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In P. T. Forsyth's work titled
Faith, Freedom, and the Future, we rediscover an historic
view of a contemporary dilemma.
But Independency [ed. Congregationalism] is not
Tolstoian, it is not Quaker [. . .] Its religion is not
spirituality but faith. And its polity is not sheer autonomy, which, unless it is the autonomy of a final,
controlling, and social Gospel, always dies into atomism and anarchy. Such individualism is but an intrusion and
repetition in religion of the political idea of personal right and independence—that helpless thing which a
religion is there not to repeat, but to subdue, control, and to
fructify1 (163).
1 Forsyth, P. T. Faith, Freedom, and the
Future. Eugene OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 1996 (1912), 348 pp.
2002 JOSEPH JONES RUSSELL AWARD
As reported in the last NA news,
the Division for Ministry sponsored sermon award this year will be on
an
 aspect of Congregationalism that lifts
up the continuing relevance of the Congregational Way. The sermon had to have been preached after March 14, 2001
and before March 15, 2002. The deadline for accepting sermons is
April 30, 2002.
To enter, make 3 copies each of
audiotapes of the worship service including the sermon, add copies of
manuscripts and bulletins and send them to the National Office.
Pastors, both ordained and lay, of churches with membership of 400 or less are eligible as are Assistant
and Associate Pastors who preach less than half the time.
The prize consists of a certificate
and cash award. The winning sermon distributed by the Division for
Ministry at the Annual Meeting.
MAKE GOOD USE OF YOUR TIME AT THE ANNUAL MEETING
How? Here are two suggestions:
Association Fellowship
Luncheon, Saturday, June 29
Explore the possibilities of
church growth and development by connecting with each other, and lift
the word "fellowship" to new heights. The Rev. John Lancz,
Executive Secretary of the Connecticut Fellowship, leads this stimulating
discussion.
Seminar, Tuesday Morning,
July 2
Learn more about the current
vagaries of the investment marketplace and improve the returns on
your church's investment portfolio. Sara J. Walker, CFA, Senior Vice
President of the Associate Trust Company and Manager of
the Association's Investment Trust, will speak to us on this timely topic.
Contact Financial Services
Committee members to learn about other opportunities of ways to
improve your local church's financial situation.
CHURCH VISITS
St. Jacobi, Richfield; Lake
Community, Long Beach; FCC, Los Angeles; FCC, Burlington; Faith
Community, Franklin; Searsport, Norridgewock, & Skowhegen,
ME; FCC, Roscoe; Grace Comm., Stuart; North Shore, Fox Point; and
Church of the Chimes, Sherman Oaks. |
