The NE Area

The Northeast Area is one of the four Areas comprising the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Mid-America: the Northwest Area, the Ozark Lakes Area, and the Southeast Gateway Area (the area boundaries are determined by Mid-America's Council of Areas). The NE Area includes the twenty-five and one-half northeastern counties of Missouri, excluding the counties surrounding St. Louis.  These counties include:

     Adair          Audrain             Boone         Callaway     Clark      Cole
     Cooper      Howard             Knox            Lewis          Lincoln 
     Macon       Maries               Marion          Miller           Moniteau
     Monroe     Montgomery      Morgan         Osage         Pike
     Ralls          Randolph          Schuyler        Scotland     Shelby

Currently there are ninety-two Disciples congregations located in the NE Area; all but one worship at least twice a month. Of these congregations, about 2/3 have fewer than 100 members.  Our congregations are served by ordained and licensed Disciples ministers, as well as by lay people and by ministers from other denominations.  Although small in size, most of our congregations are dynamic churches who serve well their members and communities.

The NE Area understands itself to be bound by covenant with the other Areas to provide advice and support to all of the congregations and ministers of the Region.  We are, however, an autonomous organization, responsible for developing our own resources from congregations and individuals.

We are served by our staff, an Executive Committee, and our Board.  Our Moderator, Minnie Smith; Vice-Moderator, Aaron Williams; Secretary, Lina Eddy; and a Treasurer to be named serve as our Executive Officers.  They, plus the Chairs of our Area Departments (the Department on Ministry, the Congregational Support Department, the Upreach Department, and the Administrative Department) comprise our Executive Committee.  The voting body of the Area Board is made up of this Executive Committee, plus representatives from among our five Area Clusters, two persons representing the African-American Convocation (selected by the NE Area African-American representatives to the Mid-America Convocation), and an additional two representatives from two our General Ministry partners in the NE Area (Culver-Stockton College and Woodhaven).  The Area Minister, Mid-America Regional Minister, and Christian Women's Fellowship NE Area Cabinet President are ex-officio members of the Board.

The Board is responsible for

  • Defining the mission and purpose of the Area and setting policies.
  • Determining the budget after advice and counsel from the Area Assembly.
  • Developing and implementing programs.
  • Setting the Area's calendar.
  • Coordinating planning and program responsibilities.
  • Determining appropriate departments and task forces as needed.
  • Receiving regular reports from departments,task forces, officers, and staff. 
  • Approving the chairs and members of the Areas departments and task forces.
  • Serving as the custodian of the corporate seal and historical and current records.

 The purpose of the Area is to

  • Provide Biblical, theological, and missional leadership among Area congregations and to nurture their spiritual development and well-being.
  • Stengthen the individual and collective witness of the Northeast Area Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ).
  • Provide and promote ministry resources, programs, and services for Area congregations.
  • Offer Area congregations opportunities for fellowship, sharing, and inspiration.
  • Provide support and fellowship opportunities for pastors and encourage their participation in continuing education.
  • Coordinate and communicate services, programs, and concerns shared by Area congregations, other Areas, Regional, and General manifestations of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and ecumenical agencies and organizations.
  • Engage in ministries of service and outreach to the wider community and help fund such ministries.
  • Periodically evaluate the ministries of the Area and develop vision for the future.

In short, the Northeast Area exists to effectively reach and serve our congregations so they can effectively reach and serve our communities (both those within and those beyond the church's doors).