Third Meeting
Tuesday Morning, 9:00 AM
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, Randall A. Grossman at 9:00 AM. Richard B. Ravis led the conference in worship along with a worship team of Eric North, Mark Evans, Elliot Ramos and Byron Barnshaw. The conference sang All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name, after which Richard B. Ravis prayed. The worship continued with the conference singing Everlasting God, Mark Barninger reading 2 Timothy 3:1-5 and the Conference repeating the Apostles’ Creed. Worship concluded with the conference singing How Great is Our God and How Great Thou Art. Calvin T. Reed addressed the conference on the theme “Fellowship Lost in Great Selfishness.” The conference then sang How Great Thou Art, a capella.
Report of the Registrar
The following requested to be excused for portions of Annual Conference: William J. Walters, Elliot H. Ramos, James D. Head, Thomas Ward.
Resolved, that these requests be granted.
Resolved, that the following alternate delegates be seated: John Crouch, Denville, NJ; Alan Russel, Emmaus; Lloyd Zook, Oley.
The following were elected:
Ministerial Relations Committee:
Randall A. Grossman (3 years)
Byron Widger (1 year)
Board of Directors of BFC:
Carl C. Cassel (3 years)
Raymond R. Dotts (3 years)
Robert W. Gehret (3 years)
Board of Church Extension:
Carl K. Spackman (3 years)
Richard E. Taylor (3 years)
Robert W. Davies (3 years)
Robert Zentz (3 years)
Board of Christian Education:
Nancy A. Mertus (3 years)
J. Richard Vroman (3 years)
David W. Eisenhower (1 year)
Board of Church Health:
Clyde W. Snyder (3 years)
Board of Victory Valley:
Jason J. Englehart (3 years)
Douglas J. Manwiller (3 years)
Timothy D. Weaber (3 years)
Board of Missions:
Robert W. Davies (3 years)
Donald S. Faust (3 years)
Board Pinebrook Bible Conference:
Alva C. Cassel (3 years)
Brian H. Cooper (3 years)
Carl Ackerman (3 years)
Jay H. Fasnacht (3 years)
Kermit K. Gehman (3 years)
Strategic Planning Committee:
Richard T. Paashaus (3 years)
Richard E. Taylor (3 years)
Board of Youth & Young Adult
Andrew T. Crossgrove
John C. Vandegriff, Jr.
Board of Higher Education:
Charles A. Bloomfield (3 years)
David Bossard (3 years)
Board of Pensions:
Keith E. Plows (3 years)
Board of Communications:
Daniel P. Allen (3 years)
Byron Barnshaw (3 years)
Ministerial Candidate Committee:
Howard N. Wells (3 years)
Conference Judicatory:
Calvin T. Reed (3 years)
Douglas D. Bowne (3 years)
Clyde W. Snyder (3 years)
Special Appellate Judicatory:
Randall A. Grossman (3 years)
Committee on Nominations:
Richard T. Paashaus (3 years)
Report of the Study Committee: On the Process and Purpose of God’s Calling People to Salvation.
Resolved, that report be accepted.
Whereas, it appears that there are some brethren who currently hold to a foreseen faith position as a basis of election, and
Whereas, a foreseen faith position is inconsistent with the Articles of Faith of the Bible Fellowship Church, which states “election is a free act of the sovereign God in which from eternity, for reasons known only to Himself, and apart from any goodness in man, He graciously chose…” (Article 11-1), therefore, be it
Resolved, that any persons who presently hold to a foreseen faith position should not sign that they “subscribe without reservation” [F&O, 512-11.2, Duties (4)] to our present Articles of Faith but should declare their reservation regarding Article 11. Whether or not the proposed clarifications are adopted, such persons, if holding credentials, should continue to minister and will continue to be embraced by the Bible Fellowship Church. The Bible Fellowship Church will continue to require persons seeking credentials to be “committed without reservation” [F&O, 512-13.3, Duties (5)] to the Articles of Faith.
Yes - 119; No - 23
Whereas, the words But unless regenerated contained in the proposed Article 10 have been construed by many to require that one must believe that regeneration precedes faith, and
Whereas, the Study Committee on the Process and Purpose of God’s Calling People to Salvation stated on the conference floor that it was not its intention to imply by these words that regeneration must precede faith, and
Whereas, it is the purpose of the proposed changes to bring a greater clarity to the present articles, and
Whereas, the meaning of the phrase but unless regenerated is not sufficiently clear, therefore be it
Resolved, that the words but unless regenerated be deleted from Article 10 that was adopted at first reading and that the original wording, but left to himself, be re-inserted.
[FIRST READING]
Yes - 128; No - 12; Abstain - 1
Resolved, that we adjourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:32 PM with Richard Moyer leading in prayer.