Dear Friends,

Since the last issue of our on-line Yearbook was completed we have a new NACCC hymnal; we have named our national fund-raising initiative “Branching Out” and have launched the second phase of that major fund-raising effort to create a Center For Congregational Leadership, and Fund, for new church development; we have taken fourteen new churches into fellowship with our Association; we have begun to create specific ways to tell our story more effectively to our member churches; we have successfully held another inspiring annual conference; we have answered the need of those devastated by yet another natural disaster. All of these things we celebrate as an Association, some of them will appear in this issue of the on-line Yearbook.

As you go through this on-line Yearbook, you will see new names have been added to the leadership team, which is always a healthy sign for any organization. There were two new teams appointed by the Executive Committee – a strategic planning team and a green team. Their missions are spelled out in this Yearbook. You will be able to get the most up-to-date information of who is where, and how to contact them. You will see some new task teams have been commissioned and others may be added before the end of our fiscal year in March.

Looking for contacts in a neighboring State Association? Looking for the monthly leadership newsletter (the NANEWS)? Want to know who to call for advice if your church is searching for a new minister? Want to find an NACCC Church in the area to which you are moving or retiring? Want to listen to some of the great speeches and lectures given at recent annual Association gatherings? Want to get into a discussion on-line about theology? Worship? Prayer? You will find the answer to all of these questions and many more on line.

The purpose of this wonderful technology is that we are able to communicate in many more creative ways than ever before. But (and this is critical), you must want to communicate. We can print things, call, fax, email memos, send materials, and provide information in abundance, but you must want to use it, share it, and respond to it.

And with so much information out there in cyberspace, that will take some discernment on your part to decide what information you need or want. This Yearbook is only a tool for the real work we do together for Christ. But what a great tool it is!

Grace and Peace,

Thomas M. Richard
Donald P. Olsen
John D. Carson