ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

OF THE

BIBLE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH

2002Convened at Pinebrook Bible Conference

Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

April 22 - 24, 2002

Published by Order of Annual Conference

David A. Thomann, Editor

Price $8.00

Officers of the 119th Annual Conference:

Chairman, William G. Schlonecker

Vice Chairman, Carl C. Cassel

Secretary, David A. Thomann

Assistant Secretary, Robert W. Smock

Publisher, Daniel P. Allen

Printer, Thomson-Shore

Computer Operator, Roy A. Hertzog

Directory of Boards and Committees

Board of Directors of the Bible Fellowship Church

(2003) Raymond R. Dotts, Charles A. Lavigna, David J. Watkins

(2004) James A. Beil, Carl C. Cassel, Robert W. Gehret

(2005) Randall A. Grossman, Horace A. Kauffman, L. James Roberts

President of Corporation - James A. Beil

 Vice President of Corporation - Carl C. Cassel

 Secretary of Corporation - David J. Watkins

 Financial Secretary - Horace A. Kauffman

 Hospitalization Secretary -James A. Beil

Treasurer - Robert W. Gehret

Board of Christian Education

(2003) Annette E. Kuhns, Mark S. Matson, Mark L. Morrison, Richard T. Paashaus

(2004) Timothy S. Cowen, David W. Eisenhower, Nancy A., Mertus, David N. Schoen

(2005) Judy D. Althouse, G. Wayne Clapier, Michael L. Herb, Jonathan P. Tait

Board of Church Extension

(2003) W. David Armstrong, John C. Elias, William G. Schlonecker, William R. Singletary

(2004) Dennis M. Cahill, Robert W. Davies, Richard E. Taylor, Robert H. Zentz

(2005) Byron Widger, Clyde W. Snyder

Executive Director - David E. Gundrum (2003)

 Chairman - Richard E. Taylor

 Vice Chairman - W. David Armstrong

 Treasurer - William R. Singletary

 Secretary - William G. Schlonecker

Board of Pensions

(2003) Robert Gaugler, David N. Schoen, William R. Singletary

(2004) Ellis Lee Hostetter, Keith E. Plows, Thomas P. Shorb

(2005) James A. Beil, Richard J. Volpe, David J. Watkins

Board of Directors of Bible Fellowship Church Homes, Inc.

(2003) William H. Bartron, Glenn D. Ruoss, Dennis W. Spinney, Hans R. Waldvogel

(2004) David W. Cole, Roger L. Reitz, Dean A. Stortz, John W. Trauch

(2005) LeRoy S. Heller, Robin A. Musselman, Henry U. Sandt, Gene W. Smith

 President: Robert H. Zentz

 Chairman: LeRoy S. Heller

 Vice Chairman: Dean A. Stortz

 Secretary: William H. Bartron

 Treasurer: John W. Trauch

Board of Directors of Pinebrook Bible Conference

(2003) Lee E. Boyles, Charles E. Cole, Roger L. Reitz, Gerald L. Schlonecker, Hans R. Waldvogel

(2004) Carl Ackerman, Daniel P. Allen, Brian H. Cooper, Kermit K. Gehman, John M. Stengele

(2005) David T. Allen, Alva C. Cassel, LeRoy O. Herb

Director - Nate Brosius

President & Chairman - Alva C. Cassel

 Vice President & Vice Chairman - David T. Allen

 Treasurer - Lee E. Boyles

 Secretary - Daniel P. Allen

Board of Missions

(2003) Gerald L. Schlonecker, Thomas P. Shorb, David R. Way

(2004) Donald S. Faust, James W. Harris, Jacob J. Susek, Jr.

(2005) LeRoy O. Herb, Ralph M. Soper

Director - Dana E. Weller (2003)

 Financial Secretary - Daniel G. Oswald (2005)

 Chairman - Ralph M. Soper

 Secretary - James W. Harris

Board of Publication and Printing

(2003) Jonathan P. Tait

(2004) Daniel P. Allen, Stephen C. Mann

(2005) William H. Bartron, Clyde W. Snyder

 Chairman - William H. Bartron

 Secretary - Daniel P. Allen

 Fellowship News Editor - Carol Snyder (2005)

 FN Business Manager - Paul T. Rutman (2004)

Board of Victory Valley Camp

(2003) Carl J. Fischer, Jr., Jonathan D. Reynolds, David L. Weller

(2004) Bernice Mann, Christopher Roth, Timothy D. Weaber

(2005) Dennis J. Lawrence, Dennis W. Spinney, Howard N. Wells

Director - Phil Atkins

Board of Higher Education

(2003) Alan H. Russell, John C. Studenroth

(2004) Raymond R. Dotts, Claude L. Gates, Robert C. Newman

(2005) Stephen C. Cassel, G. Wayne Clapier

 Chairman - Robert C. Newman

 Secretary - John C. Studenroth

Board of Youth and Young Adults

(2003) Clyde D. Bomgardner, Jr., Andrew J. Crossgrove, Billy J. Dunn

(2004) Charles A. Mann, Dorothy L. Ruch, John C. Vandegriff, Jr.

