NINETY-NINTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

ANNUAL CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

1982

FIRST MEETING

Monday Morning, October 11, 198210:00 A.M.

The hymn, "How Can It Be?" was sung by the Conference. The Delegate from Harrisburg, Walter A. Schlagel, read Scripture, John 10:11-18, and led in prayer. Chairman Jansen E. Hartman spoke on "The Commitment of Pastors and Elders to the Lord." David E. and Pauline G. Thomann sang a special number, "He Took My Place". R.C. Reichenbach read from I Corinthians 11, after which the Lord's Supper was observed.

Chairman Jansen E. Hartman called the 99^th Annual Conference of the Bible Fellowship Church to order. Harvey J. Fritz, Jr. led in prayer.

The Roll was established as follows:

Allentown Cedar Crest - Ronald C. Mahurin, Roy A. Hertzog, Paul K. Clymer, Jay A. Fasnacht Allentown Salem - Charles J. McConnell, Jeffrey Stickler

Bethlehem - Robert F. Johnson, Warren L. Zimmerman, Herbert Wieand

Blandon - George R. Bryson, Kinzy Reed

Camden, DE - James G. Koch, Raymond E. Dotts

Catasauqua - (Probationer), Arthur W. Deppe

Coopersburg - Frank L. Herb, Jr., Clyde W. Snyder

Denville, NJ - John F. Moran

Easton -

Emmaus - Dana E. Weller, Clifford L. Kauffman

Ephrata - (Probationer), Robert W. Gehret

Finesville, NJ - D. Thomas Phillips, Donald P. Straub

Fleetwood - Ronald P. Turner

Freehold-Englishtown, NJ - (Probationer), Clinton Crankshaw

Graterford - Richard D. Harris, Robert Gaugler

Harleysville - Paul C. Zimmerman, Harold Crider

Harrisburg - Walter A. Schlagel

Hatfield - John H. Herb, Lee E. Boyles

Howell, NJ - John Vandegriff, David M. Markuson

Lancaster - David A. Thomann, Horace A. Kauffman

Lebanon - Bruce A. Ellingson, Leroy O. Herb

Lehighton - (Probationer) Clair A. Greenzweig

Maple Glen - Carl K. Spackman, George A. Priestly

Mt. Carmel - Harold L. Snyder, Jr.

Nazareth - Keith E. Plows, Ralph Hendershot

Newark, NJ (Mission) - Delbert R. Baker II

New Fairfield, CT (Mission) - Robert L. Draper

Oley - Henry A. Schell, Clayton Weber

Paradise - Kenneth L. Good, L. Eugene Brenneman

Philadelphia, Calvary - G. Wayne Clapier, Kenneth Cressman

Philadelphia, Emmanuel - Roger Reitz, Russel L. Davis

Quakertown - Bert N. Brosius, L. James Roberts, Jr.

Reading - Jansen E. Hartman, Robert Breitegam, Walter Raybuck

Royersford - Robert W. Smock, James Weidner

Poughquag, NY (Mission) - James Wickstead

Scranton - (Probationer), Carl Kellerman

Shamokin - Hugh C. Coulbourn, Jr., T. Lamarn Manney

Sinking Spring - Terris L. Byrd, David A. Lamm

Spring City - David W. Chappel

Staten Island, NY - Bryan G. Upton, Ralph D. Cole

Stroudsburg - Thomas P. Shorb, Dale J. Phillips

Sunbury - LeRoy S. Heller, Clayton B. Brosius, Bert E. Brosius

Terre Hill - William L. Graybill II, Paul A. Weber

Wallingford - Richard E. Taylor, William Singletary

Walnutport - Harold C. Weaber, David L. Musselman

York - Harvey J. Fritz, Jr., Alan Lindstrom

Zionsville - James R. Batchler, Jr., David Weller

ORDAINED MEN SERVING BIBLE FELLOWSHIP MINISTRIES:

James A. Beil, Alva C. Cassel, Carl C. Cassel, Bernard N. Coble, George E. Herb, John H. Riggall, David J. Watkins, Daniel G. Ziegler.

ORDAINED MISSIONARIES:

Brian H. Butler, Richard J. Gehman, J. Barclay Harley, Ronald Hoyle, David L. Manney, Edward Moyer, William W. Mull, Laird F. Stengele, Philip E. Yerrington.

ORDAINED MINISTERS IN RETIREMENT:

Paul E. Baer, E. W. Bean, John Dunn, W. W. Hartman, F. B. Hertzog, C. E. Kirkwood, C. Leslie Miller, R. C. Reichenbach, David E. Thomann.

PROBATIONERS:

Daniel P. Allen, Larry A. Carpenter, David H. Jones, Philip E. Morrison, William L. Neff.

ORDAINED MINISTERS BETWEEN CALLS:

William A. Heffner, Austin G. Shelly, LeRoy C. Wilcox

Resolved: that excuses be referred to the Committee on Communications, to report back to Conference before the end of this day.

New members were introduced to Annual Conference.

