Annual Conference Proceedings – 2019
Monday, April 29, 2019 – Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Minutes, as well as Committee Reports, Indexes, and Statistics are in the 2019 Yearbook
First Meeting
Monday, April 29, 2019, 6:30 P.M.
Conference Moderator Timothy J. Schmoyer called the 136th BFC Conference to order at 6:30 P.M. as he welcomed pastors, delegates, and guests to Pinebrook’s Fellowship Hall. Schmoyer immediately referenced Psalm 122 – “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’” “We assemble from a ripe harvest field to fellowship together,” Schmoyer said.
Resolved, that the tables with the green tablecloths constitute the Conference Bar for the 136th BFC Conference.
The roll of eligible members of the 136th BFC Conference was established as follows:
Allentown, PA (Cedar Crest) Clifford B. Boone, Glenn R. Felty, Jonathan H. King, John R. LoRusso, Chris M. Von Holt (Probationer), William J. Walters, John J. Colabroy, Ricky D. Whitmire
Bethlehem, PA Timothy D. Gibson, Richard F. Bickings, Philip G. Norris, Robert A. Gill
Blandon, PA Daniel L. Williams, R. Jerry Brush, John C. Vandegriff, Jr., Glenn McCaskey
Boyertown, PA (Harvest Fell.)* Barry T. Parsons (Probationer), Lucas M. Parsons
Camden, DE Daniel R. Wagner, Albert F. Biddle
Carmel, NY Joseph Waldvogel (Probationer), Hans R. Waldvogel
Clinton Corners, NY David R. Way, Wayne M. Chadwell
Coopersburg, PA David J. Peters, Richard T. Paashaus, Timothy S. Hogan, Michael J. Zettlemoyer, Stephen C. Cassel
Dauphin, PA Mark E. Barninger, Dennis Souder
Denville, NJ Richard D. Harris, Steven W. Kay
Emmaus, PA David A. Smith, David N. Schoen, David K. Schlonecker, Jared Burkholder (Probationer), Gary Karch
Ephrata, PA Jason L. Hoy, Daniel Krall, William Early
Exeter, PA Stan P. Lauterback, David Rhoads
Finesville, NJ Byron Widger, Michael P. Emmerick
Graterford, PA Mark R. Orton, Rob Spangler
Harleysville, PA Andrew T. Crossgrove, Michael W. Walker, Richard C. Lutz
Harrisburg, PA Joshua P. Miller, Steven J. DelDuco, Richard Pressner
Hatfield, PA Howard N. Wells, Joel B. Klase, Richard Granberry
Hellertown, PA Keith A. Strunk, Kevin Sine
Brick, NJ (formerly Howell) Marc L. Sweet, Marco Valle
Kutztown, PA Ezekiel R. Mack, Nickolas T. Tempe
LaGrangeville, NY Dennis W. Spinney, Charles Webb
Lancaster, PA David A. Thomann, Keith M. Long, Robert L. Yinger, David L. Winters
Las Cruces, NM David M. Poland (Probationer), Dan Dunwell
Lebanon, PA Calvin T. Reed, David E. Brandt, Jarrod J. Cruise, Jack S. Herb
Lehighton, PA Robert A. Johnson II, Richard M. Gross II
Long Neck, DE Andrew W. Barnes, Tom Lioy
Maple Glen, PA Louis Prontnicki, Mark W. Sanders
Merida, MEXICO Marcos G. Ramirez, Freddy A. Chi, Edgar Navarro
Mt. Carmel, PA Roger L. Siegrist (Probationer), Jim Ketner
Mt. Pocono, PA W. Scott Kappes, Ed Day
Nazareth, PA Carl J. Fischer, John B. Wilson
Newark, DE William G. Schlonecker, Richard C. Dodson, Stephen J. Morton, Daniel W. King, Ronald J. Bove, Kenneth J. Klein
Newark, NJ Ron Burgess, Milton Hinton
Oley, PA (Vacant), James D. MacArthur, Benjamin Bailey (Probationer), William Ryan, Jeff Keller
Paradise, PA Jesse A. Benack (Probationer), Bruce Zubrick
Philadelphia, PA Ralph E. Ritter, Joseph P. Specht, Jr.
