Wednesday Afternoon
1:30 PM
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 1:30 PM. R. C. Reichenbach led the Conference in prayer especially remembering John H. Riggall who has become ill.
The following were elected:
Board of Higher Education:
Charles A. Bloomfield (2 years)
Karen Stull (2 years)
Board of Church Health
Richard T. Paashaus (3 years)
Ronald W. Reed (3 years)
Robert C. Kaatz (2 years)
Robert H. Zentz (2 years)
Resolved, that the minutes of the sixth meeting be approved.
Report of the Committee on the Distinction Between the Office of Pastor and Elder with Reference to Divorce (see page)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
After a lengthy discussion, Dana E. Weller prayed, asking that the Lord would give us His wisdom as we vote on the legislation dealing with pastors and divorce.
Resolved, that the following legislation be adopted at First Reading:
Whereas, the Biblical evidence clearly teaches the equality of the office of elder and pastor, and
Whereas, there are no Biblical distinctions in the moral and spiritual qualifications for an elder or a pastor, and
Whereas, divorce alone does not automatically disqualify a man from being an elder, therefore, be it
Resolved, that this study committee recommends that the local church, the Ministerial Candidate Committee and the Credentials Committee give due consideration to this report in examining men for ordination and for candidating at a church, and further
Resolved, that Article 108-5 be added to the Faith & Order at first reading:
“Because of the qualifications and dignity of the office of Pastor, when considering a man for ordination, the Ministerial Candidate Committee and Credentials Committee shall give careful consideration to ensure that a man who has been divorced or who has married a divorced woman has Biblically resolved the issues in family, the church, and community raised by the divorce, demonstrated since the divorce stability of character and is presently characterized as above reproach, and if married, faithful to and exclusively committed to his wife.”
[FIRST READING]
Yes - 94; No - 35
Resolved, that the following be adopted at First Reading:
Resolved, that the following addition (found in bold type) be made to Article 204-2.5 of the F&O.
Because of the qualifications and dignity of the office of Elder, each Particular Church shall give careful consideration to ensure that a man who has been divorced or who has married a divorced woman has Biblically resolved the issues in family, the church, and community raised by the divorce, demonstrated since the divorce, stability of character and is presently characterized as above reproach, and if married, faithful to and exclusively committed to his wife.”
[FIRST READING]
Yes - 117; No - 12
Report of the Study Committee on the Millennium (see page)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
Recommendations of the Nominating Committee
Whereas, the Faith and Order as a result of legislation approved at Second Reading in 2004 (2004 Yearbook, p.42) states in 510-1 (1) “there are three categories of nominees for election to boards and committees. They are ministers, elders, and laypersons.” and
Whereas, the Faith and Order in 204-4, as a result of legislation approved at Second Reading in 2005 (2005 yearbook, p. 20) states “the pastoral staff of a Particular Church is composed of, and limited to, those men who are serving as ministers in the BFC. For an individual to serve as a minister in the BFC, he must be ordained or have had his previous ordination recognized by the BFC or he must be under the care of the ministerial Candidate Committee.” and
Whereas, the remainder of 510 - General Rules of Elections and Resignations needs to be brought into conformity with this legislation; therefore be it
Resolved, that 510 - General Rules of Elections and Resignations be amended as follows:
510-2 Ministers (Delete “ordained”)
(1) Ministers (Delete “ordained”) who have been called to minister by the rules of Pulpit Supply or who are laboring in any agency of the BFC shall be eligible for election or appointment to conference offices, boards, or committees.
(2) A Minister (Delete “ordained”) who is without a call to a church is eligible to serve in an elective office and on Conference boards and committees as long as he remains on th list of Ordained Ministers working under the direction of the BFC.
(The remainder of 510 would remain unchanged.)
[FIRST READING]
Yes - 120; No - 0
Resolved, that the cost of the 2006 Yearbook be $ 8.50 per copy.
Resolved, that a contribution of three-hundred-twenty-five dollars ($325.00) for the conference year 2006 be given to the Board of Communications from each agency to help underwrite the cost of printing and distributing the Fellowship News.
Payments are to be made to the Board of Communications by December 31, 2006.
Resolved, that $1.75 per member of the Bible Fellowship Church for 2006 be forwarded to the Board of Communications from each church to help underwrite the cost of printing and distributing the Fellowship News. Payments are to be made to the Board of Communications at the 123rd Annual Conference.
