North Dakota Conference of Churches

History of NDCC

The roots of the North Dakota Conference of Churches can be traced back to a pioneer organization of the ecumenical movement in this state called the North Dakota Sunday School Association.  The first convention of this association was held in Grand Forks in 1890.  After a Methodist pastor named C. A. Armstrong was appointed State Young People Superintendent in 1916, ecumenical programs grew in number and significance.  To include new programs of youth camps and leadership training in 1922, the association was reorganized into the Council of Christian Education. 

In 1944, the organization expanded beyond education to cooperative work in all phases of church life when it became the North Dakota Interchurch Council, and, in 1959, adjusting to changing needs, expectations and the retirement of Dr. Armstrong, it became the North Dakota Council of Churches.  With Dr. Oscar Olsen as executive secretary, the North Dakota Council of Churches expanded its operation.  Five general divisions of program included Christian Education, Christian Social Relations, Ecumenical Relations, Evangelism and Promotion, and the North Dakota Council of Church Women United.  When Dr. Olsen resigned in 1969, the Council appointed a task force on restructure, and, by the end of 1970, the North Dakota Council of Churches was dissolved and the North Dakota Conference of Churches was born. 

Although the Roman Catholic and American Lutheran Churches were not represented in the North Dakota Council of Churches, both Catholic Dioceses and the Eastern North Dakota District of the ALC immediately joined the new conference.  Mr. A. B. Ellingson served as executive director until 1972, when Rev. J. Winfred Stoerker was called to the position.  Under his leadership, three program goals of the NDCC were designated as dialogue, informing, and coordinating.  New programs were established such as Friendly Town, the Clergy Economic Conference and Legislative Reports, and previous concerns such as Prison Chaplaincy, New Pastor's Orientation, and Native American Understanding continued. 

In 1982, however, members of the North Dakota Conference of Churches realized the judicatories could no longer afford an executive director.  After a thorough evaluation and restructuring process, executive leaders took the reins of the organization in their own hands.  With a great spirit of volunteerism, they committed themselves to interdenominational education, interfaith dialogue and programs requiring joint action to meet the growing needs in North Dakota churches and communities. 

In 1984, NDCC members sponsored a statewide gathering for study and discussion of the document Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry  with nationally acclaimed speakers Dr. Michael Kinnamon and Br. Jeffrey Gros.  The event attracted over 100 members of the clergy from all areas of the state. Beginning in 1986,  quarterly meetings were hosted by judicatories in a great variety of North Dakota churches.  Through the Faith and Order Committee, members devoted meetings to continued BEM study, interfaith dialogue, and greater understanding of Native American culture for several years.  When the Annual NDCC Meeting began being held in January, this committee became responsible for an annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity service and Ecumenical Award presentation. 

In September 1999, the Faith and Order Committee began facilitating the process of faith sharing, dialogue, and prayer at NDCC meetings.  The need for a full time chaplaincy program at the North Dakota State Penitentiary (NDSP) was a concern of the churches for many years.  An attempt to develop a church funded program failed in 1980.  But, one year after the development of the Prison Chaplaincy Board of the NDCC in 1984, a unique, ecumenical Prison Chaplaincy Program began, funded by both the churches and the state.  One full time and one part time chaplain have served the growing inmate population and prison staff since that time.  Thanks to a grant from the Presbyterian Synod of Lakes and Prairies, and matching funding from the state, an additional part time chaplain began providing chaplaincy services to the Missouri River and Youth Correctional Centers for one day a week at each facility in 1995.  In October 1999, the Prison Chaplaincy Program grew to include the James River Correctional Center (JRCC), Jamestown , with a full time chaplain serving the inmates there.  In 2000, the Program expanded further, with the hiring of a parttime chaplain at the Youth Correctional Center (YCC).  The position at the YCC is expected to evolve into a full-time position mid 2001.  The program is presently funded by the state, churches, and United Way Agencies, with the state funding approximately 70% at NDSP and JRCC and 80% at YCC.  The NDCC has been in discussion with the state, requesting 100% funding of chaplains’ salaries by the state, thereby allowing churches to fund other aspects of Prison Ministry as identified by the Prison Chaplaincy Board and approved by members. 

