Annual Conference Proceedings - 2003

First Meeting

Monday Morning, April 26, 2003, 10:00 AM

The 120^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. He read from the Faith & Order Article 501-4 and led in prayer.

Richard T. Paashaus led the conference in worship as we sang Let all Things Now Living. He then opened in prayer. We continued by singing Grace Alone. Charles E. Cole ministered to us in special music singing My Father Planned It All. The Scripture, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, was read by Richard T. Paashaus who then led the conference in singing God Has Spoken by His Prophets. William G. Schlonecker spoke on the theme, “Wisdom Proclaimed Through the Spirit.”

Report of the Registrar:

The following requested to be excused from part or all of the 120^th Annual Conference: William C. Aukamp, Stephen M. Bauer, William E. Blair, T. James Bigley, Jr., Bert N. Brosius, R. J. Brush, Leonard E. Buck, Wayne M. Chadwell, G. Wayne Clapier, Ronald K. Denlinger, Allen Dorst, Billy J. Dunn, Michael P. Emrick, Jr., Carl J. Fischer, Jr., Thomas L. Galloway, Peter J. Gunderson, Jim D. Head, LeRoy S. Heller, George E. Herb, LeRoy O. Herb, Kenneth J. Hurst, Ronald W. Hoyle, Walter M. Johnston, Donald T. Kirkwood, James G. Koch, David L. Manney, Barry J. Minsky, Duane E. Moyer, Richard A. Moyer, Edgar H. Munyan, Thomas A. Pollock, Calvin T. Reed, Roger L. Reitz, David W. Riddell, David N. Schoen, A. L. Seifert, Charles Webb, David L. Weller, James A. Wickstead, Philip E. Yerrington

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, Cedar Crest. Clifford B. Boone, David T. Allen, Walter E. Bortree, William J. Shive, Donald I. Transue

Bethlehem, PA. . . . . . . . . . . Brian H. Cooper, Mark W. Tress, Rick C. Davis

Blandon, PA. . . . . . . . . . . . . Carl J. Fischer, Jr., Gary W. Saggio

Brooklyn, NY. . . . . . . . . . . . Ralph E. Ritter

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

Clinton Corners, NY. . . . . . . Gerald D. Clark (Probationer), David R. Way, Wayne M. Chadwell

Coopersburg, PA. . . . . . . . . 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, Billy J. Dunn, Gerald L. Schlonecker, Scott A. Hoffman

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

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

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

Graterford, PA. . . . . . . . . . . Vacant, Douglas D. Bowne

Harleysville, PA. . . . . . . . . . Vacant, Andrew T. Crossgrove, Glendon R. LeSuer

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

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

Holmes, NY. . . . . . . . . . . . . Vacant, Hans R. Waldvogel

Howell, NJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eric R. North (Probationer), 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. . . . . . . . . . . . Robert A. Johnson, II (Probationer), Bruce A. Kellerman

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

Mt. Carmel, PA. . . . . . . . . . . Vacant, Bryan L. Snyder

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

Nazareth, PA. . . . . . . . . . . . Jonathon W. Arnold, Sr., Rodney P. Plows

Newark, DE. . . . . . . . . . . . . William G. Schlonecker, Robert C. Kaatz

Oley, PA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arthur J. Simpson, Jr., 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

Poughquag, NY. . . . . . . . . . James A. Wickstead, Charles Webb

Quakertown, PA. . . . . . . . . . Vacant, 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), William E. Blair

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

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

Shamokin, PA. . . . . . . . . . . . Robert S. Commerford, 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), Doug M. Wynne

Stroudsburg, PA. . . . . . . . . . John R. Stover, Robert D. Carroll

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

Terre Hill, PA. . . . . . . . . . . . Kevin W. Kirkpatrick (Probationer), Robert L. Weaver

