Monday Afternoon, 1:30 PM


            The meeting was called to order by Chairman Randall A. Grossman at 1:32 PM. Donald D. Mckinney opened the meeting with prayer.


Report of the Conference Pastor (see page)

            Resolved, that the report be accepted. 


Report of the Board of Church Extension (see page)

            Resolved, that the report be accepted.

            Albert J. Dommel led the Conference in prayer, thanking the Lord for the ministry of Phil and Sandy Mitchell, an Aquilla / Pricilla team working at the Saucon Valley Church Plant. Phil recently passed away suddenly. He will be greatly missed

 

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

 

Whereas, Fellowship Community Mission Church affords long-time members of the BFC who are now residents at Fellowship Community the opportunity to maintain their BFC membership and involvement in the local church, and

Whereas, it is important to establish a Particular Church at Fellowship Community in a timely manner because of the uniqueness of the situation and its prospective members, and

Whereas, the Board of Church Extension has insured that there are sufficient committed individuals and has appointed three elder designees to oversee the church, and

Whereas, the Board of Church Extension is of the opinion that the Fellowship Community Mission Church, Whitehall, PA, meets the qualifications of a Particular Church as specified in Article 18 of the Articles of Faith of the BFC, therefore, be it

Resolved, that Fellowship Community Mission Church, Whitehall, PA, be recognized as a Particular Church, and that its delegate be received into membership of the 123rdAnnual Conference of the BFC.

 

Robert H. Zentz was seated in the Conference Bar as the Delegate of Fellowship Community Mission Church, Whitehall, PA.


Report of the Director of Church Extension (see page)

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

            Mark Morrison, Assistant Director of Church Extension, addressed the Conference giving an update on his ministry in Church Extension and in Fellowship Community. Thomas H. Morrison gave an update on the Las Cruces, New Mexico, Mission work. David E. Gundrum introduced a new plan from Church Extension called, Missions Here and Now a Forward Plan for Planting New Bible Fellowship Churches 2006 to 2011. 




Report of the Ethnic Church Planting Committee (see page)

            Resolved, that the report be accepted.


Report of the Board of Pensions

            Resolved, that the report be accepted.


Report of the Board of Missions (see page)

            Resolved, that the report be accepted.

 

Whereas, Dana E. Weller was appointed by the Board of Missions to be Director for a three year term, therefore be it

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

 

Resolved, that the Minutes of the Adjourned Session (ninth meeting) of the 122nd Annual Conference be approved.


Report of the Study Committee on Weak and Declining Churches (see page)

            Resolved, that the report be accepted. 


Resolved, that the following be adopted at Second Reading:


            The Board of Church Health exists to serve the Particular Churches of the BFC by promoting strong church health.

 

Composition and Election

            (1)       The Board of Church Health shall consist of four ministers and four elders.

            (2)       They shall be elected for a term of three years in classes as follows:

                        Class I                         Two ministers and one elder

                        Class II                       One minister and two elders

                        Class III                      One minister and one elder

 

Duties of Board of Church Health

            (1)       The Board of Church Health shall monitor the health of Particular Churches.

            (2)       It shall approach, based on its discretion, Particular Churches to offer assistance for strengthening church health.

            (3)       It shall provide counsel and resources for the self-assessment of the health of Particular Churches.

            (4)       It shall provide a list of recommended consultants to Particular Churches needing assistance in moving toward stronger church health.

            (5)       It shall offer training and seminars to promote church health.

            (6)       It shall inform the Ministerial Relations Committee if a matter threatening the pastoral relationship becomes evident at a Particular Church receiving Board of Church Health assistance and shall assist a Particular Church at the request of the Ministerial Relations Committee.

            (7)       It shall in cooperation with the Board of Directors assist Particular Churches to close when necessary.

 

            (9)       In the event of a church closing it shall consult with the Board of Church Extension regarding the feasibility of planting a new church in the same area.

            (10)     It shall develop sources of financial assistance for Particular Churches who cannot afford church health resources.

            (11)     It shall receive and disburse monies designated for church health.

[SECOND READING]


Resolved, that the following be adopted at First Reading:


Duties of the Board of Church Health

 

            (8)       It shall provide a report on the closing of a Particular Church to Annual Conference.

[FIRST READING]


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 Karen Stull for terms to end in 2009.


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

            Resolved, that the report be accepted.


The following was presented by the Board and Young Adults as Second Reading.

 

Resolved, that the following be adopted at Second Reading:

 

512-18.2

(1) The Board will be composed of five ministers and four laypersons.

(2) They will be elected for a term of three years in classes as follows:

                                    Class I             two ministers, one layperson

                                    Class II           two ministers, one layperson

                                    Class III          one minister, two laypersons


[SECOND READING]


Report of the Board of Communications (see page)

            Resolved, that the report be accepted.


The following were elected:

 

Board of Church Extension

Alfred G. Roberts (3 years)

William R. Singletary (3 years)

Board of Christian Education

Eric R. North (3 years)

John C. Studenroth (3 years)

Board of Victory Valley

Timothy J. Bertolet (3 years)

Strategic Planning Committee

Dana E. Weller (3 years)

Board of Youth and Young Adults

Regina S. Gotchel (3 years)

Board of Higher Education

Ralph E. Ritter (3 years)

Board of Pensions

                        David N. Schoen (3 years)

            Special Appellate Judicatory

Charles Lavigna (3 years)

Secretary of Annual Conference

David A. Thomann (1 year)

 

Resolved, that the meeting be adjourned.


            The meeting was adjourned at 5:20 PM as Thomas A. Pollock closed in prayer.