Disciples reelect Watkins to second term

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has reelected Sharon Watkins as head of the denomination, capping off a weeklong assembly that mixed mundane church business with hot-button issues such as homosexuality, immigration and anti-Muslim hate speech.

Watkins, who had completed one six-year term as general minister and president, spoke before the vote, reflecting on her previous leadership and laying out a vision for the future of the church as it struggles with internal debates.

"We need to talk honestly about the gospel message as it relates to race and sexual orientation in our church," she said. "We've been at a stalemate for too long." The Indianapolis-based Disciples denomination, a frequent ecumenical collaborator with the United Church of Christ, has about 700,000 members nationwide.