SEVENTY -FIFTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

THIRTEENTH MEETING

(Adjourned Session)

Saturday Morning, April 11, 1959

The meeting was opened with the singing of "The Son of God Goes Forth to War," after which the Chairman, District Superintendent F. B. Hertzog, led in the responsive reading of the Epistle of Jude.

His remarks were centered on the ability of God to keep us from falling in spite of the present day apostasy. W. W. Hartman and Walter H. Frank led in prayer, invoking God's direction in the decisions of the day, after which all joined in singing, "Faith of Our Fathers."

The roll was called by the Secretary.

The Committee to Study Church Name reported the results of the conference-wide ballot taken on the name, "Bible Fellowship Church."

Results of ballot taken on name, "Bible Fellowship Church":

Resolved, That we vote on the church name.

The result was:

Approved - 56

Do not approve - 6

Resolved, That the Board of Directors be and are hereby authorized to take necessary legal steps to have the name of our denomination changed to "Bible Fellowship Church," including change of our Charter .

Resolved, That we elect a full time Home Mission Director .

Resolved, That a District Superintendent be elected for the Allentown District, and the informal ballot be used in nominating the candidates, the three highest to be candidates and elected according to the Discipline.

F. B. Hertzog was elected.

Resolved, That a District Superintendent be elected for the Bethlehem District, and the informal ballot be used in nominating the candidates, the three highest to be candidates and elected according to the Discipline.

C. E. Kirkwood was elected.

Resolved, That two Vice District Superintendents be elected and that the informal ballot be used in nominating the candidates, the five highest to be candidates and elected according to Discipline.

T. D. Gehret and Walter H. Frank were elected.

Resolved, That the time limit for Pastors, District Superintendents, and the Home Mission Director shall be nine years, and

That when an Elder has served in the office of District Superintendent or Director of Home Missions for a period of five of more successive years, and leaves the office he shall not be eligible for re-elections for a period of three years. (Second reading).

Resolved, That we suspend the rules and extend the time indefinitely.

Resolved, That we have a nominating ballot for the office of Director of Home Missions. The five (5) receiving the highest number of votes shall be interviewed by a Committee of five (5) appointed by the Chairman regarding their availability. The two ( 2) District Superintendents shall be members of this Committee.

Resolved, That we adjourn, and suspend the rules to meet at the call of the Chair.

Adjourned with prayer by George E. Herb.

FOURTEENTH MEETING

Saturday Afternoon, April 11, 1959

The meeting was opened with the singing of "Grace Greater Than Our Sins." John Dunn led in prayer.

The Secretary called the roll and the Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.

Resolved, That we proceed to elect a Home Mission Director. The Chair appointed C. E. Kirkwood, F. B. Hertzog, W. B. Hottel, John H. Riggall and Clayton Weber to interview the nominees for this office.

William A. Heffner was elected.

The following report was read and adopted.

REVISIONS TO STANDING RULES RELATIVE TO PULPIT SUPPLY

(First Reading)

Local Conference Action:

1. On the last Sunday of September the delegate of each church or circuit shall conduct a congregational meeting after the morning worship. A poll shall be taken without public discussion as to pastoral relations. The First Delegate shall preside. Whenever a Pastor has served in the pastorate for nine consecutive years or for any other reason will not be available for further consideration, no congregational poll shall be taken.

The poll shall contain the following:

a. Do you desire to retain your pastor? Yes or No

b. Reasons for the above expression

c. Signature

(This poll is to give direction to the Official Board and must be signed to be considered.)

2. The Official Board, excluding the Pastor, shall deal with the matter of Pulpit Supply. The First Delegate shall be chairman. Two-thirds of the membership of the Board shall constitute a quorum.*

3. In the case of circuits, the combined Official Boards of all churches shall deal with the matter of Pulpit Supply.*

4. The Official Board shall within three (3) days (Tuesday) prepare a preference list by ballot using parliamentary procedure containing its first and second choice for pastor. These choices shall be made from a list of Mennonite Brethren in Christ ministers and probationers having charge of a work. It shall be furnished by the District Superintendents.

a. The First Delegate shall immediately inform the pastor in writing of the order of the preference list. Preference list shall not be made public.

b. The First Delegate shall inform the District Superintendent by telephone of the order of the preference list by Tuesday following the congregational poll. Preference list and polls shall be sent immediately by certified mail.

5. Failure to comply with the above time limits shall result in the matter of Pulpit Supply being dealt with by the Stationing, Boundary and Appropriating Committee as set forth hereafter under Annual Conference Action.*

Annual Conference Action:

1. The District Superintendent shall intorm each pastor of the church(es) having listed his name first or second on its preference list. This information is to be conveyed by telephone on the Wednesday following the congregational poll and confirmed immediately by certified mail.

2. The Pastor shall consider his first choice(s) and make his decision. He shall convey this information to the District Superintendent by Saturday of the same week. Confirmation to follow immediately by certified mail.

3. By Monday of the following week, the District Superintendent shall inform the delegate of the acceptance of the call of the church involving a first choice.

4. He shall also on the same day inform the remaining pastors of available church(es) involving second choice.

5. The Pastor shall consider his second choice(s) and make his decision. He shall convey this information to the District Superintendent by Thursday of the same week. Confirmation to follow immediately by certified mail.

6. On Friday of this same week the District Superintendent shall inform the delegate of the acceptance of the call of the church involving a second choice.

7. On Friday of this same week the District Superintendent shall inform the delegates of churches, not having received their first or second choices, of the available men. The Official Board shall meet before Monday of the following week and prepare a preference list, using parliamentary procedure, designating their first and second choices. These choices shall be dealt with by the Stationing, Boundary and Appropriating Committee at Annual Conference.

8. Failure to comply with the above time limits shall result in the forfeiture of the choice under consideration.*

9. The Stationing, Boundary and Appropriating Committee shall deal with the matter of Pulpit Supply of stations, circuits and missions who have not yet received a pastor. Stations and circuits shall be given priority. No choices shall be granted without the District Superintendent having consulted with the Pastor involved. Delegates from mission churches shall be on call for consultation relative to Pulpit Supply.

10. The Stationing, Boundary and Appropriating Committee shall compile and present a list of all appointments and appropriations subject to the approval of the Annual Conference.*

11. No pastor shall serve any church longer than nine consecutive years.*

12. The delegate shall announce a pastor's acceptance of the call of the church.

[* Signifies no change.]

David E. Thomann, Chairman,                                                           R. C. Reichenbach,

Willard E. Cassel, Secretary,                                                                William A. Heffner,

 John H. Riggall,                                                                                 James R. Cressman,

John E. Golla,                                                                                                 A. L. Wentz,

A. L. Seifert,                                                                                             Rufus Spedden,

Gov't Committee.

Resolved, That the costs of moving pastors be borne by the Conference as heretofore.

Resolved, That two copies of Reports of all Standing Committees and Boards be mimeographed and sent to the Pastors one week previous to Annual Conference. Questions may be asked and corrections made before inclusion into the Annual Conference Minutes. Reports are not to be read publicly, unless called for from the Conference floor.

Resolved, That the club plan suggested by the Circulation Manager of the "Gospel Herald, M. B. C. Edition" be adopted.

Resolved, That standing rule "N" on page 19 of the 1958 Year Book, be amended to read, "The retirement age of District Superintendents and Pastors is established at 72 years."

Resolved, That the Board of Foreign Missions and the Board of Home Missions study the wording and format of the pledge cards now in use by our Churches. A suggested card is to be submitted to the 1959 Annual Conference.

Adjourned at 4 p. m., with prayer by J. B. Henry.