(2005) Susan G. Homsher, Ronald L. Kohl, Dennis J. Lawrence

 Chairman - Clyde D. Bomgardner, Jr.

 Vice Chairman - Andrew J. Crossgrove

 Secretary - Timothy D. Weaber

 Treasurer - Billy J. Dunn

Committee on Credentials

(2003) Ralph M. Soper

(2004) Dennis M. Cahill, LeRoy S. Heller

(2005) Keith E. Plows, David A. Thomann

 Chairman - Keith E. Plows

 Secretary - David A. Thomann

Committee on Ministerial Candidates

(2003) Robert S. Commerford, David E.Gundrum

(2004) Delbert R. Baker, II

(2005) Calvin T. Reed, Richard E. Taylor

 Chairman - Calvin T. Reed

 Secretary - Richard E. Taylor

Committee on Nominations

(2003) Charles A. Lavigna, Howard N. Wells

(2004) Dean A. Stortz, Yvonne Watkins

(2005) Michael T. Littlejohn, Mark L. Morrison, David A. Thomann

 Chairman - David A. Thomann

 Secretary - Howard N. Wells

Conference Judicatory

(2003) Ronald C. Mahurin, Ronald W. Reed, L. James Roberts, Jr., Dean A. Stortz

(2004) Steven C. Boepple, Calvin T. Reed

(2005) James A. Beil, Lee E. Boyles, Carl C. Cassel, Robert H. Zentz

Secretary - Ronald C. Mahurin

Special Appellate Judicatory

(2003) Charles Lavigna, John C. Studenroth

(2004) Donald S. Faust, Randall A. Grossman, Harold E. Snyder, David J. Watkins

(2005) Raymond R. Dotts, Hans R. Waldvogel

 Secretary - David J. Watkins

Historical Committee

(2003) Jill Davidson, Daniel G. Ziegler

(2004) Harold P. Shelly, Robert W. Smock

(2005) David E. Thomann

 Archivist - Richard E. Taylor

 Chairperson - Jill Davidson

 Secretary - Richard E. Taylor

Ministerial Relations Committee

(2003) Lee E. Boyles, Jacob J. Susek, Jr.

(2004) Randall A. Grossman, Ronald W. Reed

(2005) Calvin T. Reed, L. James Roberts, Jr., John C. Vandegriff, Jr.

 Chairman - Randall A. Grossman

 Secretary - Calvin T. Reed

Strategic Planning Committee

(2003) Dana E. Weller, Robert H. Zentz

(2004) Byron Barnshaw, Richard T. Paashaus, Richard E. Taylor

(2005) Elliot H. Ramos, J. Robert Vaughn

Agenda and Program Committee

William G. Schlonecker, Randall A. Grossman, David A. Thomann, Cliford B. Boone, Thomas P. Shorb, Carl K. Spackman

Committee on Arrangements for the 120th Annual Conference

Daniel P. Allen, Clyde D. Bomgardner, Jr., J. Mark McCreary, Thomas P. Shorb, William G. Schlonecker (Chairman of the 120th Annual Conference), David A. Thomann

 Chairman - David A. Thomann

 Secretary - Daniel P. Allen

Committee on Statistics

Hugh C. Coulbourn, Jr., LeRoy S. Heller, Kenneth D. Keeler, Calvin T. Reed, David A. Thomann

 Chairman - LeRoy S. Heller

Committee on Examination of the Minutes of Particular Churches

William H. Bartron, Richard D. Harris, Ralph M. Soper, Dean A. Stortz, Jonathan P. Tait

 Chairman - Ralph M. Soper

Committee to Examine the Minutes of 119th Annual Conference

Robert S. Commerford, Ralph E Ritter, Gregory A. Uhrich, Ralph B. Weaver

 Chairman - Gregory A. Uhrich

Officers of 120^th Annual Conference

Chairman - William G. Schlonecker

Vice Chairman - Randall A. Grossman

Secretary - David A. Thomann

Additional Appointees for the 120th Annual Conference

J. Mark McCreary, Registrar

Jonathon W. Arnold, Sr., Assistant Registrar

Inter-Cultural Ministries Study Committee

Delbert R. Baker, II, Carl C. Cassel (Ministerial Candidate Committee), G. Wayne Clapier, David E. Gundrum, Roy A. Hertzog (Missions), Daniel G. Ziegler (Church Extension)

 Chairman - Roy A. Hertzog

 Secretary - David E. Gundrum

Secret Society Study Committee

Jonathon W. Arnold, Sr., Dennis M. Cahill, Richard D. Harris, Ralph E. Ritter, Jonathan P. Tait

Study Committee on Credentials and Multi Staff Churches

Robert S. Commerford, LeRoy S. Heller, Calvin T. Reed, L. James Roberts, Jr., Ralph M. Soper, Jacob J. Susek, Jr.

