Sixth Meeting
Tuesday Evening, 6:30 PM
William G. Schlonecker, Chairman of the 126th Annual Conference, called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. as Hans R. Waldvogel opened in prayer. The anniversary vignettes From Presiding Elders to District Superintendents, A Shift in Doctrine and From MBC to BFC was shown.
Resolved, that the minutes of the third meeting be approved.
Resolved, that the minutes of the fourth meeting be approved.
The following were elected:
Board of Christian Education
Mark E. Barninger (3 years)
Board of Higher Education
Daniel A. Ruch (2 years)
Resolved, that the 2009 Budget of the Board of Directors be adopted.
Administrative Budgets
Revised
2009
Budget
Beneficiary Fund $ 500
Ministerial Convention 1,000
Ministers’ Retirement Fund 69,000
Annual Conference
a. Conference Entertainment 8,000
b. Conference Expense 5,000
Board of Communications 5,000
Expenses of Committees
a. Chaplaincy Expenses 400
b. All other Expenses 5,000
Expenses, Board of Directors 3,000
Historical Committee 1,000
Conference Pastor 43,400
Total Budget $141,300
% of previous budget 98.4
Report of the Committee on Auditing
The Committee on Auditing has reviewed the financial reports of conference departments and boards. All were found to be in compliance with §511-2.1 of the F&O
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
Report of the Committee on Statistics (see page)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
The Chairman made the following appointments:
Registrar - Jonathon W. Arnold, Sr.
Assistant Registrar - Davis E. Duggins
Agenda & Program - David A. Thomann, Chairman; William G. Schlonecker, Randall A. Grossman, Thomas P. Shorb, Mark E. Barninger, David E. Brandt
Committee on Arrangements - David A. Thomann, Chairman; Daniel P. Allen, Thomas P. Shorb, Jonathon W. Arnold, Sr., Daniel L. Williams (Overseer of Pages)
Committee on Examination of Minutes Particular Churches - Ralph M. Soper, Chairman; Ronald L. Erb, C. Larry Bennett, Dean A. Strotz, Alan R. Vivona
Committee on Statistics - LeRoy S. Heller, Chairman; David A. Thomann, Gregory A. Uhrich, Hugh C. Coulbourn, Jr., C. Larry Bennett
Resolved, that the appointments be ratified.
Study Committee on the Kingdom - Calvin T. Reed, Chairman; Timothy J. Bertolet, Jacob J. Susek, Jr., John C. Studenroth, Robert C. Kaatz, Richard B. Ravis, Davis E. Duggins
Resolved, that the appointments be ratified.
The Chairman made the following appointments and announcements - Secretary of the Conference Judicatory: Gregory A. Uhrich. Secretary of the Special Appellate Judicatory: David J. Watkins. The official address of the primary place of business of the Corporation known as Bible Fellowship Church is 3000 Fellowship Drive, Whitehall, PA 18052.
The following were elected:
Board of Christian Education
Davis E. Duggins (2 years)
Timothy J. Bertolet (2 years)
Alva C. Cassel prayed for the dedication of the offering being received for the Darlene Mahurin Memorial Fund which helps Pastors in time of need.
The Conference viewed the last three anniversary vignettes: Projects and Places, Outward Bound, and Closing Bookend - What will the future bring for the BFC?
Report of the Committee on Resolutions:
Whereas, the Grace BFC of Harrisburg, PA, has been raising money by selling books to support church planting in France, and
Whereas, Pastor Jansen E. Hartman’s library was donated to the Harrisburg to be sold, and
Whereas, the sale of these and other books raised $6,500 which was given to a church planting ministry in France, therefore, be it
Resolved, that we thank the Lord for the encouragement these monies were to assist with the education of a new church planter in France and encourage others to donate books for the cause.
Whereas, our brother M.E. “Doc” Brown has experienced a great loss with the recent death of his daughter, therefore
Resolved, that we join in prayer on behalf of their family and the Las Cruces Church that God’s sustaining grace would uphold them in this time of sorrow.
Whereas, our brother Ronald C. Mahurin has recently been experiencing back pain, and
Whereas, he has again served most admirably for this past year, therefore
Resolved, that we praise God for the ministry of our conference pastor and pray that God’s healing touch will be upon him.
Whereas, God has allowed Daniel and Sarah Offenbacker to go through a time of suffering with cancer,
Resolved, that we pray together for God’s will to be done and ask for healing and restoration to health.
Whereas, God has called his servant Horace A. Kauffman home to be with Him, therefore
Resolved, that we give deepest thanks to the Lord of the Church for his life and service to the Kingdom of God and his faithful example to the BFC.
Whereas, the Board of Directors has been replaced by the Executive Board, and
Whereas, the Board of Directors has served the BFC well for many years, and
Whereas, Carl C. Cassel, Robert W. Gehret and Horace A. Kauffman have served the Lord on the Board of Directors of the BFC for over forty years each, be it therefore
Resolved, that we give thanks to the Lord for the faithfulness of these men and for the model of sacrificial service to His kingdom work.