Resolved, that Rachel Kistler be ratified to fill the position of Business Manager of Fellowship News to complete the unexpired term of Paul T. Rutman.
Resolved, that Scott G. Ott be ratified as the Webservant for a three-year term.
Resolved, that the recommended minimum salary for a pastor serving in the BFC for the calendar year 2007 be $30,000. In addition to his salary, the church must provide the pastor’s Social Security tax, parsonage and/or housing allowance, health insurance, and provision should be made for reimbursement for allowable car and professional expenses. The church must also contribute a minimum of 3% of the pastor’s salary for retirement to the ministers annuity fund, plus an additional 1% match if the pastor is voluntarily contributing 1%.
Note:
The above recommendation is considered the minimum. In establishing a fair and equitable salary and benefits package for the minister, consideration should be given to experience, education and the cost of living as per one’s location. In some areas, a higher figure would be more equitable. Additional information for the Pastoral Relations Committee can be found in the Yearbook. You can also contact the Reading BFC for added information.
Resolved, that the salary for the Conference Pastor be $26,000.00, and in addition we provide $6,200.00 for health insurance and $7,800.00 for car and professional expenses.
The following was elected:
Board of Church Health:
Byron Widger (2 years)
The following change in legislation was brought by the Ministerial Relations Committee:
Resolved, that the following legislation be adopted as First Reading:
Article 409 – Pastoral Change Procedure
The orderly transition of pastoral leadership is crucial to the health of a church. As the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ should be invoked to provide for the care of His under shepherds, the pastors, and for the needs of His flock, the congregation. The Ministerial Relations Committee is responsible to provide guidance to both pastors and churches during this transition.
409-1 Instituting the Pastoral Relationship
409- 1.1 When a church is seeking a Pastor, the Board of Elders shall meet with representatives of the Ministerial Relations Committee to discuss the following:
(1) Temporary pulpit supply. The Board of Elders shall provide for temporary pulpit supply on an interim basis. Pastors serving in this capacity shall be in sympathy with the F&O of the BFC.
(2) Election of a pastoral search committee.
(3) Congregational self-study, pastoral profile, and candidate search procedures.
(4) Rules for calling a pastor.
409-1.2 The Board of Elders shall call a congregational meeting according to our rules (see §403) in order to elect a pastoral search committee. The Board of Elders shall recommend the composition, size and election of the pastoral search committee. The committee may vary from church to church, but in all cases shall be viewed as subordinate to the Board of Elders. Under normal circumstances, the chairman of the pastoral search committee shall be an elder.
409-1.3 The Pastoral Search Committee shall maintain regular communication with the chairman of the Ministerial Relations Committee concerning progress in the pastoral search. The Ministerial Relations Committee shall seek to provide guidance and advice to the Pastoral Search Committee in its work.
409-1.4 The Pastoral Search committee shall seek a candidate who is fitted to the needs of the church and is or will be licensed to serve as a pastor in the BFC. If a candidate is not licensed to serve as a pastor in the BFC, he shall be referred to the Ministerial Candidate Committee. Under ordinary circumstances, the candidate must gain final approval by regular procedures in order to be called by the church.
409-1.5 On certain exceptional occasions, it may be necessary to expedite the procedure for issuing a call to a man who is previously ordained but not licensed by the BFC.
These circumstances are when:
(1) geographic distance allows limited-direct-contact.
(2) the demands of current ministry do not allow for the normal process.
(3) the church applies for special consideration because of urgent circumstances.
The expedited process is as follows:
(1) The church shall request the chairman of the Ministerial Relations Committee to use the expedited process. He, in consultation with the chairman of the Ministerial Candidate Committee, approves or disapproves the request.
(2) If the request is approved, the Ministerial Candidate Committee shall interview the man. If he is approved as a candidate under our rules (see 512-13.4), he shall be given the Open Book Examination.
(3) Upon the satisfactory completion of the Open Book Examination, the church may seek to issue a call, which is provisional.
(4) After the provisional call is issued, the man shall complete all other examinations and requirements of the Ministerial Candidate Committee before beginning the new ministry or moving into church-provided housing.
(5) When all examinations and requirements are satisfactorily completed, the Ministerial Candidate Committee will approve the man as a licensed probationer (see §514-13.4), effective on the date of the approval of his final examination. The Ministerial Relations Committee will recognize the provisional call as the formal call on the same date.
409-1.6 When the Pastoral Search Committee had completed its work, it shall recommend a candidate to the Board of Elders. The Board of Elders shall conduct any other research or interviews it deems necessary, including establishing the terms of the call.