 Chairman - LeRoy S. Heller

Committee to Study the Role of Women in the Church

E. Davis DeRonde, Carl J. Fischer, Jr, Betty Herb, Doris Hoyle, Michael T. Littlejohn, J. Mark McCreary, James E. Mortland, Robert C. Newman, Robert A. Sloan

 Chairman - Carl J. Fischer, Jr

Beneficiary Society

John H. Riggall, President; R. C. Reichenbach, Secretary; LeRoy S. Heller, Treasurer

Joint Committee on Ethnic Church Planting

From Church Extension: David E. Gundrum, John C. Elias

From Board of Missions: Dana E. Weller, Donald S. Faust

Chairman - David E. Gundrum

Ministerial Convention Committee

(2002) Harvey J. Fritz, Jr., Allan R. Vivona

(2003) Jonathon W. Arnold, Sr., Ronald C. Erb

(2004) C. Larry Bennet

 Chairman - Ronald C. Erb

 Secretary - Allan R. Vivona

 Treasurer - Harvey J. Fritz, Jr.

Advisor - Ronald C. Mahurin

Pinebrook Educational Foundation

(2003) Gary E. Karch, Robert C. Newman

(2004) Raymond R. Dotts, J. H. Fasnacht

(2005) Stephen C. Cassel, Jessica Sterner

 Chairman - Raymond R. Dotts

 Secretary - J. H. Fasnacht

Stewardship Council

Composed of various representatives from Boards and the following elected persons:

(2003) Gary E. Karch

(2004) John L. English

(2005) Torry R. Hinkel

Chairman: Gary E. Karch

 Vice Chairman: J. Mark McCreary

 Treasurer:

Board of Directors of Pinebrook Junior College

Kenneth F. Barber, Dennis M. Cahill, G. Wayne Clapier, Raymond R. Dotts, Jay H. Fasnacht, Carol A. Gearhart, John H. Herb, Rodney A. Muthard, Robert C. Newman, Ronald W. Reed, L. James Roberts, Jr., C. Robert Roth, Russell M. Ruch, Thomas P. Shorb, Karen R. Stull, Robert H. Zentz

