Second Meeting
Monday Afternoon, 1:30 PM
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Randall A. Grossman at 1:32 PM.
Report of the Board of Directors of the Bible Fellowship Church (see page)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
Resolved, that the rate of mileage reimbursement for conference business conducted in 2007 be 27¢ per mile for calendar year 2007.
Report of the Ministerial Relations Committee (see page)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
Report of the Conference Pastor (see page)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
Randall A. Grossman, Chairman of the Ministerial Relations Committee, prayed for Ronald C. Mahurin as he continues as Conference Pastor and for the three churches that are currently without Senior Pastors.
Report of the Board of Church Health (see page)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
Report of the Board of Church Extension (see page)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
Report of the Director of Church Extension (see page)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
David E. Gundrum, Director of Church Extension, encouraged the conference to consider the Bible Fellowship Church to become church planters through support, and through regional and local daughter church plants. Mark L. Morrison, Assistant Director of Church Extension, also reported on his work with Church Extension.
Thomas H. Morrison, reported on the work in the Las Cruces, New Mexico mission.
Alfred G. Roberts prayed for the work of church extension.
Report of the Joint Committee on Ethnic Church (see page)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
Dana E. Weller spoke on behalf of the Joint Committee on Ethnic Planting. He reported on the possibility of the Merida La Roca Church becoming a Bible Fellowship Church. The committee presented a video enumerating the possibilities and obstacles of this happening. The committee also provided possible solutions to the obstacles they now face. Marcos Ramirez, Senior Pastor of La Roca, brought greetings from La Roca and spoke of their desire to become connected with the Bible Fellowship Church in an official way.
Report of the Board of Missions (see page)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
Dana E. Weller presented a video about the work in taking the Gospel to unreached people groups. John LoRusso spoke about the trip he and three others took to find unreached, unengaged people groups in Tanzania. Elliot H. Ramos led the conference in prayer concerning the opportunity with the Merida La Roca Church and LeRoy O. Herb prayed for the opportunities to reach unreached people groups in Tanzania.
Report of the Board of Directors of Bible Fellowship 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.
David E. Thomann, a former Director of Pinebrook Bible Conference, prayed for Pinebrook and the ministries that take place on these grounds.
Report of the Board of Victory Valley (see page)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
Rodney P. Plows prayed for the ministry of Victory Valley.
Report of the Board of Communications (see page)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
Scott Ott showed a video introducing a possible new logo for the Bible Fellowship Church.
Resolved, that the cost of the 2007 Yearbook be $ 8.50 per copy.
Resolved, that a contribution of three hundred twenty-five dollars ($325.00) for the conference year 2007 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, 2007.
Resolved, that $1.75 per member of the Bible Fellowship Church for 2007 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 124th Annual Conference.
Resolved, that Rachel Kistler Anderson be ratified as the Business Manager of Fellowship News for a three year term.
Report of the Board of Christian Education (see page)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
Scott Ott, representing the Board of Christian Education, presented an internet tool to help teachers and students. It can be found at livethefreedom.org/learn.
Report of the Board of Youth and Young Adults (see page)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
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 Raymond R. Dotts and Jay H. Fasnacht for terms to end in 2010.
Report of the Strategic Planning Committee (see page)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
Richard E. Taylor made a presentation about the need for a new leadership structure for the Bible Fellowship Church.
The following were elected:
Ministerial Relations Committee
Ronald W. Reed (3 years)
Board of Christian Education
Louis Prontnicki (3 years)
James A. Wickstead (3 years)
Board of Church Health
Robert A. Sloan, Jr. (3 years)
Board of Missions
Kevin W. Kirkpatrick (3 years)
Strategic Planning Committee
Robert T. Evans (3 years)
Board of Higher Education
Raymond R. Dotts (3 years)
Board of Pensions
Ellis Lee Hostetter (3 years)
Credentials Committee
Dennis M. Cahill (3 years)
LeRoy S. Heller (3 years)
Special Appellate Judicatory
Richard G. Matthews (3 years)
Harold Schoonover (3 years)
Committee on Nominations
Nell Ruch (3 years)
Chairman of Annual Conference
William G. Schlonecker (1 year)
Vice-Chairman of Annual Conference
Calvin T. Reed (1 year)
Secretary of Annual Conference
David A. Thomann (1 year)
The Chairman called a recess for dinner at 5:28 PM. Howard Wells gave an update on his daughter Nina and recessed the meeting in prayer.
