2015 Elders Training Event

Last Saturday a half-a-dozen of our Elders and I attended a Region-wide Elder Training Event in Casa Grande. 

And when I say Region-wide, I mean it. We had over a 100 Elders present at the event!

It was a wonderful opportunity for us to talk best practices, learn about the role of Elders in Disciples congregations, and hear from our special guest presenter the Rev. Dr. Dick Hamm.

For folks who do not know, Dick Hamm is the former General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He is a tremendous thinker, speaker, and faith leader for our denomination and I can think of no one better equipped lead our Elders Training. It was a great day!

Here are a few photos (with short captions) from the day:

Don't worry, my journal didn't stay empty for long.
By the end of the day I had 13 pages worth of notes from
 the event, and plenty of good ideas to bring back!

Our Regional Minister Denny Williams calling us to
order to start the day.

All told we had 105 Elders from 16 Disciples congregations
from  all over the great state of Arizona
present for the Elders Training.

The Rev. Dr. Dick Hamm (former General Minister
and President of our denomination) led the event.

After some A/C problems forced us to relocate to the Sanctuary,
the Rev. Isaac Varner (pastor at Capilla del Sol in Tucson)
led us in a conversation about "Best Practices for Elders"
at our congregations. 

The Rev. Dr. Dick Hamm leading a very important afternoon
session on everyone's least favorite topic: Conflict!

Regional Assembly

Regional Assembly is coming! Regional Assembly is coming!

On  October 24 and 25 Disciples from all over Arizona (and beyond!) we be gathering together at First Christian Church Tucson to celebrate the good things God is doing through our congregations and discern the new things God is calling us to boldly take on.

Built around the theme "Dare to Love Boldly" the Regional Assembly is going to be incredible. Amazing guest speakers have been lined up (more on that in a second), an amazing musician is coming in to lead our worship services (yep, more on that coming up in a second too) and there are all sorts of workshops, breakout sessions, fellowship opportunities, and ministry ideas that will help us serve God in ever deeper ways.

You can learn more about the Assembly by visiting the Arizona Region's excellent new Regional Assembly Website at RA.AZDisciples.org.

While you are there, make sure to click on the "Guest Speakers" button to read all about the Rev. Rebecca Hale and the Rev. Jose Morales who will be leading us through the Assembly.


Rev. Hale serves as the National Benevelonce Association's Vice President for Mission and Ministry. She is passionate about helping local congregations develop powerful mission programs that effectively reach out to their local communities. She is an amazing preacher, a gifted leader, and true believer in the power of chruches to make a real difference in the world. Rev. Hale will be delivering Saturday morning's keynote address to the Region as well as preaching the sermon at the Closing Worship Service.

Rev. Morales recently completed his ministry as the Regional Minister of the Central Rocky Mountain Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and is beginning a Ph.D. program at Claremont School of Theology. He is a dynamic preacher (in both English and Spanish) who brings a compelling vision of multiculturalism and inclusion to the church. Rev. Morales will be preaching at the Opening Worship Service on Friday night and then delivering a special keynote address at the Regional Luncheon on Saturday.

Our guest musician for the Assembly will be Andra Moran. Andra is a songwriter, singer, author, worship designer and freelance touring musician. The daughter of two Disciples ministers, Andra quite literally spent her formative years in sanctuaries and fellowship halls, singing in the children’s choir, napping on pews, and leading music in her youth groups. Currently, Andra serves Woodmont Christian Church as the Creative Director at The Bridge an emergent worship community in Nashville, TN. Andra will bring her passion for engaging, authentic worship and music to the Assembly as our Music Director for the weekend.

Visit RA.AZDisciples.org to learn more about the Assembly and contact us at the Church Office if you are interested in registering!

Special Invitation

A Special Invitation from our Regional Minister, Rev. Denny Williams:

Our Regional Hispanic Assembly is this weekend. 

 A special invitation has been extended to all Arizona Disciples for the Friday evening "Kermes". Come and stay as long as you like. 4-8pm. The parking lot of First Christian Glendale will be completely transformed into a street fair type of event! When you arrive, you buy tickets, $1 each, that will get you a variety of different Mexican food treats!

Each Hispanic congregation will offer some food item -- prepared right there on the spot! A concert follows at 8pm. The atmosphere is festive and fun! The food is the best!

I hope you will join me there in this time of celebration and fellowship!

Regional Hispanic Assembly This Weekend!

FCC Glendale

6242 N 59th Avenue, Glendale