Table of Ordained Ministers

 Year of Year of Year of

 Pastor BFC License Ordination Present Status

Allen, Daniel P. 1982 1979 1982

Armstrong, W. David, Jr. 1985 1987 1989

Arnold, Jonathon W., Sr. 1994 1997 2000

Baker, Delbert, R. II 1976 1979 1975

Bomgardner, Clyde D. Jr. 1997 2000 1997

Boone, Clifford B. 1989 1992 2002

Brush, R. Jerome 1988 1992 1991

Cahill, Dennis M. 1986 1984 1986

Cassel, Alva C. 1958 1962 1986

Clapier, G. Wayne 1980 1981 1980

Cole, Charles E 1996 1970 1996

Commerford, Robert S. 1984 1986 1982

Cooper, Brian H. 1996 1998 1996

Cowen, Timothy S. 1997 2000 1997

Crossgrove, Andrew T. 1999 2002 2002

Dowling, Willis I. 1999 1983 2002

Dunn, William J. 1999 2002 2002

Ellwanger, Donald R. 2001 1988 2002

Erb, Ronald C. 1981 1983 1987

Fischer, Carl J., Jr. 1990 1985 1992

Grossman, Randall A. 1981 1983 1990

Gundrum, David E. 1986 1988 2000

Harris, Richard D. 1976 1978 1988

Heineman, David N. 1996 1993 1999

Heller, LeRoy S. 1955 1958 1995

Keeler, Kenneth D. 1982 1985 2000

Lawrence, Dennis J. 1993 1996 1999

Mahurin, Ronald C. 1960 1959 2001

McCreary, J. Mark 1993 1996 1999

Morrison, Mark L. 1996 1999 1996

Paashaus, Richard T. 1988 1990 1976

Phillips, D. Thomas 1971 1976 1992

Prontnicki, Louis 1983 1985 1990

Ramos, Elliot H. 1998 2001 1999

Ravis, Richard B. 1990 1985 2001

Reed, Calvin T. 1982 1984 1983

Reitz, Roger L. 1972 1974 1993

Ritter, Ralph E. 1991 1994 2000

Ruhl, Jeffrey L. 1997 2000 1997

Schlonecker, William G. 1985 1988 1984

Schoen, David N. 1982 1987 1987

Shorb, Thomas P. 1977 1979 2001

Sloan, Robert A., Jr. 1988 1986 1988

Smith, Gene W. 1991 1978 1992

Soper, Ralph M. 1985 1987 1995

Spackman, Carl K 1969 1971 2000

Spinney, Dennis W. 1984 1993 1988

Stortz, Dean A. 1983 1986 1988

Susek, Jacob J., Jr. 1994 1983 1993

Tait, Jonathan P. 1994 1996 1996

Taylor, Richard E. 1973 1975 1982

Thomann, David A. 1978 1977 1987

Uhrich Gregory A. 1989 1983 2001

Vandegriff, John C., Jr. 1974 1972 1993

Vivona, Allan R. 1992 1971 2000

Watkins, David J. 1962 1965 1989

Way, David R. 1989 1993 2001

Weller, Dana E. 1972 1974 1995

Wells, Howard N. 1990 1992 1990

Wickstead, James A. 1976 1981 1976

Widger, Byron 1985 1988 1995

Ordained Ministers Working in the Chaplaincy under the Sponsorship of the BFC

Hurst, Kenneth J. 1998 2000 2000

Moyer, Richard A. 1995 2000 1999

Ordained Ministers Working in Other Christian Ministries

Ellingson, Bruce A. 1963 1966 1991

Martin, Carl T. 1983 1986 1997

Ordained Ministers Between Calls

Bartron, William H. 1973 1975 2001

Batchler, James R., Jr. 1976 1979 1993

Dommel, Albert J. 1982 1984 1991

Herb, John H. 1962 1966 1989

Jones, David H. 1978 1983 1994

Trommler, Steven L. 1984 1986 2000

Ordained Ministers on Leave of Absence

Byrd, Terris L. 1969 1972 2002

Burnett, Raymond G. 1984 1972 1993

Frable, Arthur H., Jr. 1969 1971 1999

MacMillan, Thomas S. 1983 1986 1990

Neher, James E. 1987 1989 2000

Smith, Larry M. 1989 1990 1993

 Year of Year of Year of

 Pastor BFC License OrdinationPresent Status

Ordained Ministers in Retirement

Barber, Kenneth F. 1985 1971 2001

Beil, James A. 1959 1962 1998

Bigley, T. James, Jr. 1962 1966 2002

Brosius, Bert N. 1958 1961 1998

Buck, Leonard E. 1958 1970 1997

Cassel, Carl C. 1956 1959 1993

Cassel, Willard E. 1943 1946 1988

Coulbourn, Hugh C., Jr. 1977 1970 2001

Dotts, Raymond R. 1960 1965 1999

Draper, Robert L. 1972 1973 1994

Dunn, John 1941 1950 1979

Frank, Walter H. 1939 1961 1989

Fritz, Harvey J., Jr. 1959 1962 1995

Gordon, Robert N. 1960 1960 1998

Harley, J. Barclay 1956 1960 1997

Hartman, Jansen E. 1942 1946 1990

Herb, Frank L., Jr. 1954 1957 1991

Herb, George E. 1957 1960 1989

Hertzog, Roy A. 1959 1968 1997

Hoyle, Ronald W. 1978 1954 1998

Kirkwood, Donald T. 1951 1954 1971

Koch, James G. 1950 1953 1997

Minsky, Barry J. 1980 1966 2002

Moyer, Edward K. 1970 2000

Mull, William W. 1968 1950 1994

Munyan, Edgar H. 1989 1955 1993

Plows, Keith E. 1966 1968 2000

Reichenbach, R. C. 1937 1941 1982

Riggall, John H. 1945 1948 1982

Seifert, A. L. 1950 1953 1990

Shelly, Austin G. 1956 1961 1995

Smock, Robert W. 1950 1953 1993

Thomann, David E. 1943 1946 1982

Weaber, Harold C. 1963 1967 1998

Yarrington, Harold D. 1942 1952 1987

Ziegler, Daniel G. 1960 1963 2000

Year of Year of Year of

 Pastor BFC License Ordination Present Status

Ordained Ministers under the Direction of the Board of Missions

Aukamp, William C. 1985 1988 1986

Denlinger, Ronald K. 1994 1997 2000

Gehman, Richard J. 1964 1971 1966

Harding, W. Neil, Jr. 1983 1993 1993

Head, Jim D. 1994 1996 1998

Johnston, Walter M. 1987 1987 1991

Lea, Herbert K. 1980 1982 1994

Manney, David L. 1976 1999

Morrison, Philip E. 1980 1982 1993

Moyer, Duane E. 1998 2001 2001

Moyer, Jerry L. 1992 1994 1997

Pollock, Thomas A. 1996 1999 1990

Riddell, David W. 1985 1987 1987

Studenroth, John C. 1991 1976 2000

Yerrington, Philip E. 1978 1981 1981

Zimmerman, Paul G. 1966 1971 1988

A Look Back:

1902 - 2002

Our Fathers - Our Brothers

by Richard Taylor

When we took our seats at the Annual Conference, our fathers became our brothers. We joined a brotherhood that has grown through the years. Our fathers, our brothers in leadership, who like us took their seats in the bar, came, as we did, to Annual Conference, to pray, deliberate, and make the sometimes painful decisions that have to be made when men are commissioned to lead in Christ’s Church.

 And so on Tuesday morning, April 22, 2002, we joined our fathers, our brothers, who came on Friday morning, October 17, 1902. They bore names like Musselman, Gehman, Ziegler, Taylor, Woodring, Laudenslager, Hottel, and Himmelreich. They converged on the Mennonite Brethren in Christ Church in Reading. Their faces were covered with sober and serious looks. They gave warm greetings and hearty hand shakes. They were genuinely glad to see each other. They were brothers, our brothers and our fathers.

