MINUTES OF THE

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

AND

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

OF THE

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CONGREGATIONAL CHRISTIAN CHURCHES

WAUWATOSA, WISCONSIN

October 8-9, 2004

ACTIONS 04-E-58

Through 04-E-70

And

ACTIONS 04-C-48

Through 04-C-52

Call To Order Regular meetings of the Executive Committee and of the Board

of Directors of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches were called to order on Friday, October 8, 2004 at 2:00 P.M. in the Friendship Lounge of the First Congregational Church, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin by the chairman Rev. Alice Murphy.

Executive Committee voting members present were:

Gierke, The Rev. Dr. Dewey Kniefel, Mrs. Claudia

Hicks, Mr. Michael Murphy, the Rev. Alice

Van Tassell, the Rev. Wendy G. Clayton, Mr. Bonn

Clarke, the Rev. Joseph Godard, Mrs. Betty

Hotchkin, the Rev. Richard E. Butman, Mrs. Anne

Absent: Hood, the Rev. Dr. Lottie Jones, White, the Rev.

Milton E. “Ed”

Ex-Officio Executive Committee non-voting members were:

Glab, Mrs. Sherry, Secretary and Hall, Mrs. Hannah, Moderator-Elect.

There were 11 voting members of the Board of Directors: present:

Gierke, the Rev. Dr. Dewey Kniefel, Mrs. Claudia

Hicks, Mr. Michael Murphy, the Rev. Alice

Van Tassell, the Rev. Wendy G. Clayton, Mr. Bonn

Clarke, the Rev. Joseph Godard, Mrs. Betty

Hotchkin, the Rev. Richard E. Butman, Mrs. Anne

Hall, Mrs. Hannah

Executive Committee Meeting 2 October 8-9, 2004

Board of Directors Meeting

Absent: Rev. Richard Adair, Moderator-Elect

Ex-Officio non-voting member present was Glab, Mrs. Sherry, Secretary.

Also present were: The Rev. Dr. Thomas M. Richard, Executive Secretary; the Rev. Dr. Don Olsen, Associate Executive Secretary; the Rev. John Carson, Associate Executive Secretary; the Rev. Dr. Lloyd M. Hall, Jr., Historian; Mr. James Walsh, Treasurer; Mr. Jeff Dillon, Assistant Treasurer, Mrs. Carrie Dahm, Rev. Kathleen Sell, Mrs. Karen Frazzell, and the Rev. Dr. Steve Peay.

Introductions The Chairman, Rev. Alice Murphy asked that we go around the

table for self introductions.

Devotions The devotions were given by Mr. Bonn Clayton. He opened with a prayer and then asked us to sing “The Church’s One Foundation”. Following the singing Bonn read three scripture passages and summed them up by reminding us that Jesus asks us to be of one mind (ecumenical movement). Paul’s approach in 2^nd Thessalonians admonishes we do not need structural unity and he speaks to distinctiveness. Do not treat “others” as the enemy but go to them and reproach them. Bonn admonished us to go out and promote Congregationalism. Listen to all others’ distinctiveness and learn from it. He invited us to sing “They’ll Know we are Christians by our Love” and closed with a prayer.

Prayer Requests The Chairman asked for prayer requests. Claudia Kniefel asked that we pray for Rev. Rich Koch who is leaving for Iraq in mid-November. Hannah Hall thanked us for our prayers for her sister in June and asked that we pray for their daughter who is going through a difficult life change and Dewey Gierke requested prayers for the people living in Arcadia, Florida where they suffered devastating losses in the hurricanes. Don Olsen asked us to keep Mayflower Church in our prayers as they go through a trying time. Following a time of silent prayer, Alice Murphy closed with a prayer. (We later in the meeting learned of Chris Lobb’s problems and were asked to pray for Chris and Doug.)

Corrections to The Chairman announced three corrections to be made in the

Yearbook Yearbook: Page 183 Community Baptist Church’s phone number should be (414)445-1610; Page 150 Gilmanton’s address is P.O. Box 6, 1803 N.H. Route 140; and Page 32 Bill Genda’s e-mail address should be BILYNN@peoplepc.com.