Piscataway, NJ Dennis M. Cahill, Richard B. Ravis, Jay R. Vroman
Quakertown, PA Ronald L. Kohl, Timothy S. Radcliff, Mark S. Matson
Reading, PA Randall A. Grossman, Nathaniel C. LeTowt (Probationer), Ronald W. Reed, Glenn D. Ruoss
Reading, PA (La Roca) Carlos G. Rodriguez, William Lopez
Red Hill, PA James Arcieri, Rob Vaughn
Royersford, PA Ronald C. Erb, Tony Zook
Shamokin, PA Ferdie R. Madara, Russell Burd
Sinking Spring, PA S. Wayne Rissmiller, Gregory W. Carder, Errin Mulberry, Don McKinney, John Weller, Bruce Wilson
Spring City, PA Jeffrey A. Kauffman (Probationer), Sean P. McNamara
Steelton, PA (Vacant), Jayonn Folks
Stroudsburg, PA Beau E. Coffman, Mike Murphy
Sunbury, PA Joshua P. Gibson, Jules J. Hull (Probationer), Doug R. Gaugler
Terre Hill, PA Kevin W. Kirkpatrick, Andrew S. Littlejohn
Townsend, DE Ronald B. Smith, Dave Graham
Wallingford, PA Aaron J. Susek, Mark A. Bickel, Timothy S. Cowen, Scott Simmons
Walnutport, PA (Northern Lehigh) Aaron D. Smith, Jason P. Musselman
Whitehall, PA (Bethany) Timothy J. Schmoyer, Mark Hargrove
Whitehall, PA (Fellowship Comm.) Philip E. Yerrington, Jerald A. Lagler
Woodbury Heights, NJ Timothy R. Nessler, Harry Nessler
York, PA Timothy J. Bertolet
Zionsville, PA Bryan C. McNally, Andrew J. Schmersahl
*Pending reception as a Particular Church
Ordained Ministers Serving in Bible Fellowship Ministries:
David T. Allen, BFC Executive Director; Raymond R. Bertolet, Church Extension; Brad L. Boyer, Church Extension; Stephen A. Diaz, Church Extension; Joshua P. Dupiche, Church Extension; Jason A. Filbert, Church Extension; David E. Gundrum, Church Extension; Donald E. Kuntzman, Board of Missions; Ralph M. Soper, Conference Pastor; Duane E. Moyer, Board of Missions; Elliot H. Ramos, Church Extension; James D. Reff (Probationer), Church Extension; R. Scott Wagner, Church Extension; Timothy M. Zuck, Church Extension; John J. Hanner (Probationer), Church Extension; Benjamin J. Triestman (Probationer), Church Extension; Phillip H. Ruiz (Probationer), Church Extension; Mark L. Morrison, Church Extension
Ordained Missionaries:
Daniel P. Allen, Scott B. Evans, Larry Davies, James D. Head, Walter M. Johnson, John R. LoRusso, Philip E. Morrison, Jerry L. Moyer, Thomas A. Pollock, David W. Riddell, John C. Studenroth, Colby A. Weinhofer
Ordained Ministers Working in the Chaplaincy Under the Sponsorship of the BFC:
Richard A. Moyer, Jeffrey L. Ruhl, Jacob J. Susek, Jr.
Ordained Ministers Working in Other Christian Ministries:
Clyde D. Bomgardner Jr., Jordan K. Eyster, Michael J. Tannous, Dennis Lawrence
Ordained Ministers in Retirement:
William C. Aukamp, James R. Batchler, Jr., T. James Bigley, Jr., Terris L. Byrd, Leonard E. Buck, Carl C. Cassel, G. Wayne Clapier, Charles E. Cole, Hugh C. Coulbourn, Jr., Raymond R. Dotts, Richard J. Gehman, LeRoy S. Heller, Frank L. Herb, Jr., George E. Herb, John H. Herb, Roy A. Hertzog, Ronald W. Hoyle, David H. Jones, Ronald C. Mahurin, David L. Manney, Philip G. Norris, Keith E. Plows, Roger L. Reitz, Austin G. Shelly, Thomas P. Shorb, Robert A. Sloan, Gene W. Smith, Carl K. Spackman, Dean A. Stortz, Richard E. Taylor, Harold C. Weaber, Dana E. Weller, Daniel G. Ziegler, Paul G. Zimmerman
Ordained Ministers Between Calls:
Joshua D. Edwards, Frank E. Lenahan, Carl T. Martin, Eric North, Jason W. Blair
Ordained Ministers on a Leave of Absence:
Albert J. Dommel, Andrew T. Gysi, Thomas H. Morrison
Additional Lay Members of the BFC Executive Board:
Stephen J. Kauffman, Charles Lavigna, L. James Roberts, Jr.; John W. Sullivan
Report of the Committee on Agenda and Arrangements: (See page 40)
Resolved, that the Report of the Agenda and Arrangements Committee be accepted and serve as the guide for the deliberations of the 136th BFC Conference.
