{"id":31,"date":"2021-01-14T15:42:30","date_gmt":"2021-01-14T21:42:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/about-us\/about-the-naccc\/"},"modified":"2025-10-15T14:46:30","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T19:46:30","slug":"about-the-naccc","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/about-us\/about-the-naccc\/","title":{"rendered":"About The NACCC"},"content":{"rendered":"

About the NACCC<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

About the NACCC<\/h3>\n

As a member of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches, your church joins with other churches around the country for mutual encouragement and support. By sharing fellowship through the NACCC, each church is made stronger by access to a multitude of resources and expertise and by the assistance of neighboring churches.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"History<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

History<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Mission<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Mission & Vision<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Governing Documents<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Leadership<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Leadership<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Staff<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Staff<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Annual Reports<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"400<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Our History<\/p>\n<\/div>

Our History<\/h3>\n

Over 60 years ago, the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches (NACCC) was incorporated as a fellowship of Congregational churches.\u00a0The churches in this fellowship opposed merging with the Evangelical and Reformed Church that some Congregational churches favored. While the idea of merging with another denomination was not, in and of itself, offensive, the concerns about this particular merger centered on Congregational identity, practice, and cherished values.<\/p>\n

Those against the merger feared that it would establish a church hierarchy and that the local congregation would lose its independence and ability to self-govern.\u00a0While this is a simplistic summary of a complicated and emotionally-fraught period of history, it illustrates how core principles and practices of the Congregational Way were the driving values that formed the NACCC.<\/p>\n

Understanding Congregationalism<\/a> The Art and Practice of the Congregational Way<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Our Mission<\/h3>\n
It is our mission to nurture fellowship among Congregational Christian churches and to support ministries of the local church in its community and to the world, all in the name of Christ.<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Our Vision<\/h3>\n
\n
Vital and healthy Congregational churches, sharing the love of Jesus the Christ.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The NACCC will continue to provide the resources, aid, and fellowship that empower strong, healthy churches to thrive.<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Because the NACCC is an association of individual churches, the NACCC depends on a structure of volunteers to determine and manage its programs and policies.\u00a0 NACCC staff serves to encourage and support this important work on behalf of member churches.<\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Governing Documents<\/h3>\n

As a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the NACCC follows a series of standardized bylaws and incorporation standards to ensure successful adherence at all times.<\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"\" Articles of Incorporation for the NACCC<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>

\"\" Bylaws of the NACCC<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Leadership Teams<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

The NACCC Leadership Teams<\/h3>\n

The NACCC is stewarded by a dedicated board of volunteers who form our Leadership Council and Board of Directors. Each elected leader gifts their unique experience, insight, and expertise to help ensure the versatility and stability of our organization. If you require contact information for a leadership team member, please email the NACCC office.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"About<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Current Leadership Council<\/h4>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>

The Leadership Council is responsible for program implementation and strategic visioning of the NACCC.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Jodee Lord<\/h6>\n

Moderator & Chairperson<\/strong>
\nStaten Island, New York<\/em><\/p>\n

Rev. Dr. Martin Hall<\/h6>\n

Vice-Moderator<\/strong>
\nFox Point, Wisconsin<\/em><\/p>\n

Patrick Stewart<\/h6>\n

Treasurer<\/strong>
\nMarshalltown, Iowa<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Rev. Norm Erlendson<\/h6>\n

Historian<\/strong>
\nPawcatuck, Connecticut<\/em><\/p>\n

Rev. Rich Miller-Todd<\/h6>\n

Mission & Outreach Rep.<\/strong>
\nBerwick, Iowa<\/em><\/p>\n

Rev. Robb Tarr<\/h6>\n

Vitality Ministry Council Rep.<\/strong>
\n<\/b>Gahanna, Ohio<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Rev. Irven Gammon<\/h6>\n

Growth Ministry Council Rep.
\nFlorence, Massachusetts<\/span><\/i><\/span>
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kate O’Dell<\/h6>\n

Secretary<\/span><\/span><\/strong>
\n<\/span>Anchorage, Alaska<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

Rev. William “Ron” Toliver<\/h6>\n

Growth Ministry Council Rep.
\n<\/strong>Crystal, Michigan<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Cynthia Hardy<\/h6>\n

Vitality Ministry Council Rep.
\n<\/strong>Chandler, Arizona<\/em><\/p>\n

Joanne Simpson<\/h6>\n

Mission & Outreach Rep.<\/strong>
\nPeabody, Massachusetts<\/em><\/p>\n

Melinda Jaster<\/h6>\n

Youth Representative<\/strong>
\nElkader, Iowa<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Current Ministry Council Members<\/h4>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>

Our development, clerical maintenance, and organizational advancement are the direct result of our ministry councils, who volunteer their time to enhance the vitality, growth, and mission work of the NACCC.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

VITALITY<\/h5>\n

Encouraging and supporting the congregations of the NACCC in their mission of strengthening church life.<\/p>\n

