Church expanding ministry with grant

Author and retreat leader Emilie Griffin will discuss prayer Sunday at First Christian Church.

Her visit to the Capital City is the first of five nationally-renowned speakers the local Disciples of Christ church will bring in to encourage spiritual growth within its congregation.

They also have invited the community to be involved.

The Christian leaders series is the result of a Vital Worship Grant through the Calvin Institute of Worship, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

First Christian was among 33 organization selected for the competitive grant program, which aims to help Christian communities connect public worship to the formation of faith and the deepening of discipleship.

Senior Minister Beau Underwood applied for the grant, through the Lilly Endowment, to spur renewal, revival and innovation in worship, he said.

"We want to encourage more lay involvement in worship services," he said. "These Christian leaders can help the congregation feel fully-equipped to lead in worship."

The focal topics are prayer, music, scripture reading, testimony and Communion.

Each speaker has been invited for a weekend to discuss a different topic at Sunday morning services, a luncheon and an afternoon workshop. Those who attend the workshops also will receive a copy of a book written by that weekend's speaker.

Gretchen Huedepohl, director of music ministry, said she is pleased to bring this "empowering" opportunity to the congregation.

"We hope to create a willingness for members to step out of the box, to not be afraid to get up in front of Christian friends to talk or pray," church worship chairman Sherry Jordan said.

The Rev. Sarah Kingsbery, associate minister, noted that most of the worship service responsibilities currently are carried out by the three paid staff members.

"But worship is an act for everybody," she said. "Instead of a passive congregation, we hope more people feel they can actively participate."

The first speaker, Griffin, is a former broadcast producer and marketing consultant from Louisiana and is active with Renovaré, an international movement for Christian renewal. Her books include: "Clinging: The Experience of Prayer," "Doors Into Prayer," "The Reflective Executive," "Wilderness Time," "Souls in Full Sail" and "Green Leaves for Later Years."

She speaks at the 8:20 and 10:40 a.m. worship services, a noon-2:30 p.m. lunch and learn and at a 2:30 p.m. ice cream social.

"I think it will be extremely exciting to see her present; she has a wealth of experience," said Pat Amick, chairman of the the church board. "I think she'll make lots of connections."

Stephanie Bell, church communications chairman, said she sees the liturgical lessons, similar to speaker and cultural events hosted by college campuses, which challenge or reaffirm an individual's beliefs.

In September, the Rev. Yvonne Gilmore, a Spoken Word Artist and Associate Dean of Disciples Divinity House at the University of Chicago, will speak on testimony.

The Rev. Mike Graves, William K. McElvaney professor of preaching and worship at St. Paul School of Theology, will discuss Communion Feb. 11.

Composer, arranger and conductor Mark Hayes not only will speak on the topic of music May 6, but he will offer a clinic to the church's choir.

The final speaker is the Rev. Ronald Allen, professor of preaching and Gospels and letters at Christian Theological Seminary. A date is being finalized for his talk about scripture reading.

"We have a good line up of smart and inspired people," Underwood said.

For more information visit firstchristianjcmo.org/special-events.html.