Whereas, David E. Brandt, Steven J. DelDuco, Frank E. Lanahan, and Daniel L. Williams were ordained at the 126th Annual Conference and the prior ordination of Kurt P. Francis was recognized, be it
Resolved, that thanks be given to God for these ministers of the Gospel and prayer be made for the success of their respective ministries.
Whereas, the BFC Annual Conference voted to restructure itself by replacing the Board of Directors with an Executive Board and an Executive Director, and
Whereas, this new structure will provide leadership for the BFC by proposing strategic direction to the BFC Conference, implementing direction through the oversight of the BFC Conference, and
Whereas, this significant change could have been very divisive, but instead was approved by significant majorities, be it,
Resolved, that we thank the Lord for the unified spirit that existed at Annual Conference, and we pray that the Lord would give guidance and wisdom to the Executive Board as it begins to assume its responsibilities.
Whereas, the following pastorates were established according to the Rules of our Faith & Order: Emmaus - Joshua D. Edwards, Fellowship Community - Philip E. Yerrington, Graterford - Mark R. Orton, Harleysville - R. Scott Wright, Grantville - Mark E. Barninger, Hellertown - Timothy M. Zuck, Las Cruces, NM - Thomas H. Morrison, New Oxford - Aaron J. Susek, Red Hill - James Arcieri, Wallingford - Mark A. Bickel, Woodbury Heights, NJ - Daniel L. Williams, therefore, be it
Resolved, that praise be given to our God for the provision of these pastorates, and further
Resolved, that prayer be made to God for the following churches that are seeking a pastor or additional pastoral staff: Bethlehem, Royersford, Walnutport, and Whitehall.
Whereas, our Agencies (Departments) faithfully pursue the collective will of the BFC to serve our church and reach our world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, therefore be it
Resolved, that we offer prayer and practical assistance so that their endeavors may be blessed with spiritual progress and glorify the cause of Christ.
Whereas, the Boards, Committees, and Study Committees of the BFC have served with diligence during this past year, and
Whereas, they have reported faithfully to the 126th Annual Conference, therefore be it
Resolved, that we recognize their service and ask God to give them strength for the coming year.
Whereas, the staff and volunteers of Pinebrook Bible Conference, along with wives and family members of our pastors and delegates, have readily and cheerfully served the members of the 126th Annual Conference, therefore be it
Resolved, that we express our appreciation for their special contribution in care of Conference Members.
Whereas, William G. Schlonecker, John C. Studenroth, and Ralph E. Ritter, have served Annual Conference as our devotional speakers, therefore be it
Resolved, that we give thanks to the Lord for their ministry in proclamation of God’s Word, and be it further
Resolved, that each be presented $50.00 for this ministry.
Whereas, the Annual Conference Secretary, David A. Thomann, and his Assistants, Daniel P. Allen, David T. Allen, Donald E. Kuntzman and Robert W. Smock, have served with individual distinction, therefore be it
Resolved, that we thank the Lord for their faithful service and, be it further
Resolved, that each man be awarded $50.00 for his labors.
Whereas, Head Page, Raymond L. Cole, Assistant Head Page, Daniel L. Williams, and Pages, Russel N. Burd, Sidney C. Fields, Robert W. Green, Jason L. Hoy, W. Scott Kappes, Jonathan H. King, Larry B. Krebs, Keith M. Long, Matthew R. Lynskey, and Stephen J. Morton have humbly, readily and cheerfully enabled the work of the Annual Conference to function efficiently, therefore, be it
Resolved, that we acknowledge our appreciation for their service on behalf of the Conference with a round of applause.
Whereas, William G. Schlonecker has served exceptionally well as Chairman of the 126th Annual Conference of the BFC, therefore be it
Resolved, that the members of the Annual Conference show their appreciation for Brother Schlonecker’s service with a standing ovation.
Whereas, we have come this far by faith, therefore be it firmly
Resolved, that we won’t turn back, and further
Resolved, that we will always glory in the manifold grace of our great and gracious God.
Ronald C. Mahurin thanked the conference for its generous gift of $1300 to the Darlene Mahurin Memorial Fund.
Resolved, that we adjourn.
The conference was adjourned at 7:50 p.m. with Carl C. Cassel closing in prayer. He especially remembered Randall A. Grossman as he serves in the new position of President of the BFC.
After adjournment of the 126th Annual Conference a service of ordination was held. Ralph E. Ritter presented a message entitled Growing Up Into the Head, Christ using the text Ephesians 4:11-16. The service, conducted by the members of the Credentials Committee, celebrated the ordination of David E. Brandt, Steven J. DelDuco, Frank E. Lenahan and Daniel L. Williams and the prior ordination of Kurt P. Francis. At the conclusion of the service, the ordained brothers greeted the ordinands and their families. A fellowship time was then held in Pinebrook’s Dining Hall.