Whereas, BFC Conference is in the process of revising our rules related to Delegates and Alternate Delegates, therefore be it
Resolved, that the Registrar be authorized to seat alternate delegates when necessary during the Conference and report them to the Conference in his report at the conclusion of Conference.
Resolved, that the 137th BFC Conference be held at Pinebrook April 27-29, 2020.
Resolved, that committee reports for the 137th BFC Conference be sent in digital format to the BFC Conference Secretary by February 15, 2020 at sportspastor33@gmail. com.
Jeremy L. Harkins led Conference in musical worship, interspersing song and Scripture (Genesis 1, Romans 8:38-39). With assistance from James Arcieri, Elliot H. Ramos, Richard B. Ravis, and Aaron J. Susek, Conference sang, “All Creatures of Our God and King,” “All Praise to Him,” “How Great Thou Art,” “Behold Our God,” and “He Will Hold Me Fast.”
Keynote speaker David T. Allen addressed the subject of “Clarity in Pursuit of our Disciple-Making Mission.” Reminding Conference of the inspiration of all Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16-17), Allen chose an unusual Old Testament text: 1 Chronicles 12:32 – “Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command.” He then took Conference on a history of the tribe of Issachar, highlighting its geography and achievements, interweaving parallel translations in Hebrew, Greek, and Spanish as a means of connecting this tribe to the character and makeup of the Bible Fellowship Church.
Allen noted several similarities between the BFC and Issachar. They were farmers like we used to be. Issachar was a tribe largely made up of scholars while the Bible Fellowship Church has many who have closely studied the Scriptures. Connections were made to both evangelism and discipleship. Issachar was wise enough to discern the times and the culture in which it lived. We must exhibit the same discernment. “The commission…is clear,” Allen said. “Make disciples…Get it done. Are we doing it? Do we even know how?”
Just as Issachar had both knowledge and understanding of the cultural implications of its times, Allen noted, “I believe we in the Bible Fellowship Church are beginning to understand the times in which we live.” The challenge, then, is to bridge the gap between knowing what we ought to do and actually doing it, for those are two different things.
Developing a plan, he stressed, is key. “Someone said if you don’t go anywhere you won’t get anywhere, and if you aim for nothing, you’ll hit it every time.”
Allen cited Howard Hendricks as providing the right perspective as to the things churches need to be engaged in. “Don’t develop preaching centers,” Hendricks said, “Develop discipleship centers.”
“We’re not a large tribe like the Southern Baptists,” Allen said. We’re a small tribe that, like Issachar, has to know the times and the culture and then go out and do what we’re called by the Lord to do.”
Following the keynote address, the Moderator noted, “Our primary piece of business tonight is to celebrate” the addition of a new particular church. David E. Gundrum, Director of Church Extension Ministries, introduced recommendations to receive Harvest Fellowship Church of Boyertown (Colebrookdale), PA as a new particular church of the BFC.
“We’re supposed to be an expanding fellowship of churches, and God has opened a door for that goal, that vision, to come into being through various ways,” Gundrum explained, noting that one of the ways the Bible Fellowship Church has expanded is through currently-existing churches that seek connections with the BFC. He then introduced the following resolution:
Whereas, the Board of Church Extension has assessed the elder candidates and has reviewed the financial reports of Harvest Fellowship Mission Church, and
Whereas, Church Extension affirms that Harvest Fellowship Mission Church has sufficient men qualified to be elders, and a sufficient committed participant group who will sign as charter members, and
Whereas, the financial reports of Harvest Fellowship Mission Church have been reviewed, therefore be it
Resolved, that Harvest Fellowship Mission Church be received into the BFC Conference, and be recognized as a Particular Church.
