Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Re-Elects Rev. Teresa Hord Owens as General Minister and President

Rev. Teresa “Terri” Hord Owens has been re-elected to a second term as General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. The General Assembly, which convened in Louisville, Kentucky, from July 29 to August 1, 2023, officially confirmed her re-election following a nomination by the Administrative Committee of the General Board. Owens is the first African American and second woman to hold the position, marking a historic milestone as the first African American woman to lead a mainline Christian denomination.

The re-election process adhered to the procedures outlined in *The Design* for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the Standing Rules of the General Board. On August 1, Owens was installed and charged with continuing her ministry of visionary love, spiritual leadership, prophetic imagination, and ecumenical service. In her closing worship sermon, she urged the General Assembly to “imagine new ways of being church and to stay at the table no matter what we face.” She emphasized that this commitment is rooted in the denomination’s covenant relationship with God and with one another.

Rev. Owens is recognized internationally as the “head of communion” and serves as the chief representative of the church in national and global ecumenical councils. She holds leadership roles at the National Council of Churches, including Treasurer of the Governing Board, and is a member of the World Council of Churches Central Committee. Her work in ecumenical and interfaith collaborations includes the Faith Table, an interfaith social justice coalition.

Before her election in 2017, Owens had a diverse career that included serving as dean of students at the University of Chicago Divinity School for 12 years, pastor of First Christian Church of Downers Grove in Illinois, and more than 20 years in corporate America leading diverse teams in data management. Her background reflects a commitment to education, pastoral care, and organizational leadership.

Throughout her first term, Rev. Owens has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to the denomination’s values, including biblical literacy, spiritual formation, and congregational data infrastructure. She has also worked to foster engagement and inclusion within the Church. Her visionary approach to ministry has inspired many and continues to serve as a beacon of hope for those seeking a more just and inclusive Church community.

The re-election of Rev. Teresa Hord Owens underscores the denomination’s ongoing commitment to leadership diversity and inclusive ministry. Her leadership reflects the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)’s historic dedication to unity and service, as seen in Micah 6:8, which calls for acting with mercy, justice, and humility. Her continued service aligns with the denomination’s mission to embody these values in both local and global contexts.

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