In his book, 20/20 Vision, former General Minister and President, the Rev. Richard Hamm, called the church to twin tasks: 1,000 new congregations and 1,000 revitalized congregations. The response to the first half of the task has been immediate and new churches already have begun. The second task is, in many ways, the more challenging because no one quite knows how to do it. There are those who have prescriptions for doing this and those who suggest programs, but the answers don't always work the way people suggest they should if followed exactly.

At the same time, all across the church there is a deep longing, a desire for not just 1,000 revitalized churches, but healthy thriving congregations in every place, from the smallest town to the largest city, from east to west, south to north.

No doubt, today's churches face challenges. These are chaotic times. There is no longer one dominant culture, but many cultures and often people do not know how to talk with one another. The story of the Tower of Babel seems a very modern story.

Many Disciples congregations are uncertain about who they are, let alone what God is calling them to do and be. Old ways and old patterns often do not seem to fit. New ways and new patterns which keep what is of value from the past and yet open the way to creative growth for the future seem slow to emerge.

Disciples have always been people who are "Doers". We are great "fixers"

When something isn't working we want it fixed. We want someone to say, "Here are steps 1,2,3, … when you've done these you'll have a strong vital church, good for another 100 years.

Fortunately God doesn't work that way. We're called to always Journey the Good News Road, seeking to be faithful people, "friends of God" in each generation, always learning, growing, and becoming. Brokenness happens when God's people are not faithful to the journey.
God is calling us into a new day. Pockets of regions and congregations are discovering what God is seeking to do among us. Like plants, which grow slowly from seed to flower, the transformation process now happening among us has deep roots and is becoming visible.

We tend to like quick answers to what we see as our challenges and we look to those who promise such answers. But transformation doesn't come with quick answers. Each congregation's journey is as unique as each congregation. The road to authentic transformation requires a time of discernment in which the congregation looks at who it is, who it believes God is calling it to be and then to choose those processes, which will help it on that journey. It is not quick. It is not easy. One size does not fit all.

The Asian theologian D.T. Niles said, "Discovering Good News is like one beggar telling another where to find food."

Journeying the Good News Road is a time for Disciples to come together and learn from one another about transforming congregations. During the days of the conference worship will be an integral part of the whole. Leaders who have had experience with transforming congregations will provide information, resources, and discoveries they've made on this road. Presentations will be both formal and informal. Disciples will have the opportunity to discover what is happening across the church and to make important connections with each other. Participants will bring a key ingredient as they bring their experience, things they've learned, questions and knowledge. The Good News Road has many travelers.

The Rev. Sharon Watkins, who brings to the work of the Office of the General Minister and President a passion for the church as well as knowledge of the challenges we face, will be one of the speakers. Rick Lowery who teaches at Phillips Seminary and who also has a passion for congregational transformation, will lead the Biblical reflections.

The planning team has been on an exciting journey to be ready for this event and to bring the best resources, speakers, and practices available. They are increasingly aware that God is doing a new thing among us.