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Board of Directors Minutes

Announcements The Chairman asked that all expense reports be in as soon as possible and that airport transportation was being arranged.

04-E-59 VOTED: By consensus the Agenda (Exhibit 1) was approved

04-C-49 with some minor changes in the order and the addition of a

Agenda telephone call to Alan Seltzer on Saturday morning.

Minutes The secretary noted three corrections to the Executive Committee Minutes and one in the Board of Directors Minutes to be made prior to posting. Lloyd Hall pointed out there were some errors in the wording of two motions; namely 04-E-56 and 04-C-32.

04-E-60 Bonn Clayton moved we accept the minutes with the exception

04-C-50 of these two motions (04-E-56 and 04-C-32) to be dealt with later in the meeting. Seconded

VOTED: Motion adopted.

Mrs. Dahm’s Carrie Dahm added to her written report (Exhibit 2) that she has two hotel sites to visit for the 2007 Annual Meeting; one in St. Petersburg, Florida and one in Tampa Florida. It turns out that the hotel in Georgia will not be ready in time so the meeting may be held in Florida with both Georgia and Florida Associations hosting.

Rev. Sell’s Kathy Sell added to her report (Exhibit 3)the Advent Devotional

Report went to press the previous day.

Karen Frazzell’s Karen reported she had met with the Commission on Youth

Report Ministries and the youth groups’ co-directors at the Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas. She believes the Commission on Youth Ministries is working out well. (Exhibit 4)

2:35 P.M. Carrie Dahm and Karen Frazzell left the meeting.

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Board of Directors Minutes

Associate Adding to his report (Exhibit 5)Rev. John Carson reported that a

Executive CCD retreat in October was held at Mayflower; the next one to

Secretary’s Report be held in February at Church of the Chimes in Sherman Oaks,

(Rev. Carson) California. In August 2004 travel funds ran out, due to CCD and missionary travel. Building and Loan funds will have very little money left after promises have been fulfilled, and additional applications are being received.

Associate Rev. Dr. Donald Olsen called our attention to his report (Exhibit

Executive 6)and asked if anyone had any questions. Dewey Gierke asked

Secretary’s Report about an exam for CFTS students. There are presently 15 students in the program with diversified requirements. There is now a test the students can take for their own evaluation (test includes polity and Congregationalism). These tests would never be given to a church. Rev. Gierke then requested a website “how to” for hosting websites for churches. Rev. Olsen agreed to do this and stated his goal is to have 100 churches involved in web hosting.

2:45 P.M. Mr. Dan Drea arrived.

Executive Rev. Dr. Tom Richard reported that Jim Walsh, Jeff Dillon and

Secretary’s Report Sue Grey have helped during the past few months during the transition of the controller. Marina Rosenberg has been working with Dan Drea to help bring him up to date. Rev. Richard went on to report there have been 24 mass mailings to churches. The office is trying to cut down on pieces of paper mailed to churches. They are also addressing pieces to specific people to whom each piece should go (moderator, treasurer, etc.) and asking clergy to be sure they are given to the correct persons. Suggestions and critiques of the mailed pieces may be put on the web site and/or over the internet. Rev. Richard advised us that he and the Associate Executive Secretaries are out traveling more and promoting the NACCC. (Exhibit7 )

Controller’s Report Mr. Dan Drea expressed his delight in beng with all of the people he works with. He then went over points of his written report (Exhibit 8). Rev. Lloyd Hall asked Mr. Drea his opinion of alternating year’s audits. Dan replied that he thinks one at the end of this year is necessary with the change in personnel and then we can go from there.

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Board of Directors Minutes

Annual Meeting The evaluations of the June, 2004 Annual Meeting (Exhibits 9 &

Evaluations 10) will go to Dewey’s goal group.

Moderator’s Report Mrs. Hannah Hall indicated she thought this year’s evaluation form had merit. She is looking at a similar form which will be distributed at the banquet and a drawing will be held during dinner. She thought that the evaluation tabulations (Exhibit 11) should show actual numbers instead of the answers being rated by only number of replies.

