Global Ministries Board Evaluates Disciples/UCC Partnership Through “Appreciative Inquiry”

CLEVELAND – Global Ministries, a common witness of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ, held its board meeting in Cleveland, OH, November 9-13, 2005. At this meeting the board reflected upon the Global Ministries partnership through “Appreciative Inquiry,” discussed the steady decline of fully supported missionaries, celebrated the service of concluding and retiring missionaries, was trained as Ministries and Mission Interpreters, and approved the 2006 budget.

CLEVELAND – Global Ministries, a common witness of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ, held its board meeting in Cleveland, OH, November 9-13, 2005. At this meeting the board reflected upon the Global Ministries partnership through “Appreciative Inquiry,” discussed the steady decline of fully supported missionaries, celebrated the service of concluding and retiring missionaries, was trained as Ministries and Mission Interpreters, and approved the 2006 budget.

The discrete board for the Disciples’ Division of Overseas Ministries (DOM) recognized and celebrated the service of two board members whose terms concluded, Juan Rodriguez (Indiana) and Herman Williams (Tennessee).  Donald Gillett from Louisville, KY, was elected to serve a 4-year term on the DOM and Common Global Ministries boards of directors.  Rev. Majaha Nhliziyo from Zimbabwe and Rev. Valamotu Palu from Fiji were elected to 4-year terms with the Common Global Ministries Board as International Partners.

During the opening worship of the Common Global Ministries Board (CGMB), Reverend Cally Rogers-Witte was officially welcomed as the new Executive Minister of Wider Church Ministries, UCC and Co-executive for Global Ministries.  She began this role on October 1, 2005.  David Vargas, President of the Division of Overseas Ministries and Co-executive for Global Ministries, along with Cally Rogers-Witte shares, “The last few months have been filled with challenges, excitement and hope in the life of Global Ministries.  The Global Ministries evaluation process, reactivated by Board decision last April, is currently underway, affirming ‘Appreciative Inquiry’ as the appropriate methodology to guide our work at this ‘rest stop’ on our mission journey.  In the implementation of this methodology – coordinated by a board appointed committee and guided by a professional facilitator, Christine Zust – appreciative means “affirmation,” lifting up the positive values, which can also mean increase in value.  Inquiry means asking questions as a way to tell stories, uncover common core values and learn together.”

The Co-executives added, “We strongly believe that the spirit of inquiry is the spirit of learning; that we need to ask questions, to study, to explore, to research, to investigate.  But, we also believe that in the evaluation exercise of Global Ministries, this spirit of inquiry and learning must be utilized, not merely to identify deficits, problems and stumbling blocks in the road, but also to build on our successes, looking forward to positive possibilities for the future.  As a result, we believe the ‘Appreciative Inquiry’ method will help Global Ministries – our board, our home-based staff and mission personnel, our programs, and our partnership covenants throughout the world – to uncover and bring forth existing strengths, hopes and dreams, as well as feasible ways to move forward as a result of identifying and amplifying the positive core of our unique mission endeavor and common witness of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).”

The theme for the board meeting was geared toward affirming our UCC/Disciples partnership as an expression of “one body, one spirit…one mission,” and the need to strengthen our working relationship with Disciples regions, UCC conferences and congregations in our two denominations as a vivid sign that we are “TOGETHER…IN MISSION.”  With that purpose in mind, our recent board agenda included a three-hour mini-training session for board members to equip them to be Ministries and Mission Interpreters (MMIs).  This is a new initiative to train persons who are passionate about sharing the global mission story, to connect to the MMI network in their Disciples region, UCC conference, or racial/ethnic constituency, and to help train others.

The Global Ministries board also confronted the challenge caused by the steady decline in the number of fully supported missionaries.  As of November 1, 2005, of the 77 fully supported missionaries, 56 are 100 percent supported by regular budgeted funds.  Without new appointments, the projection of fully supported missionaries, including shared support, will continue to decrease as shown in the following expectations:  January 1, 2006 – 70 fully supported missionaries; April 1, 2006 – 69 fully supported missionaries, and July 1, 2006 – 68 fully supported missionaries.

In view of these realities, the board approved the following recommendation presented by the Mission Personnel Office:
   That no less than 30 percent of the Global Ministries operating budget be allocated for the support of missionaries engaged in ministries of “critical presence.”  The co-executives will be able to adjust this percentage upward based on the projected revenue;
   That the Mission Personnel executive, in consultation with the Resource Development Office, explore new avenues for the funding of new missionaries.
   That the Mission Personnel executive will continue to work with other mainline denominations in consultation with area executives in the joint appointment of new missionaries, and will explore with those denominations their funding sources for missionary appointments; and
   That the Mission Personnel executive will restructure the Long-term Volunteer Program, which provides limited assistance to enable individuals to serve in mission assignments with the overseas partner churches.  In addition, the Mission Personnel executive, in consultation with the Resource Development Office, will seek funding to allow more individuals to serve in this capacity.

Besides approving this recommendation, the following clarification was also affirmed regarding mission personnel: That a temporary hold on the appointment of new missionaries does not preclude the appointment of missionaries that meet the “critical presence” criteria if funds are available to support missionaries through the following:
   positions fully-funded by the overseas partner organization; and
   positions fully-funded by special gifts raised by the Resource Development Office;
   the temporary hold does not prevent the appointment of a new missionary to fill the unexpired term (when a missionary resigns because of illness, etc.) of one whose assignment meets the criteria of “critical presence,” nor does it preclude shifting mission personnel from places of non-critical presence to places of critical presence (even across regional lines) if skills are appropriate and the budget is already allocated.

Global Ministries Board of Directors approved the appointment of James and Jayanthi Wilson to a three-year term of service assigned to the Kgolagano Theological College in Gaborone, Botswana.  Also, the following missionaries concluded their term of service without being reappointed due to retirement or other reasons: Ellen and Andrew Collins (Nepal); Amanda Shipman (Namibia); Roxi Owen (Kenya); Scott Lovaas and Anne Marsh (South Africa); Lillian Moir (Botswana); Ines Sarli (Paraguay); and Grace Bunker (Sri Lanka).

Please contact Marianne Collar at mcollar@dom.disciples.org for additional information.