Page Cover,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22
Page Cover,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22
From the Editor It just never happens. An author submits an article to The Congregationalist, and then decides it should not be published.
In late April, after the April/May/June issue was printed, and far ahead of the deadline for the 47th Annual Meeting issue, an article entitled “Headless Congregationalism” was submitted by the Rev. William P. Fillebrown, Plymouth, Massachusetts. He carefully and logically made that point that we (NACCC) “spend too much time and energy articulating our polity and not enough time defining our spiritual identity.” “Our polity,” he continued, “proceeds from our identity in Christ and not the other way around. Failing to recognize this truth results in ‘headless Congregationalism.’ ”
But compare Fillebrown’s article with his Letter to the Editor, page 33, after the Annual Meeting.
“We seem to be taking our own advice,” he writes, “in that we are beginning to think of ourselves as an organism (a living entity) rather than an organization. The shift is monumental! It is refreshing to hear us talk in terms of who and what we are rather than what we are not. ‘WHAT IN GOD’S NAME ARE WE DOING?’ Is there any more important question? The meeting in Lansing provided us with additional fuel for the Spirit’s Fire . . . WOW.”
The Lansing Meeting, as reported elsewhere in this issue, was filled with Holy Fun, inspiration, timely information, and most of all, enthusiastic audience response and participation. Credit two people and their leadership teams: Executive Committee Chair the Rev. Robert Carlson and Moderator the Rev. Dr. D. Elizabeth Mauro.
They made us participants, not spectators. They let us know they wanted our contributions to a plan for a NEW NACCC, and gave us three hours of prime time for small group discussions. Our input will now be analyzed and distilled by the new Leadership teams of Moderator Claudia Kniefel and Executive Chair Carol Cole. They will bring a proposal for a NEW NACCC to the 48th NACCC Annual Meeting in Spokane, Washington, for our approval.
The words in the Fillebrown letter epitomize the new hope and spirit that pervade our Association. No need to talk “Headless Congregationalism.” We are headed toward a NEW NACCC. WE ARE HEADLESS NO LONGER.
—JBP
Page Cover,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22