Fourth Meeting
Tuesday Afternoon, 1:30 PM
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, Randall A. Grossman at 1:30 PM. David Way led the conference in prayer.
Resolved, that the minutes of the second meeting be approved.
The following was elected:
Historical Committee:
Harold P. Shelly (3 years)
Report of the Study Committee on Women Serving as Deacons (see page)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
Resolved, that the following be approved as First Reading:
Whereas, the 122nd Annual Conference (2005) approved the possibility of women serving as deacons at first reading (2005 Yearbook, p. 34); and
Whereas, the Conference asked that study be made of the Principles of Order "to provide legislation covering the entire Article 204 making clear distinction between the qualifications for the offices of elders and deacons and a clarification of the word "minister" (2005 Yearbook, p. 34); and
Whereas, in doing that work the Committee identified other needed changes in Sections 201, 202, 204, 401-1, 401-2; therefore be it
Resolved, that “officers” and “church officers” be changed to “elders” in sections 201-5 and 201-6 of the Faith & Order.
[FIRST READING]
Yes - 135; No - 7; Abstain - 1
Resolved, that “pastor” be changed to “elders” in section 202-3.2 (5) of the Faith & Order.
[FIRST READING]
Yes - 131; No - 8
Resolved, that the new title and introduction “Article 204 - Elders, Deacons, Staff” be approved as a First Reading revision to the Faith & Order.
Article 204 - Elders, Deacons, Staff
Having called and assembled His church, our Lord provides for the leadership and care of each Particular Church by providing elders and deacons and enabling them to do their work. Elders are responsible to rule the church and must be qualified men, and deacons are responsible to serve the church and may be qualified men or women. Elders and deacons are the only terms describing continuing positions in the New Testament church. Those who serve in these ways do not create their positions, nor do their positions clothe the individuals with power, but the Lord endows individuals with gifts and qualifications (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1; 1 Peter 5) that enable them to do their work as God Himself has designed.
[FIRST READING]
Yes - 124; No - 18
Resolved, that the new Article 204-1 Elders, 204-1.2; 204-1.2, 204-1.3, 204-1.4 and 204-1.5 be adopted as a First Reading revision to the Faith & Order.
204-1 Elders
204-1.1 In the New Testament church Christ has provided men to hold the position of elder to oversee the life of His Church; those whom He commissions He enables to shepherd His Church.
204-1.2 The position of elder is given broad responsibility and authority in the New Testament. Because they are to be examples to the flock in godliness and to govern well, they are called elders. Because they are responsible for oversight and administration of the life of the church, they are called overseers or bishops. Because they are to care for and feed God’s people, they are called pastors (shepherds). Because they serve the people of the church, they are called ministers.
204-1.3 All elders together share the authority in and responsibility for the life of the church. Some elders are gifted and recognized as teaching elders; their primary authority and responsibility is in the Word and doctrine and secondarily in oversight. Other elders are gifted and recognized as ruling elders; their primary authority and responsibility is in oversight and secondarily in the Word and doctrine.
204-1.4 The work of the elders is to shepherd the flock. This work includes: Guarding (Acts 20:28), Overseeing (1 Tim 5:17; 1 Pet 5:2), Discipling (1 Thes 5:12; 2 Tim 2:2), Preaching and Teaching (1 Tim 5:17; Titus 1:9; John 8:31-32), Evangelizing (2 Tim 4:5), Praying (Acts 6:4, John 17, John 14:12-14, Jas 5:13-16), Serving (1 Tim 4:14; 1 Pet 4:10-11) and Disciplining (Titus 1:9).
204-1.5 Elders, as leaders of the people, are chosen by the membership of the church on the basis of Scriptural qualifications.
[FIRST READING]
Yes - 135; No - 4
Resolved, that word “office” be changed to “position” in Article 204-1.6 as a First Reading revision to the Faith & Order.
[FIRST READING]
Yes - 127; No - 12
Resolved, that the new Article 204-2.1 and Article-204-2.2 be adopted as a First Reading to the Faith & Order to replace the former Article 204-1.1 through 204-1.3.