Thompson, CT. . . . . . . . . . . Dennis W. Spinney, Thomas W. Krans

Toms River, NJ. . . . . . . . . . . Dean A. Stortz, Allen Dorst

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, David L. Weller

Ordained Men Serving Bible Fellowship Ministries

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

Ordained Missionaries

William C. Aukamp, Ronald K. Denlinger, 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 Men 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, Alva C. Cassel, 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., Richard J. Gehman, 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, Barry J. Minsky, Edward K. Moyer, William W. Mull, Edgar H. Munyan, D. Thomas Phillips, Keith E. Plows, R. C. Reichenbach, John H. Riggall, A. L. Seifert, Austin G. Shelly, Robert W. Smock, David E. Thomann, David J. Watkins, Harold C. Weaber, Harold D. Yarrington, Daniel G. Ziegler

Report of the Committee on Agenda and Program

Resolved, that the agenda be accepted.

Report of the Committee on Arrangements (see page )

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

Resolved, that the 121^st Annual Conference be held at Pinebrook Bible Conference, Stroudsburg, PA, April 26-28, 2004, beginning at 10:00 AM on Monday.

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, 2004.

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); R. J. Brush, Charles E. Cole, Andrew T. Crossgrove, LeRoy S. Heller, LeRoy O. Herb, Kevin W. Kirkpatrick, Clyde W. Snyder, Hans R. Waldvogel

Resolutions: Ralph E. Ritter (Chairman), Gerald D. Clark, Charles A. Lavigna, J. Richard Vroman, Howard N. Wells

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

Committee to Examine Annual Conference Minutes: Jonathan P. Tait (Chairman); William J. Shive, John C. Studenroth

Parliamentarian: Carl C. Cassel

Timekeeper: Gene E. Parris

Reporter: Clyde W. Snyder

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

Report of the Nominating Committee

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

Keith E. Plows offered prayer for God’s will concerning the upcoming elections during this Annual Conference.

Report of the Committee on Credentials (see page:)

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

Whereas, the Ministerial Candidate Committee has recommended David T. Allen for ordination; and

Whereas, the Ministerial Candidate Committee has recommended prior ordination recognition for C. Larry Bennett, Arthur J. Simpson, Jr., and John R. Stover; 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 David T. Allen be ordained to the gospel ministry of the Bible Fellowship Church and further;

Resolved, that the prior ordinations of C. Larry Bennett, Arthur J. Simpson, Jr., and John R. Stover to the gospel ministry be recognized by the Bible Fellowship Church and further;

Resolved, that the service of ordination be held Monday, May 19, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. at Cedar Crest Bible Fellowship Church, Allentown, PA.

Resolved, that an Ordination Service be held Monday, May 24, 2004, at a place to be determined.

Resolved, that Cedar Crest Bible Fellowship Church, Allentown, PA, Zionsville Bible Fellowship Church, Zionsville, PA, New Life Bible Fellowship Church, Oley, PA, and Berean Bible Fellowship Church, Stroudsburg, PA be encouraged to have services acknowledging the Ordination of David T. Allen, and the recognition of the previous ordinations of C. Larry Bennett, Arthur J. Simpson, Jr., and John R. Stover, respectively and that they be encouraged to invite the Credentials Committee to send representation to be present at the services.

Chaplain Kenneth J. Hurst was introduced to the conference. He offered his thanks for the opportunity afforded him to serve the Lord in the military chaplaincy.

The chairman recognized R. C. Reichenbach for his seventy years attending Annual Conference and Clayton C. Weber who also has been a long time Annual Conference attendee.

Resolved, that we adjourn.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:00 p.m. as Randall A. Grossman, Vice Chairman of the 120th Annual Conference, closed in prayer.

Second Meeting

Monday Afternoon, 1:30 PM

The meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 1:30 p.m. Richard E. Taylor led in prayer.

Report of the Ministerial Candidate Committee (see page )

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

The following men, under the care of the Ministerial Candidate Committee, introduced themselves to the members of Annual Conference: Jeffrey Albrecht, Mark E. Barninger, Raymond R. Bertolet, Gerald D. Clark, Louis S. Curcio, Michael L. Easton, Peter Gunderson, Fred J. Hoffman, Robert A. Johnson, II, Kevin W. Kirkpatrick, Ronald L. Kohl, Donald E. Kuntzman, Thomas H. Morrison, Stephen C. Mann, David W. Peters, Timothy J. Schmoyer, David K. Schlonecker, Michael J. Tannous.

