Report of the

Board of Christian Education

                  The Board of Christian Education met four times during the 1992-93 church year. Most of the work of the Board is carried out by four sub-committees made up of Board members as well as other members of the Bible Fellowship Church. The reports from these sub-committees are as follows:

Audio - Visual Library

                  Numerous video additions were made to the AV Library bringing the total available to 44. A total of 71 titles were borrowed during this past year which is up 73% from the previous year. An arrangement with Walk Thru the Bible Ministries has permitted us to join their Partners in Ministry program as a denomination thus making it possible for Bible Fellowship Churches to purchase their titles and accompanying study materials at up to 50% off the regular price. Items must be purchased through the AV Library to receive this discount.

Christian Education Training

                  The 1992 Convention featured Terry Hall of Media Ministries, Wheaton, Illinois. A total of 162 people from 28 churches attended. It was a day filled with creative ideas and inspiration.

                  A survey was done in the Fall, 1991 to assess the Christian Education needs and concerns of our churches. The results are being used in determining ways to better equip the CE workers denomination wide. The most immediate fruit lies in the new format for the 1993 CE Convention. Identical seminars will be held in 8 different Bible Fellowship churches in an effort to make the training more accessible to all.

                  The section of the FAITH & ORDER dealing with the Sunday School was reviewed. The following recommendation while retaining a majority of the original wording seeks to address 5 areas:

                  1.               "Sunday Bible School: has been changed to "Sunday School," the term commonly used to describe this program today.

                  2.               Pronouns have been changed to allow for the offices of the Sunday School to be filled by a woman.

                  3.               The office of Superintendent has been retained but flexibility has been given so that the needs of individual churches can be addressed. There is not always a need for the one stated and two optional officers suggested and at times there are needs for other types of officers.

                  4.               A greater emphasis is given to the training of workers.

                  5.               The new material is organized in different fashion.

Recommendation: that the material in the FAITH & ORDER, pages 92-95 under the section entitled "Sunday Bible Schools" be replaced by the following:

Sunday School

Each Sunday School shall be led by a General Superintendent. Additional officers may assist the General Superintendent in the leadership of the Sunday School. Their number and title should be determined by the by-laws of the particular church. The officers form the Executive Committee and shall serve for a term of one year. Some or all of the officers may be elected by and from the membership of the particular church or be appointed by the Board of Elders. Each Sunday School is responsible to the Board of Elders. The pastor, by virtue of his office, is also an officer of the Sunday School. In the churches that have a Christian Education director the Board of Elders shall determine whether this person is to be an officer of the Sunday School.

The Sunday School Executive Committee

The General Superintendent shall serve as chair-person and is responsible to call for the meeting of the Executive Committee as needed. By-laws of a particular church may outline specific duties for each officer or such duties may be determined by the Executive Committee. Responsibilities should include but are not limited to:

                  1.               Providing leadership for the Sunday School

                                    A.              be responsible to maintain a high degree of spirituality, positive Christian conduct and full cooperation on the part of the Sunday School staff

                                    B.              cooperate with the pastor in the administration of the Sunday School

                                    C.              preside or arrange for a leader at each session of the Sunday School

                                    D.              approve all projects conducted by the Sunday School or individual classes

                  2.               Providing accountability for the Sunday School

                                    A.              keep accurate records regarding enrollment and attendance

                                    B.              be responsible to carry out the directives of the Board of Elders with respect to the Sunday School

                                    C.              report regularly to the Board of Elders all information requested by them to maintain oversight.

                                    D.              report annually to the congregation on the status of the Sunday School

                  3.               Providing staff for the Sunday School

                                    A.              staff each class with a born-again teacher

                                    B.              exercise oversight in the assignment of all teachers, assistants and substitutes

                                    C.              recruit additional staff such as departmental superintendents, class helpers, etc. as needed

                                    D.              review and act on the resignation or proposed removal of any teacher or officer of the Sunday School

                  4.               Approving all curriculum, furnishings, equipment and teaching aids to be used in the Sunday School.

                  5.               Providing training for Sunday School staff members

                                    A.              periodically survey and evaluate the work done in the various classes and departments

                                    B.              endeavor to provide a regular program of teacher training and enrichment

Qualifications of staff members

1.               Each one shall confess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and give evidence of this in his/her conduct.

