our connection in vital ministry and witness in the community and the world as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Special Day Offering includes the Following:
* Week of Compassion Offering (February)
* Easter Offering (March or April)
* Pentecost Offering (May)
* Reconciliation Offering (September/October)
* Thanksgiving Offering ( November)
* Christmas offering (December)
Offerings collected for Disciples Mission Fund (DMF) may use the following form and mail it to the address below. Information will be forwarded by the Regional Office Staff to DMF. Make checks payable to: Christian Church in SC
The Christian Church in South Carolina (or “CCSC)
1293 Orange Grove Rd.
Charleston, SC 29407
Purpose: The purpose is to keep our focus on the word and wisdom of Jesus in building loving relationships. We are called to walk in the saving gospel of the Lord and to exercise the body of Christ in service.
Through training, teaching, lectures, and positive exposures to resources within the system of Ministry. We will use every avenue of ministry to empower and embrace the mission, the gifts, and power of our church for witnessing and unity.