Delbert R. Baker II prayed for the Lord’s richest blessings on these men as they seek to serve Him.

Report of the Board of Directors, BFC (see page )

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

Resolved, that the rate of mileage reimbursement for conference business conducted in 2003 be 24¢ per mile.

Report of the Ministerial Relations Committee (see page )

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

Report of the Board of Church Extension (see page )

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

Resolved, that the Annual Conference ratify the election of David E. Gundrum as Executive Director of the Board of Church Extension for a term of three years.

Whereas, the Board of Church Extension is of the opinion that the Thompson Mission Church of Thompson, Connecticut, meets the qualifications of a Particular Church as specified in Article 18 of the Articles of Faith of the Bible Fellowship Church, therefore, be it

Resolved, that the Thompson Mission Church of Thompson, Connecticut, be recognized as a Particular Church, and that its delegate be received into membership of the one hundred twentieth Annual Conference of the Bible Fellowship Church.

Phil Atkins gave a brief report on the ministry of Victory Valley Camp. He gave an update on his daughter, Jill and her physical needs which will necessitate another surgery. He reported that the camp has a number of staffing needs for this summer. The theme for this summer’s camp is “Operation World” -- a missions theme. Brian H. Cooper prayed for the ministry of Victory Valley and the physical needs of Jill Atkins.

Report of the Board of Missions (see page )

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

Whereas, Dana E. Weller has been elected by the Board of Missions to serve as Director for three years, therefore be it

Resolved, that the election of Dana E. Weller as Director of the Board of Missions be ratified for a term of three years.

The Annual Conference welcomed into its membership the Thompson Mission Church of Thompson Connecticut. The recognition service included the singing of The Church’s One Foundation, prayer by Richard E. Taylor, chairman of the Board of Church Extension, remarks by Daniel G. Ziegler, member of the organizing Board of Elders, the presentation of the resolution of the Board of Church Extension by Dennis M. Cahill, secretary of the Board of Church Extension and the presentation of the official Charter by David A. Thomann, Secretary of the Annual Conference. Dennis W. Spinney, Pastor of the Thompson Bible Fellowship Church, received the Charter and shared a presentation of the church. Several members of the church gave testimonies of the grace of God in their lives. After introductions of those members of the Thompson Church present: Thomas W. Krans, Delegate, Irene Comtois, Leon Mitchell, Cynthia Krans, and David Barnes, David E. Gundrum, Executive Director of the Board of Church Extension, gave closing remarks and prayed, asking the Lord for His richest blessings on the Thompson Bible Fellowship Church.

Report of the Board of Pensions (see page )

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

Whereas, the MRF annuity rate for 2003 is $208 per year of service, and

Whereas, partial cost-of-living adjustments are part of the long-term-phase-out strategy of the MRF, therefore be it

Resolved, that the MRF annuity rate for calendar year 2004 be $209 per year of service.

Resolution Relating to Rental/Housing Allowances for Retired or Disabled Ministers of this Conference for Calendar Year 2003

Whereas, the religious denomination known as The Bible Fellowship Church has and functions through Ministers of the Gospel who are duly ordained or licensed; and

Whereas, the practice of The Bible Fellowship Church is to provide a parsonage or a rental allowance as part of the gross compensation for each of its active ordained or licensed ministers; and

Whereas, pensions paid to retired and disabled ordained or licensed ministers of The Bible Fellowship Church are considered as deferred compensation and are paid to said retired and disabled ordained or licensed ministers in consideration of previous, active service; and

Whereas, the Internal Revenue Service has recognized that The Bible Fellowship Church is the appropriate organization to designate a housing/rental allowance for retired and disabled ordained or licensed ministers who are members of this Conference;

Resolved,

1. An amount equal to 100% of the pension payments received during the year of 2003 be and is hereby designated as a rental/housing allowance for each retired and disabled ordained or licensed minister of The Bible Fellowship Church who is or was a member of the Bible Fellowship Church Minister's Retirement Fund.