Secretary Harold C. Weaber appointed Bryan G. Upton as Assistant Secretary and Bernard N. Coble as Assistant to the Secretaries.

Resolved: that the first twelve rows be established as the Conference Bar.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON AGENDA:

Resolved: that the agenda be accepted, with amendment to adjourn Monday night at 9:00 P.M.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PROGRAM: (See p. 64)

Report was accepted with corrections.

Resolved: that the election procedure as used by the 97^th Annual Conference be followed, effective Monday afternoon:

A.Nominations be closed for all elections to be conducted at a particular meeting at the opening of that meeting.

B.A Ballot be prepared by the tellers and the associate members of the Conference for use during the day for those elections.

C.The ballots be marked by each member of the Conference and be submitted to the tellers.

D.The tellers shall with the aid of the Associate Members of the Conference tabulate the results, and prepare run-off ballots as needed.

REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE:

Report was accepted.

Resolved: that the following appointments by the Chairman be approved:

Tellers: Robert F. Johnson, Keith E. Plows, LeRoy S. Heller, Carl K. Spackman, Harold L. Snyder, Jr., Jay E. Fasnacht, Leroy O. Herb.

Committee on Resolutions: Paul G. Zimmerman, Bruce A. Ellingson, William L. Graybill II, David A. Thomann, Henry A. Schell, John F. Moran, Paul Clymer.

Committee on Communications: Roy A. Hertzog, Hugh C. Coulbourn, Jr., Walter A. Schlagel.

Committee on Auditing: Robert W. Gehret, Horace A. Kauffman, Warren L. Zimmerman, David L. Musselman, Ralph D. Cole, Robert Gaugler.

Timekeeper: Kenneth L. Good.

Reporter: Thomas P. Shorb

Resolved: that we adjourn. Adjourned in prayer by Keith E. Plows.

SECOND MEETING

Monday Afternoon, October 11, 1982, 1:30 P.M.

The following were elected:

EDITOR-PUBLISHER OF FELLOWSHIP NEWS: Randall A. Grossman.

BUSINESS MANAGER OF FELLOWSHIP NEWS: Bernard N. Coble

REPORT OF THE MINISTERIAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE: (See p. 65)

Report was accepted.

Whereas: we strongly believe it is the Scriptural responsibility of the church to adequately meet the needs of its pastor, therefore be it,

Resolved: that we encourage each church to increase its pastor's salary at least 7% above the previous year's salary, and further,

Resolved: that it is the consensus of this 99^th Annual Conference that the minimum salary adequate for a pastor serving a Bible Fellowship Church, including benefits, is $12,840.00 for the 1982-1983 year.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON CREDENTIALS: (See p. 67)

Report was accepted.

Whereas: the Ministerial Candidate Committee has recommended Herbert K. Lea, Philip E. Morrison, and Stephen R. Van Eck for examination for ordination, and Barry J. Minsky for examination for recognition of prior ordination, and,

Whereas: these brethren have served acceptably as ministers in the Bible Fellowship Church for the required period of time, and,

Whereas: after examination, the Committee on Credentials believes them to be called of God to the Gospel Ministry and to be in accord with the Faith and Order of the Bible Fellowship Church, therefore,

Resolved: that Herbert K. Lea, Philip E. Morrison, and Stephan R. Van Eck be ordained at a service of ordination to be held on Tuesday, October 12, 1982, at Pinebrook Bible Conference, at 7:30 P.M.; and that the previous ordination of Barry J. Minsky be recognized at this same service.

The Credentials Committee shall be in charge of this Service of Ordination.

Whereas: the legal trials of Harold C. Weaber were attended by members of the Credentials Committee, and,

Whereas: the Credentials Committee believes the judgment of the jury of "Not Guilty" was a proper verdict, and,

Whereas: the Credentials Committee believes Harold C. Weaber is innocent of the charges brought against him, therefore,

Resolved: that Harold C. Weaber is considered exonerated, and that he is a Minister in good standing in the Bible Fellowship Church.

REPORT OF THE MINISTERIAL CANDIDATE COMMITTEE: (See p. 70)

Report was accepted.

Resolved: that the following men be accepted under the care of the Ministerial Candidate Committee:

PROBATIONERS:(Year of licensing in parenthesis)

Daniel P. Allen Ephrata, PA (1982)

Keith B. Anderson Ecuador, S.A. (1980)

Alvin L. Baker Dover, NJ

James L. Beaver Clearwater, FL

Douglas D. Bowne Collegeville, PA

Larry A. Carpenter Lehighton, PA (1982)

Albert J. Dommel Enola, PA

Harry L. Downs Ronks, PA

Ronald C. Erb Irvington, NJ (1981)

Arthur J. Frisbie Newark, DE (1976)

Randall A. Grossman Kutztown, PA (1981)

Dennis D. Huratiak Milford, IN

V. Kerry Inman Coopersburg, PA (1980)

David H. Jones Scranton, PA (1978)

Kenneth D. Keeler Harleysville, PA (1982)

