Published four times a year by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Indiana, 1100 W. 42nd St., #150, Indianapolis, IN 46208. This publication began in 1918. The present name, The Indiana Christian, dates to January 1891.
Published four times a year by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Indiana, 1100 W. 42nd St., #150, Indianapolis, IN 46208. This publication began in 1918. The present name, The Indiana Christian, dates to January 1891.
The Regional Board has approved guidelines submitted by the Faith Formation Commission establishing the opportunity for congregations to apply for faith formation grants of up to $5,000. The grants will be funded by a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Barbee Christian Camp.
The intention is to form a partnership between congregations and the Region in significant new expressions of ministry that will enable the development of faith communities that are more effectively involved in faith formation.
These grants are intended to encourage congregations to take a fresh look at their current ministry, and then enable them to begin new ministries that will help bring renewed vitality to the congregation. Each congregation seeking a grant will be asked to adopt and show progress toward goals that will help lead the congregation to spiritual growth.
The Faith Formation Commission will administer the grant on behalf of the Region. While working on the guidelines for this new program, the Commission Chair Rebecca Sundquist stated that there were six key themes they hoped would emerge as congregations imagine their new initiatives including:
Congregations will be expected to provide matching funds equaling at least 10% of the grant they request. Grants will be made in the fall and the spring each year. For more information contact Associate Regional Minister Carolyn Reed at carolyn@indianadisciples.org
by Emily Martin, Disciples News Service, April 30, 2019
So, what to do with the funds from the sale? Barbee had been the launching pad for so many commitments to service and faith and the Regional Board was determined to continue that legacy.
“We know that summer camp has been the place where community has been formed, spirituality deepened, the scriptures discovered, and God’s presence felt,” said Regional Minister Rick Spleth. “We want to stimulate the opportunity for that to continue to happen in our churches.”
The creative plan that is now in place includes a $1 million endowment fund that will assist the Bedford Camp and Geneva Conference Center with capital needs. The fund, administered by the Christian Church Foundation, is expected to earn about $50,000 annually to be split between the two facilities.
The remainder of the Barbee Blessing, as it is now known, about $500,000, will be invested to support the Faith Formation Designated Fund. This fund will initially provide $1,000 grants to every congregation in the region, to bolster their faith formation efforts in their local setting. As congregations develop plans for larger projects they can apply for supporting grants. This is accompanied by a new regional effort to compile faith resources on the region’s website.
Faith Formation Commission Chair Rebecca Sundquist, said, “It is our hope that the legacy of Camp Barbee honored in this way will have a ripple effect of faith formation for generations to come.”
The first checks will be distributed at area gatherings in May. Later in 2019, congregations will be invited to report to the rest of the region on the new place their grant allowed them to go.
For more information on these efforts, contact Rebecca Sundquist, chair of the Commission on Faith Formation in the region.
Published four times a year by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Indiana, 1100 W. 42nd
St., #150, Indianapolis, IN 46208. This publication began in 1918. The present name, The Indiana Christian, dates to January 1891.
