District IV Assembly
September 21, 2008
Broad Street Christian Church
An Invitation from our District Board

“Why aren’t young adults with young children attending our church?”  “Our church has mostly older people
with a few kids. We are getting smaller and smaller all the time.  Does this mean that in a few years our
church is going to have to close its doors?”  “We can’t afford to pay the bills, and keep our minister also.  
What’s going to happen to us?”  Just a few questions facing us along with every other mainline Protestant
church in America.  There was a paradigm shift in culture which took place in the 1960s unrecognized by
the church. Now, still at the early beginnings of the 21st Century, the gap between the church and culture
continues to widen.  No longer is the church the main focal point for the family. Many young adults were not
raised in the church.  How does the church attract these persons without losing the older members who
have been faithful to the church and still support the church financially?  This is what our District Assembly
this year is all about.  “Bridging the Gap”. Come and see what can be done to keep the church vital and alive
today.  
                 An Invitation from Broad Street Christian Church

                                       It is my pleasure to extend a warm  welcome to you and to invite and encourage you    
                                      to participate in this year's "District Assembly."  I think you will find it to be of great
                                      interest and an opportunity to fellowship with other Disciples from District Four.  We
                                      are a diverse group here in Southside Virginia. We are rural folks and townspeople,  
                                      people of color and Caucasian, female and male, young and old. And, don't we look
                                      good!?  

Created in the image of God, and woven together by God's Spirit with a common faith in Jesus Christ, we
celebrate our unity and diversity and a common hope to see our congregations grow in faith and relevancy.
To that end, the planners of this year’s assembly have named “Bridging the Gap:  A Church for Tomorrow”
as this year’s theme.  We are hard at work studying a book that will help us connect the various
generations within our congregations so that all might be spiritually fed.

In addition to the program for the day, there will be a brief business meeting, wonderful worship, and a time
to socialize with each other as we eat some incredible treats.
                                        
                                                                                                                            Be Blessed,
                                                                                                                              Phil Curran
                                                                                                                              Pastor of Broad Street Christian