Newsflash

Pentecost letter from Sharon Watkins - General Minister and President Christian Church (D.O.C.)

Minister Search Information

Olivet has begun the search for the senior pastor replacement…

Introduction

Olivet Christian Church’s Senior Pastor of ~ 30 years, Dennis Swearngin, has announced his retirement will begin July, 2013.

In anticipation to this announcement, in 2011, a congregational Transitions Committee was formed, and had studied together, and drafted a plan outlining the process of filling vacancies of all professional church staff – including senior minister, other ministerial positions, music director and organist. To see a summary of the final report of that committee – click here.

In December of 2012, a Search Committee was appointed by the Board and commissioned with the charge to meet in the coming six months. The expectation was that the Search Committee was to recruit and recommend an interim minister, to begin June, 2013, if possible. This date anticipates a month-long overlap for the interim to work with Reverend Swearngin.

The Olivet Search Committee expects that the interim period, as we identify and recruit a new senior minister, could take approximately 3 years – to September, 2016. Click here for an excerpt from The Constitution for the Olivet Church, on Minister Selection.

Olivet Church Congregation:

Olivet Christian Church [OCC] could well be described as a “program centered” church. Many lay individuals in the congregation provide leadership for OCC programs, along with staff. The organizational structure emphasizes functional program committees. Four mission families are appointed every three years [see the Mission Families link under Ministries on this website for more information]. These mission families are composed of all members, friends, and staff of OCC. Strategic planning, with the development of a “Future Story,” is conducted by OCC members and staff together, to fulfill its vision of “Making the grace of God real for people.”

Many staff members have served in their positions for 5-15 years, so are a stable part of Olivet’s operation. Under the guidance of the senior minister, the staff enable, guide and facilitate OCC members in conducting the church ministry.

Persons Interested in the Interim Minister Position:

Should contact Dr. Kris Tenni-Britan, kristb@nearea.org [573 442 5815] of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Northeast Area Office, http://nearea.org/, for a copy of the Congregational Profile.

Click here for frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Click here for past communications

Welcome to the Frontpage

"Making the Grace of God Real for People"

Olivet Christian Church is a Church Family small enough to know your name and large enough to offer a broad program of ministries, traditional enough to help ground lives in Christ’s wisdom and example and progressive enough to hold a vision of racial reconciliation, social justice, generous sharing and environmental stewardship.

A few years after the Civil War farm families began to meet in homes and summer brush arbors for worship in this rural neighborhood east of Columbia. These gatherings were the beginnings of Olivet Christian Church, which was formally chartered in January, 1874 as a congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) disciples.org. The church was formed to help people experience and then extend the Good News of God’s love in this neighborhood.

In the years since World War II Olivet has offered itself as a community church where all Christians are welcome regardless of denominational background. Our values are gentle welcome and gracious hospitality, Christian unity and respect for diversity of experience and belief.

In the 1990’s Olivet expanded its ministries and built a new building to provide room for more activities and ministries and for more people. Our mission statement is “Making the grace of God real for people.” In all our programs and ministries we attempt to share Christ’s call in ways that proclaim God’s deep and abiding love for all creation.

Sunday Worship

8:30 a.m.—Informal Early Worship Service / Children's Worship (4 yrs-2nd grade)(outdoor worship usually starts the Sunday of Memorial Day & ends the Sunday of Labor Day)

9:30 a.m.—Sunday School for all ages

11:00 a.m.—Traditional Morning Worship Service/Children's Worship (4 yrs-2nd grade)

Children's Worship (for children 4 years -2nd grade) in the 8:30 a.m. Early Worship follows the Children's Sermon

and in the 11:00 a.m. Traditional Morning Worship Children's Worship follows the Anthem/Special Music.

The children will leave the Sanctuary and go to a classroom down the west hallway.

The nursery is available all Sunday morning for children birth through age five.

Both Sunday services include observance of Holy Communion.

Wednesday Worship

5:15 p.m.—A light meal is served (donations are encouraged to cover costs)

6:00 p.m.—The Altar at Olivet (An Alternative Worship Service)

6:00 p.m.—BLAST (Bible Learning And Sharing Together) Children 4 years and up

7:00 p.m.—CYF youth group meets and sometimes Chi Rho

7:15 p.m. —Adult Choir practice

Communion at Olivet is open to anyone who confesses that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the Living God.

1991S. Olivet Road

Columbia MO 65201-9632

Olivet is located 4 miles east of Highway 63 South on WW.

Office Phone: (573) 442-0336

Fax: (573) 817-5716

email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Website: www.olivetchristian.org

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