Fourth Meeting

Tuesday Morning, 9:00 AM

            The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, William G. Schlonecker at 9:01 a.m. Mark E. Morrison announced to the conference that the daughter of Dr. M. E. Brown, delegate of the Las Cruces BFC, was shot and killed during the night. Mark opened the meeting in prayer asking the Lord for comfort and grace for the Brown family and those in the Las Cruces Church.

            Allan R. Vivona opened the worship time by leading the conference in prayer. The vignette called “The Coming Together of Kindred Spirits” was viewed. LeRoy S. Heller called the conference to worship by reading John 4:31-34. The conference sang Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness. Allan R. Vivona again led in prayer, preparing our hearts for the hearing of the Word of God proclaimed. LeRoy S. Heller read 2 Kings 17:1-41. The conference then sang Rescue the Perishing. Byron G. Barnshaw read John 4:1-42. John C. Studenroth spoke on the theme Growing Out By the Spirit. He then closed the worship time in prayer.

            The conference viewed the vignette called “Mizpah Grove.”

Report of the Registrar

            The following requested to be excused from all or part of the Annual Conference: Walter A. Frank, James A. Beil, Harvey J. Fritz, Jr., David E. Thomann, John Mezzasalma, Clifford B. Boone, Bill J. Walters, Bob Kohler, Jeff Keller, Lloyd Zook, Daniel L. Williams, Cobly Wienhofer, James Wickstead, M. E. Brown, Thomasn H. Morrison

Resolved, that these excuses be granted.

Resolved, that the following alternate delegate be seated: Steve Ziegler from Old Bridge, NJ.

            The Chairman appointed Ralph E. Ritter to the Resolutions Committee to take the place of Eric R. North who is unable to attend Annual Conference due to an illness.

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

The following were elected:

Board of Christian Education

John C. Studenroth (3 years)

Board of Church Extension

Kenneth D. Keeler (3 years)

William G. Schlonecker (3 years)

Board of Directors Pinebrook

Jonathon W. Arnold, Sr.

Charles E. Cole

Board of Youth and Young Adults

Dorothy L. Ruch (3 years)

Chairman for the 127^th Annual Conference

Randall A. Grossman

Vice Chairman for the 127^th Annual Conference

William G. Schlonecker

Executive Board

Randall A. Grossman (3 years)

President

David A. Thomann (3 years)

Robert T. Evans (3 years)

Robert H. Zentz (3 years)

David T. Allen (2 years)

Robert A. Sloan, Jr. (2 years)

Jay H. Fasnacht (2 years)

Charles A. Lavigna (2 years)

Dennis M. Cahill (1 year)

Carl C. Cassel (1 year)

Steven J. Kauffman (1 year)

L. James Roberts (1 year)

Resolved, that the following legislation be adopted as Second Reading:

            512-1.6: Executive Director of the Bible Fellowship Church:

The Executive Director shall be an ordained pastor or elder appointed by the BFC Executive Board to carry out the direction approved by the BFC Conference. He shall be appointed, with the terms of employment, for a term of three years, subject to ratification by the BFC Conference. He shall serve as a voting member of the BFC Executive Board.

            Duties:

            (1)       He shall implement the direction and strategic plans of the BFC Conference.

            (2)       He shall represent the BFC in public ministry.

            (3)       He shall encourage churches and pastors toward achieving the plans of the BFC Conference.

            (4)       He shall encourage and coordinate BFC committees in achieving the plans of the BFC Conference.

            (5)       He shall oversee the department directors and coordinate their work so as to advance the plans of the BFC Conference.

            (6)       He shall oversee the daily operations of the BFC administration.

            (7)       He shall report to the BFC Executive Board and the BFC Conference.  

[SECOND READING]

            Yes - 149, No - 12

Resolved, that the following legislation be adopted as Second Reading:

            Replace current 501-2, 501-3, 501-4, and 501-5 with:

501-2The BFC Conference performs the legislative function of our denomination. As such, it alone has the power to amend and authoritatively interpret the F&O. By this means it governs the affairs of the Particular Churches on a denominational level, serves the health of the Particular Churches, and receives requests and petitions from the Particular Churches. Although it has these powers, it shall not subvert the autonomy of the Particular Churches.

501-3 The BFC Conference also exercises final oversight of the judicial function of our denomination. In this capacity, it examines, licenses and ordains candidates for pastoral ministry, provides counsel in the calling of pastors to Particular Churches, supervises the resignation and removal of pastors, examines and approves or censures the records of Particular Churches, elects judicatories and serves as a final court of appeal in matters of discipline.

