ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN CHURCHES OF SOUTH DAKOTA
PRESIDENT'S ANNUAL REPORT
October 22, 2002

Our long-standing plan for our convention came to fruitation.  The event went well.  The comments we received were overwhelmingly positive.  In all, it was a very successful event.

What we learned is that we work well together as denominations in events and activities that the judicatory executives agree to support.

We also learned that we have a limited ability as an Association to attract non-participating Christians to events. 

At this point in time, the Association is a product of the executives' support.  In other words, it rises and falls with the interest of the executives.  The gathering together showed us that, and to change that is probably beyond our short-term control.  In general, the laity is not looking for an ecumenical agency in which to participate.

On the other hand, we are being asked to do more in terms of advocacy for other groups and events and we are also being requested to do more to give legitimacy to activities done in mission by those not associated with the member denominations.

These new requests are in part because of the faith-based initiative encouraging groups to form coalitions in order to facilitate their applications Obviously, most of the member denominations don't need to do this because they have their own benevolent associations.  So these requests in such areas as prison ministry and care for cooperative ministry have some potential for our participation, if you so desire.  Part of this may be seen as competing for federal dollars.

We were able to perform this year within budget and using only the money designated from reserves for the extra events.

The financial support for the Association has remained constant and strong but unlikely to see large increases.  We can remain at our current level of activity as long as the denominations continue existing support levels.  Any new larger initiatives will take more support or some level of grant support for particular projects, which we have avoided in the past.

Rev. Christian Franklin
President - Board of Directors