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The past four and one half
years have been challenging and rewarding. Moreover, they
have been educational and inspiring. Travel to second and third
world nations on a regular basis has given me a new
set of glasses with which to understand Christ's
imperative in Matthew to make "disciples of all nations…"
and Christ's proclamation in Luke that ministry is preaching
good news to the poor, proclaiming freedom for the prisoners,
offering recovery of sight for the blind, releasing the
oppressed and to proclaiming the year of the Lord's favor. We cannot
separate Matthew's commission from Luke's approach or even
emphasize one over the other; for when we do (as is too often done)
our efforts yield less and our mission and ministry is impeded.
The spiritual and physical aspects of life go hand in hand,
requiring our full attention if we are to know any "kin-dom" as we
move toward God's Kingdom.
There are mentors in this holistic approach to mission and
ministry. Due to the vigilance of the Missionary Society and the
efforts of its members, many of our mission projects offer a vision
of holistic ministry and practice. Much can be learned about
mission and ministry from our "front line" partners overseas. I do
not use the word hero often, but it could roll off my tongue, on
occasion, when speaking about our mission directors.
The Division for Congregational Church Development (CCD)
has also been rewarding and inspiring. The efforts of those who
dare to start a new church or undertake the revitalization of an
existing church are awesome and uplifting. The work of CCD
is vital to our association and is a key in our effort to expand
the "Congregational Way."
Past Chairs of the Missionary
Society, Joyce McVeigh, Paul Clark, Bruce Chapin, Joelle
Sommers and Ted Miller along with the past Chairs of CCD, Ed
White, Rob Joy and two- term Chair Neil Hunt, have offered dedicated
and effective leadership. They deserve our Association's thanks
for a job well done. Indeed, the division Chairs and members
have my heart-felt thanks.
On February 1, 2003 I will assume the position of Dean of
the Congregational Foundation of Theological Studies (CFTS)
and Executive to the Division for Ministry (DFM) while
continuing my responsibilities in Information Systems. I look
forward to the challenges of this new position and thank Phil Jackson
for his good stewardship of and active leadership in these Divisions.
I look forward to a wonderful and fruitful
relationship with the members of CFTS and DFM, our CFTS
students, our clergy and the congregations of the National Association
of Congregational Christian Churches.
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