Tuesday Morning
April 25, 2006, 9:00 AM
The meeting was called to order by Chairman, Randall A. Grossman at 9:00 AM. Richard T. Paashaus led the Conference in, singing Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing and in prayer. He read Hebrews 7:22-25. The Conference then sang, Before the Throne of God Aboveand In Christ Alone. John H. Riggall prayed and thanked the Lord for those serving in the military chaplaincy and asked His best for them. Richard E. Taylor thanked the Lord for the gift of a newly born daughter, Elizabeth Mae to Timothy and A. J. Bertolet and also for Calvin A. Boyle, a long-time delegate from Bethany BFC, Whitehall, PA, who has suffered a stroke.
The Report of the Registrar:
The following requested to be excused, for portions of Annual Conference: Brian H. Cooper and Ronald W. Hoyle.
Resolved, that these requests be granted.
Resolved, that John H. Crouch be seated as Alternate Delegate of the Denville BFC.
Resolved, that the Minutes of the Second Meeting be approved.
Report of the Historical Committee (see page)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
Report of the Conference Judicatory (see page)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
Report of the Strategic Planning Committee (see page)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
A request from the Board of Elders of Grace BFC, Nazareth, PA was received by the Secretary of Annual Conference. It states:
Article 103-5.5 (next to last sentence) which reads: “Remarriage is permissible for those who have been legitimately divorced or whose return to the former partner is determined by the elders to be impossible.”
While the preceding paragraphs of this Article correctly describe the grounds for legitimate divorce, it must be realized that this sentence places no restraints on any Board of Elders from declaring the correctness of an unbiblical remarriage. The phrase which follows the conjunction “or” allows the Elders to declare a basis for remarriage which is not Biblical.
Therefore, as resolved at our 13 March, 2006 meeting, the Board of Elders of Grace BFC, Nazareth, Pa., requests the 123rd BFC Annual Conference to examine Article 103-5.5 and amend it to restrict any particular Board of Elders from overextending its authority.
Resolved, that we receive the request from the Board of Elders of Grace BFC, Nazareth PA.
Resolved, that the Chairman appoint a committee of five to prepare a revision of Article 103-5.5 of the Biblical Principles of Living in order to satisfy the request of the Board of Elders of Grace BFC, Nazareth, PA.
The Chairman appointed: Jonathon W. Arnold, James A. Beil and Rodney P. Plows (members of the Board of Elders of Nazareth BFC) and Delbert R. Baker, II, and Daniel G. Ziegler (members of the committee who wrote this particular BPL).
Report of the Study Committee on Credentials and Multi Staff Churches (see page)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
Resolved, that the following be adopted as Second Reading for inclusion into the Faith and Order: (This is to replace 204-1.2 The Qualification for the Ministry – Personal Qualifications.)
204-1.4 The Qualifications for the Ministry
Personal Qualifications
(1) The minister must have a love for the study of Scripture inasmuch as his primary function is to be pastor-teacher.
(2) The minister must possess qualities of leadership and administration, together with a willingness to assume responsibility inasmuch as he is an elder who numbers ruling among his duties.
(3) The minister, being accountable to God, must have a genuine love for people, exercise patience in dealing with them, be receptive to criticism and correction, and remain steadfast in his duties inasmuch as he is an under-shepherd of the flock of God.
(4) The minister must not be a lover of money inasmuch as he is to be a lover of God.
(5) The minister must be willing to forgo personal rights and privileges for the sake of ministering to others inasmuch as he is to be an example of a servant.
[SECOND READING]
Yes - 138; No - 5
Resolved, that the following be adopted as First Reading for inclusion into the Faith and Order:
401-1.1
The Board of Elders shall be composed of the pastoral staff and all of the active lay elders of the congregation. The active lay elders shall designate at least one individual of the pastoral staff as a voting member of the Board of Elders, and shall designate others of the pastoral staff as either voting or non-voting members. The lay elders shall be elected by majority vote of the congregation. They shall be mature men who meet the qualifications of Scripture (1Tim. 3; Titus 1; 1Pe. 5). If the congregation has more qualified elders than are needed to serve at one time, the number of active elders shall be determined by the congregation by ballot vote upon recommendation of the Board of Elders.
Note:
The bold - italicized above replaces – “The Board of Elders shall be composed of the minister and all of the active elders of the congregation . . .”
401-1.2
The Board of Elders shall elect one of its members to serve as chairman, and one of its members to serve as secretary. Two thirds of the membership of the board shall constitute a quorum.
Note:
The bold-italicized above replaces – “The minister shall serve as chairman of the Board of Elders; the board shall elect one of its members to serve as secretary . . .”
