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Cover

This is a crucial time for our National Association of Congregational Christian Churches. The euphoria of being a remnant to preserve the Congregational Idea is largely gone.

In my travels I hear, "we believe in the autonomy of the local Church." That is well and good, but so do millions of other Christian believers. I hear others saying, "we don't push Congregationalism very much, being Christian is what is really important." To be sure, being Christian is the paramount issue but we are naive and derelict in our duty if we fail to see and thus proclaim the virtue of the Congregational Idea: indeed, Christendom is the loser.

We must, I believe, loudly proclaim the right of all men and women to worship God according to the dictates of personal conscience without let or hindrance by Crown or Congress or ecclesiastical hierarchies. Such a conviction frees us from the necessity of adhering to man made creeds or statements of faith. It frees us from insisting on some litmus test proof as to what constitutes true belief. Our way, rightly understood, casts us solely upon the Holy Spirit for guidance and direction and frees us from all encumbrances so we may give ourselves wholly to Christ.

Let's rekindle that flame! Such a view is vitally needed. Such a conviction can, once again, put fire in our bones.

  Douglas L. Lobb
Executive Secretary

National Association of Congregational Christian Churches
P.O. Box 1620
Oak Creek, WI 53154
1-800-262-1620

E-mail: naccc@naccc.org

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