A discussion ensued regarding informing delegates of decisions to be voted on. Hannah suggested meeting with people who have questions during the meeting. Rev. Gierke asked about the possibility of having presentations of the issues at state/regional meetings. The feeling was that we would be talking to the same people we talk to at Annual Meetings. It was suggested the motions be presented via power point, which seems like a possibility. Hannah mentioned the most often repeated criticism of the Annual Meeting is that there is too much business. This year she plans to have general sessions and business sessions; the general ones would include would include reports, awards, etc.; business session would be business only. Workshops could be held during the general sessions, but not during the business sessions. (Exhibit 12) Mrs. Hall drew our attention to the Host Committee Report (Exhibit 13).

Mike Hicks questioned the intergenerational event. It is planned that the youth are to be bussed to the adult venue and that the adult group will help defray the cost of the busses. Wendy Van Tassell reported the youth are requesting that we all share a meal and a worship service. Discussion was held on the logistics of this event.

Moderator-Elect’s A written report from Moderator-Elect Rev. Dick Adair was

Report accepted (Exhibit 14).

At 3:20 P.M. a ten minute break was declared by the chairman.

Rev. Ed White Arrived

Rev’s. Kathy Sell and Don Olsen left the meeting.

At 3:30 Chairman Alice Murphy called the meeting back to order.

Treasurer’s Report In addition to his written report (Exhibit 15) Jim Walsh added the following comments: There is one large unrestricted bequest (estimated at $125,000) which should be received at the end of the calendar year.

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Board of Directors Minutes

Treasurer’s Report Hannah commented we should let churches know we need

(cont’d.) financial help for such programs as Building & Loan. Tom Richard suggested we contact churches that are closing to consider sending some of their excess funds to CCD and/or B & L. John Carson suggested the Building & Loan Team might have more members and in different locales. Bonn Clayton suggested a capitol fund drive; building more churches would be one appeal. Rev. Carson further suggested we put information out, i.e. DFM Division report would be a fund raising tool in a different form than the Treasurer’s report.

The Dorothy Horn Fund was discussed. Rev. Hall suggested we research the history of this fund.

Hannah Hall brought up the subject of webstreaming at the Annual Meeting. She indicated it cost about $2,800.00 per year. Tom Richard informed us that Carrie Dahm has been doing a study on the cost of the technology we use for the Annual Meetings and he is trying to balance costs with the big picture in mind. Tom offered to bring a cost analysis to the February meeting.

Historian’s Report The Historian’s Report (Exhibit 16) was accepted. A short discussion on the preserving of the records was held. It was decided further study of this project was necessary, but that the preferred way (microfiche) was expensive.

Future Planning A written report (Exhibit 17) was received from the Future Planning Team.

Marketing Report A written report (Exhibit 18) was received from Mary Carson with an update on Marketing activities. It was added that this effort is going forward and we look forward to their report in February. Dewey Gierke added that churches in the Southwest Florida area need to be congratulated for the success in their (marketing) effort.

Annual Meeting Rev. Gierke reported Burkert Cree, of Carmel, California, is

Participation interested and concerned and is willing to come up with people to call the inactive churches.

Land Sale Rev. Joe Clarke reported that Tom Richard had met with the Mayor of Oak Creek the previous day, signed the revised survey map and took it to the Deeds Office. Carrie Dahm delivered the papers to the city today. The realized profit is to go into the investments. The selling price was $265,000 with a net of $215,000 to $220,000. ($2,800.00 has been spent through August.)

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Board of Directors Minutes

Wish List Rev. Clarke asked for this item of business to be moved to tomorrow’s agenda.

Heritage Writers No report

Library No report

Division for No report

Ministry

CFTS No report

At 5:34 Rev. Dick Hotchkin was asked by the Chairman to give a closing prayer and blessing for the dinner.

At 6:45 the Chairman reconvened the meeting.

Goal committees were discussed and a reminder was given to subcommittees and ad hoc committees.