The motion to receive Harvest Fellowship Church of Boyertown, PA (Colebrookdale) as a new particular church passed unanimously, with a hearty round of applause ensuing from Conference.
Barry T. Parsons, Harvest Fellowship’s senior pastor, introduced a short introductory video illustrating his church, its ministries, and Harvest’s “body life.”
Parsons referred to Harvest’s 43-year history as its “years of pilgrimage,” a pilgrimage that came out of the 1970s “Jesus Movement” to become first The Catacombs Outreach and then The Catacombs Church, which began to hold services in a storefront in the Pottstown area.
In 1979, during a Bible study, Parsons sat down next to a woman who later became his wife. Barry and Sharon began a work in youth ministry even before they were married and served together in that capacity for 11 years.
Years later, the church purchased the property that eventually became its current home in Colebrookdale. Curiously, the first service held at this new facility was the wedding of Barry and Sharon Parsons.
Sometime later, the church sadly departed from sound doctrine into the malaise of signs, wonders, and experience. And while Parsons was off studying at Calvary Chapel in Philadelphia, he was shocked to learn that the church’s pastor had been found to have committed adultery.
Parsons referred to a remnant who survived these tumultuous times. Just as Hanani had informed Nehemiah of Jerusalem’s destruction and the need to return to Jerusalem and rebuild its walls, the Parsons were burdened to learn that the congregation they loved was falling apart. Seeking someone who could build trust, the church called upon Parsons to return to provide stability. That was 25 years ago; Parsons has been its pastor ever since.
Because the church’s past needed to be buried in the Catacombs, the church took on a new name: Harvest Fellowship. The church was beginning the hard work of restoration. But that work, Parsons and others determined, needed to be Bible-centered. “If we’re going to move forward and rebuild, then the Word of God has to be the foundation of everything we do,” Parsons told Harvest Fellowship’s elders. The work of restoration began as Parsons began by preaching through the Gospel of Luke.
Along the way, God sent many co-workers who helped to rebuild a healthy church, and one of the men God sent began to introduce the church to Reformed theology. Some voiced opposition but a commitment to what Parsons called “sound theology by the grace and mercy of God” won out, and the church began to grow again.
Before long, a new board of elders began to work at developing a new doctrinal statement. They consulted many existing documents, one of which was the Faith & Order of the Bible Fellowship Church. “We adopted the Articles of Faith before we became a particular church,” Parsons admitted.
“We were so blessed to find a rich history of strong churches with like-minded pastors that the Articles of Faith of the Bible Fellowship Church were a natural fit, and we reached out to the church-planting division,” he added.
But the concrete connection that united Harvest Fellowship to the BFC in an official way came in April 2016 when Barry and son Luke Parsons attended the Together for the Gospel pastors’ conference in Louisville, KY. Even before arriving in Kentucky, both father and son had made connections with brothers from Ebenezer BFC in Bethlehem, and at conference’s end, both were invited to join a table of BFC pastors at a Louisville restaurant. It was at that meeting that Barry Parsons was invited to join the Bucks-Mont Region’s monthly pastors’ meeting.
“What I found there was a group of men who…were committed to one another and to the preaching and teaching of God’s holy Word,” Parsons said. “It was a breath of fresh air for an independent church pastor.”
Just three years later, Parsons, his wife and son, and several members of the Harvest Fellowship congregation had the joy of witnessing Harvest Fellowship’s welcome as a new particular church. Many others, Parson noted, watched the service online. “My wife and I have shed many tears over these last 43 years,” he said. “But tonight is different. Tonight is a night of rejoicing.”
Richard E. Taylor, Chairman of the Department of Church Extension Ministries, prayed, thanking God for Harvest Fellowship. The Conference Moderator entertained a motion to adjourn at 8:30 p.m., closing the first meeting of the 136th BFC Conference in prayer. A time of refreshments and fellowship followed the meeting’s adjournment.
Second Meeting
Tuesday, April 30, 2019, 8:45 A.M.
The Conference Moderator called the morning’s first session to order at 8:45 a.m. with prayer for the day’s sessions.
