What is without question, the highest honor that can come the way of a Protestant Clergyman, was recently bestowed upon the son of Odessa’s Alvin and Glenn Anderson. How mighty, mighty proud they must be of their son, Bishop Craig Anderson, of Concord, New Hampshire, who was recently installed as President of the National Council of Churches. This title holds much esteem and power as one of the world’s highest positions in the Christian faith.
Bishop Anderson was in Minnesota a few days last week, attending the National Conference and Workshop on Christian Unity held in St. Paul. Christian Church Representatives from around the country gathered at this event. Bishop Anderson, of the Episcopal Church gave the keynote address at this event on Thursday morning. His speech focused on the theological basis for Christian unity and the challenges facing ecumenical ministry as we prepare for the new millennium. Theme of the conference was “Return to God, rejoice in Hope.”
In addition to addressing the entire conference, Bishop Anderson led a discussion of the leadership of 34 members NCC churches representing some 54 million Christians. The discussion included the challenges and hopes for ecumenical and interfaith ministry, and opportunities were presented for the denominational leaders to discuss how the member churches can work more closely together in an increasingly secular and pluralistic society. Bishop Anderson arrived in Minnesota two days before the conference to visit his parents in Odessa and to play a round of golf in Ortonville.
About the NCC
The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA is the primary national expression of the movement for Christian unity in the United States. The NCC’s members communions, including more than 30 Protestant, Orthodox and Anglican church bodies, work together on a wide range of activities that further Christian unity, that witness to the faith and that serve people throughout the world. Some 52 milion U.S. Christians belong to churches that hold Council membership.
All the member communions subscribe to the Preamble to the NCC Constitution, which states, “The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America is a community of communions, which, in response to the gospel as revealed in the Scriptures, confess Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word of God, as Savior and Lord. “These communions covenant with one another to manifest evermore fully the unity of the Church. Relying upon the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, the communions come together as the Council in common mission, serving in all creating to the glory of God.”
The Council was formed in 1950 …..cont.
The Ortonville Independent – May 5, 1998
Vice President Al Gore congratulates Bishop Craig Anderson and his wife Liz, following Bishop Anderson’s installation as President of the National Council of Churches at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.