By Revs. Don Dewey and Susan Gonzales-Dewey, Co-Regional Ministers
In November 2017, the Regional Board of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of the Pacific Southwest Region unanimously voted to support the launching of the ACTS 2 Project. The ACTS 2 Project’s purpose is to support, resource and empower new and transforming congregations and courageous leaders as they guide the Church into life-giving expressions of new ministry for this era of God’s mission.
The Acts 2 Project is based on this scripture:
“And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common.
They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person’s need was met. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.” ~ Acts 2:44-47
The Acts 2 Project seeks to address and support the Regions ministry goals and also to respond to our General Church’s priorities and 2020 vision.
GENERAL CHURCH PRIORITIES
• Formation of 1,000 new congregations by 2020
• Transformation of 1,000 current congregations by 2020
• Leadership development necessary to realize these new and renewed congregations
• Becoming a Pro-reconciling/Anti-racist Church
PSWR GOALS
• To be One Church
• To be a Missional Church
• To develop vital, healthy, growing congregations
• To be a well organized and administered Region
PROPOSAL:
The Acts 2 Project’s purpose is to support, resource and empower new and transforming congregations and courageous leaders as they guide the Church into life-giving expressions of new ministry for this era of God's mission.
The Acts 2 Project seeks to address and support the Regions ministry goals and also to respond to our General Church’s priorities and 2020 vision.
We believe that new and transformed congregations and empowered leaders are critical to leading the Pacific Southwest Region to do God’s mission in the world in this challenging and crucial time. In addition, we believe it is critical that these congregations and leaders reflect the wide diversity of this Region and our Disciples of Christ communities.
The Acts 2 Project seeks to work collaboratively with four key areas of our Regional ministry: New Church Development, Transformation, Leadership Development and the Hatchery, to offer leadership and ministry resources that help raise up these leaders and prepare congregations for reaching new generations with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
PLAN:
Calling together the leadership of the four ministry areas named for quarterly planning, visioning, collaborating and implementing a comprehensive strategic plan for moving the PSWR forward in it’s ministry efforts for our Disciple witness.
These leaders, working cooperatively together with our Regional Ministers and staff, will identify resources, church planters, specific congregations poised for transformation and pastors with passion and vision for leading congregations in new and innovative ways.
The Acts 2 Project Team will evaluate needs such as resources, coaches, trainings, and cohorts for support and synergy. They will also create the necessary benchmarks and metrics to evaluate the success and progress of the various areas of ministry. The Team will consult with our Associate Regional Ministers, specifically those working directly with our Racial-Ethnic communities to ensure input and involvement from the breadth of our diversity.
In addition, the Team will plan and host various trainings, seminars and leadership development opportunities to strengthen, support and empower the Acts 2 Project.
Though these trainings and seminars will primarily be geared toward those participating in the Acts 2 Project, they will be open to any and all pastors and congregations in the PSWR.
To date, the Acts 2 Team is working with 2 congregations (1 Korean and 1 Hispanic) and 5 Pastors (1 Anglo, 2 African American and 2 Hispanic). We are excited to see how these congregations and pastors will expand their witness and ministry as Disciples of Christ in their communities.
Together on the journey,
Don and Susan
Your Regional Ministers