November 30, 2011
Dear Co-laborer for Christ,
The Board of Directors of The Christian and Missionary Alliance met in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on October 26–27, 2011. On occasion, the Board meets at a location away from the National Office in Colorado Springs. In this instance the Board members met at the Allegheny Center Alliance Church (ACAC) and were thrilled and challenged by the transformative urban ministries of this thriving congregation. This church is a faithful example of what God is doing through Alliance ministries around the world.
In addition to touring the work of ACAC, the Board reviewed numerous reports and acted on certain recommendations. The following is a summary: Funding our global vision is an ongoing challenge as we research ways of engaging a larger percentage of our Alliance family in advancing Christ’s Kingdom globally. It was a blessing, however, to be able to appoint 12 international workers to posts around the world, including creative-access regions. Also, funding has been approved for a Spanish edition of an updated All for Jesus, a history of The Christian and Missionary Alliance.
The idea of holding General Council overseas has been discussed but a committee has determined that it is not feasible at this time. Revisions to the local church Annual Report will allow this document to be completed online and will compile data in a manner that will be more useful to our congregations. A list of National Evangelists and Ministers-at-Large was approved for the next year.
The Office for Federal Chaplain Ministries will now be called Alliance Chaplain Ministries. Also, the director for Federal Chaplain Ministries will now be the executive director for Alliance Chaplain Ministries, and the assistant endorser for Alliance Institutional Chaplains is now the director for Alliance Institutional Chaplain Ministries.
The Office of Intercultural Ministries has been renamed the Office of Multicultural Ministries. This more accurately reflects the current constituency and ministry of our denomination.
The report of the Audit Review Committee was received for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011. All financial practices were deemed to be sound and there were no recommendations for changes or improvements. The Board is also asking districts, colleges and supporting organizations to complete audits and reviews within 120 days and no longer than 180 days following the end of the fiscal year. The Board of Directors suggests that it is helpful to meet with auditors regularly during the year to avoid year-end surprises and also for district executive committees to meet with their auditors as part of the year-end audit or review process.
Other special committees reported to the Board and are continuing their work. The Board also received reports from several supporting organizations, including the following retirement communities: Chapel Pointe at Carlisle; The Christian and Missionary Alliance Foundation (Shell Point Village and DeLand); and Town and Country Manor. A fourth organization, The Orchard Foundation, also reported to the Board.
The next meeting will be February 22–23, 2012, in Colorado Springs. It is always refreshing to review the wide expanse of God’s work through our Alliance family. We thank God for each of you and solicit your prayer and labor for the increase of the Kingdom.
Rejoicing in Jesus,
David L. Goodin
Corporate Secretary
dlg/smc