Brief History Of Arkansas Region

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arkansas has a long and strong history, dating back to the opening of the frontier with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and the joining of the Campbell and Stone movements in 1832. Earliest evangelistic work was done between those years and established congregations began forming in 1832 and 1833. Hence, the work of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arkansas predates statehood in 1836. Currently, there are 66 reporting congregations across the region. They range in size of memberships of 23 to 565 with a total membership very near 10,000 which does not reflect participating adults, youth and children who have not yet placed membership in a congregation.

Our shared ministries focus on the establishment and nurture of congregations, providing help, counsel and pastoral care to their members and ministers.

The regional ministry team invests:

• 17% of their time being present in the life of local congregations in Arkansas.Providing pastoral care, counsel and assistance to ordained and retired ministers, candidates for ministers and licensed ministers.
  
  
• 21% of their time caring for the ministers in Arkansas.Providing regional fellowship groups for the nurture of Disciples Men, Christian Women's Fellowship, Christian Youth Fellowship, Chi Rho and Juniors through retreats, camps and conferences, leadership training events and mission opportunities.
  
  
• 14% of their time advising and supporting the lay leaders of these fellowship groups.Providing opportunities for congregations and ministers to support and encourage each other, sharing together in fellowship, worship, mission and assembly for the benefit of our cooperative ministries.
  
  
• 10% of their time working with regional committees, district officers, regional board and planning of assemblies.Representing Arkansas Disciples in interfaith and ecumenical activities in Arkansas.
  
  
• 1% of their time in meetings and interfaith activities.Working with congregations in the region, relating them to the worldwide mission and witness of the whole church.
  
  
• 3% of their time attending general and inter-regional meetings on behalf of the Christian Church in Arkansas.
  
  
• In order to facilitate the relationships with Arkansas Disciples, ministers, congregations, general church leaders, mission partners and the work of our regional ministries, 34% of your regional ministry team's time goes to the handling of correspondence, publications, and the details of office management.

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arkansas exists to extend the ministry of Christ in mission, witness and service among the people and social structures of Arkansas.