CCT Steering Committee
Will Like You to Know
When and on what issues should Christian Churches Together (CCT) speak publicly? How can CCT create more opportunities, or improve present ones, where representatives of the churches can participate in dialogue, fellowship and strengthen relationships?
These were some of the topics addressed by the CCT Steering Committee (SC) at its fall meeting in Chicago. Eighteen members of the Steering Committee representing the five families met for a 24 hour period at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America offices located in the Lutheran Center in Chicago. The SC welcomed the recently elected president of the National Baptist Convention of America, Rev. Samuel C. Tolbert, Jr. We gave thanks for the commitment and long service of his predecessor, Rev. Dr. Stephen Thurston.
The committee heard a presentation from Heather Beaudoin on the topic of the Death Penalty. Ms. Beaudoin is a staff person at Equal Justice USA. Equal Justice is a non-profit organization that works towards the elimination of the death penalty. CCT does not have a position on the death penalty, but sees the importance of that issue in relation to criminal justice so the committee felt it was appropriate to reflect on the issue.
A report from the Mass Incarceration Working Committee was received. This committee was asked to prepare a document with CCT's Principles on Mass Incarceration. The SC received and approved the report. The principles on mass incarceration will be soon distributed to the churches and the general public.
Guidelines were approved regarding under what circumstances CCT will make public pronouncements on particular issues or topics. These guidelines were needed because of the number of requests CCT has received to make public statements. The SC recognized CCT's role as a prophetic voice for church and society, but also its limitations in speaking on a regular basis.
Washington D.C. was confirmed as the location for the 2016 Annual Convocation. This will be a presidential election year and CCT plans to address and bring to the forefront the issue of hunger and poverty. CCT is partnering with Bread for the World's Circle of Protection in challenging the 2016 presidential candidates to make public a three minute video with their plan to reduce hunger and poverty in our nation. After having discussed this in the last two SC meetings, the committee decided to change the duration of future Annual Convocations from four days to three days.
The Rev. Gary Walter, president of the Evangelical Covenant Church, was elected as moderator of the Steering Committee. His term as moderator will end at the February 2015 SC meeting in Houston.
Finally, the committee received a report from the 2015 Annual Convocation planning group. The depth and experience of the keynote speakers for the gathering is impressive. We look forward to a fruitful dialogue about the "New Immigrant Communities of Faith and the Future of the Church in the U.S.A."
We invite you to remember CCT's work and leadership in your prayers; as we seek to be a bridge between all Christians in our country. Please, direct any questions about this report, or CCT in general, to CCT's executive director, the Rev. Carlos L. Malavé at cctintheusa@gmail.com.