Jeremy L. Harkins and his musical team led Conference in the singing of “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing,” “He is Our God,” “My Savior’s Love,” “O Great God,” and “All I Have is Christ.” Harkins also read Psalm 33:10-11 and Psalm 51:10.
Will Mancini, founder of Auxano, a non-profit church consulting group who on Monday provided a pre-conference seminar on “The New Rules of Vision,” delivered the morning address, “Three Moments that Launched Jesus’ Disciple-Making Vision.”
“I want to talk to you today about a problem in the church in North America,” Mancini said. “The problem is that the church in North America…is over-programmed and under-discipled. There’s not a church in America that’s not dealing with that challenge.”
“I don’t question your theology,” said Mancini, himself a Reformed Baptist. “I’m not worried about your belief…your understanding of substitutionary atonement. We just sang, ‘Jesus is My Life.’ What I’m fearful of is…that Jesus won’t be your life in how you practice ministry…Jesus made disciples.”
How we learn how to pray, Mancini suggested, is based more on developing skills through practices like modeling, practicing, evaluation, and accountability than it is on listening to sermons – what he called “learning the practices, the competencies, the skills of living in the way of Jesus.”
Mancini asked Conference to imagine the church as a training center through the metaphor of a pipeline – the concept of moving people from Point A to Point B, training them to develop and use new skills. That involves teaching – what we do as preachers of the gospel is important – but it also involves modeling, practicing, evaluation, and accountability. In other words, developing a leadership-discipleship pipeline.
“Teaching’s important, but it’s not holistic, because you don’t develop swimmers in a classroom and you don’t develop disciples in a worship center only,” Mancini stressed.
Mancini said his research has indicated that in many churches, the most-committed people are becoming less committed and less regular in their attendance. Part of the reason for that is simple accessibility to sermons; via the Internet we can access sermons by 100 excellent preachers without ever leaving our living rooms. But part of the reason is because churches are failing to take advantage of opportunities to train and develop people. Mancini suggested that we need to stop seeing church as a platform for the pastor and begin to view church as a pipeline for developing disciples who serve the Lord, the church, and one another.
“In the platform paradigm, there’s only room for one pastor, and it’s you,” Mancini said. “In the pipeline paradigm, everyone’s a pastor…we need to understand the pastor-hood of every believer.”
Mancini directed Conference’s attention to three texts in the Gospels that highlighted events or interchanges Jesus had that directly preceded His selection of the 12 men He chose to be His disciples – part of His “pipeline approach” to training others for ministry. These examples, from Luke 6:9-12, Mark 3:7-12, and Matthew 9:36-38, highlighted the time-urgency, considerable neediness, and amazing opportunities that connected with Jesus’ pouring His own life into an inner circle of three (Peter, James, John), the 12 disciples as a group, and ever-widening circles of His followers leading to the conversion of 3,000 in one day at Pentecost.
“Disciple-making is a way of life and you can feel something happening as people are being developed,” he noted. But there is an urgency to that that we must feel, leading to a commitment to training and preparing others to first be disciples and then to make disciples. “I don’t have unlimited time to teach,” Mancini said. “I have to invest in a few men – the time is short!”
Michael W. Walker then directed Conference in prayer, using Paul’s words in Ephesians 1:15-23 to call the pastors and delegates to pray prayers of thanksgiving and petition with a special focus on discipleship.
Following the morning break, Pinebrook’s new Site Director, Chad Strausbaugh, provided a warm welcome in his role as Conference Host. “We are thrilled to be able to host you this year. We are grateful for new relationships and new opportunities, to be able to serve you,” Strausbaugh said. “We want you to know that we’re here to support you, and to understand your vision and your goals and how you can use this space.”
The following appointments were made by either the Conference Moderator or the Committee on Agenda and Arrangements:
Registrar: Daniel L. Williams
Assistant Registrar: Joel B. Klase
Overseer of the Pages: Nathaniel C. LeTowt
Head Page: Nathaniel C. LeTowt
Tellers: Jonathan H. King, Chairman; Mark A. Bickel, Brad L. Boyer, Ferdie R. Madara, Timothy R. Nessler, Mark R. Orton, Aaron D. Smith, Ronald B. Smith.
