Third Meeting
Monday Evening, 6:30 PM
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 6:30 p.m. with Louis Cursio leading in prayer.
Resolved, that the minutes of the first meeting of the 125th Annual Conference be approved.
Those serving under the direction of the Board of Missions, who were present, introduced themselves to the Annual Conference. Those introduced were: Philip E. Morrison, Lynnette Dallmann, Craig Miller, Scott Tibbetts, Francisco de Souza, David & Georgina Solt, Bob Sloma, Sandy Mitchell, David J. Kelly, Scott Evans, Chris & Becky Merrick, Tom & Becky Pollock, R. Glenn & Ruth Blauser, Jason Raines, Kimberly Knaub, Byron Barnshaw, Colby A. Weinhofer, William Early, John C. Studenroth, Walter Johnston, David L. Manney, Paul G. Zimmerman, Ronald W. Hoyle, Robert L. & Lois Draper.
Dana E. Weller offered prayer for the missionaries and their ministries around the world.
The following legislation was adopted at Second Reading:
Paragraphs 409-1.1 - 409-1.13 refer to the calling of a Senior Pastor in a church with more than one pastor, or the only Pastor in a church with one pastor. In churches with more than one pastor, the elders may choose to adopt the procedure in paragraph 409-1.14
409-1.14 In churches with more than one pastor, the elders may choose to call a pastor other than the Senior Pastor as follows: The Board of Elders shall serve as the Pastoral Search Committee and shall issue a call without a congregational vote.
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 call in paragraph 409-1.11. The call shall be communicated to the congregation.
[SECOND READING]
The following legislation was adopted at Second Reading:
Paragraph 409-2.1 - 409-2.3 refer to the resignation of a Senior Pastor in a church with more than one pastor, or the only pastor in a church with one pastor. For pastors called under the procedures 409-1.4, the resignation shall be according to the procedure of 409-2.4.
409-2.4 Resignation or Removal of Pastors called by Boards of Elders.
In the case of a pastor called under the procedure of 409-1.14, resignation or removal is as follows:
Resignation - The pastor submits his resignation to the Board of Elders. He shall submit a copy to the chairman of the Ministerial Relations Committee. The Board of Elders shall act on the resignation, including special provisions such as in 409-2.1
The Board of Elders shall inform the congregation of the effective date and terms of the resignation.
Removal - Boards of Elders shall adopt the procedure of 409-2.3 except that following the due process of 409-2.3 (1)(2.1-5) the Ministerial Relations Committee may approve the request of the Board of Elders to terminate the pastorate. The effective date and terms of the termination shall be communicated to the congregation. Paragraph 409-2.3 (2.12) is in effect in this situation.
[SECOND READING]
A special service of recognition of two new churches was conducted for the church at Las Cruces, New Mexico and Iglesia Biblica La Roca, Merida, Mexico. Richard T. Paashaus led the conference in singing I Love Thy Kingdom Lord. Secretary David A. Thomann introduced the ceremony. Chairman William G. Schlonecker read the recommendation by the Board of Church Extension to the 125th Annual Conference to recognize Grace Bible Church, Las Cruces, New Mexico as a Particular Church of the Bible Fellowship Church.
Daniel P. Allen and Kenneth D. Keeler, organizing elders, introduced Thomas H. Morrison, organizing pastor and others attending from the Las Cruces church. After some testimonies, Dr. Michael Brown, delegate from the BFC of Las Cruces, New Mexico, showed a visual presentation of the church.
Chairman William G. Schlonecker read the recommendation by the Board of Church Extension to the 125th Annual Conference to recognize the Iglesia Biblica La Roca, Merida, Mexico as a Particular Church of the Bible Fellowship Church.
Alfred G. Roberts, David K. Schlonecker, Elliot H. Ramos, Dana E. Weller, Carlos G. Rodriguez and David E. Gundrum were instrumental in connecting with Iglesia Biblica La Roca, Merida, Mexico. A DVD presentation was given to introduce us to the work in Merida.
Randall A. Grossman led the conference in prayer giving the praise to God for the inclusion of our brothers and sisters in Christ from the churches in Las Cruces, New Mexico and Merida, Mexico. The conference rose and sang the Doxology – Praise to our great Lord and Savior.
Resolved, that we adjourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:48 p.m. The men of Annual Conference had the opportunity to personally welcome those representing these two new Particular Churches of the BFC.