Herbert K. Lea Wappingers Falls, NY (1980)

Gary W. Miller Bethlehem, PA

Barry J. Minsky Ft. Leonard Wood, MO (1980)

Philip E. Morrison Catasauqua, PA (1980)

William L. Neff Freehold, NJ (1978)

Calvin T. Reed Reading, PA (1982)

David H. Schoen Sinking Spring, PA

Stephan R. Van Eck Sunbury, PA (1980)

CANDIDATES:

William C. Aukamp Pequea, PA

Robert S. Commerford Pawling, NY

Ronald A. Honeywell Montrose, PA

W. Neil Harding Hatfield, PA

Hillary A. Nixon Madison, NJ

William G. Schlonecker Dallas, TX

Warren F. Shelly Lehighton, PA

Jeffrey C. Stickler Bethlehem, PA

Dean A. Stortz New Fairfield, CT

John E. Thompson, Jr. Darby, PA

APPLICANTS:

Thomas J. Beil Nazareth, PA

David W. Chappell, Spring City, PA

Gary R. Haver Reading, PA

Walter M. Johnson Wyomissing, PA

Richard P. Jones, Sr. Wescoesville, PA

Rodney H. Long Blaine, MN

Richard S. MacLaren Hatboro, PA

Kenneth D. Pfeiffer Rockledge, PA

Thomas F. Templeton Mabton, WA

Steven S. Trommler Portland, OR

Resolved: that the men approved for ordination be admitted to the Conference Bar.

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH: (See p. 72)

Report was accepted.

Resolved: that the rate for reimbursement for mileage traveled in responsibilities for the Bible Fellowship Church shall remain at 18 cents per mile in the 1982-1983 year.

Resolved: that the rate of payment for service to an annuitant under the Ministers' Retirement Fund for the year beginning October 1, 1982 shall be $108.00 for each year of service.

REPORT OF THE MINISTERIAL CONVENTION COMMITTEE: (See p. 84 )

Report was accepted.

REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF CHURCH EXTENSION: (See p. 86)

Report was accepted.

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLICATION AND PRINTING: (See p. 104)

Report was accepted.

Resolved: that the price of the Yearbook be $3.00.

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF FOREIGN MISSIONS: (See p. 106)

Report was accepted.

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PINEBROOK JUNIOR COLLEGE: (See p. 123)

Report was accepted.

REPORT OF THE CHURCH GOVERNMENT STUDY COMMITTEE: (See p. 138)

Report was accepted.

Whereas: the Faith and Order includes both legislative material and non-legislative material, and

Whereas: the legislative material requires afferent levels of commitment and different requirements of procedure for amendment, and

Whereas: there is some inconsistency in the present format as outlined in the Table of Contents of the 81 edition of the Faith and Order, and

Whereas: we call the material Faith and Order, therefore, be it

Resolved: that the material in the Faith and Order be divided into three major subdivisions as follows:

1. Articles of Faith

2.Principles of Order (This would include material that now appears as III through VIII in the Table of Contents of the 1981 edition of the Faith and Order).

3.Appendices to the Faith and Order (Includes non-legislative material such as the history of the Bible Fellowship Church).

The following were elected:

BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH:

James A, Beil, Carl C. Cassel, Robert W. Gehret (3 years)

COMMITTEE ON CREDENTIALS:

James A. Beil, Harvey J. Fritz, Jr., Frank L. Herb, Jr., Keith E. Plows, John H. Riggall. (1 year)

COMMITTEE ON MINISTERIAL CANDIDATES: John H. Herb. (3 years)

BOARD OF PUBLICATION AND PRINTING:

John H. Herb, James G. Koch, D. Thomas Phillips, Ralph D. Cole, Gary Sterner. (1 year)

MINISTERIAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE:

Frank L. Herb, Jr., Harold L. Snyder, Jr. (3 years)

Resolved: that the forms on pp 196-207 of the 1981 Yearbook be considered optional, with the exception of questions on admission of members and of baptism, and that they therefore be adopted at one reading.

Resolved: that we suspend the rules and adjourn until 6:30 P.M.

THIRD MEETING

Monday Evening, October 11, 1982, 6:30 P.M.

R. C. Reichenbach led the Conference in a time of Prayer and Praise.

REPORT OF THE HISTORICAL COMMITTEE: (See p. 139)

Report was accepted.

Resolved: that the Historical Committee's proposed program plans for the 100^th Annual Conference be adopted.

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF VICTORY VALLEY: (See p. 143)

Report was accepted.

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION: (See p.148)

Report was accepted.

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF CHURCH EXTENSION: (See p. 151)

Report was accepted.

Whereas: the Board of Church Extension is of the opinion that the New Fairfield, Connecticut Mission meets the standards and qualifications of a church as specified in Article XVIII of the Faith and Order of the Bible Fellowship Church, therefore, be it

Resolved: that the New Fairfield, Connecticut Mission be recognized as a church and that its delegate be received into the membership of the 99^th Annual Conference of the Bible Fellowship Church.