Meeting recessed at 7:30 P.M.

Saturday, October 9, 2004

Call To Order Chairman Alice Murphy called the meeting to order at 9:05 A.M.

Within ten minutes all voting members were present as noted the previous day.

Devotions The devotions were given by Rev. Wendy Van Tassell. Her theme was “Fill My Cup, Lord”. After sharing a song with us she stated what she thought to be the “seven deadly words”: “We’ve Never Done it That Way Before”. She asked what these words were saying and we each gave our thoughts on this. She used the passage from Matthew describing “Fishers of Men” and reminded us that God is always asking us to follow. She then asked each of us to name three things that keep us of from following Jesus and going in a new direction, to which each responded. Rev. Van Tassell then gave examples of benefits of not staying in the same place: challenging, giving a chance for a fresh start and followed this with her journey. She concluded with the thought that the Executive Committee needs to be visionary and try new things – we must trust. She ended with the song “Father, I Put My Life in Your Hands” and a time of prayer.

The planned phone call with Alan Seltzer was not accomplished.

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Board of Directors Minutes

Director of 9:10 Vi Hammelman, Director of Development, arrived and Dr.

Development Richard introduced her. She presented her written report Exhibit 19) and answered questions from the group. She stressed that one way of supporting Congregationalism is when discussing it with people we need to promote the National Association. Congregationalism and the National Association is a “marriage” and we need to focus on “our own house”, before going outside for funds. We need a long term plan and we need not be in a rush to name a replacement governor, (of the Foundation). Hal Frentz has stepped up as President. We should use the 50^th Anniversary as a theme through June and we have 12,000 pamphlets to help promote this. She asked us each to give an appeal to our own member churches that they give to the National Association. Chairman Alice Murphy thanked Vi for her presentation.

Wish List Rev. Joe Clarke reported three requests for funds had been received: $3,500 for a mid winter meeting to plan for the financial future of the NACCC; $750 of additional money for the New Hampshire project (newspaper costs higher); and $30,000 to $40,000 for start up costs for the New Congregational Hymnal Committee (Exhibit 20). We also need to address the two requests from the Youth, which were presented at our June meeting. Exhibits (5 of them)

04-E-61 On behalf of the Wish List Committee, Rev. Joe Clarke moved

04-C-51 that $3,500 be granted to cover some expenses for the mid-

Financial Meeting winter meeting to plan for the financial future of the NACCC.

Request VOTED: Adopted

04-E-62 On behalf of the Wish List Committee, Rev. Joe Clarke moved

N. H. Project that $750.00 be granted to Mary Carson for the New Hampshire

Request Project.

VOTED: Adopted

04-E-63 On behalf of the Wish List Committee, Rev. Joe Clarke moved

New Hymnal that $3,000 be granted to the Congregational Hymnal Project

Project with a letter encouraging them to solicit private funding.

Request VOTED: Defeated

Hannah Hall asked that we write a letter to the Congregational Hymnal Committee explaining we do not have enough data to consider their request. Alice Murphy will write the letter.

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04-E-64 Dewey Gierke moved that the NACCC New Hymnal Committee

New Hymnal be encouraged to apply for financial support from the

Committee Congregational Press. Seconded

VOTED: Adopted

10:50 A.M. Chairman Alice Murphy declared a ten minute break.

11:03 A.M. The meeting resumed.

04-E-65 Dewey Gierke moved that the Executive Committee approve

Youth Committee the grant of up to $2,000 for a DVD/CD duplicator, if needed,

Request that need to be determined within 60 days of this October meeting by Dr. Olsen. Seconded

VOTED: Defeated

04-E-66 Rev. Gierke moved that we allocate up to $2,000 to purchase a DVD/CD duplicator. Seconded

VOTED: Adopted

04-E-67 Rev. Gierke moved that up to $10,000 be allocated for scholarships to be used for youth to attend NAPF Annual Meeting. Seconded

VOTED: Adopted

Goal Groups A decision was made that goal groups would meet via telephone conference calls.

Fraternal Delegates The attached (Exhibit 21) written report was accepted.