 At 8:00a.m. sharp on that Friday morning, the gavel fell giving the signal to begin. The hand that held the gavel had never held it before. It was our brother’s first time. The thirty four year old Harvey Brunner Musselman had been chosen by his brothers to chair the meeting. This printer turned minister, once called the boy preacher, was ready to do his duty. He was the son of Jonas and Lucy Brunner Musselman. Preaching was in his blood. Perhaps he was nervous and unsure about the significant responsibility he carried. He would not show it. He had prayed and knew the Lord would enable him. He would never have undertaken the task otherwise. It became clear that the gavel was a fit. For 40 of the following 42 years, the gavel was in his hand. The hand that holds the gavel this year holds it for the first time. He is a descendant of Jacob Moyer, Rose Jelly Jakey as he was called, who preached and planted the church. Perhaps preaching is in his blood too. If God wills, the gavel will be in his hand again. He too has prayed. We, his brothers, are praying.

 The chairman preached what was said to be a “very practical and searching address” on “True Love” from 1 Peter 3:8-17. You can be sure our brothers appreciated it. Then, they prayed, earnestly seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit for their sessions. They turned to the business.

 Our brothers established the bar at three pews and the amen corner. We will join them at our tables and wait while the pages bring the microphone. They could rise from their seats and speak. All the brothers could hear except those whose hearing was diminished. When someone in the last row spoke, you turned your head to look or just listened carefully while looking straight ahead. It was always important to hear what a brother says.

 Most of the business was routine. They moved through it quickly. The pastors gave their obligatory oral reports. Our brothers were encouraging and encouraged. The secretary reported, “There is a marked increase in membership, spirituality, and finances in general. The pastors, by realized and anticipated faith obtained good reports. There is a sound missionary spirit predominant for Home and Foreign work.” Like our brothers, we grow impatient, we want to move on and get it done. Fortunately, we don’t sit through oral reports. But we took our time, enjoyed our coffee breaks, and delighted in dinner conversations. We were encouraging and encouraged.

 Our brothers wanted to be clear. Some of them moved with linguistic ambidexterity between English and German. While you can be sure they always meant what they said, you could not always be sure they said what they meant. “Resolved, That we would respectfully recommend the members of our church to encourage the Foreign Missionary Board in forwarding their funds through the aforesaid board, and not to forward their money direct to the missionaries, thereby lessening or neglecting their contributions in the direct channel, provided by Conference, for the support pledged to our respective missionaries.” We too want to be clear. The brothers who follow us will certainly scratch their heads at some of our pronouncements. Our secretaries have done their best to get it right. But even sophisticated computers only record what we write.

 Our brothers had been thinking about the dedication of children. They said, “As the scriptures contain a number of instances where children of Godly parents were formally and publicly dedicated to the Lord, 1 Sam. 22, 28, Mark 10,13-16, we heartily encourage our people to dedicate their children to the Lord, by prayer and laying on of the hands of the Elder, who shall then furnish proper certificates.” We share concern that we help our church to work through issues that matter. It is good to be part of a brotherhood who understood and understands how important life is at every part.

 Our brothers were serious about their responsibilities. When one of them was not, it was a matter of concern. “Whereas, The delegate elected by the Nazareth and Plainfield Quarterly Conference has failed to be present at the Annual Conference, and not even sent in an excuse of absence, therefore Resolved, That this Conference is grieved with the actions of said delegate and asks the pastor to investigate the cause of his absence and instruct this class to send a reliable representative in the future.” They grieved, as we do, that some might take a light and careless attitude about this privilege of being a servant leader in the Church our blessed Savior has raised up.

 Four days later, Monday afternoon, they donned their coats and hats, agreed that it was a good conference and said they were glad to be there. They turned and went their way. Our brothers brought the news of the Conference to their churches who wanted to hear all about it. And we went in the same way. We thanked our chairman, shook hands as we left, and said it was good to be here. Most will return next year. Some will not. All are brothers now with our fathers.

[Note: The 1902 Minutes are located at www.BFCHistory.org., “Minutes” Go to Minutes. For more about the chairman, H. B. Musselman, see Jill Davidson’s paper, “Harvey Brunner Musselman” in the section entitled, Library.]

Conference Calendar

Listed below are various conference-wide dates. For complete information check with the corresponding Board, Committee, or Agency, or appropriate page number. The official conference calendar is on the web at Yahoo Groups (BFC-AC). To subscribe send a note to BFC-AC-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Conference Reporter

The 119^th Annual Conference of the (BFC) convened at Pinebrook Bible Conference in East Stroudsburg, PA, on April 21-23, 2002. Those attending included approximately one hundred sixty pastors, lay delegates and missionaries from six states and several countries.

 William G. Schlonecker, pastor of the BFC in Newark, DE, called the convention to order at 9:55 a.m. The general theme, The BFC - an Expanding Fellowship of Churches United to Make Disciples of Jesus Christ guided speakers William G. Schlonecker, Richard E Taylor, Pastor of the BFC in Wallingford, PA; and Dana E. Weller, Director of the BFC Board of Missions, in their respective challenging messages, “A Vision to Unite Us”, “A Mission to Compel Us,” and “A Strategy to Move us.” These messages were delivered as part of each morning worship time which was directed by LeRoy S. Heller, a pastor of the Lebanon, PA, BFC.

 Monday was primarily devoted to routine denominational business, board and committee reports, and election of men and women who will serve on boards and committees for the next three years. Upon completion of these reports, elections began for members of boards and committees.