Whereas: the Board of Church Extension is of the opinion that the Poughquag, New York Mission meets the standards and qualifications of a church as specified in Article XVIII of the Faith and Order of the Bible Fellowship Church, therefore, be it

Resolved: that the Poughquag, New York Mission be recognized as a church and that its delegate be received into membership of the 99^th Annual Conference of the Bible Fellowship Church.

The pastors and delegates of these two new churches were introduced to the Conference, and their delegates were admitted to the Conference Bar: Denver Creekmore from New Fairfield and Thomas Ward from Poughquag. Special recognition was given to the 14 new churches planted since 1970.

Resolved: that the election of Daniel G. Ziegler to a three-year term as Director of Church Extension effective October 11, 1982, be ratified.

Resolved: that the proposed budget for the Board of Church Extension for 1983-84 be adopted.

CHURCH EXTENSION BUDGET FOR 1983-1984

RECEIPTS:

Churches - Prepaid 72,000

General (Current) Gifts 12,000

Designated Gifts 102,000

Interest 6,000

Transfer from Existing Fund 6,640

Total Receipts 198,640

EXPENSES:

Appropriations:

Newark - Baker 18,000

Irvington Mission 19,600

Mid-Hudson Missions 20,000

Delaware Missions 3,600

Whaley Lake Mission 15,000

Kutztown Mission 12,000

Eastwick Mission 10,000

Project Beachhead Missions 54,000

PISCES 2,400

154,600

Administration:

Director's Salary & Benefits 17,440

Director's Travel 5,800

Parsonage - Office Building 8,000

Office 7,800

Promotion 1,000

Board Expenses 1,500

Administrative Budget 400

Worker's Compensation 600

42,540

Reserves:

Contingencies 1,500

Total 198,640

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH HOME: (See p. 161)

Report was accepted.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON STATISTICS: (See p. 176)

Report was accepted.

Resolved: that the minutes and statistics for particular churches be at Pinebrook Bible Conference Center by the Monday of the week preceding Annual Conference.

Resolved: that the Statistical Committee and the Committee to Examine Minutes of Particular Churches jointly prepare directions for submitting statistical reports and minutes of particular churches to Annual Conference. These directions shall be submitted to the 100^th Annual Conference and be included in subsequent Yearbooks.

Resolved: that we adjourn.

Adjourned at 9:06 P.M. with prayer by Paul A. Weber.

FOURTH MEETING

Tuesday Morning, October 12, 1982, 9:00 A.M.

The hymn, "When We All Get to Heaven" was sung. The Delegate from York, Alan Lindstrom, read I Peter 5:1-11 and led in prayer. Mrs. Laura Cassel played special numbers on the piano in connection with Christ's return. Harvey J. Fritz, Jr. spoke on “The Commitment of Pastors and Elders to the Church."

Carl K. Spackman led in a prayer of invocation.

Chairman Jansen E. Hartman called the meeting to order at 9:45 A.M.

The minutes of the previous meetings were read and approved as corrected.

The following were elected:

BOARD OF CHURCH EXTENSION:

Robert W. Smock, Clayton E. Weber (3 years)

HISTORICAL COMMITTEE:

Willard E. Cassel (3 years)

BOARD OF FOREIGN MISSIONS:

Roy A. Hertzog, Robert Breitegam (3 years)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PINEBROOK JUNIOR COLLEGE:

Bert N. Brosius, Alva C. Cassel, John H. Herb, Jay Fasnacht, Alfred G. Roberts, Allen D. Ruter (3 years)

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PINEBROOK BIBLE CONFERENCE: (See p. 178)

Report was accepted.

The following missionaries were introduced to the Conference by R. C. Reichenbach, Chairman of the Board of Foreign Missions:

Michael and Jocelyn Easton with Word of Life in U.S.A.

Ronald W. Hoyle with Greater Europe Mission in France.

Timothy Kauffman with Unevangelized Fields Mission (under AIM) in Zaire.

RESOLVED: that the following be approved at SECOND READING:

ANNUAL CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

The Chairman of Annual Conference shall prior to the adjournment of Annual Conference appoint a Registrar and Assistant Registrar for the succeeding Annual Conference.

The Registrar shall register all members who are qualified to be seated in the Annual Conference and shall keep the attendance record of each meeting. A list of qualified members of Annual Conference shall be drawn up prior to Annual Conference. The Secretary of Annual Conference shall prepare a list of the delegates and alternate delegates elected in each congregation from the information supplied to him by each pastor after congregational elections. The Secretary shall forward a copy of this list to the Committee on Examination of Minutes of Particular Churches before their annual meeting so that the committee may confirm that the delegates and alternate delegates are elders in their congregation and have been duly elected. The Committee on Examination of Minutes of Particular Churches shall report the confirmation of delegates and alternate delegates and any discrepancies to the Registrar prior to Annual Conference. The Credentials Committee and the Ministerial Candidate Committee shall furnish to the Registrar prior to Annual Conference lists of those ministers qualified to be members of Annual Conference and those who shall be advisory members of Annual Conference.