Examination of BFC Conference Minutes (136th): Daniel P. Allen, Chairman; Philip G. Norris, Richard E. Taylor
Resolutions: Timothy S. Hogan, Chairman; Ronald Burgess, Steven J. Morton.
Timekeeper: Mark L. Morrison
Parliamentarian: Joshua P. Miller
Resolved, that the appointments be ratified.
The Conference Secretary made the following appointments:
Assistant Secretary: Bryan C. McNally.
Assistants to the Secretary: David E. Brandt, Donald E. Kuntzman.
Resolved, that the appointments be ratified.
The following new members of BFC Conference were introduced:
Jesse Benack, Paradise BFC, Paradise, PA; Jared Burkholder, Bethel BFC, Emmaus, PA; Stephen Cassel, Calvary BFC, Coopersburg, PA; Jarrod Cruise, Lebanon BFC, Lebanon, PA; Ed Day, Pocono Mt. BFC, Mt. Pocono, PA; Robert Gill, Ebenezer BFC, Bethlehem, PA; Melvin Hinton, Newark BFC, Newark, NJ; Jeff Kauffman, Faith BFC, Spring City, PA; William Lopez, La Roca de Reading, Reading, PA; Glenn McCaskey, Trinity BFC, Blandon, PA; Sean McNamara, Faith BFC, Spring City; Errin Mulberry, Calvary BFC, Sinking Spring, PA; Michael Murphy, Berean BFC, Stroudsburg, PA; Barry T. Parsons, Harvest BFC, Boyertown, PA; Lucas Parsons, Harvest BFC, Boyertown, PA; David M. Poland, Grace Bible Church, Las Cruces, NM; Andrew J. Schmersahl, Zionsville BFC, Zionsville, PA; Roger Siegrist, Bethany BFC, Mount Carmel, PA; Kevin Sine, Saucon Community BFC, Hellertown, PA; Rod Spangler, Graterford BFC, Graterford, PA; Marco D. Valle, Community BFC, Brick, NJ; Chris Von Holt, Cedar Crest BFC, Allentown, PA; Joseph Waldvogel, New Life Bible Church, Carmel, NY; David Winters, Faith BFC, Lancaster, PA; Tony Zook, Royersford BFC, Royersford, PA.
Report of the Committee on Examination of 135th BFC Conference Minutes: (see page 131)
Resolved, that the report be adopted.
The Conference Secretary made the following recommendation:
Resolved, that all minutes of all sessions of the 135th BFC Conference be approved.
Report of the Nominating Committee:
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
The following were elected:
BFC Executive Board:
John W. Sullivan (1 year)
Ministerial Relations Committee:
Ronald W. Reed (3 years)
Committee on Nominations:
Dorothy Ruch (3 years)
Rachel Schmoyer (1 year)
Conference Judicatory:
David J. Peters (3 years)
Special Appellate Judicatory:
Randall A. Grossman (3 years)
Scott Wright (3 years)
Donald D. McKinney (3 years)
Jayonn Folks (1 year)
William G. Schlonecker prayed for Robert C. Kaatz, who was forced to step down from the Special Appellate Judicatory after several years of faithful service because he is battling mesothelioma.
Officers for BFC Conference:
Secretary of 137th BFC Conference:
Ronald L. Kohl (1 year)
Report of the Ministerial Credentials Committee: (see page 124)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
Whereas, the Ministerial Candidate Committee has recommended ordination for Jason A. Filbert and James D. Reff II, and
Whereas, these brethren have served acceptably as ministers of the Bible Fellowship Church for the required period of time or the equivalent thereof, and
Whereas, after examination, the Ministerial Credentials Committee believes these men to be called of God to the gospel ministry and to be in accord with the Faith & Order of the Bible Fellowship Church, therefore be it
Resolved, that Jason A. Filbert and James D. Reff II be ordained to the gospel ministry of the Bible Fellowship Church.
Resolved, that an Ordination Service be held at the 136th BFC Conference.
Resolved, that the Covenant Bible Fellowship Church, Naples, FL, and the Grace Community Bible Fellowship Church, Chestertown, MD, be encouraged to have a service in recognition of the ordinations of Jason A. Filbert and James D. Reff II, respectively, and that they be encouraged to invite the Ministerial Credentials Committee to send representation to be present at the service.