501-4 The BFC Conference also provides for the executive function of our denomination. As such it elects a President and BFC Executive Board, ratifies the Executive Director, and approves the direction and planning proposed by the BFC Executive Board. To provide for this executive and administrative leadership, the BFC Conference has the authority to assess the Particular Churches a percentage of their offerings.

501-5 The BFC Conference shall meet annually in performance of its responsibilities outlined above. Officers and committees shall be elected and appointed each year in order to conduct its business in an efficient manner. The purpose of the annual gathering is to govern the BFC through the F&O, promote unity and fellowship between the churches, and to focus our vision on unified goals for our churches and their joint endeavors.

501-6 The proceedings of the BFC Conference shall be conducted according to the Business Rules of BFC Conference (see 508). It shall keep and publish a record of its proceedings and make it available to the membership of the churches

[SECOND READING]

            Yes - 143, No - 10

Resolved, that the following be adopted as Second Reading

Replace 407-5 “Board of Directors of BFC” with “BFC Executive Board”

Replace 203-6 “Annual Conference of the Bible Fellowship Church” with “Bible Fellowship Church Conference.”

Replace “Annual Conference” with BFC Conference”.

302-3.2, 302-4.1, 302-4.2, 401-1.7, 403-1.4, 403-1.5, 405, 405-1, 405-2, 407-4, 500, 501, 501-1, 501-2, 501-3, 501-4, 501-5, 502-3.5, 502-4.1, 504, 504-1, 504-2.2, 504-2.3, 504-3.1, 504-3.3, 504-3.4, 505, 505-1, 505-2, 506, 506-1, 506-2, 506-3, 506-4, 506-5, 506-6, 506-8, 507, 507-1, 507-2, 507-3, 508, 508-4, 508-6, 508-7, 508-8, 510-2, 510-4, 510-5, 510-6, 510-7, 511-1, 511-1.1, 511-1.2, 511-1.3, 511-1.4, 511-2, 511-2.1, 511-2.2, 511-2.3, 511-2.4, 511-2.5, 511-2.6, 513, 513-1, 513-3, 801-1, 801-4, 802-1, 802-3, 802-4.

[SECOND READING]

            Yes - 152, No - 3

Resolved, that the following be adopted as Second Reading

Replace 506-1 “Chairman of Annual Conference” with “Conference Moderator.” 405-2, 505-2, 506-1, 506-2, 506-5, 507-1, 508-4, 508-6, 511, 511-2.4, 511-2.6.

507-1 Duties – omit Duties (4) (5) (6) & add to election (3) The BFC Executive Director is ineligible to serve as the Conference Moderator.

507-2 replace “ Vice Chairman” with “Vice Moderator”

[SECOND READING]

            Yes - 151, No - 3

Resolved, that the following legislation be adopted as Second Reading:

            a. Omit 407-2 offering (6) Administrative Budget

            b. New 502 “ BFC Annual Budget”

Administration

502-1The BFC Annual Budget is administered by the BFC Executive Board. The Board prepares the budget and presents it to the BFC Conference for adoption. The budget provides for the executive administration of the BFC and includes, but is not limited to, salaries of the Executive Director and other employees, expenses of committees, pension obligations, administrative departments, and any other obligations or projects approved by the BFC Conference.

502-2Funding: The BFC Annual Budget is funded by the Church Assessment Rate. At the time that the BFC Executive Board presents the budget, a rate shall be recommended which provides for the funding of the budget. The rate shall be a percentage of the regular offerings received by the Particular Churches in the previous calendar year. The BFC Executive Board must present a balanced budget which is adequately funded by the assessment.

502-3Adoption: The BFC Annual Budget shall be adopted by a two-thirds majority of the BFC Conference. The budget shall include the Church Assessment Rate necessary to fund it, so that a vote for the budget is also a vote for the assessment. The BFC Conference shall not adopt an Annual Budget without approving the Church Assessment Rate which balances it.

Move the current Article 502 – Procedure for the Recognition of a Minister and Article 503 – Retirement from the Ministry to a new Article 509 – “Ministry in the Bible Fellowship Church”

407-2: Church Assessment The Particular Churches through their representatives to the BFC Conference adopt the BFC Annual Budget with a Church Assessment Rate each year. This rate is a percentage of the regular offering from the previous calendar year. (For instance, The BFC Annual Budget for 2006 is adopted at the BFC Conference in 2005. It includes the adoption of a Church Assessment Rate of percentage of the regular offerings reported for 2004. The amount is provided in the Particular Church Budget for 2006 to fund the BFC Annual Budget for that year.)

            407-3: Offerings, renumber subsequent articles.

[SECOND READING]

            Yes - 149, No - 8

Resolved, that we adjourn.

            The meeting was adjourned at 12:14 p.m. Robert Davies closed the meeting in prayer.