Alternate Delegates who are to be seated in the Annual Conference bar shall report to the Registrar. The Registrar shall communicate their presence to the Chairman. They shall be seated at the beginning of a meeting of Annual Conference, and this action shall be recorded in the minutes of that meeting.

Any member desiring to be excused from any meeting must present in writing the reason for such absence to the Registrar. This information will be submitted to the Chairman of Annual Conference, and the Annual shall decide the validity of each request.

The names of absentees shall be recorded in the minutes of each meeting, with indication as to whether the absence is excused.

The Registrar shall also provide for the registration of all advisory members of Annual Conference and for any official representatives from any other bodies or organizations. He shall notify the Chairman of the presence of such persons at the session.

The registration records shall be turned over to the Secretary of Annual Conference after adjournment.

(This material will appear as Article V of the By-Laws of Annual Conference, p. 94, 1981 edition of the Faith and Order; the numbers of the succeeding articles will be changed in sequence.)

ADDITION TO DUTIES OF THE MINISTERIAL CANDIDATE COMMITTEE: (p. 128, Faith & Order, 1981 Edition.):

8. To furnish to the Annual Conference Registrar a list of those probationers who are eligible to be members of Annual Conference and those who shall be advisory members of Annual Conference. This list shall be submitted annually prior to Annual Conference.

ADDITION TO DUTIES OF THE COMMITTEE ON EXAMINATION OF MINUTES OF PARTICULAR CHURCHES (p. 99, Faith and Order, 1981 edition):

3., a. That the delegate(s) and alternate delegate(s) are elders and the individuals reported to the Secretary of Annual Conference. The Committee shall report such verification and any discrepancies to the Annual Conference Registrar during the week prior to Annual Conference.

ADDITION TO DUTIES OF THE CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE: (p. 126, Faith & Order, 1981 edition). The present #6 would become #7.

6. It shall furnish to the Annual Conference Registrar a list of the ordained ministers who are eligible to be members of Annual Conference and those who shall be advisory members of Annual Conference. This list shall be submitted annually prior to Annual Conference.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:02 P.M. with prayer by William A. Heffner.

FIFTH MEETING

Tuesday Afternoon, October 12, 1982, 1:30 P.M.

David L. Musselman led in prayer.

The Chairman of the Board of Foreign Missions introduced the following:

Miss Pat Howard, with Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship in colleges in Allentown and Reading.

David Wehr, at Rift Valley Academy with Africa Inland Mission in Kenya, Africa.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS: (See p.185)

Report was accepted.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE ANNUAL CONFERENCE MINUTES: (See p. 187)

Report was accepted.

Resolved: that the following be approved at SECOND READING:

CHOOSING LEADERS OTHER THAN THE CONTINUING OFFICES OF ELDERS AND DEACONS

Should the Board of Elders deem it necessary to have positions of church leadership other than Elders and Deacons, and other than officers and leaders of church organizations, it shall recommend to the congregation the creation of such positions of leadership. If the congregation approves, such leaders shall be chosen by one of the following ways:

(1) Election by congregational vote upon:

(a)being presented by nominating committee,

(b)being nominated by congregational ballot;

(2) Appointment by Board of Elders.

Though these leaders may not meet all the Biblical qualifications for the office of Elder, nevertheless their lives shall be in keeping with the Standards of Worship and Life. Being chosen for one of these positions of leadership does not make one a member of the Board of Elders or Deacons. The following shall be the procedure in case of death, resignation, or removal of a church leader other than an Elder or Deacon:

(a)The Board of Elders shall review and act upon the resignation or removal of the leader;

(b)The Board of Elders shall either appoint someone or determine the time of a congregational meeting to fill the vacated position due to death, resignation, or removal.

Officers and other leaders in church organizations shall be elected or appointed in harmony with the Faith and Order and according to the By-laws of the particular church and/or the By-laws of the organization.

(The first paragraph under #4 "Other Organizations in the Particular Church" shall be deleted.)

(This material will replace the present material in Article IV "Choosing Leaders other than continuing Offices of Elders and Deacons, p. 64 of the 1981 Faith and Order)

LEGISLATION ON MILITARY CHAPLAINCY, BY-LAWS OF THE CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE:

It shall process and approve all applications for the military chaplaincy, and its Chairman shall be the representative of the Bible Fellowship Church to the General Commission on Chaplains and Armed Forces Personnel.

(This material will appear under duties of the Credentials Committee, p. 124 of the 1981 Faith and Order as #5. Present 5 and 6 will become 6 and 7.)

The Bible Fellowship Church qualifies to have men with its ministerial credentials to serve under the U.S. Armed Forces Chaplains Board under the endorsement of the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces. Applications for such service shall be made through the Credentials Committee.

CORPORATE OFFICERS IN A PARTICULAR CHURCH:

In an incorporated congregation the authorized legal representatives shall be chosen from among the members of the Board of Elders according to its respective Articles of Incorporation.