 On Monday evening, sixteen missionary families were introduced to the conference. During the three days, various leaders from a variety of ministries were introduced, some of which were recommended as possible consultants to help our ministries in specific areas. At the close of the first day, following the business sessions, the group remembered the Lord by celebrating the Lord’s Supper.

 The assembly considered and approved legislation delineating the calling of previously-ordained ministers who have been licensed by the BFC, and various updates and changes to the Faith and Order that relate to functions of committees and boards, and the details of elections.

 Each day, during the work of the body, as situations and needs were reported or arose, the chairman halted procedures and asked someone to pray for the particular need(s). When

reported, these become the concern of the body. Examples are: (1) prayer for Hispanic works being pursued in the Lancaster and Reading areas, (2) several physical needs of church members and/or family members.

 For almost ten years, the Intercultural Ministries Study Committee has worked and presented Biblical Principles for Living in an effort to write articles that will be understood cross-culturally. The articles approved at first reading at this conference are:

 1. Truth and Integrity

 2. Repentance and Restitution

 3. Divorce

 4. Stewardship

The assembly will continue to deliberate for approval of the remaining articles. As these articles are approved they will be included they will be included in a section of the Faith and Order.

 The Study Committee on Baptism and Church Member-ship completed its work and reported to the body. It was resolved that we reaffirm our current statements regarding baptism and membership...

 On Tuesday evening an ordination service was conducted at Berean BFC in Stroudsburg. Jacob J. Susek, Jr., pastor of the BFC in Royersford, PA, delivered the message, “Visionary Men to Lead us.” Andrew T. Crossgrove, a member of the pastoral staff of BFC in Harleysville, PA and William J. Dunn serving on the pastoral staff of BFC in Emmaus, PA, were ordained to the Christian ministry. The former ordinations of Willis I. Dowling, pastor of BFC mission in Chesapeake, VA, and Donald R. Ellwanger, member of the pastoral staff of BFC in Sinking Spring, PA, were recognized.

 The Conference was gaveled to a close by first-year Chairman Schlonecker. He was reelected for another term. Randall A. Grossman, elected as Vice Chairman for the 120th Annual Conference, closed the meetings with prayer.

MINUTES

Annual Conference Proceedings - 2002

First Meeting

Monday Morning, April 22, 2002, 10:00 AM

The 119^th Annual Conference of the Bible Fellowship Church was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by the Chairman, William G. Schlonecker, at Pinebrook Bible Conference, Stroudsburg, PA. The Vice Chairman, Carl C. Cassel, led the body in the opening prayer. LeRoy S. Heller led the conference in a time of worship, reading from Psalm 133. The members of Annual Conference sang, The Church’s One Foundation and We Are God’s People. Michael L. Easton read John 15:1-8 and Matthew 28:16-20. Robert W. Green followed with prayer. In preparation for the morning’s message, the conference sang, Jesus, with Thy Church Abide. Richard T. Paashaus ministered to the conference by singing, Rock of Ages. The Chairman, William G. Schlonecker, spoke on, A Vision to Unite Us and closed in prayer.

Report of the Registrar:

The following requested to be excused for part or all of the 119^th Annual Conference: William C. Aukamp, Kenneth F. Barber, Leonard E. Buck, R. Jerome Brush, Willard E. Cassel, Wayne M. Chadwell, G. Wayne Clapier, Ronald K. Denlinger, William J. Dunn, Arthur H. Frable, Jr., Thomas L. Galloway, Richard J. Gehman, W. Neil Harding, Jr., J. Barclay Harley, Jim D. Head, George E. Herb, Frank L. Herb, Jr., Kenneth J. Hurst, David H. Jones, James G. Koch, David L. Manney, Barry J. Minsky, Philip E. Morrison, Edward K. Moyer, Duane E. Moyer, Jerry L. Moyer, Keith E. Plows, Thomas A. Pollock, David W. Riddell, A. L. Seifert, David E. Thomann, Steven L. Trommler, J. Robert Vaughn, Gregory A. Uhrich, Timothy D. Weaber, and Byron Widger.

 Resolved, that the requests for excuses be granted.

Resolved, that the tables with red tablecloths constitute the Conference Bar.

The roll of the Annual Conference was established as follows:

Aberdeen, NJ. . . . . . John C. Vandegriff, Jr., E. Davis DeRonde

Allentown, PA,. . . . Clifford B. Boone, Walter E. Bortree, John

 Cedar Crest C. Elias, William J. Shive

Bethlehem, PA. . . . . Brian H. Cooper, Mark W. Tress, Peter D. Burleigh

Blandon, PA. . . . . . . Carl J. Fischer, Jr., Michael T. Littlejohn

Brooklyn, NY. . . . . . Ralph E. Ritter, Michael Giordano

Camden, DE. . . . . . . Raymond R. Dotts, Albert F. Biddle, Jr.

