Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
By RNS Press Release Distribution Service
(Source RNS Press Release):
The General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) convened in Louisville, Kentucky, from July 29 to August 1, 2023, and proudly announces the re-election of Rev. Teresa “Terri” Hord Owens to a second term as General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. She is the first African American and second woman to lead the denomination – and the first African American woman to lead a mainline Christian denomination.
The Administrative Committee of the General Board, following the procedures and requirements outlined in The Design for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the Standing Rules of the General Board, officially nominated Rev. Teresa Hord Owens for re-election. Subsequently, the General Board voted to forward her name for consideration.
On Tuesday, August 1, Owens was installed and charged with continuing her ministry of visionary love, spiritual leadership, prophetic imagination, and ecumenical service. In her sermon during closing worship, she invited the General Assembly to “imagine new ways of being church and to stay at the table no matter what we face. Our commitment to staying at the table is grounded in our covenant relationship with God and with one another.”
Rev. Owens is regarded in the ecumenical world as “head of communion” and as the chief representative of the church in national and world ecumenical councils. In keeping with the Disciples’ historic commitment to Christian unity, she serves in leadership at the National Council of Churches as the Treasurer of the Governing Board and as a member of the World Council of Churches Central Committee. Her ecumenical and interfaith collaborations also include the Faith Table, an interfaith social justice coalition.
Prior to being elected to serve as General Minister and President in 2017 she served as the dean of students for 12 years at the University of Chicago Divinity School, pastor of First Christian Church of Downers Grove in Illinois, and more than 20 years in corporate America leading diverse teams in data management.
Rev. Teresa Hord Owens’ re-election to the esteemed position of General Minister and President is a testament to her unwavering dedication and exemplary leadership in serving the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) community. Throughout her initial term, she has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to the denomination’s values, biblical literacy and spiritual formation, building an infrastructure for ministry and congregational data, and fostering engagement and inclusion within the Church. Her visionary approach to ministry has inspired many, and she continues to be a beacon of hope for those seeking a more just and inclusive Church community.
Her exhortation to the church is “Let’s be the church we say we are. It is in being who we say we are that we actively bear witness to God’s limitless love for all.” In addition to collaborative service with the ministries that comprise Disciples Justice Ministries, she has been active in leadership in the Poor People’s Campaign.
We look forward to witnessing the positive impact of her continued leadership and the transformative work she will spearhead during.
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