The meeting was reconvened by the Chairman at 6:32 PM. Lester Moyer, delegate of Bethany Bible Fellowship Church, Hatfield, led the conference in prayer.
Report of the Registrar
The following requested to be excused from part or all of the 124th Annual Conference: William C. Aukamp, James A. Beil, T. James Bigley, Jr., Thomas J. Boose, Jr., Bud Burroughs, G. Wayne Clapier, Robert W. Davies, Harvey J. Fritz, Jr., Richard J. Gehman, J. Barclay Harley, Richard D. Harris, Jansen E. Hartman, James D. Head, David N. Heineman, Walter Johnston, Phillip E. Morrison, Duane Moyer, Joe Poyner, David W. Riddell, David N. Schoen, David E. Thomann, David J. Watkins and Robert H. Zentz.
Resolved, that the requests for excuses be granted.
Carl Fitzgerald presented the ministry of Pastoral Scholarship Initiative which supports indigenous pastors in Kenya.
Dana E. Weller introduced the missionaries under the care of the Board of Missions of the BFC: Carl Fitzgerald, William Early, Mark Beckel, Colby Weinhofer, Terri Faust, John LaRosso, Denny Mitchel, Dave Manney, Joe and Tracy Walsh, Byron Barnshaw, John Studenroth, Jay & Ruth Burrington (Thomas P. Shorb reporting), Craig & Karena Miller.
Dana E. Weller thanked the Lord for our missionary families who faithfully carry the gospel throughout the world.
David J. Watkins presented a motion for the formation of a steering committee with the following purpose, composition, and proposed time line.
Resolved, that the Annual Conference approve creation of a Steering Committee as described in attached material titled Steering Committee and dated December 1, 2006.
Steering Committee
Purpose
To formulate policies and procedures as to how the proposed Executive Board and Executive Director would be elected and how they would function. It shall work in consultation with the Board of Directors and the Strategic Planning Committee. It will then write legislation to implement these plans.
The committee will steer these proposals through the legislative process and provide answers to the questions that arise along the way. After the Executive Board is formed, the Steering Committee would work with that Board as it seeks to organize itself.
The Steering Committee will be appointed by the Board of Directors and ratified by the 124th Annual Conference in April 2007.
Composition
The Steering Committee would be composed of 13 members from the Board of Directors, agencies, church pastors, and laymen with business, financial, or legal experience.
Proposed Timeline
February 2007 Board of Directors approves members of the Steering Committee
April 2007 Annual Conference approves Steering Committee and ratified its members
Annual Conference approves adjourned session
March 2008 Adjourned Session - detailed presentation by Steering Committee
April 2008 Complete legislation presented at 1st Reading
Executive Board elected for purpose of organizing for one year
April 2009 Legislation approved at 2nd Reading
Executive Board begins to officially function
Replaced boards and committees are dissolved
Resolved, that the Annual Conference ratify the appointment by the Board of Directors of the following men to be the members of the Steering Committee: David T. Allen, Carl C. Cassel, Raymond R. Dotts, Robert T. Evans, Jay H. Fasnacht, Randall A. Grossman, Ronald W. Reed, Robert A. Sloan, Jr., Hans R. Waldvogel, J. Robert Vaughn, Richard J. Volpe, Timothy D. Weaber and Robert H. Zentz.
Resolved, that the minutes of the first meeting be approved.
Report of the Board of Pensions (see page)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
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 Beneficiary Society (see page)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
Report of the Committee on Examination of Annual Conference Minutes, 123rd (see page)
Resolved, that the report be adopted.