2. This rental/housing allowance shall apply to each retired and disabled ordained or licensed minister who has been granted the retired relationship or placed on disability leave by the Bible Fellowship Annual Conference and whose name and relationship to the conference is recorded in the Journal of The Bible Fellowship Annual Conference and in other appropriate records maintained by the conference.

3. The pension payment to which this rental/housing allowance applies shall be the pension payment resulting from all service of such retired or disabled ordained or licensed minister from all employment by any local church, Annual Conference or institution of The Bible Fellowship Church or of any former denomination that is now a part of The Bible Fellowship Church, or from any other employer who employed the minister to perform services related to the ministry and who elected to make contributions to the pension funds of The Bible Fellowship Church for such retired minister's pension.

Note: The rental/housing allowance which may be excluded from a minister's gross income is limited to the lesser of (1) the amount of the rental/housing allowance designated by the minister's employer or other appropriate body, (2) the amount actually expended by the minister to provide his or her housing, or (3) the legally-determined fair rental value of the parsonage or other housing provided. As specified in Rev. Rul. 71-290 C.B. 92, "the only amount that will qualify for exclusion under section 107(2) of the Code as a 'rental allowance' is an amount equal to the fair rental value of the home, including furnishings and appurtenances such as a garage, plus the cost of utilities."

Resolution Relating to Rental/Housing Allowances for Retired or Disabled Ministers of this Conference for Calendar Year 2004

Whereas, the religious denomination known as The Bible Fellowship Church has and functions through Ministers of the Gospel who are duly ordained or licensed; and

Whereas, the practice of The Bible Fellowship Church is to provide a parsonage or a rental allowance as part of the gross compensation for each of its active ordained or licensed ministers; and

Resolved,

1. An amount equal to 100% of the pension payments received during the year of 2004 be and is hereby designated as a rental/housing allowance for each retired and disabled ordained or licensed minister of The Bible Fellowship Church who is or was a member of the Bible Fellowship Church Minister's Retirement Fund.

Report of the Director of Church Extension (see page )

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

David E. Gundrum introduced Jack and Jan Becker. Brother Becker gave an update on the work in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Tom Morrison was also introduced. He is working toward becoming the pastor of the New Mexico work.

Kenneth F. Barber showed a power point presentation on the DELMARVA project.

Daniel G. Ziegler led the conference in prayer for the work of Church Extension Ministries and especially for the work of the DELMARVA project.

Report of the Board of Publication and Printing (see page )

Stephen C. Mann made a presentation on the newly redesigned BFC website, www.bfc.org. He introduced Jeff Hostetter from ELEXIO who explained the new website for the Bible Fellowship Church.

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

The following were elected:

Ministerial Relations Committee

Lee E. Boyles (3 years)

Board of Church Extension

John C. Elias (3 years)

William R. Singletary (3 years)

Board of Missions

Thomas P. Shorb (3 years)

Robert A. Sloan, Jr. (3 years)

Board of Pensions

David N. Schoen (3 years)

Board of Publication and Printing

Jonathan P. Tait (3 years)

Committee on Credentials

Ralph M. Soper (3 years)

Report of the Board of Higher Education (see page )

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

Resolved, that the Annual Conference ratify the election to the Pinebrook Educational Foundation of Gary E. Karch and Robert C. Newman for terms to end in 2006.

Resolved, that we adjourn.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:10 p.m. as Philip E. Morrison closed in prayer.

Third Meeting

Monday Evening, 6:30 PM

The meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m. J. Mark McCreary led the conference in prayer.

Resolved, that John R. LoRusso be seated as the alternate delegate of the Cedar Crest Bible Fellowship Church.