Coopersburg, PA. . . (Vacant) Thomas P. Shorb, Richard T. Paashaus, Gene E. Parris

Denville, NJ. . . . . . . Richard D. Harris, Steven C. Boepple

Emmaus, PA. . . . . . David N. Schoen, Ralph M. Soper, William J. Dunn, Robert H. Zentz, Ralph B. Weaver

Ephrata, PA. . . . . . . Daniel P. Allen, Robert W. Gehret

Finesville, NJ. . . . . . Byron Widger, Michael P. Emrick, Jr.

Fleetwood, PA. . . . . R. Jerome Brush, James E. Mortland

Graterford, PA. . . . . David J. Watkins, Douglas D. Bowne

Harleysville, PA. . . . W. David Armstrong, Jr., Andrew T. Crossgrove, Glendon J. LeSuer

Harrisburg, PA. . . . . Carl K. Spackman, Clyde W. Snyder

Hatfield, PA. . . . . . . Howard N. Wells, Lee E. Boyles

Holmes, NY. . . . . . . Robert S. Commerford, Hans R. Waldvogel

Howell, NJ. . . . . . . . David N. Heineman, Brian L. Michlich

Kutztown, PA. . . . . . Allan R. Vivona, Byron G. Barnshaw

Lancaster, PA. . . . . . David A. Thomann, Gregory A. Uhrich, Horace A. Kauffman, Richard G. Matthews,

Lebanon, PA. . . . . . Calvin T. Reed, LeRoy S. Heller, LeRoy O. Herb

Lehighton, PA. . . . . (Vacant), Bruce A. Kellerman

Maple Glen, PA. . . . Louis Prontnicki, Laurence M. Morris

Mt. Carmel, PA. . . . Alva C. Cassel, Bryan L. Snyder

Mt. Pocono, PA. . . . Ronald C. Erb, Donald S. Faust

Nazareth, PA. . . . . . Jonathon W. Arnold, Sr., Jeffrey L. Ruhl, Philip N. Albright

Newark, DE. . . . . . . William G. Schlonecker, Robert W. Green

Ocean County, NJ. . Dean A. Stortz, David M. Markuson

Oley, PA. . . . . . . . . . Arthur J. Simpson, Jr. (Probationer), Jan Musser

Paradise, PA. . . . . . . Mark L. Morrison, David W. Eisenhower

Philadelphia, PA. . . G. Wayne Clapier, Thomas L. Galloway

Piscataway, NJ. . . . . Dennis M. Cahill, Richard B. Ravis, J. Richard Vroman

Pleasant Valley, NY. David R. Way, Wayne M. Chadwell

Poughquag, NY. . . . James A. Wickstead, Thomas L. Ward

Quakertown, PA. . . . Leland C. Stauff (Probationer), Dennis J. Lawrence, L. James Roberts, Jr.

Reading, PA. . . . . . . Randall A. Grossman, Clyde D. Bomgardner, Jr., Ronald W. Reed, Charles A. Lavigna

Red Hill, PA. . . . . . . Michael J. Tannous (Probationer), D. Thomas Phillips, J. Robert Vaughn

Royersford, PA. . . . . Jacob J. Susek, Jr., Orville E. Gibson

Scranton, PA. . . . . . Roger L. Reitz, Larry D. Kellerman

Shamokin, PA. . . . . (Vacant), Mark M. Leshinskie

Sinking Spring, PA. Robert A. Sloan, Jr., Donald R. Ellwanger, Donald D. McKinney, Stephen M. Bauer

Spring City, PA. . . . Kevin W. Clineff (Probationer), Douglas Wynne

Stroudsburg, PA. . . . John R. Stover (Probationer), Garry S. Waddell

Sunbury, PA. . . . . . . Charles E. Cole, Timothy L. Brosious

Terre Hill, PA. . . . . Kevin W. Kirkpatrick (Probationer), James F. Wetzler

Wallingford, PA. . . . Richard E. Taylor, Timothy S. Cowen, William R. Singletary

Walnutport, PA. . . . Jonathan P. Tait, Timothy D. Weaber

Whitehall, PA. . . . . Gene W. Smith, Calvin A. Boyle

York, PA. . . . . . . . . Kenneth D. Keeler, Roger L. Shambough

Zionsville, PA. . . . . C. Larry Bennet (Probationer), David L. Weller

Ordained Ministers Serving Bible Fellowship Ministries

Delbert R. Baker, II, Willis I. Dowling, David E. Gundrum, Ronald C. Mahurin, J. Mark McCreary, Elliot H. Ramos, Dennis W. Spinney, Dana E.Weller.