When an incorporated congregation becomes incapable of electing elders and seeks to maintain its work, the Board of Directors of the Bible Fellowship Church shall appoint elders who, upon ratification by the congregation, shall be the corporate officers of the particular church.

(This material will replace #1 in Article VII, Miscellaneous By-laws, page 73 of the 1981 Faith and Order.)

COMMITTEES APPOINTED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF ANNUAL CONFERENCE:

BY-LAWS OF THE COMMITTEE ON PROGRAM:

Appointment:

The Chairman of Annual Conference shall prior to the adjournment of the Annual Conference appoint the Committee on Program for the succeeding Annual Conference.

Duties:

1.The Committee on Program shall establish and oversee a program for the succeeding Annual Conference designed to bring spiritual blessing and challenge to the members of the Conference. The frequency and length of the sessions proposed shall be in balance with the business concerns of the conference.

2.It shall submit its proposals to the Committee on Agenda at least six weeks prior to Annual Conference.

(This material is an expansion of content under Committees Appointed by the Chairman, #1, page 98 of the 1981 Faith and Order).

BY-LAWS OF THE COMMITTEE ON AGENDA:

Appointment:

The Chairman of Annual Conference shall prior to the adjournment of the Annual Conference appoint the Committee on Agenda for the succeeding Annual Conference.

Duties:

1.The Committee on Agenda shall receive from any agency or particular church requests for time in the agenda of the Annual conference. Such requests must be in writing and in the hands of the Committee at least six weeks prior to the beginning of the Annual Conference.

2.It shall establish the order in which standing and special reports shall be considered at the Annual Conference.

3.It shall circulate the proposed agenda two weeks prior to the Annual Conference.

(This material is an expansion of content under Committees Appointed by the Chairman, #8, page 100 of the 1981 Faith and Order.)

BY-LAWS OF THE COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE ANNUAL CONFERENCE MINUTES:

Appointment:

The Chairman of Annual Conference shall prior to the adjournment of the Annual Conference appoint the Committee to Examine Annual Conference Minutes.

Duties:

1.The Committee to Examine Annual Conference Minutes shall compare the Annual Conference Proceeding as printed in the Bible Fellowship Yearbook with the official minutes of the Secretary of Annual Conference.

2.It shall report in writing to the next Annual Conference any and all discrepancies between these two records.

3.It shall submit to the Annual Conference two copies of the Bible Fellowship Yearbook certified to contain true and correct copies of the Proceedings of the previous Annual Conference. These copies shall be placed in the archives.

(This material is a revision of content of material in Committees Appointed by the Chairman, #7, page 100 of the 1981 Faith and Order.)

BYLAWS OF THE COMMITTEE ON RESOLUTIONS:

Appointment:

The Chairman of Annual Conference shall appoint the Committee on Resolutions from the membership of the Annual Conference at the first meeting.

Duties:

1.The Committee on Resolutions shall devise any resolutions it deems helpful to present for approval by the Annual Conference, including resolutions of thanks giving and appreciation, of changes in rules or by-laws, of establishment of the place and time of the next Annual Conference.

2.It shall present the resolutions proposed to the members of Annual Conference in writing for consideration.

(This material is an expansion of content under Committees Appointed by the Chairman, #4, page 100 of the 1981 Faith and Order.)

BY-LAWS OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS:

Appointment:

The Chairman of Annual conference shall appoint the Committee on Communications from the membership of the Annual Conference at the first meeting.

Duties:

1.The Committee on Communication shall receive for the Annual Conference any communications addressed to the Conference.

2.It shall respond in writing to each communication sent to the Annual Conference unless that communication is referred to another Board or Committee.

3.It shall report to the Annual Conference the names of all those who sent communication and the nature of the response by the Committee.

(This material is an expansion of content under Committees Appointed by the Chairman, #2, page 98 of the 1981 Faith and Order.)

BY-LAWS OF THE COMMITTEE ON AUDITING:

Appointment:

The Chairman of Annual Conference shall appoint the Committee on Auditing from the membership of the Annual Conference at the first meeting.

Duties:

1.The Committee on Auditing shall examine the financial report of each agency of the Bible Fellowship Church to ascertain:

(a) Whether the report is made from an audited account.

(b)Who made the audit.

(d)depositories in which the funds are maintained.

(See Faith and Order, 1981 edition, page 135, 136, Miscellaneous By-laws of Annual Conference, #4 and #7.)

2.It shall make a report to the Annual Conference stating the results of their examination, including the names of any agencies which have not met the requirements of the Faith and Order and the ways in which the report was incomplete.

(This material is an expansion of content under Committees Appointed by the Chairman, #5, page 100 of the 1981 Faith and Order.)

BY-LAWS OF THE TELLERS:

Appointment:

The Chairman of Annual Conference shall appoint from the membership of the Conference tellers to conduct the elections.

Duties:

1.The Chairman of the tellers shall appoint an individual who is not a member of the Annual Conference to prepare duplicated ballots during the meetings of the Conference according to the election procedures for the Annual Conference.