Dana E. Weller introduced the following missionaries to the Annual Conference: Totoram & Felicia Baran, Byron Barnshaw, Mark Bickel, Francisco & Eliane de Souza, William Early, Richard J. Gehman, Scott Hoffman, Christopher & Rebekah Merrick, Jerry Moyer, Philip E. Morrison, Anthony Murrin, John Pello, David (Chico) Schlonecker, Jr., Ethemos & Irene Sioukiouroglou, John C. Studenroth, Craig & Mary Tress, Paul G. Zimmerman.

Roy A. Hertzog prayed for Dana E. Weller, his staff and our missionary family.

Resolved, that the minutes of the first meeting be approved.

Report of the Intercultural Ministries Study Committee (see page )

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

Whereas, monies are needed to plant ethnic Bible Fellowship Churches, and

Whereas, the Committee believes that God has provided the people and opportunities and desires His church to reach the alien in the land and plant churches, therefore be it

Resolved, that each Pastor and Delegate to Annual Conference, if they have not already established a line item in their budgets for ethnic church planting, be encouraged to work with their churches to budget monies for ethnic church planting.

Resolved, that the following be approved at Second Reading:

Article 100-1 - PREAMBLE

100-1.1 The Bible Fellowship Church sets forth these Biblical Principles for Living to inform and guide disciples of Jesus Christ in making moral decisions and living lives of obedience.

100-1.2 The BFC acknowledges the Scriptures as the supreme and final authority of faith and conduct and the Holy Spirit as the source of power and guidance for the believer. These principles are summaries of the biblical truth that reveals the Lord’s directives in various aspects of life.

100-1.3 Increasing ethnic and cultural diversity in many of the churches and the prospect of new congregations being formed among various people groups have prompted the BFC to seek to state the principles so that they may be understood and applied by believers in any cultural context.

100-1.4 These principles are not exhaustive in that they do not cite all that the Bible says in any of the aspects included and that they do not cover all areas of life that the Scriptures address. In the future it may become apparent that additional aspects of life need to be addressed and that the current principles may need to be reconsidered with a view to amending them after further reflection on the biblical truth.

100-1.5 Every believer is accountable to God for all that the Bible says. Moral choices and actions should be based on the whole counsel of God. Each believer must faithfully read, study and review all parts of the Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:16, 17).

100-1.6 In seeking moral guidance, the believer should study the Old Testament books of the Law with special focus on the Ten Commandments (Exo. 20:1-17). The implications of the Law are explained and applied in the rest of the Old Testament.

100-1.7 The Lord Jesus summarized the Law in the Great Commandments (Mat. 22:34-40; Mark 12:30, 31) and explained the spiritual depth of the Law in the Sermon on the Mount (Mat. 5-7). The application of the Law in the individual life of the believer and the corporate life of the church is set forth in the New Testament letters.

100-1.8 Since each believer is indwelled and empowered by the Holy Spirit, there is an enabling to obey God’s requirements (Rom. 8:3, 4). The Spirit controlled person will demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22, 23). He or she will receive and employ the gifts of the Spirit (1 Pe. 4:10, 11; Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:1-11). Where the life and power of the Holy Spirit are present in an individual or church, the three abiding qualities, faith, hope and love, will be evident (1 Cor. 13:13; 1 Thes. 1:3, Rom. 5:1, 2). The greatest of these is love, and “love is the fulfillment of the law” (Rom. 13:10).

[SECOND READING]

Yes - 122; No- 8

Resolved, that the following be approved at Second Reading:

Article 101-1 - Worship

101-1.1 Worship is response to God in all of life, whereby, in love, adoration, confession, thanksgiving, praise, and service God's worth is declared.¹ Worship is rooted in reverence for and awe of the Lord and deepens as knowledge of God increases.² Worship is the privilege and responsibility of each individual, family, and congregation. For the believer, worship is a life style not limited by location or circumstance.