Leadership Team A Proposal Regarding Leadership Team Minutes (Exhibit 22)

Minutes Proposal was presented.

04-E-68 Bonn Clayton moved that the Executive Committee re-affirm the need for transparency in the work of the Association and at the same time reaffirm the need for confidentiality when dealing with personnel or personal issues brought before any division, committee, or commission. The Executive Committee will request of all divisions, committees and commissions that:

1) Completed minutes be submitted by the secretary to the group’s members within thirty days of a meeting’s close”;

2) A list of the group’s decisions and actions be posted on line at www.nachurch.org within thirty days of a meeting’s close;

3) “The Executive Committee’s minutes be posted at www.nachurch.org within seven days of a meeting’s close at which they are approved;

4) Documents that have not yet been approved should be so labeled. Seconded

VOTED: Motion was not adopted.

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Board of Directors Minutes

Leadership Team This proposal will be referred to the appropriate goal group.

Minutes (cont’d.)

Providence Fund The proposal regarding a scholarship fund for Annual Meetings

Proposal was introduced. (Exhibit 23)

04-E-69 Rev. Richard Hotchkin moved that we allow the Congregational Foundation to list a newly created “Providence Fund” on the Annual Meeting registration form. Seconded

VOTED: Motion was adopted.

Chairman Alice Murphy announced all other proposals will be referred to the appropriate goal groups.

04-C-52 Dewey Gierke moved that Motion 04-C-33 be changed to read:

Rewording of “Rev. White moved that the Board of Directors adopt the

Motion 04-C-33 revised updated versions of the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws of Corporation”. (Motion recorded in June 2004 Minutes.) Seconded

VOTED: Motion adopted.

04-E-70 Dewey Gierke moved that Motion 04-E-56* be changed to read:

Rewording of “Rev. Murphy moved that the members of the Executive

Motion 04-E-56 Committee become Directors of the Corporation”. (Motions

04-C-53 recorded in June 2004 Minutes). Seconded

Rewording of VOTED: Motion adopted.

Motion 04-C-46 (By virtue of changing 04-E-56, Motion 04-C-46 is changed.)

February 2005 Dr. Richard informed us we had two choices of meeting places

Meeting Site for our February 2005 meeting namely, Florida and Milwaukee. Ed White issued an invitation to again meet in Sun City, Arizona. It was decided the office would make the final decision and inform us as to where this meeting will take place.

Christian Churches Mr. Bonn Clayton directed our attention to a document entitled

Together “Frequently Asked Questions” Christian Churches Together in the USA (Exhibit 24). Bonn went on to report he has participated in the last two meetings of this organization and the next meeting is to take place in June of 2005. He asked if we wished to have a representative of the NACCC attend and speak. Bonn thinks we should participate, vote and promote the idea of Congregationalism. He further stated we should consider contributing $500.00 to $1,000.00 to this cause. He suggested we vote each year on whether we should participate. There was discussion on these issues but no action was taken.

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Board of Directors Minutes

12:05 Bet Godard and Ed White left the meeting.

Prayer Mrs. Claudia Kniefel gave the closing prayer and blessing prior to our lunch.

Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 P.M.

Lunch was provided for us by the host church.

Sherry Glab

Secretary

EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT 1 Meeting Agenda

EXHIBIT 2 Mrs. Dahm’s Report

EXHIBIT 3 Rev. Sell’s Report

EXHIBIT 4 Mrs. Frazzell’s Report

EXHIBIT 5 Report of Associate Executive Secretary, Rev. Carson

EXHIBIT 6 Report of Associate Executive Secretary, Rev. Dr. Olsen

EXHIBIT 7 Executive Secretary’s Report

EXHIBIT 8 Financial Manager’s Report

EXHIBIT 9 Annual Meeting Evaluations

Executive Committee Minutes 12 October 8-9 2004

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EXHIBITS (con’td)

EXHIBIT 10 Annual Meeting Evaluations – Staff

EXHIBIT 11 Annual Meeting Evaluation Summary

EXHIBIT 12