2.The Tellers shall distribute and collect the ballots.

3.The Chairman of the tellers shall enlist advisory members of the Conference to tabulate the results of the elections in which duplicated ballots are used. For special elections and other voting conducted during the meetings of the Annual Conference, the tellers shall tabulate the results.

4.The Chairman of the tellers shall announce the results of the elections and other voting and keep records of the results.

(This material is an expansion of content under Committees Appointed by the Chairman, #9, page 101 of the 1981 Faith and Order.)

BY-LAWS OF THE TIMEKEEPER:

Appointment:

The Chairman of Annual Conference shall appoint a Timekeeper from the membership or the advisory membership of the Annual Conference.

Duties:

l. The Timekeeper shall measure the time used by any participant in the deliberations of the Annual Conference.

2.If any participant has the floor for ten minutes at one time, the Timekeeper shall inform the Chairman of the Conference.

(This material is an expansion of content under Committees Appointed by the Chairman, #10, page 101 of the 1981 Faith and Order.)

Addition to Duties of the Credentials Committee:

It shall receive all requests from those seeking retirement from ministry in the Bible Fellowship Church. It shall set the effective date of the retirement, change the status of the minister on the conference records, and notify the Board of Directors of the effective date of the retirement.

The following were elected:

BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PINEBROOK JUNIOR COLLEGE: Russel M. Ruch (2 years)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PINEBROOK BIBLE CONFERENCE:

Ronald C. Mahurin, John H. Riggall, Robert Breitegam (3 years)

BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION:

Dana Weller, David Musselman, Jeffrey Stickler (3 years)

BOARD OF VICTORY VALLEY:

Bryan Bray, Bright N. Heist, Clayton E. Weber (3 years)

Resolved: that the time be extended.

Resolved: that we adjourn.

Adjourned with prayer by William Neff.

SIXTH MEETING

Wednesday, October 13, 1982, 9:00 A.M.

Chairman Jansen E. Hartman called the meeting to order at 9:00 A.M.. The hymn, "O for a Thousand Tongues" was sung by the Conference.

Jeffrey Stickler, delegate from Allentown Salem, read the Scripture, John 15:1-17, and led in prayer. Bert N. Brosius sang "It is Well With My Soul". L. James Roberts, delegate from Quakertown, gave the message, "Commitment of Pastors and Elders to Each Other."

John Moran led in prayer.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved as corrected.

The following were elected:

BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PINEBROOK BIBLE CONFERENCE: Kermit K. Gehman (3 years)

Resolved: that the following be adopted at SECOND READING:

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MINISTER'S RETIREMENT FUND:

V.B. Contributions from each member:

Each member shall pay into this fund two percent (2%) of his annual salary and supplemental benefits excluding medical insurance and parsonage allowances for pastors who provide their own housing. One half of this payment shall be forwarded to the Financial Secretary of the Board of Directors on or before April 1, and the balance shall be paid at the next Annual Conference. The Annual Salary shall be calculated on the year beginning September 1 and ending August 31.

(Faith and Order, 1981 edition, page 109)

DELETION FROM DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PINEBROOK JUNIOR COLLEGE:

"Relationships to other Ministries at Pinebrook: to establish a rule limiting the activity of the Board of Directors of Pinebrook Junior College to faculty, curriculum, library, instruction, and budget to the extent that budget relates to the operation of the college.

(Paragraph 2 of #9, page 76 of the 1977 Faith and Order).

ADDITION TO THE DUTIES OF THE MINISTERIAL CANDIDATE COMMITTEE:

To submit a written report to the Annual Conference of the Bible Fellowship Church.

(This material will appear as #9, page 130 of the 1981 Faith and Order.)

REVISION OF BY-LAWS REGARDING THE BOARD OF ELDERS:

Article VIII, Paragraph 4, page 55 of the 1981 Faith and Order.

(This material replaces the last sentence of the 4th paragraph.)

The congregation shall have the right to agree, to suggest changes, or to disagree with such recommendations. Agreement indicates the congregation is ready to follow the leadership of the Board of Elders. Suggesting changes indicates the congregation believes the Board of Elders has overlooked some factors and should revise its recommendation.

Disagreement indicates the congregation is not ready to follow the leadership of the elders.

Even though the elders are to rule under Christ's authority and the congregation is to follow, yet the elders should use wisdom and carefully consider the propriety of taking action that is not supported by the congregation. It is not only the responsibility of the Board of Elders to lead, but also to provide sufficient information, sound reasoning, and ample time for the congregation to follow intelligently.

The elders must distinguish between those areas of disagreement that are matters of preference and those that are matters of principle. Even though the decisions of the congregation are not binding on the elders according to the authority invested in the office in the Scriptures, yet the elders shall seek to rule in harmony with the decision of the congregation except where the standards of Scripture would be repudiated, the cause of Christ harmed, or the Faith and Order violated. Whenever there is disagreement, the Board of Elders needs to consider prayerfully the reasons for the disagreement by the congregation in determining the appropriate action to be taken by the Board in exercise of its leadership.