101-1.2 Worship is the ultimate purpose of the church. The mission of the church is to declare God's glory and His salvation to all ethnic groups so that some from all the families of nations shall worship Him.³ Corporate worship is the assembled church celebrating the glory of God and ascribing to Him praise and honor. Christ, the head of the church, meets with and strengthens His people, who are called out from the world by the Holy Spirit.⁴

101-1.3 God declares that He alone is to be worshiped⁵ and this worship must be in spirit and truth.⁶ Such worship engages both mind and emotion, listening and responding to God in joyful obedience not simply in routine activity.⁷ For disobeying God’s instructions and substituting their own form of worship,⁸ Israel was severely punished. We therefore seek to learn from the Bible what kinds of worship please the Lord.

101-1.4 Worship in the Old Testament was a celebration of the mighty acts of the Lord, the covenant God of Israel. Corporate worship was highlighted through prescribed ritual: a priesthood, a sacrificial system looking forward to Christ's atonement,⁹ and particular times and places when and where worship should occur.¹⁰ This ritual was not made valuable by its repetition.¹¹ Its value came through heartfelt, thoughtful response to God, uniting the worshipers.¹²

101-1.5 Worship in the New Testament is a celebration of the finished work of Christ, His victory over Satan, sin, and death through His own incarnation, death, resurrection, and ascension. Jesus claims for Himself authority over temple, Sabbath, sacrifice, and service.¹³ The former place, priesthood, and ritual were set aside¹⁴ as believers now observe¹⁵ a new day, the Lord's Day,¹⁶ and new ordinances: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.¹⁷

101-1.6 Examples of corporate worship in the New Testament include: the reading of Scripture, prayer, praise, confession, singing, giving, thanksgiving, preaching and teaching, and the ordinances.¹⁸ The expression of these may be shaped by the cultural setting of a particular church and must be done in a fitting and orderly way.¹⁹

¹ Psa.96:7-9; Rom.12:1

² Psa.96:4, 2:11

³ Psa.96; Rom. 16:25-27; Rev.7:9-10

⁴ Eph.1:22,23

⁵ Exo.20:1-4

⁶ John 4:24

⁷ Mat. 15:7-9; 1 Cor. 14:15, 16

⁸ 1Ki.12:25-13:10

⁹ Heb.9:13,14

¹⁰ Exo.20-40

¹¹ Isa.29:13

¹² Psa.51:16,17; 84:1,2

¹³ Mark 2:18-28

¹⁴ Heb.10:8-18

¹⁵ Heb. 10:19-25

¹⁶ John 20:19,26; Acts 20:7

¹⁷ Mat. 28:18-20; 1Cor.11:23-26

¹⁸ Acts 2:42-47; 4:23-37; 1 Tim. 4:13

¹⁹ 1 Cor. 14:40

[SECOND READING]

Yes - 133; No - 2

Resolved, that the following be approved at Second Reading:

Article 101-2 - Spirit World

101-2.1 God is spirit¹ and has created everything, including the visible and the invisible. The invisible includes a great number ³ of spirit beings. Among these are angels who are without flesh ⁴ and remain invisible except when supernaturally revealed.⁵ Angels surround God’s throne to worship and serve Him.⁶ They are powerful ⁷ and are sent as God pleases ⁸ to provide and care for,⁹ to protect and deliver,¹⁰ to instruct and guide,¹¹ to discipline and punish.¹² They long to comprehend fully the grace of salvation and rejoice over each sinner who repents.¹³ God also created human beings who are spirit ¹⁴ and flesh to worship and serve Him as God alone.¹⁵

101-2.2 A created angelic being, later known as the devil or Satan, rebelled against God.¹⁶ Within limits allowed by the sovereign God,¹⁷ Satan leads a powerful world system of wickedness which is hostile toward God and His purposes.¹⁸ Satan may inflict pain, suffering, emotional problems and may cause death.¹⁹ He can control people to oppose the work of God, blind their minds to prevent their understanding the Gospel, and oppress the servants of God.²⁰ Anyone not led by the Holy Spirit is open to Satan’s influence.²¹ He seeks to influence nations and governments.²² Satan is a masterful deceiver appearing at times as an angel of light and called the father of lies.²³ False prophets, false religions, and cults are instruments of deception.²⁴ Those blinded and deceived by Satan live a life-style that is opposed to God.²⁵

