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RON HAMILTON

CONFERENCE MINISTER

SCOTT NICE & THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BOARD PRESIDENT

FAQs

Q: Why the name "Centerpoint?"

A: The unique ethos of our conference is the "centering" on Christ above all else. This is displayed in our diversity of nonessential theology, autonomy of our churches, and priority of the irreducible core to love God, love others, and make disciples. Christ is our "centerpoint" and captures the essence of our conference.

Q: Why now?

A: Coming off the 75th anniversary, we believe the conference is positioned to make a greater impact by welcoming new churches and members. A new name would inaugurate this next era and strongly aid this work.

Q: Whose idea was this? Where did this come from?

A: While the idea of a name change had been brought to the Board of Directors many times before, it was a keynote message by Conference Minister Ron Hamilton at the 2022 Annual Gathering that reignited this pursuit. A re-branding subcommittee was formed later that year.

Q: Are we changing our beliefs?

A: Not at all! Our Statement of Faith will not change nor any of our positions.

Q: Are we still conservative?

A: We remain strongly "conservative" in every sense the term was originally intended - to conserve unchanging, biblical truth. However, language evolves over time and this word has taken on a political and volatile tone that no longer represents this commitment.

Q: Are we still congregational?

A: Absolutely! Our Statement of Polity remains unchanged. Christ is at the center of every congregation and therefore each local church has the autonomy to discern His will together.

Q: Why are we changing our name if we're not changing who we are?

A: We must reach the diversity of the next generation. "Conservative Congregational Christian Conference" has become confusing, and often divisive. It builds walls, not bridges. Our name should represent who we are and help tell our story.

"THE IDEA OF A NAME CHANGE WAS SUGGESTED ON OCCASION, BUT THE TIME WAS NEVER RIGHT. WHEN I PRESENTED THE CONFERENCE TO PROSPECTIVE CHURCHES, I ALWAYS HAD TO EXPLAIN THAT THE WORD 'CONSERVATIVE' HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH POLITICS OR ECONOMICS, BUT EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THEOLOGY... THE NAME YOU SUGGEST TAKES US OUT OF THE CONTROVERSY AND BACK TO THE BIBLE."

CLIFF CHRISTENSEN

CONFERENCE MINISTER, 1981-2003

"I WELL RECALL PREVIOUS TIMES WHEN CHANGING THE NAME OF THE CCCC WAS BEING PRAYERFULLY CONSIDERED. WHEN GOD DID NOT BRING HIS CONFIRMATION, I BELIEVED AND EXPECTED THAT THE RIGHT TIME WAS GOING TO COME ONE DAY. I BELIEVE THAT THE RIGHT TIME HAS NOW COME. GOD HAS POWERFULLY CONFIRMED THIS THROUGH THE UNITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AS EVIDENCE IN THE SWEET UNANIMITY OF OUR LEADERS. I, THEREFORE, GLADLY AND FULLY ENDORSE THE NEW NAME."

STEPHEN GAMMON

CONFERENCE MINISTER, 2003-2011

TIMELINE

CONFERENCE MINISTER RON HAMILTON CASTS VISION FOR A NEW NAME AT THE 2022 ANNUAL GATHERING

THE RE-BRANDING COMMITTEE IS FORMED AT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2023 WINTER MEETINGS

THE NAME "CENTERPOINT" IS PRESENTED AND UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AT THE 2023 ANNUAL GATHERING

THE TAGLINE & LOGO ARE PRESENTED AND UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AT THE 2024 WINTER MEETINGS

THE PROPOSED NAME "CENTERPOINT" IS INTRODUCED TO THE CONFERENCE FOR CONSIDERATION IN A MAILING

A FORMAL CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IS PROPOSED AT THE 2024 ANNUAL GATHERING TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE CCCC TO "CENTERPOINT BIBLICAL CONGREGATIONAL CONFERENCE." THIS REQUIRES A ONE-YEAR NOTIFICATION.

THE PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IS INTRODUCED TO THE CONFERENCE IN A MAILING. MEMBER PASTORS AND CHURCHES ARE ENCOURAGED TO PRAY AND DISCERN HOW TO VOTE AT THE 2025 ANNUAL GATHERING.

A CONSTITUTIONAL VOTE TO FORMALLY ADOPT THE NAME "CENTERPOINT BIBLICAL CONGREGATIONAL CONFERENCE" TAKES PLACE AT THE 2025 ANNUAL GATHERING.

REBRANDING COMMITTEE

REGIONAL PASTORS & STAFF

"WHAT IS SO GREAT ABOUT THE CONFERENCE IS THAT WE ARE A DIVERSE GROUP OF PEOPLE, BUT WE ARE ALL GATHERED AROUND A CORE SET OF CONVICTIONS WITH CHRIST AT THE CENTER... AS SOON AS I HEARD THE NAME 'CENTERPOINT' I THOUGHT:

THAT'S IT!"

PAUL McPHEETERS

CONFERENCE PRESIDENT, 2011-2014

"THE CONFERENCE NAME CHANGE IS A BREATH OF FRESH AIR... I LOVE THE CCCC AND I LOVE WHAT IT STANDS FOR. NONE OF THAT IS CHANGING. INSTEAD, IT IS REPOSITIONING FOR THE CURRENT DAY AND THE FUTURE"

TODD VENMAN

CONFERENCE PRESIDENT, 2014-2017, 2019-2020

"I FULLY SUPPORT THE LEADERSHIP TEAM'S RECOMMENDATION FOR THE NEW NAME OF OUR BELOVED CONFERENCE. THIS NAME WILL BE HELPFUL IN REACHING THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS WHO WILL CONTINUE TO POINT OTHERS TO THE CENTRALITY OF THE GOSPEL FOR THE NEEDS OF A LOST AND BROKEN WORLD."

ALVIN HELMS

CONFERENCE PRESIDENT, 2020-2023

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