Rev. Robb Tarr, Chair<\/h6>\n

Leadership Council Representative
\nGahanna, Ohio<\/em>
\n2022-2025<\/em><\/p>\n

Rev. Julie Sheridan-Smith<\/h6>\n

Wauwatosa, Wisconsin<\/em>
\n2024-2027<\/em><\/p>\n

Rev. Mark Tanner<\/h6>\n

Skowhegan, Maine<\/em>
\n2023-2026<\/em><\/p>\n

Laura Francisco<\/h6>\n

Burlington, Iowa
\n<\/em>2025-2026<\/em><\/p>\n

Rev. Dr. Chris Surber<\/h6>\n

Naples, Florida<\/i>
\n2025-2028<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

GROWTH<\/h5>\n

Encouraging and supporting the congregations of the NACCC in their mission of faith and discipleship.<\/p>\n

Rev. Irven Gammon, Chair<\/h6>\n

Leadership Council Representative <\/em>
\nFlorence, Massachusetts<\/em>
\n2023-2026<\/em><\/p>\n

Sharon Brown<\/h6>\n

Novi, Michigan
\n<\/em>2023-2026<\/em><\/p>\n

Pastor Michael Freeman<\/h6>\n

Princeton, Illinois
\n<\/em>2022-2025, 2025-2028<\/em><\/p>\n

Lisa VanAlst<\/h6>\n

Plainfield, Connecticut<\/em>
\n2024-2027<\/em><\/p>\n

Rev. Dr. William “Ron” Toliver<\/h6>\n

Leadership Council Representative
\n<\/em>Crystal, Michigan<\/em>
\n2022-2025<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

MISSIONS & OUTREACH<\/h5>\n

Encouraging and supporting congregations of the NACCC in their mission of spreading the word and work of Christ in the world \u2013 both locally and globally.<\/p>\n

Rev. Richard Miller Todd, Chair<\/h6>\n

Leadership Council Representative
\nBerwick, Iowa<\/em>
\n2021-2023, 2023-2026<\/em><\/p>\n

Amana Talala Mbise<\/h6>\n

Anchorage, Alaska<\/em>
\n2022-2025, 2025–2028<\/em><\/p>\n

Joanne Simpson<\/h6>\n

Leadership Council Representative<\/i>
\nLynn, Massachusetts<\/em>
\n2023-2026<\/em><\/p>\n

Ann Goecke<\/b><\/h6>\n

Des Moines, Iowa<\/i>
\n2024-2027<\/i><\/p>\n

Marilyn Danielson<\/b><\/h6>\n

Lake Odessa, Michigan<\/i>
\n2025-2028<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Current Board of Directors<\/h4>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>

The Board of Directors is responsible for all legal and financial matters of the NACCC.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Rev. Dr. Martin Hall<\/h6>\n

Vice Moderator & Chair<\/strong>
\nFox Point, Wisconsin<\/em><\/p>\n

Rev. Carol Taylor<\/h6>\n

Beloit, Wisconsin<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Jodee Lord<\/h6>\n

Moderator<\/strong>
\nStaten Island, New York<\/em><\/p>\n

Curt Schmidt<\/h6>\n

Bound Brook, New Jersey<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Patrick Stewart<\/h6>\n

Treasurer<\/strong>
\nMarshalltown, Iowa<\/em><\/p>\n

Rev. Sarah Terlouw<\/h6>\n

Saugatuck, Michigan<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Kate O’Dell<\/h6>\n

Secretary<\/strong>
\nAnchorage, Alaska<\/em><\/p>\n

Robert Weers<\/h6>\n

Soquel, California<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

The NACCC Staff<\/h3>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>

Members of the NACCC staff serve our organization in a professional capacity, to provide administrative, development, communications, and structural support to our mission, vision, and overall association.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Rev. Dr. Gerry Brannon Krupp<\/h6>\n

Executive Director<\/strong>
\nemail<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Julie Robie\u200b<\/h6>\n

Missions Coordinator<\/strong>
\nemail<\/em><\/a>\u00a0<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Emily Triumph\u200b<\/h6>\n

Office Assistant
\n<\/strong>email<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Maggie Helmick<\/h6>\n

Communications Manager and
\nEditor of The Congregationalist<\/em><\/strong>
\nemail <\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Sarah Sobecke<\/h6>\n

Executive Assistant<\/strong>
\n<\/strong>email<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Laura Wright<\/h6>\n

Church Services Coordinator<\/strong>
\nemail\u00a0<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Peggy Griffith<\/h6>\n

Interim Director of Development<\/strong>
\nemail<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Cheryl Milnes<\/h6>\n

Fractional Chief Financial Officer<\/strong>
\nemail<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Austin Tennies<\/h6>\n

Fractional Accountant<\/strong>
\nemail<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

<\/h6>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Meet the Staff<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Annual Reports<\/h3>\n

Thank you for making a difference! Your support and leadership to the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches (NACCC) help us to nurture fellowship among Congregational Christian churches and to support ministries of the local church in its community and to the world, all in the name of Christ.<\/p>\n

Our current Annual Report reflects donations to the NACCC between April 1, 2021-March 31, 2022.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>