101-2.3 Other angels followed Satan in his rebellion against God. These fallen angels, also known as evil spirits or demons, serve Satan, the god of this evil world system.²⁶ Satan and evil spirits can influence the believer²⁷ and possess unregenerate people and animals.²⁸ God has enabled believers to cast out demons by His Spirit.²⁹ God may continue to give this enablement, however, the casting out of demons is not in itself reason for boasting and not necessarily an evidence of an individual’s relationship with Christ.³⁰

101-2.4 Believers are commanded to stand against the evil spirit world ³¹ and are warned against such detestable things as divination, witchcraft, sorcery, interpreting of omens, casting of spells, and consulting the dead. These things are devices that Satan uses to lure people toward destruction. People who practice these things are under the condemnation of God.³² Because of Satan’s power, victory is possible only through our Lord Jesus Christ.³³ Through the blood of Christ that was shed on the cross, God has provided victory over this world system for those born of God.³⁴ In prayerful dependence upon God, they are protected from and victorious over the powers of darkness as they use all the armor God provides, submissively draw near to Him, and resist the devil.³⁵

101-2.5 The sovereign God is in control of the entire social, political, and spiritual realm.³⁶ God will cast Satan and all his followers into the lake of fire which has been prepared for them where they will remain forever.³⁷ The kingdom of this world will one day become the kingdom of our Lord and He will reign forever and ever.³⁸

¹ John 4:24

² Neh. 9:6; Psa. 148:2-6; Col. 1:16

³ Dan. 7:9-10; Rev. 5:11

⁴ Luke 24:39; Eph. 6:12; Heb. 1:14

⁵ Gen. 28:12; Luke 2:8-13; Mat. 28:1-6

⁶ Psa. 89:5-7; Isa 6:1-8; Rev. 7:11-12

⁷ 2 Chr. 32:21; Acts 12:5-11; 2 Pe. 2:11

⁸ Psa. 103:20-21

⁹ Gen 24:7, 40; 1 Kgs. 19:5-8; Gen. 21:17-19; Luke 22:43

¹⁰ Exo. 23:20; Psa. 91:11-13; Dan. 6:22; Num. 20:15,16;

Psa. 34:7; Acts 5:19-20

¹¹ Luke 1: 26-37; Acts 27:23-26;

