Seventh Meeting

Wednesday Afternoon, 1:30 PM


            The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, Randall A. Grossman, at 1:31 PM. Robert K. Fields led in prayer remembering Brian H. Cooper who is having physical issues.

            Clyde W. Snyder updated the conference on the tragic accident that claimed the life of his son, David. He spoke of the goodness of God and of the love displayed by the family of God. David R. Way prayed for Clyde and Carol and the rest of the family in their time of need.


Report of the Registrar


            The following requested to be excused from the remainder of the sessions of the 124th Annual Conference: Scott B. Evans and Ronald W. Reed.

Resolved, that these excuses be granted.


The following failed at Second Reading:

 

“Because of the qualifications and dignity of the position 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.”

 

Yes - 63; No - 71; Abstain - 2

 

Resolved, that the following addition (found in bold type) be adopted to Article 204-1.6 of the Faith and Order at Second Reading.

 

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.”

[SECOND READING]

Yes - 114; No - 19

 

Resolved, that the request of the Cedar Crest Bible Fellowship Church Board of Elders dated February 6, 2007 be received.

 

Whereas, some members of Annual Conference sincerely understand the proposed wording changes of the BFC Articles of Faith as suggested by the Study Committee on the Process and Purpose of God’s Calling People to Salvation to be a significant change in the denomination’s theological position; and

Whereas, some of these members would consider themselves unable to subscribe to the Articles of Faith if the proposed wording changes take effect; and

Whereas, it is our desire that wording changes such as these be undertaken with Christian grace; therefore be it

Resolved, that Annual Conference allow those present members of the Conference who would find themselves unable to agree with the Articles of Faith if the proposed wording changes take effect to remain in the Conference and continue serving the Lord with the Bible Fellowship Church.

 

Resolved, that Annual Conference consider the first resolution following the reception of the Report of the Study Committee on the Process and Purpose of God’s Calling People to Salvation (recorded in the minutes of the Third Meeting) to be the answer to the request of the CCBFC Board of Elders.


            Robert W. Gehret, delegate of the Ephrata BFC, brought a request to address Annual Conference.

 

Resolved, that the request of the Board of Elders of the Ephrata BFC be received.

 

The Board of Elders of the Ephrata BFC wanted to thank the Study Committee on the Process and Purpose of God’s Calling People to Salvation for their work and for retracting the phrase, but unless regenerated from Article 10 of the Articles of Faith.


Resolved, that the request of the Board of Elders of the Wallingford BFC be received.

 

Whereas, the Annual Conference has sought to clarify Articles 9-13 of the Articles of Faith, and

Whereas, we have no previous documentation of study papers that allow us to understand why these articles were adopted, and

Whereas, we believe that further study would better allow us to make more informed decisions with regard to the proposals to clarify Articles 9-13, therefore be it

Resolved, that we, the Board of Elders of Grace BFC of Wallingford, PA, request that the Annual Conference appoint the Study Committee on Articles Pertaining to Salvation prepare studies on these articles, and further

Resolved, that their assignment be to consider, as a result of their study, whether to retain or change these articles, and further

Resolved, that if they recommend changes they offer proposals and Biblical justification for those changes.

 

Resolved, that the study committee on the Articles Pertaining to Salvation provide exegetical studies on the proposed changes they are presenting, and further

Resolved, the Study Committee provide these studies before the 125th Annual Conference for the elder boards of the BFC to consider, and further

Resolved, that this be the answer to the Board of Elders of the Wallingford BFC.

 

Resolved, that Annual Conference receive the request of the elders of the Maple Glen BFC to have a study committee appointed to study the theological changes taking place at Biblical Theological Seminary.

 

Whereas, a request was received from Maple Glen BFC requesting a study committee to consider theological changes at Biblical Theological Seminary and

Whereas, we do not see just cause to warrant the appointment of such a committee, therefore be it

Resolved, that we deny their request.


Resolved, that the minutes of the sixth meeting be approved.


Report of the Committee on Auditing (see page)

Resolved, that the report be accepted.


Report of the Statistical Committee (see page)

Resolved, that the report be accepted.


The following were appointed:

 

Register: Jonathon W. Arnold, Sr.

Assistant Registrar: Davis E. Duggins

Agenda and Program Committee: Three officers for 2008; Andrew T. Crossgrove, Robert A. Johnson, II, Thomas P. Shorb

Arrangements Committee: David A. Thomann, Chairman; Daniel P. Allen, Jonathon W. Arnold, Sr., Thomas P. Shorb, Chairman for 2008

Committee on Statistics: LeRoy S. Heller, Chairman; Hugh C. Coulbourn, Jr., David N. Schoen, David A. Thomann, Gregory A. Uhrich

Committee on Examination of Minutes of Particular Churches: Ralph M. Soper, Chairman; Clyde D. Bomgardner, Jr., Louis S. Curcio, C. Larry Bennett, Ronald C. Erb; Jacob J. Susek, Jr., Allan R. Vivona

 

Resolved, that the Administrative Budget for January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008 be approved for submission to the churches for their pledges.


Resolved, that we adjourn.


            The meeting was adjourned at 5:26 PM. Jansen E. Hartman closed the meeting in prayer remembering the family of Ralph Reed who went home to be with the Lord this afternoon.