The Unity of the Spirit In The Bond of Peace

Ron Hamilton – Conference Minister

The Board of Directors notified all members of the Conference of a proposed name change in April. We sponsored three Open Forums to discuss the proposal. After consideration of the input from the Open Forums and numerous interactions via email and telephone, the Board decided to dedicate an entire business session to discuss this proposal. This meeting took place on Thursday, August 1st. Several significant actions were taken at this meeting:

• Two non-binding motions were passed.
-A motion to change the name of the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference was approved by an overwhelming voice vote.
-A motion to change our name to “Centerpoint Biblical Congregational Conference” was approved by a ballot vote of 100 “yes” votes, 29 “no” votes, and     one abstention.

• A proposed amendment to the Constitution was presented and read to the delegates. The proposal reads, “I propose to change the name of the organization from the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference to Centerpoint Biblical Congregational Conference in Articles I and VI of the Constitution.” The proposed amendment will be voted on at the 2025 annual gathering.

I appreciate the fact that the Board dedicated one full business session to address this issue. It was important to hear from our members concerning their views on a name change. I also appreciate the manner in which the response to the proposals was handled. Our President, Scott Nice, did a masterful job of leading and managing the discussion. And our members stated their opinions in a spirit of grace, respecting the differing views expressed.
Kyle Roberts, Executive Director of The Congregational Library, shared his perspective on the meeting with me:

I want to take a moment to congratulate you and your team on a fantastic meeting. It was so wonderful to be an exhibitor and to see old friends and new. I also appreciate having the chance to have a seat to watch history being made as the Conference discusses a new name. I wish all discourse these days could be as civil as what was in the meeting.

Biblical Congregationalism is rooted in our devotion to Jesus, His people, and His mission. Every vote that we take in our local churches and in our national meetings should reflect the character of Christ. Our Conference President, Scott Nice, said:

What a great joy and privilege it was to preside over those meetings! They were life-giving, spirited, and marked by a gracious and “family like” atmosphere. The humble and loving manner in which our members conducted themselves reminded me of why I’m a member of this Conference.

Thank you for your part in sharing in a Biblical Congregational Conference that reflects the teaching of Ephesians 4:1-3.
I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.