Joanne Simpson

HOPE Co-Director

Hopefully, most of you have read part 1, so you have started to think about where you can use your spiritual gifts. Below is a continuation of the different Divisions and Commissions with the NACCC where you could be of service.

CFTS – Congregational Foundation for Theological Studies (Division). Was established as a response to the concern many people were expressing for where the churches were to find ministers whose commitment, training and preparation fitted them uniquely for services to these churches of the Congregational Way. It represents an unusual approach to theological education designed to serve the special requirements of our diverse Congregational fellowship in which no single theological or social viewpoint can represent all of the church. CFTS is a foundation, which provides financial aid in the form of grants and scholarships and thereby places a fine theological education within the reach of all potential Congregational ministers. It provides annual seminars on topics related to ministry in the Congregational churches. To provide experience in the practice of ministry, each student is required to serve an internship in an approved NACCC teaching church. By giving equal emphasis to the financial, academic and practical portions of the program, the CFTS provides unusually fine preparation for ministry in Congregational churches of our Association. The Division members of CFTS oversee the program of providing support both financially and academically for the students.

Missionary Society (Division). Serves as the missionary agent of the churches of the NACCC, and to counsel with Churches who call upon it in the area of their missionary concern; and generally to stimulate the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ by such means as are in keeping with the basic principle of the Congregational Christian Churches. They monitor all selected projects so that individuals and churches may have confidence that their contributions are used with integrity and for purposes, which are in valid support of Christian missions. They strive to select projects that are distinctively Christian and distinctively Congregational. Currently, missionaries in nine countries are receiving their support. Aid is given to churches and other mission projects in the US, some of which are cross-cultural in nature. All supported missions are under regular review and evaluation.

Church Services Commission. The Commission plans programs and provides services to meet the needs of the member churches. It has the responsibility of planning the Resource Room for the Annual Meeting. This commission is comprised of the Youth Subcommittee, which has the responsibility of overseeing the YLR (seminars for youth leaders and Christian education teachers), NAPF and HOPE meetings, and the PMV (mission trip for youth). Other parts of the Church Services Commission is the Christian Education and Spiritual Resources Subcommittee and the Family Life, Men’s and Women’s Subcommittee. These subcommittees work together on all activities. They are responsible for the Advent and Lenten Devotionals, for making curriculum and other resources available for the local churches, for seminars at the annual meeting, and arranging for other speakers at the annual meeting.

Information about any and all of these Divisions and Commission are available in the NACCC yearbook. If you have any questions or would like to receive one of these yearbooks, please contact the NACCC Office and they would be happy to provide you with one. Nomination forms are available online or by contacting the NACCC office. If you have any interest in being nominated for one of these Divisions or Commission, please let your minister know, someone who can nominate you, or let me know. Any member of a NACCC church can make a nomination for you. Use the spiritual gifts that YOU have where they are most needed in either your local church and/or the NACCC.