he “Greater Austin Area Stone-Campbell Unity Breakfast” held on Saturday the 17th of June 2006 at 9:00 a.m. at the Fellowship Hall of the Western Hills Church of Christ in Austin, Tx. Like its predecessor, it was a major success in the step of re-establishing Unity among all three (3) branches of the Stone-Campbell Movement in the Greater Austin/Central Texas area.

All three (3) branches of the Stone-Campbell heritage were represented, with Elders, ministers and members from the following congregations:

Bastrop Church of Christ, Bastrop TX
Central Christian Church, Austin, TX (Disciples of Christ)
Southwest Christian Church, Austin, TX
Georgetown Church of Christ, Georgetown, TX
Lockhart Church of Christ, Lockhart, TX
University Avenue Church of Christ, Austin, TX
Westover Hills Church of Christ, Austin, TX
Western Hills Church of Christ, Austin, TX
Wimberley Church of Christ, Wimberley, TX
University Christian Church, Austin, TX (Disciples of Christ)
Round Rock Christian Church, Round Rock, TX (Disciples of Christ)
Hill Country Christian Fellowship, Dripping Springs, TX (Church of Christ)

Once again, the overall ambience of the gathering from the outset was that of a family being reunited after years of separation. The right hand of Fellowship was extended without hesitation to all who attended by those who were in attendance.

Moderated by Dr. Carson Stephens
The program started promptly at 9:00 a.m. with Shep Strong, Elder at Western Hills formally welcoming all of the attendees. Shep then called on Dr. Paul Faulkner, Elder at Hill Country Christian Fellowship in Dripping Springs, TX. to open the session with prayer. Breakfast was prepared and served to
all the attendees. Dr. Carson Stephens, former President of Austin Graduate School of Theology, served as moderator and started the program at approximately 9:30 a.m. Carson then shared with the audience
his thoughts on the Unity efforts going on in Austin.

As previously done at the first Unity breakfast, Carson had each person introduce themselves and which congregation they were representing.

The Agenda for the Meeting included the following topics:

Unity Steering Committee Forming
The formation of a Greater Austin/Central Texas Area Stone- Campbell Unity Steering Committee was presented by Terri Haecker, a member of the Western Hills Church of Christ Unity Committee. It was proposed that this steering committee would have each interested/participating congregation, select one person to be spokesperson for that congregation and to help plan and coordinate future unity meetings. All interested members from all the Stone-Campbell churches are still invited and encouraged to attend any and all the Unity breakfasts and subsequent meetings! The simple purpose of the Unity Steering Committee is to channel comments and concerns by providing one spokesperson for each participating congregation.         More...

Three Streams Communion Proposal
The possibility of a Three Streams Communion Service in November 2006 was addressed by Mark Davies, a former Elder at Southern Hills Church of Christ and member of the Western Hills Church of Christ Unity Committee. Mark addressed the fact that there is the possibility of leasing out the Austin Convention Center for November 05, 2006 for the event and that the event should actually be planned by the Central Committee incorporating all three (3) worship styles here in the greater Austin area. Mark invited those interested to contact the Unity Committee at Western Hills Church of Christ, who will oversee the efforts on an interim basis until the General Committee and the Central Committee have been selected.

Bill Powell, Elder at the Georgetown Church of Christ raised the issue that his congregation, among others, may not be ready this quickly for such a bold move as a Three Streams Communion Service. It must be pointed out that Bill was not in the least negative about the idea, but simply voiced his concern as the Shepherd regarding the temperament of a little more conservative group of Brothers and Sisters. His overall assessment was that his congregants probably were not ready for such a bold move as yet. Bill’s honesty and love for his congregation were appreciated by all at the breakfast. Disciples and other Churches of Christ alike were sympathetic to his concerns looking for a more moderate first-step means to reconciliation.

Karen Strong from Western Hills suggested that the Churches may want to consider some sort of social function to initially break the ice and allow our peoples to get know each other.

Visitation Program.
Jerry Martin, former Elder at Western Hills Church of Christ and a member of its Unity Committee, addressed the current visitation program initiated by University Avenue Church of Christ and Western Hills Church of Christ to attend and participate in our sister Disciples of Christ and Christian Church Sunday worship services. Members of interested were encouraged to consider visiting another brotherhood congregation or starting a program similar to the this visitation program.

Thought Provoking Topic
B.J. Pierce from Western Hills, the Chair of the Unity Committee, addressed the topic, “1832: The Differences between Alexander Campbell’s Reformer/Disciples and Barton Stone’s Christians”.

At the conclusion of B.J. Pierce’s presentation, Carson asked the attendees to consider what has transpired so far and provide recommendations on Cards that were provided in their handout folders.

Finally, two pieces of pertinent information were shared with those present including the fact that the next Quarterly breakfast would be hosted by Central Christian Church on Saturday September 09, 2006 with further details to follow. Also, it was announced that the National Stone-Campbell Dialogue Committee was considering Austin for their Calendar Year 2007 meeting.

The meeting was concluded at approximately 10:40 am with a closing prayer by an Elder from Central Christian Church in Austin, TX. There were over 40 in attendance.