204-2 Ministers
204-2.1 The Lord of the Church has given gifts to men called ministers in His church. This position is the first in the church in both dignity and usefulness. Although all elders are to be able to teach, some elders are specially gifted for teaching and preaching. The Lord of the Church has given those gifts to men we call ministers.
204-2.2 Terminology. The term “minister” is not used in Scripture to identify the specific position of elder, but to indicate the service to Christ and His people given by those who hold this position. "Pastor" is used as a gift to the church. Although neither "minister" nor "pastor" is used in Scripture as a specific position, these titles are used and are interchangeable in practice for those men we call ministers.
Moreover, though the English word “deacon” has its roots in the Greek word “diakonos,” which is translated “minister” or “servant”; this gives no basis for women being elders, ministers or pastors.
A minister or pastor in the BFC must hold or be seeking credentials in the BFC.
[FIRST READING]
Yes - 126; No - 7; Abstain -1
The following were elected:
Board of Directors of BFC Homes, Inc.
C. Larry Bennett (3 years)
Board of Directors of Pinebrook Bible Conference
Clyde D. Bomgardner, Jr. ( 1 year)
Board of Youth and Young Adults
Mark Barninger (2 years)
Mark R. Evans (3 years)
Board of Pensions
Thomas P. Shorb (3 years)
Board of Communications
Ralph E. Ritter (1 year)
Historical Committee
Ronald Hoyle (3 years)
Resolved, that Article 204-4.1 and 204-4.4 be adopted as a First Reading revision to the Faith & Order at second reading with additional word changes for “office” to become “position”.
204-4.1 The position of deacon is presented in the Scriptures as a position not of ruling, but of service. A deacon should be a person of deep spiritual life, exemplary conduct, and sound judgment (1Tim 3; Acts 6:1-8). This position is one of sympathetic service to the church and to the distressed, friendless, or sick, after the example of our Lord Jesus Christ.
204-4.4 Because of the qualifications and dignity of the position of Deacon, each Particular Church shall give careful consideration to ensure that a person who has been divorced or who has married a divorced person is presently characterized as above reproach, and if married, faithful to and exclusively committed to their spouse.
[FIRST READING]
Yes - 114; No -14
Resolved, that the new Article 204-4.2 and Article 204-4.3 be adopted as a First Reading addition to the Faith & Order.
204-4.2 Those who serve in this position should be known for their trustworthiness, their temperance, their faith, and their blameless life.
204-4.3 Deacons, as servants of the church, are chosen by the membership of the church on the basis of Scriptural qualifications.
[FIRST READING]
Yes -123 ; No - 7
Resolved, that “lay elder” be changed simply to “elder”, that “office” be changed to “position”, and “exercise” be changed to “hold” in Articles 401-1.1, 401-1.8 and 401.19 to be adopted as a First Reading revision to the Faith & Order.
[FIRST READING]
Yes - 124; No -10
Resolved, that changes listed under Article 401-2 be approved at Second Reading (changes found in bold type.)
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.
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.
[SECOND READING]
Yes - 109; No - 26
Resolved, that “office” be changed to “position” and “exercise” be changed to “hold” in 401-2 as a First Reading revision to the Faith & Order, and be it further
Resolved, that “office” be changed to “position” in 404 as a First Reading revision to the Faith & Order.
[FIRST READING]
Yes - 119; No -13
The following resolution failed at First Reading.
Resolved, that “chairman” be changed to “chair” in 401-2.2 as a First Reading revision to the Faith & Order.
Yes - 65; No -73
Report of the Study Committee on Credentials and Multi Staff Churches (see page)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
The following resolution failed at Second Reading.
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; I Peter 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.
Yes - 55; No -80
Resolved, that the following be adopted as Second Reading for inclusion into the Faith and Order:
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.
[SECOND READING]
Yes - 105;No - 29
Whereas, the Strategic Planning Committee is proposing major organizational changes to the BFC structure, and
Whereas, the Board of Directors is proposing a steering committee to work on organizational changes, and
Whereas, the steering committee will likely vitiate the work of the Multi-Staff Committee, therefore be it,
Resolved, that the Study Committee on Credentials and Multi-staff Churches suspend its work until the BFC reorganization is determined.
Resolved, that we adjourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:21 PM with Shan Cleck closing the meeting in prayer.