After the turbulent years of the pandemic followed by a mass transition in Regional Church staff during which we have had to replace five of seven full-time staff members, with one of them also being replaced, 2022 saw a suspension of a number of regional and district activities. As this new year begins, both the High Plains and Central Districts Cabinets are starting to meet again. These Cabinets are asking questions of what is the District purpose and is having a District of Churches even relevant any more.
The High Plains Cabinet was quick to reaffirm the district structure’s relevance while recognizing that a lot has changed in the Christian Church in Kansas. Because of the changes in the region, the cabinet also recognized that the guidelines that have guided the life and ministry of the High Plains District were out of date and needed to be updated. They also began to lay plans for a High Plains District Leadership training event which has tentatively been scheduled for September 30th.
The Central District Cabinet has been slower to reaffirm the relevancy of the district and took some time to send out a survey among 135 of the district’s leadership. The results of this survey suggested there still is reason for the district to exist to provide opportunities for fellowship, mutual spiritual nurturing, leadership development, and engaging in ministry. However, to these things in covenantal relationship with congregations near each other is unclear. To that end, the cabinet committed itself to a two-year plan of revitalization. This plan includes the revising of the Central District Guidelines by April 1st and planning a Fellowship and Spiritual Enrichment Event as well as a Leadership training event for this year and next year. It also includes improving the communication between the church and the district and region. At the end of two years of this work the Central District Cabinet plans to assess what progress has been made towards the goal of strengthening and revitalizing the district expression of the church.
As your District Minister and Co-Regional Minister of the church, I ask that you pray about this effort and also share with me about your future of how we organize ourselves to connect and equip each other for mission and ministry.
Ken