2.               Each one shall be faithful in his/her attendance of the public services of the particular church.

3.               Each one shall be faithful in attendance at staff meetings.

Duties of teachers

1.               Endeavor to lead their students to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and to nurture those who have made a profession of faith.

2.               Thoroughly prepare themselves through prayer and Bible study to teach the Scriptures, making use of teacher manuals and/or other resource materials.

3.               Become personally acquainted with each of their students so that lessons may be relevant.

4.               Be faithful in the visitation of students and follow-up of absentees.

5.               Endeavor to improve their teaching skills through programs suggested by the Executive Committee as well as other resources.

Enrollment procedures

1.               A visitor who attends for three consecutive Sundays shall be enrolled as an active member.

2.               A member is dropped from the active enrollment after thirteen consecutive absences, and is maintained on the roll as an inactive member for 6 months.

[FIRST READING]

Pastor Elder Deacon Advance

                  Dr. Win Arn, of Church Growth, Inc., was the speaker for the 1991 PED Advance held Nov. 8-9, 1991 at Pinebrook in the Poconos. There were 195 men in attendance from many of our Bible Fellowship churches.

                  On Nov. 13-14, 1992, the Board will present the 1992 PED Advance featuring Dr. Walter R. Byrd, who is the Medical Director of the Minirth-Meier and Byrd Clinic, Washington, D.C. Dr. Byrd will speak on the topic, "Beating Burnout Before It Beats You". All Pastors, Elders, Deacons, and men seeking to prepare themselves for church office are urged to attend.

                  In addition, the 1993 PED Advance has been scheduled. On Nov. 12-13, 1993, Dr. Brent Brooks will share with us regarding small group ministry.

Youth

                  The purpose of the Youth Sub-Committee is to minister to the youth of the BFC by providing spiritual edification, social interaction, and physical stimulation. The Committee accomplishes its purpose with several "youth" oriented activities in 1992.

                  The Thanksgiving Youth Rally, held on November 29, 1991 at Pinebrook Junior College and Quakertown, was attended by 400 youth from 35 different BFC churches. Freddie Langston was the speaker through the medium of music.

                  The two SNO-GLO weekends gave us the privilege to minister to over 750 young people from 34 BFC churches. Butch Rumble of Solid Rock Ministries was the speaker focusing on the "Person of Jesus Christ". A variety of contemporary ministry tools were used including multi-media, film, sports, and contemporary Christian music, to reach out to our youth. The film, "The Appointment", was shown on Saturday night with 23 known decisions for Christ. Praise the Lord! Pastors Dan DeLozier, Gil Vining, and the staff from Lancaster Faith Bible Fellowship Church provided excellent leadership to the youth who attended Sno-Glo.

                  Sno-Glo 1993 is scheduled for January 8-10 and 15-17. Dr. Bruce McCracken will be the speaker. In light of our desire to make Sno-Glo an affordable ministry opportunity for all of our young people, we have sought to keep prices to a minimum. The Board of Pinebrook Bible Conference has given us a special rate which allows us to reduce the entire cost per teen to $49.00. We thank Pinebrook for their help and encourage all churches to participate.

                  The financial support of local churches allows us to present programs and ministries that directly impact on your church family. Thank you for your help in doing so.

Board of Christian Education: Richard T. Paashaus, Chairman; Daniel F. Delozier, Secretary; David N. Schoen, Treasurer; W. David Armstrong, Vice-Chairman; Robert S. Commerford, Mark S. Matson, Jonathan D. Reynolds, Edward W. Ahlum, Jr., G. Wayne Clapier, Timothy Cole, Stephen C. Cassel, Ronald C. Erb.