In response to the rural economic crisis in the state in 1984, a Rural Life Task Force was formed.  After sponsoring many workshops to help clergy and families in rural communities cope with declining population and loss of farms, this task force became a standing committee in 1986.   In response to a longterm economic/agricultural crisis that has deepened over the years, this committee of dedicated volunteers has worked with coordinators and on its own to renew North Dakota churches and communities, promote stewardship of the land and introduce pastors to rural ministry.  Since 1994, North Dakota 101 , a highly acclaimed  orientation workshop and refresher course, has acquainted pastors and church leaders with the history, culture and current realities of life on the northern plains, and provided information on statewide referral services.  The September 1999 meeting, the NDCC met the Rural Life Committee's request for the appointment of additional members with expertise in the various aspects of the rural crisis to the committee.  Three new members and an advisor were appointed to the committee.  

The committee was asked to consider new initiatives and examine the possible role(s) the NDCC could play in the rural crisis.  Since then, based on input from judicatories, the committee has finalized the document Goals, Objectives, Definitions & Measurements of the Common Good.  The document, derived from Seeking Justice for Rural America, a statement adopted by the NDCC 04/15/00 was approved by the NDCC Executive Committee in November 2000. This document will provide the basis for participation by the Rural Life Committee in rural public policy issues at the upcoming legislative session.  The committee has appointed its chair and vice-chairperson to serve as its legally designated spokespersons at the legislature. Other activities engaged in by the committee in 2000 include the affirmation of  Giving Thanks Through Action: A Statement by the Roman Catholic Bishops of ND on the Crisis in Rural Life,  and the drafting of a short statement outlining these rural concerns for distribution to member churches as a bulletin insert during the Thanksgiving season. 

The committee will be representing the NDCC on North Dakota State University's Rural Social Science Education Program (RSSE) Board.   RSSE is seen as a logical follow up to ND 101 as it provides participants with a handsñon experience of the community served. The committee is also serving as a partner to the ND Wetlands Trust Conservation Agriculture Project.  Finally, the committee is looking at other possibilities to help strengthen local food systems in the region and to encourage proper stewardship of resources.  In response to a motion passed at its September 1999 meeting, a Youth Extracurricular Activities (ECAs) task force was formed to determine if youth ECAs are intruding in family and religious life. At it most recent meeting, task force members noted the need to gather usable information in a more systematic way prior to dialoging with athletic associations. The following plan was proposed:  A phone survey reaching approximately 300 individuals (clergy & parents); focus groups in five communities to reach students.  Task force members have noted the possibility of obtaining outside funding for the initiative.  At the April 2000 Meeting, members were made aware of the unjust burden the present prison phone system places on inmates and their families.  A task force has been created to research the prison phone system and bring its findings to the NDCC for further action. 

Demographic changes in recent years have strained judicatory budgets and change remains a constant companion.  After an evaluation and restructuring process in 1994, members voted to hold meetings only twice a year and reduce office hours.  However, with the expanded activities of the NDCC, in 2000, members recognized the need to meet at least three times a year in order to: allow extra time for faith sharing; help the NDCC members better connect and improve their working together; improve overall cohesiveness of the NDCC; and  provide the judicatory input and support needed by committees to move forward on initiatives.  It was also felt that meeting more often would  be especially important when the legislature is in session.

After the restructure in 1982, The NDCC Conference of Churches has been led by presidents Rev. Russell Dilley, Rev. David Schmit, Rev. Charles Freuden, Bishop John Kinney, Bishop Wesley Haugen, Sr. Paula Ringuette, Rev. Jack Seville, Rev. Marvin Klemmer and Bishop Andrew Fairfield.  With a continued spirit of volunteerism, dedicated members of the NDCC, the Prison Chaplaincy Board, the Rural Life and Faith and Order Committees, continue to work together to give witness to the unity of the followers of Christ and serve churches and communities in ways in which they cannot be served by individual denominations alone.