[FIRST READING]
Yes - 127; No - 12
Report of the Study Committee on Women in the Office of Deacon (see page)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
Resolved, that the following be adopted as First Reading:
401-2. The Board of Deacons
401-2.1 The Board of Deacons shall be composed of all deacons duly elected by and from the congregation who meet the qualifications of the Scriptures. They shall be mature believers (replaces men) who demonstrate a spiritual wisdom and compassion so that they might serve the needy in a Christlike, merciful way.
204-3. Deacons
204-3.1 The office of deacon is presented in the Scriptures as an office not of ruling, but of service. A deacon should be a person (replaces man) of deep spiritual life, exemplary conduct, and sound judgment (1 Tim. 3; Acts 6:1-8). This (replaces His) office is one of sympathetic service to the church and to the distressed, friendless, or sick, after the example of our Lord Jesus Christ.
401-2.5 Election and Installation of Deacons. Each congregation may elect deacons in keeping with the qualifications set forth in Scripture. Deacons must be (delete male) members in full communion in the church in which they are to exercise their office.
The term of office shall be determined by the Particular Church by congregational vote, but shall not be less than three years, except when a Particular Church desires a probationary term of service for newly-chosen deacons. When possible the Board of Deacons shall be divided into not fewer than three classes as determined by congregational vote in each of the Particular Churches.
In the event of a vacancy by death, resignation, or removal, a member(replaces man) may be elected to fill the unexpired term of office....
Questions to the congregation - end of 401-2.5
(1) Do you, the members of this church, acknowledge and receive this brother (or sister) as a deacon?
(2) Do you promise to give him (or her) all the honor, encouragement, and support in the Lord to which this (replaces his) office entitles him (or her)?
After the members of the church have answered these questions in the affirmative by holding up their right hands, the minister shall proceed to set apart the candidate by prayer to the office of deacon and shall give to him (or her) and to the congregation an exhortation suited to the occasion.
[FIRST READING]
Yes - 101; No - 43
Carlos Rodriguez introduced his brother-in-law, Marcos Ramirez, who is visiting from Mexico. He is a church planter in Mexico. He has been in contact with David E. Gundrum about the possibility of planting an Hispanic Bible Fellowship Church in the United States. Elliot H. Ramos led the Conference in prayer for Marcos Ramirez and the Lord’s calling on his life.
The following were elected:
Ministerial Relations Committee
William G. Schlonecker (3 years)
Stephen J. Kauffman (3 years)
Board of Directors of the Bible Fellowship Church
David T. Allen (3 years)
David J. Watkins (3 years)
Charles A. Lavigna (3 years)
Board of Church Extension
Kenneth D. Keeler (3 years)
William G. Schlonecker (3 years)
Board of Christian Education
Carol A. Gearhart (3 years)
Scott G. Ott (3 years)
Board of Directors of BFC Homes, Inc.
William H. Bartron (3 years)
Glenn D. Ruoss (3 years)
Board of Victory Valley
Rachel E. Norris (3 years)
Rodney P. Plows (3 years)
Board of Missions
Thomas P. Shorb (3 years)
Philip E. Yerrington (3 years)
Susanne R. Figard (3 years)
Robert W. Davies (2 years)
Board of Directors of Pinebrook Bible Conference
Jonathon W. Arnold, Sr.(3 years)
Charles E. Cole (3 years)
Gerald L Schlonecker (3 years)
Hans R. Waldvogel (3 years)
Robert H. Zentz (3 years)
Strategic Planning Committee
Robert H. Zentz (3 years)
Robert T. Evans (1 year)
Board of Youth and Young Adults
Clyde D. Bomgardner, Jr. (3 years)
William J. Dunn (3 years)
Board of Pensions
Jay H. Fasnacht (3 years)
Robert Gaugler (3 years)
Board of Communication
Allan R. Vivona (3 years)
Credentials Committee
Ralph M. Soper (3 years)
Ministerial Candidate Committee
Jonathon W. Arnold, Sr. (3 years)
David E. Gundrum (3 years)
Historical Committee
Carl C. Cassel (3 years)
Jill Davidson (3 years)
Conference Judicatory
Dean A. Stortz (3 years)
Gregory A. Uhrich (3 years)
L. James Roberts, Jr. (3 years)
Ronald W. Reed (3 years)
Les Moyer (2 years)
Special Appellate Judicatory
John C. Studenroth (3 years)
Committee on Nominations
David R. Way (3 years)
Charles D. Bomgardner (3 years)
Chairman of Annual Conference
Randall A. Grossman (1 year)
Resolved, that we adjourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:18 PM as Rodney P. Plows closed in prayer.