Report of the Committee on Examination of Minutes of Particular Churches (see page)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
Report of the Ministerial Convention Committee (see page)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
Resolved, that the following (found in bold type) be adopted at Second Reading:
Article 103-5.5
“Remarriage is permissible for those who have been legitimately divorced or whose return to the former partner is determined by the elders as they study the Scriptures to be impossible.” (addition found in bold type).
[SECOND READING]
Yes - 111; No - 18
Resolved, that the following be adopted at Second Reading:
Duties of the Board of Church Health
(8) It shall provide a report on the closing of a Particular Church to Annual Conference.
[SECOND READING]
Resolved, that the following be adopted at Second Reading:
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 the list of Ordained Ministers working under the direction of the BFC.
[SECOND READING]
Resolved, that the following material be adopted at Second Reading:
Resolved, that the following replace Article 512-11.3 in the F&O (changes in bold)
512-11.3 Categories of Ministry
All ordained men who hold Ordination Credentials with the BFC shall be members in good standing in a Particular BFC and shall subscribe annually to the F&O.
The categories of ministry are as follows:
(1) Ordained Ministers Working Under the Direction of the BFC
(2) Ordained Ministers Working Under the Direction of the Board of Missions of the BFC
(3) Ordained Ministers Working in (omit: the Military) Chaplaincy Ministries Under the Sponsorship of the BFC. The BFC qualifies to have men with its ministerial credentials to serve under the U.S. Armed Forces Chaplains Board under the endorsement of the National Conference of Ministry to the Armed Forces; as well as other Chaplain ministries such as the prison and hospital. Applications for such ministries shall be made through the Credentials Committee.
(4) Ordained Ministers in Retirement. These are men who have retired under the provisions of Section 503. A minister must serve a minimum of five years (cumulative) as an ordained minister in the BFC and be under the care of the Credentials Committee at retirement to be a member of Annual Conference as a “Minister in Retirement.”
(5) Ordained Ministers Between Calls. When a minister leaves his church or ministry without a call to another Bible Fellowship Church, he may be placed in either the “Between Calls” or “Leave of Absence” category, as determined by the Credentials Committee. A Minister who is in the “Between Calls” category is one who is presently seeking a call from a Bible Fellowship Church. He may remain in this category for a maximum of two years. A written request for an extension will be reviewed and may be granted by the Credentials Committee.
(6) Ordained Minister on Leave of Absence. (Omit present statement and replace with): A minister who is in the “Leave of Absence” category is not currently open to receiving a call from a Bible Fellowship Church. He may remain in this category for a maximum of two years. A written request for an extension will be reviewed and may be granted by the Credentials Committee. The combination of “Leave of Absence” and “Between Calls” in any consecutive period shall not exceed five years total, except under unusual circumstances as determined by the Credentials Committee.
(7) Ordained Inactive Ministers. A minister who has exhausted his stay in the “Between Calls” and/or “Leave of Absence” categories will be placed in the “Ordained Inactive Ministers” category. He may remain in this category for a period not to exceed ten years of which time spent in the “Between Calls” and/or “Leave of Absence” categories is counted. At the end of ten years he loses his credentials with the Bible Fellowship Church. If he wishes to return to active ministry within the BFC, he must reapply to the Ministerial Candidate Committee.
[SECOND READING]
Whereas, the category of ministry “Ordained Ministers Working in Other Christian Ministries” was not included in our legislation at last year’s 123rd Annual Conference, and
Whereas, this has been one of the credible ministry designations, and
Whereas, we believe this category is one we should continue to have, therefore be it
Resolved, that “Ordained Ministers Working in Other Christian Ministries” be retained and numbered (8) in Article 512-11.3 Categories of Ministries, and further
Resolved, that the explanation of this category found in our present Faith & Order [Article 512-11.3 (5)] be retained.
Time was set aside for reports of the Lord’s blessings in the different regions. These were designated “Trophies of God’s Grace.”
Resolved, that the meeting be adjourned.
Raymond Bertolet reported that John Pello went home to be with the Lord this evening. Robert Sloan, Jr. thanked God for John’s life, asked for comfort and strength for his family and friends, and praised God for His goodness to those who are His own. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 PM.