REVISION OF ARTICLE VI - BUSINESS RULES OF ANNUAL CONFERENCE:

The following will replace the material currently in Article VI:

1.Each meeting of Annual Conference shall be opened with prayer.

2.The Chairman shall convene the Conference at the prescribed time and shall lead the Conference in devotions at the first meeting after which the Secretary shall call the roll. Each succeeding morning meeting shall begin with devotions after which the minutes of the meetings of the preceding day shall be read. Business shall generally

proceed according to the agenda.

3.Two sessions shall be held daily as follows: from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 Noon and from 1:30 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. Evening meetings are optional at the discretion of Annual Conference.

4.The parliamentary procedure shall follow Robert's Rules of Order except where superseded by the By-laws for Annual Conference.

5.Anyone wishing to speak shall rise and respectfully address the Chairman. In the event that more than one should address the Chairman at the same time, the Chairman shall decide who is entitled to the floor.

6.No one shall be allowed to speak more than ten minutes on any subject unless he receives permission from the Chairman.

7.No one shall speak a second time on a given motion unless permission is granted by the Chairman.

8.The Chairman is responsible to preserve order.

9.Reports of Boards and Committees to Annual Conference:

a.All Annual conference Boards and Committees elected by ballot shall send copies of their reports to members of Annual Conference no less than one week prior to Annual Conference. Study Committees appointed by the Chairman shall follow the same procedure.

b.Reports which have been previously circulated shall not be read publicly unless requested from the Conference floor.

c .The reports may be questioned and corrected before being accepted by Annual Conference.

d.Two corrected and signed copies of each report shall be given to the Secretary of Annual Conference upon acceptance of said report for inclusion in the Conference Yearbook. These copies shall be signed by the person submitting the report.

10.The election procedures of Annual Conference shall be:

a.Nominations shall be closed at the opening of each meeting for all elections to be conducted at that particular meeting.

b.Nominations and elections for a particular Board or Committee shall not take place until the report of that Board or Committee has been accepted by Annual Conference.

c.A ballot listing the names of all nominees shall be prepared and duplicated at the direction of the tellers for those elections.

d.The ballots shall be marked by each member of the Annual Conference and be submitted to the tellers.

e.The tellers with the aid of the advisory members of the Annual Conference shall tabulate the results and prepare run-off ballots as needed.

f.Elections, according to the will of the Annual Conference, may be conducted by use of oral nomination and hand-written ballots by members of the Annual Conference, and ballots submitted by the tellers.

11.Any exception to the implementation of the rules of the Faith and Order other than the Articles of Faith may be allowed by a three-fourths majority of Annual Conference. The reason for such exceptions shall be fully spread on the minutes. Such exceptions shall be subject to annual review until approved at second reading.

REVISION OF ARTICLE I, ANNUAL CONFERENCE:

(page 91, 1981 edition of the Faith and Order.)

The last two paragraphs shall be replaced with the following:

The proceedings of Annual Conference shall be conducted according to the Business Rules of Annual Conference. The Annual Conference shall keep and publish a record of the proceedings of its meetings and make it available to the membership of the churches.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON AUDITING: (See p. 188)

Report was accepted.

Resolved: that the Pastor shall send a copy of the minutes of all Congregational Meetings, which shall include the Board of Elders' Report of the Membership, the Annual Financial Report, and the Valuation of Church Properties, and the Pastor's Statistical Report (PS-3) to the Committee on Examination of Minutes of Particular Churches, % Pinebrook Bible Conference, P.O. Box 1, Stroudsburg, PA 18360 to arrive by Monday of the week prior to Annual Conference week.

The delegate and pastor shall certify the correctness of the minutes and reports and of the Pastor's Statistical Report (PS-3) prior to the mailing thereof, and shall include a statement of the certification therewith.

The Committee on Examination of Minutes of Particular Churches will forward the material received to the Committee on Statistics.

If the Pastor's Statistical Schedule (PS-3) is not in the hands of the Committee on Statistics by the Thursday prior to Annual Conference, the statistics from that church will not be included in that year’s report.

Resolved: that the Church Government Study Committee study what recourse a congregation has in the event that its Board of Elders is in conflict with the congregation.

Resolved: that we extend the time.

Resolved: that the 1982-1983 Administrative Budget of the Board of Directors of the Bible Fellowship Church be adopted.

1982-1983 ADMINISTRATIVE BUDGET

A. Benefits to Each Pastor (1982-1983) (1983-1984)

1. Beneficiary Fund 1,000 1,000

2. Minister's Assistance Fund 1,000 1,250

3. Ministerial Convention 750 750

4. Ministers' Retirement Fun 22,000 24,000

Total 24,750 27,000

B.Benefits to Each Church

1. Conference Entertainment 3,000 3,500

2. Moving Fund 5,000 7,500

3. Fund to Assist Churches 1,000 1,000

Total 9,000 12,000</