After four years, the 2023 General Assembly gathered in Louisville, Ky., for day one of this historic four-day event. The assembly kicked off with a Regional roll call, with each of the 31 regions of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada processing into the opening ceremony.
The Regional Minister for the Christian Church in Kentucky, Rev. Don Gillett and the Governor of the state of Kentucky and Beargrass Christian Church member, Gov. Andy Beshear, brought greetings to the Assembly, reflecting the hospitality of the state, region and local arrangements. Gov. Beshear welcomed the Assembly saying, “I have faith in God. I have faith in us. In this most divisive time, I believe that love will win.”
Opportunities for Fellowship, Networking and Learning
On Sunday, the assembly kicked off with worship across the greater Louisville area, a special worship hosted by Obra Hispana, a worship experience at Cane Ridge hosted by the Disciples of Christ Historical Society, and a service project hosted by Local Missions and Week of Compassion in the Exhibit Hall where a team built a home frame.
The afternoon featured over 23 workshop opportunities for adults. While adults engaged in learning and dialogue around practical ministry and spiritual formation topics, the youth did a mental health workshop followed by a magic show presented by magician Ron Diamond.
Numerous Disciples Ministries and organizations filled the exhibit hall, including Kansas, allowing pastors and ministry leaders to network and collect resources for their ministries back home.
Each night ended with a powerful worship service as we all 3,000 Disciples focused on what it meant to be a “Kin-dom” rather than a “Kingdom.” A choir of more than 50 Disciples from across the United States and Canada helped lead those gathered in song.
GA Business Highlights
The assembly also met for several business sessions where the assembly received reports from General Ministry units and discussed resolutions for consideration.
One highlight of the business session was the adoption of GA-2343 Proposed Changes to the Design. The resolution, developed out of the Covenant Project, features three key elements:
- In-person general assembly gathering moving to every three years following the 2025 General Assembly
- At least one digital gathering in between in-person gatherings
- A smaller General Board and congregations moving to three representatives.
An implementation team will be appointed by the Moderator of the Christian Church and will bring their work and recommendations to the 2025 General Assembly, in Memphis, Tenn.
GA-2337 Recognition of a Truth and Healing Council to Honor Our Covenantal Relationship with Indigenous Peoples and to Discern Ways of Reparations for a Path to Reconciliation was referred to the Office of General Minister and President (OGMP) for further study.
GA-2340 Building on our Church’s Commitment to Faith-Based Investing was adopted by the assembly. It reaffirmed support for the financial ministries to engage in responsible investing practices and collaborate with the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) to effect positive change. The Assembly further encouraged dialogue and exploration of investment strategies with other General Ministries, aiming to respond to global and domestic partners’ concerns and foster alignment with the church’s total mission.
The Committee on Reference and Counsel received an emergency resolution which was brought to the General Assembly at Monday’s business session. GA-2352 Invitation to Oppose Anti-Trans Legislation and Affirm the Dignity of Transgender and Gender-Diverse People was referred to the Committee on Reference and Counsel by the assembly to include the states of the US and provinces of Canada. After revision, it was brought back to the floor and was adopted by the assembly unanimously.
The Committee on Reference and Counsel received a second emergency resolution, GA-2353 Emergency Resolution Concerning Solidarity with the Faith Coalition to Stop Cop City and Defend the Weelaunee Forest, which was brought to the General Assembly at Tuesday’s business session. GA-2353 was referred for further study to the Office of the General Minister and President.
GA-2348 Report of the General Nominating Committee was adopted by the assembly, welcoming in a new moderator team to the leadership of the assembly. In addition, a Report of the General Assembly Committee was adopted naming Memphis, Tenn., as the location of the General Assembly July 12-15, 2025.
Rev. Dr. Christal William, Regional Minister and President of the Christian Church in Tennessee, as well as representatives from Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church and Lindenwood Christian Church in Memphis extended a warm welcome to the Assembly for 2025.
In addition to the emergency resolution, the assembly received business reports from several General Ministry partners. The report from Belinda King, President, and CEO of Disciples Church Extension Fund, emphasized the stability and innovation of DCEF’s work to support congregations as they imagine new ways into the world.
Updated business items can be found by visiting the General Assembly business page.