409-1.7 When the Board of Elders is ready to present a candidate to the congregation, it shall inform the chairman of the Ministerial Relations Committee of the name and of the terms of the call. The purpose of this consultation is to protect the candidate, the church, and the BFC from unnecessary difficulties. The Ministerial Relations Committee shall have one week to approve or disapprove of the presentation of the candidate to the congregation.
409-1.8 If the Ministerial Relations Committee approves the presentation of the candidate, the Board of Elders shall call a congregational meeting according to our rules (see §403) for the purpose of calling a pastor.
409-1.9 The congregational meeting shall be led by the First Delegate or, at his request, a member of the Ministerial Relations Committee. Following the report of the pastoral search committee and/or the Board of Elders, the congregation shall vote on the question, “Are you ready to proceed to the calling of a pastor?” If a majority of members present and voting approve, a vote shall be taken to call the pastor. This vote shall be by written ballot. Absentee ballots are not allowed. The leader of the meeting shall announce the outcome of the vote and inform the congregation that the next step in the process is the approval or disapproval of the call by the Ministerial Relations Committee.
409-1.10 The Ministerial Relations Committee shall be informed of the outcome of the vote. The purpose of this consultation is to advise the Board of Elders concerning the issuing of a call and to approve or disapprove it. If the vote is approved by a strong majority, the Elders will be advised to proceed with the issuing of a call. If the vote is not approved by a strong majority, the Elders may be advised to consider options other than issuing a call. The Ministerial Relations Committee shall have the final authority to approve or disapprove the call.
409-1.11 Upon receiving the approval of the Ministerial Relations Committee, the Board of Elders may proceed to issue a call to the pastor as follows:
The (name) Church, of (city and state) , believing that you are well-qualified to serve as our pastor for the glory of God and our spiritual benefit, invite you,
(name of candidate) to accept this call to serve as our (title of pastor) promising you all proper support, encouragement, and obedience in the Lord.
In order to provide for your needs, we promise to pay you an annual salary of $ together with additional benefits as follows; (other benefits may include parsonage use, housing allowance, educational or professional allowances). We also will provide (number of weeks) vacation each year.
We also will pay into your Minister’s Annuity Fund the percentage of your salary established by Annual Conference.
We will also pay you a sum equivalent to your self-employment tax (FICA).
We will also provide health insurance for you and your family, equivalent to a standard set by the BFC Board of Directors and agreed on by you and the church.
And we promise to review with you the adequacy of this compensation annually. We, the elders of Church, sign our names to this call on (date).
409-1.12 Upon receiving the approval of the Ministerial Relations Committee (see 409-1.9), the Board of Elders or Agency Board may proceed to issue a bi-vocational call as follows:
The (church / agency) , believing that you are well-qualified to serve as pastor for the glory of God and the benefit of His church, invite you (name of candidate) to accept this call to serve in the office of (position / title) , promising you all proper support, encouragement and obedience in the Lord.
In order to help provide for your needs, we promise to pay you an annual salary of
$ , housing allowance, together with additional benefits as follows: (other benefits may include parsonage use, educational or professional allowances). We also will provide (number of weeks) vacation each year.
We also will pay into your Ministers Annuity Fund the percentage of your salary established by Annual Conference.
We also will pay you a sum equivalent to your self-employment tax (FICA).
(The following clause is optional.)
We also will provide health insurance agreed on by you and the (church / agency) .
This is a call to serve bi-vocationally, that is, with the understanding that you will provide part of your support through other employment than the ministerial position to which we are calling you.
We promise to review with you the adequacy of this call and its conditions each year, to increase our provision for your support as we are able, and to provide full support for you as soon as it is possible.
We sign our names to this call on (date) .
409-1.13 An Agency of the BFC may call a person to serve in its ministry. In such cases the board of directors of the Agency shall act in the place of the Board of Elders, Pastoral Search Committee, and Congregation. As in the case of a call to a Particular Church, the Ministerial Relations Committee shall approve the name, the terms, and the call of the candidate. The form of the call shall be modeled after the form for particular churches (see 409-10).
409-1.14 Upon receiving the call from the church or agency, the candidate has three weeks to accept or reject the call in writing. If the candidate accepts the call, the Ministerial Relations Committee shall set the effective date in consultation with the pastor and the church.
[FIRST READING]
Resolved, that the meeting be adjourned.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:24 PM as Raymond R. Dotts closed in prayer.