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Materials |
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FAQ Answer Sheet with details about the meeting: HTML | PDF Agenda for the Meeting: HTML | PDF Consent Agenda with the Rules of Procedure: HTML | PDF Biographical information for the Keynote Speakers at bottom of page or PDF Directions to First Congregational Church of Madison: HTML | PDF |
MADISON (05/10/2010) -- Acknowledging the "good old days" are over, keynoters the Rev. Steve Sterner and the Rev. Cameron Trimble insisted that bright days are ahead for the United Church of Christ: if the UCC accepts the challenge to adopt new ways. Opening and closing the meeting to the energetic strains of "Revive Us Again," 463 leaders of the Conference's churches heard a clear call for a revival of existing congregations and for planting new ones in Connecticut.
"If the 1950s come back again, we've got churches ready for it," joked Sterner, who is Executive Minister for the UCC's Local Church Ministries agency. The Connecticut has been protected to a great extent from the social changes in the United States -- protected by substantial financial endowments and by relatively large congregations -- that protection is not sufficient to sustain the church into the future. Sterner summoned church leaders to embrace new ways of thinking, beyond "technical" fixes for immediate problems.
It's not just about adding new musical styles or displays projected on a screen, he said. "People don't come to church to see PowerPoint or sing praise songs, they come to find meaning." The Church Sterner sees emerging in the future is one that is mission driven, and which has a clear vision of the future it desires. It focuses on creating and transforming disciples rather than attracting members; the use of technology is a part of its ethos. It builds community and relationships, it looks to change the world through networking and the nurture of faith.
Trimble followed Sterner's address with a call to action. In failing to continue the work of planting new congregations, the church has followed a path that leads to decline and disappearance. She encouraged local churches to resume the work of nurturing new congregations, noting that historically Connecticut's churches were founded from other churches. Today, she said, churches that multiply -- that grow new churches -- grow 23% faster than those which don't.
Among Trimble's challenges in the day was a short video that she shot and prepared in the morning, asking meeting participants to describe why they are Christians in Twitter's 140 characters or less. Through the laughter came the summons: Christians must be able to declare their faith clearly and succinctly.
In a reference to the classic Star Trek episode, "The Trouble with Tribbles," Trimble speculated about what it would mean if the Church were "born pregnant," ready to birth new churches and ministries. If the Conference were to begin increasing its congregations at an annual rate of just 1%, it could anticipate 123 additional churches by 2050. If it does nothing, it can expect a decline of 176 churches.
"I am here to recruit you," she concluded, to the task of birthing new churches. "The Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ needs your help." Those with special skills, business experience, and a passion for the gospel are needed. Those who have the impulse to try new things and new models, who have an entreprenurial spirit for a new "Church 3.0:"
"My name is Cameron Trimble, and I am here to recruit you."
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| Davida Foy Crabtree |
The Conference formally acknowledged the retirement of Conference Minister the Rev. Dr. Davida Foy Crabtree in a brief and touching exercise of worship, accepting and granting mutual forgiveness for the mistakes each had made, and releasing Dr. Crabtree from her responsibilities. Eyes filled with tears as she presided at the communion table with Sterner, and a long line formed for the station where she offered the bread and cup to worshipers. Her last day in office is May 15.
The day's business included a report from the Rev. Micki Nunn-Miller, co-chair of the Special Commission on Conference Sustainability, who compared the Commission's work to Jesus' call to the disciples who had fished unsuccessfully all night. "Cast the net to the right side of the boat," he called from shore.
"Incredibly," said Nunn-Miller, "they tried something new," with the result that their nets were full of fish. "We cannot continue to fish on the same side of the boat... We cannot continue to do things the way we have always done them."
The Commission is still doing its research, understanding where the Conference has been fishing and starting to think about what might be "the other side of the boat." Ideas for the Commission may be sent to sustainability@ctucc.org.
"Our ministries are not complete," Nunn-Miller said, "if our churches are not caring for one another."
Please be sure Delegates and Attendees receive this material.
Theme: Today’s church, at times, feels like it is wandering in a wilderness that is this world in which we minister and live. Come be equipped to face the challenges of today’s church. Learn about ways to grow the church and how to identify and equip leadership for the church of today and tomorrow.
Keynoters: We are honored and privileged to have as our keynoters the Rev. Stephen L. Sterner, Executive Minister of the United Church of Christ’s Local Church Ministries and the Rev. Cameron Trimble, Executive Co-director for the Center for Progressive Renewal, a church planting and resourcing organization affiliated with the United Church of Christ.
Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m., with adjournment at 5:00 p.m. The agenda for the day is available here. Also available: FAQ Answer Sheet with details about the meeting, Consent Agenda with the Rules of Procedure, Biographical information for the Keynote Speakers, Online Registration and Registration Form, the Workshop listing, and directions to First Congregational Church of Madison.
The Day: Mr. James Robertson, Moderator, will call us to order at 8:55 a.m. Our Alternate Conference Preacher, the Rev. John Nelson, is planning the opening and closing worship. The closing worship service will include Communion and A Service For Ending An Authorized Ministry for me as your Conference Minister. Elections of officers, the Board of Directors and other committees will be included on the Consent Agenda for action early in the day. An offering for Silver Lake Scholarships will be received.
When we assemble at First Congregational Church of Madison, we will be rejuvenated as the Body of Christ—there we will experience the imagination and creativity that is a part of all of us, be challenged to live in ways that invite the spirit in, and worship God with joy. So come prayerfully, thoughtfully, and enthusiastically to seek God’s wisdom for our common mission as the United Church of Christ in Connecticut.
This Call is sent to:
Sincerely in Christ,
The Rev. Dr. Davida Foy Crabtree
Conference Minister
