Adjourned Session of Annual Conference Proceedings
2005
Ninth Meeting
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Calvary Bible Fellowship Church
Sinking Spring, PA
The Chairman of the 122nd Annual Conference, Randall A Grossman, called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. by leading the Conference in prayer. Greg Irvin, led the conference in singing. We sang “Forever,” “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee,” “God of Wonders,” and the Doxology. He closed the time of worship in prayer and in leading the conference in singing, “Thank You for the Cross,” and “Agnus Dei.”
William G Schlonecker, Vice-Chairman of the 122nd Annual Conference, led the Conference in a devotional time. His text was the doxology found in Ephesians 3:20-21 and his challenge was for us to break forth in doxology for God’s greatness, expecting great things from the God “who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think.”
Report of the Registrar
Resolved that the Pastors and Delegates with the green 3x5 cards constitute the conference bar.
Resolved, that the following excuses for absence from this meeting be granted: Hugh C. Colburn, Jr., Roy A. Hertzog, Dennis M. Cahill, Richard B. Ravis, J. Richard Vroman, Willis I. Dowling, David H. Jones, James R. Batchler, Michael J. Tannous, William E. Blair, Alva C. Cassel, Robert L. Draper, David N. Heineman, LeRoy S. Heller, John H. Riggall, Wayne M.Chadwell, Douglas M. Wynn, Edgar H. Munyan, Jacob J. Susek, Jr., Robert W. Gehret, Gene W. Smith, Walter E. Bortree, Thomas L. Galloway, Jan A. Musser, Guy Warner, Michael Giordano, John C. Vandegriff, III.
Carl K. Spackman introduced H. Carl Shank, a licensed consultant from Natural Church Development. He presented the work done by Natural Church Development and how it would relate to individual churches.
The Conference recessed for lunch at 12:27 p.m. as Robert A. Sloan, Jr. closed in prayer.
The Chairman reconvened the meeting at 1:18 p.m.
After H. Carl Shank prayed, he led a seminar on healthy growth in the smaller church and the mid-sized church. This included a time of questions and answers.
Resolved, that the following be considered as First Reading:
Board of Church Health
Purpose
The Board of Church Health exists to serve the Particular Churches of the BFC by promoting strong church health.
Composition and Election
(1) The Board of Church Health shall consist of four ordained ministers and four elders.
(2)They shall be elected for a term of three years in classes as follows:
Class I Two ministers and one elder
Class II One minister and two elders
Class IIIOne minister and one elder
Duties
(1)It shall monitor and assess the health of Particular Churches.
(2) It shall approach, based on its assessment, Particular Churches to offer assistance for strengthening church health.
(3) It shall provide counsel and resources for the assessment of the health of particular Churches.
(4) It shall provide a list of recommended consultants to Particular Churches needing assistance in moving toward stronger church health.
(5)It shall offer training and seminars to promote church health.
(6) It shall in cooperation with the Board of Directors assist particular churches to close when necessary.
(7) It shall make recommendations to Annual Conference to declare a Particular Church closed.
(8) It shall consult with the Board of Church Extension regarding the feasibility of planting a new church in the same area.
(9) It shall develop sources of financial assistance to Particular Churches who cannot afford church health resources.
(10) It shall receive and disburse monies designated for church health.
YES:100; NO:10
Resolved, that the Committee to Study Weak or Declining Churches continue its work and report to the 123rd Annual Conference.
Resolved, that we adjourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 p.m. with Clifford B. Boone, Vice Chairman of the 123rd Annual Conference, closing in prayer.