Meeting Minutes

GREATER AUSTIN/CENTRAL TEXAS STONE-CAMPBELL DIALOGUE
Georgetown Church of Christ
March 15, 2008

he seventh (7th) "Greater Austin/Central Texas Area Stone-Campbell Dialogue" was held on Saturday the 15th of March 2008 at 9:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the Georgetown Church of Christ in Georgetown, TX. The Meeting like its predecessors was another step in rebuilding bridges and finding common ground among those whose ties are to the American Restoration Movement most commonly linked to Thomas and Alexander Campbell and Barton W. Stone. There were over 0ne hundred (100) members representing all three (3) branches of the Stone-Campbell Movement in the Greater Austin/Central Texas area in attendance.

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

Bastrop Church of Christ, Bastrop, TX
Bertram Church of Christ
Brentwood Oaks Church of Christ, Austin, TX
Camrose Church of Christ
Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Austin, TX
Elgin Church of Christ, Elgin, TX
Georgetown Church of Christ, Georgetown TX
Heart of Texas Church of Christ
Lago Vista Church of Christ, Austin, TX
Leander Church of Christ, Leander, TX
Church of Christ, Rogers, TX
Round Rock Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Round Rock, TX
University Avenue Church of Christ, Austin, TX
University Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Austin, TX
Urban Connection, Austin, TX
Western Hills Church of Christ, Austin, TX
Westover Hills Church of Christ, Austin, TX
3rd and Central Church of Christ, Lovington, NM

As experienced in meetings past, 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 Bill Powell, Elder, from the Georgetown Church of Christ in Georgetown TX formally welcoming all of the attendees. The meeting was opened with prayer by Dan Richards, Elder, Central Christian Church in Austin, TX and breakfast was prepared and served to all the attendees. Dr. Carson Stephens, former President of Austin Graduate School of Theology, and current minister at the Bastrop Church of Christ, Bastrop, TX once again served as moderator and started the program at approximately 9:15 a.m.

Dr. Stanley G. Reid – President of Austin Grad – Principle Speaker
Dr. Stanley G. Reid, the President of Austin Graduate School of Theology, shared with the audience the history of Add-Ran College in Thorp Springs, TX reflecting on how the divisive attitudes of Addison, Randolph, and Father Joseph Clark had created one of the most notable splits in the Stone-Campbell fellowship in Texas in the late 1800s. Dr. Reid went on to share how within his own personal family how Uncles and Aunts and cousins (made up of both members of the Churches of Christ and Disciples of Christ) in DeQueen, Ark. would worship right across the street from each other in their respective buildings and then gather after Worship Service but never discuss their differences. Dr Reid’s presentation gave much food for thought that worship styles and disputable matters should not be harshly judged but addressed in a loving manner by believers in Christ.

Inspirational Acappella Congregational Singing
Jonathan Holland, Children’s Minister and Song Leader for the Georgetown Church of Christ led those in attendance in some wonderful traditional hymns common to those in all three (3) Streams of the Movement.

Table Discussions
After Dr. Reid’s presentation, those in attendance entered into table discussions reflecting on their hometowns, career professions and what we like to do to relax. After the preliminary questions, so that people could get to know each other a little better, the poignant questions of:
(1.) do all the people in your congregation interpret the scripture alike - if not, why not? was addressed followed by the 2nd question
(2.) Is Unity based on strict uniformity or loving commonality? The final question addressed what we hoped to achieve out of these Dialogue Meetings. The questions provided to the attendees were designed to build on our common background, likes and dislikes, experiences and basis of our faith. Those in attendance found the questions to be stimulating and gave wonderful insight to those we share the same heritage.

Introduction of the Greater Austin Area Stone/Campbell Steering Committee.
Toward the end of the Meeting, Dr. Stephens introduced the Greater Austin/Central Texas Area Stone-Campbell Dialogue Steering Committee. Those members currently consist of:
Mr. Jeff Bailey – Westover Hills Church of Christ, Austin, TX
Mr. Roger Carey – Church of Christ, Austin, TX
Mr. Bert Crowson – (Retired Elder) University Avenue Church of Christ, Austin, TX
Rev. Randy Frye – Sr. Minister, Lockhart First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Lockhart TX
Mrs. Terry Haecker – Unity Committee, Western Hills Church of Christ, Austin, TX
Mr. Robert Hailey – Minister, Lockhart Church of Christ, Lockhart, TX
Mr. Roger McCown – Sr. Minister, Brentwood Oaks Church of Christ, Austin, TX
Mr. Carl Noble – Member, University Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Austin, TX
Mr. B.J. Pierce – Coordinator, University Avenue Church of Christ, Austin, TX
Mr. Bill Powell – Elder, Georgetown Church of Christ, Georgetown, TX
Mr. Dan Richards – Elder, Asst. Coordinator, Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Austin, TX
Rev. Barry Smith – Licensed Minister, Round Rock Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Round Rock, TX
Mr. Mark Weinert – Associate Minister, Southwest Christian Church, Austin, TX
Rev. Julie Wood – Children’s Minister, Round Rock Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Round Rock, TX

In Closing – Various announcements were made regarding upcoming events at the Georgetown Church of Christ. A final song of “Blest be the Tie” was lead by Jonathan Holland and the Assembly was dismissed.

Next Meeting – The next meeting is being scheduled for June 21st, 2008 at the Brentwood Oaks Church of Christ. More information will be forthcoming.