Conservative Congregational Christian Conference

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Conservative Congregational Christian Conference
Congregational
PresidentThe Rev. Scott Nice[1]
Conference MinisterThe Rev. Dr. Ron Hamilton[2]
AssociationsWorld Evangelical Congregational Fellowship;
National Association of Evangelicals
RegionUnited States
HeadquartersLake Elmo, Minnesota
Origin1948
Separated fromCongregational Christian Churches
Congregations298 (2019)
Members42,296 (2010)
Official websitewww.ccccusa.com

The Conservative Congregational Christian Conference is a

Protestant
Christianity. It is based in the United States.

The denomination maintains headquarters in

History

The 4Cs has its roots in the Conservative Congregational Christian Fellowship, formed in 1945 by conservative members of the Congregational Christian Churches (CCC) concerned about the dominance of liberalism in their denomination. Due to the decentralized nature of congregational polity, a denominational split was not first seen as necessary.[4] Soon, conservatives became concerned with a proposed merger with Evangelical and Reformed (E&R) church, fearing it would compromise their polity. Additionally, the terms of the proposed merger first required a 75% affirmative vote from all churches, but only received 53%.[5] In 1948, this group established itself as the 4Cs.[3]

Concerned parties sued the General Council of the CCC in Brooklyn, New York, Judge Steinbrink halting the merger in 1950. The New York Court of Appeals would reverse this judgment in 1953,[6] allowing the CCC and E&R to ultimately form the United Church of Christ in 1957.

The 4Cs was not the only Congregationalist denomination to oppose merger. Other churches left the CCC to become independent, or joined the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches (NACCC) which formed in 1955 over polity concerns, not liberal theology per se.

Theology

The 4Cs is theologically

Arminian emphases may be found in the 4Cs, as is usually the case with larger, more broadly-based evangelical
groups.

Practices

Park Street Church in Boston is a notable member church of the CCCC.

The 4Cs admits churches of any origin that operate according to

congregational polity and that subscribe to the denomination's Statement of Faith.[7] The Statement of Faith contains most of the tenets of 20th century evangelicalism and is almost identical to that of the National Association of Evangelicals. Harold Ockenga, a founder of the NAE, was a prominent pastor in the early years of the 4Cs.[8]

Although refusing to permit critiques concerning the main points of doctrine, the 4Cs does allow for local opinion and practices in matters not pertaining to those subjects addressed in the Statement. The motto “In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty, and in all things, love” is repeated freely in 4Cs circles. Member churches derive not only from the founding Congregational and Christian traditions, but also Evangelical and Reformed (former UCC member congregations), Baptist, and non-denominational heritages; most churches joining the 4Cs subsequent to the denomination's founding have been acquisitions, rather than new starts.

Structure

The local church is the basic unit of the 4Cs, but churches and pastors nevertheless agree to voluntarily associate with other churches of like mind. To that end, regional fellowships are established across the United States, much in the same manner as the UCC and NACCC; the role of the regional body is more similar to the NACCC than the UCC, in order to restrain the tendency toward inter-congregational authority. Moderators of each area fellowship are chosen by the local fellowship (composed of representatives from area 4Cs churches and nearby 4Cs member ministers). Area Representatives are appointed by the Conference Minister (who functions as the Executive Director or National Pastor for the 4Cs). Area Representatives serve as local 4Cs contacts, to represent the Conference Minister, and to serve as a liaison between the national organization and the area fellowships.

Growth

Staub Memorial Congregational Church in Portland, Oregon joined in 1958.

Despite the scale of concern in the 1940s, the conference started very small, with only sixteen churches in 1959.[5] It has experienced steady growth since its founding:[9]

Year Churches
1961 34
1970 110
1980 132
1990 178
2001 256
2010 298

Membership is concentrated primarily in the

Midwest.[10] As of 2010, the 4Cs had 42,296 members.[11]

Church multiplication is a "ministry priority" of the 4Cs. The denomination operates a church planting arm called Nineveh Network.[12]

See also

  • Congregational Library

References

  1. ^ "Welcome From CCCC President". Conservative Congregational Christian Conference. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  2. ^ "Welcome From CCCC President". Conservative Congregational Christian Conference. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  3. ^ a b Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches. National Council of Churches. 2010. p. 103.
  4. ^ "Birth of the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference". The FORESEE. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  5. ^ a b Modern Day Pilgrims: A Proud Heritage The History of the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference (75th Anniversary ed.). pp. 14, 27.
  6. ^ "CADMAN MEM'L CONG. SOC. OF BROOKLYN v. Kenyon". Justia Law. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  7. ^ "CCCC Constitution". https://www.ccccusa.com/. Retrieved 2024-03-28. Churches are not necessarily barred from membership because of other affiliations so long as they adhere to the Statement of Faith and the Statement of Polity and the workings of the Conference. {{cite web}}: External link in |website= (help)
  8. ^ Wetzig, Rod (April 2023). "The Early Years of the CCCC". The FORESEE. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  9. ^ "Groups - Religious Profiles | US Religion". www.thearda.com. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  10. ^ "2000 Religious Congregations and Membership Study". Glenmary Research Center. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
  11. ^ "2015-16 Yearbook for the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference" (PDF). Retrieved 2016-03-28.Yearbook for the CCCC
  12. ^ "Church Multiplication - CCCC". https://www.ccccusa.com/. Retrieved 2024-03-28. {{cite web}}: External link in |website= (help)

Sources

Yearbook, Conservative Congregational Christian Conference
Handbook of Denominations, 12th edition (Abingdon Press)
Modern Day Pilgrims (2000: Foresee Publications, St. Paul, Minn.)
Foresee (official newsletter of the Conference)

External links