Ordained Missionaries

William A. Aukamp, Ronald K. Denlinger, Richard J. Gehman, W. Neil Harding, Jr., Jim D. Head, Walter M. Johnston, Herbert K. Lea, David L. Manney, Philip E. Morrison, Duane E. Moyer, Jerry L. Moyer, Thomas A. Pollock, David W. Riddell, John C. Studenroth, Philip E. Yerrington, Paul G. Zimmerman

Ordained Ministers Working in the Chaplaincy Under the Sponsorship of the BFC

Kenneth J. Hurst, Military; Barry J. Minsky, Military; Richard A. Moyer, Prison Ministry

Ordained Ministers Between Calls

William H. Bartron, James R. Batchler, Jr., Albert J. Dommel, John H. Herb, David H. Jones, Steven L. Trommler

Ordained Ministers in Retirement

Kenneth F. Barber, James A. Beil, T. James Bigley, Jr., Bert N. Brosius, Leonard E. Buck, Carl C. Cassel, Willard E. Cassel, Hugh C. Coulbourn, Jr., Raymond R. Dotts, Robert L. Draper, John Dunn, Walter H. Frank, Harvey J. Fritz, Jr., Robert N. Gordon, J. Barclay Harley, Jansen E. Hartman, Frank L. Herb, Jr., George E. Herb, Roy A. Hertzog, Ronald W. Hoyle, Donald T. Kirkwood, James G. Koch, Edward K. Moyer, William W. Mull, Edgar H. Munyan, Keith E. Plows, R. C. Reichenbach, John H. Riggall, A. L. Seifert, Austin G. Shelly, Robert W. Smock, David E. Thomann, Harold C. Weaber, Harold D. Yarrington, Daniel G. Ziegler

Report of the Committee on Agenda and Program

 Resolved, that the agenda be accepted.

Whereas, the Second Reading of the Biblical Principles For Living is scheduled to begin in 2003, and

Whereas, the Intercultural Ministries Study Committee has requested additional time in the Agenda of Annual Conference to expedite the Second Reading of the Biblical Principles For Living, which is estimated to require a minimum of 12 hours, and

Whereas, the goal is to complete the Biblical Principles For Living by 2004, therefore be it

Resolved, that Tuesday evening sessions for Annual Conference business be conducted until such time as the Biblical Principles For Living have been approved at Second Reading, and be it further

Resolved, that the Ordination Service(s) be scheduled at a time other than Annual Conference for this period of time.

Report of the Committee on Arrangements (see page: 58)

 Resolved, that the report be accepted.

Resolved, that all Study Committees, Committees and Agencies have their reports sent to the designated distribution point, PO Box 299, Ephrata, PA, 17522, by March 1, 2003.

Resolved, that the 120^th Annual Conference be held at Pinebrook Bible Conference, Stroudsburg, PA, April 28-30, 2003, beginning at 10:00 AM on Monday.

Nathan Brosius, Director of Pinebrook Bible Conference, welcomed the members of Annual Conference to Pinebrook for these meetings.

 David A. Thomann, Secretary of Annual Conference, appointed Robert W. Smock as Assistant Secretary and Daniel P. Allen, David T. Allen, and Roy A. Hertzog as Assistants to the Secretary.

The Chairman appointed the following:

Tellers: Keith E. Plows (Chairman); William H. Bartron, Harvey J. Fritz, Jr., LeRoy S. Heller, LeRoy O. Herb, D. Thomas Phillips, Clyde W. Snyder, Mark W. Tress, Thomas L. Ward

Resolutions: Raymond R. Dotts (Chairman); Charles E. Cole, Carl J. Fischer, Jr., Wayne M. Chadwell, Gene E. Parris

Auditing: Robert W. Gehret (Chairman); Lee E. Boyles, Horace A. Kauffman

Committee to Examine Annual Conference Minutes: Gregory A. Uhrich (Chairman); Robert S. Commerford, Ralph E. Ritter, Ralph B. Weaver

Reporter: Clyde W. Snyder

Timekeeper: Ronald C. Erb

Parliamentarian: James A. Beil

The new members of Annual Conference introduced themselves to the Conference.

Report of the Nominating Committee

 Resolved, that the report be accepted.

Whereas, the class format for the Conference Judicatory was changed at the 118^th Annual Conference from 5 classes to 3 classes (2001 Yearbook, p. 14f), and

Whereas, enabling legislation is necessary to facilitate this transition, therefore be it

Resolved, that those men previously elected to the classes of 2004 and 2005 become Class I, the Class of 2003, and further

Resolved, that those men previously elected to the classes of 2002 and 2003 become Class II, the Class of 2002, and further

Resolved, that those men elected in 2001 become Class III, the Class of 2004.

Report of the Committee on Credentials (see page: 60)

 Resolved, that the report be accepted.

Whereas, the Ministerial Candidate Committee has recom-mended Andrew T. Crossgrove, and William J. Dunn for ordination, and

Whereas, the Ministerial Candidate Committee has recom-mended prior ordination recognition for Willis I. Dowling and Donald R. Ellwanger, and

Whereas, these brethren have served acceptably as ministers of the Bible Fellowship Church for the required period of time or the equivalent thereof, and

Whereas, after examination, the Credentials Committee believes these men to be called of God to the gospel ministry and to be in accord with the Faith & Order of the Bible Fellowship Church, therefore be it

Resolved, that Andrew T. Crossgrove, and William J. Dunn be ordained to the gospel ministry of the Bible Fellowship Church and further,

Resolved, that the prior ordinations of Willis I. Dowling and Donald R. Ellwanger to the gospel ministry be recognized by the Bible Fellowship Church and further,

Resolved, that the service of ordination be held Tuesday, April 23, 2002, at 7:30 p.m. at Berean Bible Fellowship Church, Stroudsburg, PA.

Resolv