Rev. 1:1; Mat. 2:13; Acts 8:26; 10:3-6

¹² Luke 1:18-20; 2 Sam. 24:16-17; Acts 12:23

¹³ 1Pe. 1:10-12; Luke 15:10

¹⁴ Rom. 8:16; 1Thes. 5:23

¹⁵ Exo. 20:3-5; John 4:23-24

¹⁶ Eze. 28:13-16; Rev. 12:9

¹⁷ Job 1:10-12; Psa. 103:19; Pro. 21:1; Col.2:9-10

¹⁸ Eph. 6:11-12; 1Jo 2:15-17; 5:19

¹⁹Job 1:8-20; Luke 13:10-16; John 8:44

²⁰ Mat. 16:23; Luke 22:3-4; 2 Cor. 4:4; 2 Tim. 2:25-26

²¹ Mat. 12:43-45; Acts 5:3; Eph. 4:27

²² Acts 4:25-26; Rev. 20:3

²³ 2 Cor. 11:13-15; John 8:44

²⁴ Acts 13:6-11; 2Thes. 2:9-10

²⁵ John 8:37-38, 41; Eph. 2:1-3

²⁶ Mat. 25:41; Eph. 6:11-12; Rev. 12:9

²⁷ 2 Cor. 11:12-15; Eph. 4:25-27; 1 Pe. 5:8, 9

²⁸ Mat. 8:28-32; Mark 5:2, 6-13

²⁹ Mark 3:14-15; Acts 8:6-7; 16:18, Mat.12:28

³⁰ Mat. 7:22-23; Mark 9:38-40; Luke 10:20

³¹ Eph. 6:10-14; James. 4:7; 1Pe. 5:8-10

³² Exo. 20:4, 5; Lev. 19:26; Deu. 18:10-14, 20; Isa. 8:19,20

³³ Rom 8:37-39; 2 Thes. 3:3; 1 Pe. 1:3-7

³⁴ 1 Cor. 15:57-58; Col. 2:13-15; 1Jo. 5:4-6

³⁵ Eph. 6:13-18; James 4:7-8; Rev. 12:10-11

³⁶ Job 1:1 - 2:13; Psa. 2:1-12

³⁷ Mat. 25:41, 46; Rev. 20:10, 14-15

³⁸ Dan. 7:13-14; Zec. 14:9; Rev. 11:15

[SECOND READING]

Yes - 133; No - 1

Report of the Board of Directors of the Bible Fellowship Church Homes, Inc (see page)

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

Report of the Board of Directors of Pinebrook Bible Conference (see page)

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

Report of the Board of Victory Valley Camp (see page)

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

The following were elected:

Ministerial Relations Committee

William G. Schlonecker (3 years)

Board of Directors of the Bible Fellowship Church

Raymond R. Dotts (3 years)

David J. Watkins (3 years)

Board of Church Extension

Kenneth D. Keeler (3 years)

William G. Schlonecker (3 years)

Board of Missions

Gerald L. Schlonecker (3 years)

Board of Higher Education

John C. Studenroth (3 years)

Board of Pensions

Robert Gaugler (3 years)

William R. Singletary (3 years)

Ministerial Candidate Committee

David E. Gundrum (3 years)

Committee on Nominations

Thomas P. Shorb (3 years)

Clyde W. Snyder (3 years)

Resolved, that we adjourn.

We adjourned at 9:07 p.m. as Ronald C. Mahurin, Conference Pastor, closed in prayer.

Third Meeting

Monday Evening, 6:30 PM

The meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m. J. Mark McCreary led the conference in prayer.

Resolved, that John R. LoRusso be seated as the alternate delegate of the Cedar Crest Bible Fellowship Church.

Roy A. Hertzog prayed for Dana E. Weller, his staff and our missionary family.

Resolved, that the minutes of the first meeting be approved.

Report of the Intercultural Ministries Study Committee (see page )

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

Whereas, monies are needed to plant ethnic Bible Fellowship Churches, and

Whereas, the Committee believes that God has provided the people and opportunities and desires His church to reach the alien in the land and plant churches, therefore be it

Resolved, that the following be approved at Second Reading:

Article 100-1 - PREAMBLE

100-1.1 The Bible Fellowship Church sets forth these Biblical Principles for Living to inform and guide disciples of Jesus Christ in making moral decisions and living lives of obedience.

[SECOND READING]

Yes - 122; No- 8

Resolved, that the following be approved at Second Reading:

Article 101-1 - Worship

¹ Psa.96:7-9; Rom.12:1

² Psa.96:4, 2:11

³ Psa.96; Rom. 16:25-27; Rev.7:9-10

⁴ Eph.1:22,23

⁵ Exo.20:1-4

⁶ John 4:24

⁷ Mat. 15:7-9; 1 Cor. 14:15, 16

⁸ 1Ki.12:25-13:10

⁹ Heb.9:13,14

¹⁰ Exo.20-40

¹¹ Isa.29:13

¹² Psa.51:16,17; 84:1,2

¹³ Mark 2:18-28

¹⁴ Heb.10:8-18

¹⁵ Heb. 10:19-25

¹⁶ John 20:19,26; Acts 20:7

¹⁷ Mat. 28:18-20; 1Cor.11:23-26

¹⁸ Acts 2:42-47; 4:23-37; 1 Tim. 4:13

¹⁹ 1 Cor. 14:40

[SECOND READING]

Yes - 133; No - 2

Resolved, that the following be approved at Second Reading:

Article 101-2 - Spirit World