1969 - Restructuring
May of 1969, Tom Hunter was called to serve Woodland as Associate Minister and Minister of Education. The Louisville native was nearly two thirds of the way through his studies at the Lexington Theological Seminary at the time. In August of 1968, he attended the International Assembly of the Christian Church which met in Seattle. This was a significant moment in Disciples church history when the period known as “restructuring” would come to an end.
Since 1964 the brotherhood had been considering changes in the general church. The new structure was built around seven principles:
The restructuring would prove to be the last straw for many congregations which were worried about a general church with too much power at higher levels. The congregationally governed church would rely on the general and regional manifestations for advice and counsel, and to help establish communications. It would serve as a clearinghouse for ministerial relocation, and a coordinator of homeland and foreign mission work. The churches entered into a covenantal relationship with each other and with the regional and general church where each agreed to support the other. James Trader opined that “In truth, the effect on the local congregation was minimal.
Dr. Kenneth Teegarden had been the driving force behind the “Provisional Design the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and would later become the denomination’s second General Minister.
The Preamble to the Design is seen as one of the primary statements of belief among Disciples of Christ and appears in the Chalice Hymnal as Number 355, “A Disciples Affirmation.” The preamble affirms the son of the living God, God’s grace and the covenant of love, baptism and the communion of the holy spirit, the centrality of the table where we celebrate the presence of Christ, the gift of ministry, the light of scripture, and the One whose kingdom has no end.
Since 1964 the brotherhood had been considering changes in the general church. The new structure was built around seven principles:
- Structures rooted in Christ’s ministry known through the scriptures
- Structures comprehensive in ministry and mission
- Structures by which congregations may fulfill their ministries
- Structures that are responsibly interrelated
- Structures that manifest both unity and diversity
- Structures that seek to be ecumenical, and
- Structures that are faithful in stewardship
The restructuring would prove to be the last straw for many congregations which were worried about a general church with too much power at higher levels. The congregationally governed church would rely on the general and regional manifestations for advice and counsel, and to help establish communications. It would serve as a clearinghouse for ministerial relocation, and a coordinator of homeland and foreign mission work. The churches entered into a covenantal relationship with each other and with the regional and general church where each agreed to support the other. James Trader opined that “In truth, the effect on the local congregation was minimal.
Dr. Kenneth Teegarden had been the driving force behind the “Provisional Design the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and would later become the denomination’s second General Minister.
The Preamble to the Design is seen as one of the primary statements of belief among Disciples of Christ and appears in the Chalice Hymnal as Number 355, “A Disciples Affirmation.” The preamble affirms the son of the living God, God’s grace and the covenant of love, baptism and the communion of the holy spirit, the centrality of the table where we celebrate the presence of Christ, the gift of ministry, the light of scripture, and the One whose kingdom has no end.
- Trader, 135-138