Report of the Study Committee to Review Biblical Principles for Living: (see page 136)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
After close examination of the Biblical Principles for Living (BPLs), the Committee determined that the seven potential resolutions included in its report required further discussion and study. The Committee recognized that it is impractical to recommend immediate action on all seven issues; therefore, the decision was made to hone in on the first two recommendations at the 136th BFC Conference.
Resolved: that the BFC Conference appoint a committee to re-examine Article 103-4, The Family, with the following questions minimally in view:
1. Does the current statement adequately define Biblical marriage and provide adequate response and/or direction regarding culture’s use of domestic partnership, civil union, common-law marriage, and same-sex marriage?
2. Does the current statement provide adequate guidance regarding the local church’s interaction with those involved in domestic partnership, civil union, common-law marriage, and same-sex marriage in such areas as membership, church involvement, believer’s baptism, etc.?
3. Does the current statement adequately address the structure of single-parent homes and provide guidance for the church in caring for these families?
Conference voted to appoint a committee to study questions pertaining to Article 103- 4, The Family.
Resolved: that the BFC Conference appoints a committee to examine and, if it deems necessary and appropriate, to prepare a statement on the issues of gender and gender/ sexual identity by considering the following questions:
1. What does the Bible teach concerning the nature and origin of gender?
2. What does the Bible teach concerning the nature and origin of identity?
3. What is the relationship between sexual anatomy and sexual identification?
4. How does the church respond biblically to individuals struggling to understand their own identity, gender, and sexuality?
Conference voted to appoint a committee to study questions pertaining to this second resolution regarding gender and sexual identity. The study committee decided to postpone the remaining five resolutions in its report until a future BFC Conference.
Conference adjourned for lunch at 12:15 p.m. as Andrew T. Crossgrove prayed.
Third Meeting
Tuesday, April 30, 2019, 1:30 P.M.
The afternoon session was called to order at 1:30 p.m. as Timothy M. Zuck led Conference in prayer. Beau E. Coffman prayed for the elections that followed.
Keynote speaker Will Mancini’s second address was entitled, “God Dreams: Finding and Focusing Your Church’s Future.” His purpose, he noted, was to provide our churches and pastors with a tool for developing vision.
Our vision statements, Mancini said, must be specific, not generic. “Generic vision will rob you,” he noted. “Generic is not noticeable. It’s average. It’s mediocre.”
Mancini introduced a grid using different perspectives on a horizon, whereby he highlighted a 1-4-1-4 strategy for what he called “The Horizon Storyline.” It involves a series of individual goals for churches, starting with a “beyond the horizon” vision that is five years away and eventually moving to a series of 90-day attainable goals.
The following were elected:
BFC Executive Board:
Dennis M. Cahill (3 years)
Steven J. DelDuco (3 years)
Stephen J. Kauffman (3 years)
L. James Roberts Jr. (3 years)
Ministerial Credentials Committee:
Dennis M. Cahill (3 years)
Carlos G. Rodriguez (3 years)
Ministerial Relations Committee:
Randall A. Grossman (3 years)
Committee on Nominations:
Mark E. Barninger (3 years)
Committee on Church Health:
James Arcieri (3 years)
Clyde D. Bomgardner Jr. (3 years)
Conference Judicatory:
Donald D. McKinney (3 years)
Officers of the 137th BFC Conference:
Moderator
Timothy J. Schmoyer (1 year)
The following resolution is connected to the morning’s presentation of the Committee to Review Biblical Principles for Living:
Whereas, we recently created two study committees based on the recommendations from the BPL Review Committee, and
Whereas, Article 508 (Business Rules of BFC Conference) allows for Conference to appoint the committee members or for the Moderator to appoint the members with Conference ratification, and
Whereas, it would serve the time frame of our agenda to have the Moderator appoint the members of these two study committees, therefore be it
Resolved, that Conference requests that the Moderator appoint at least five people to each study committee, to be ratified by the 136th BFC Conference.
Consideration of a Request from the Board of Elders, Lebanon BFC: (see page 166)
The Board of Elders of the Lebanon Bible Fellowship Church made the following request for consideration at the 136th BFC Conference:
Whereas, the Lebanon Bible Fellowship Church has a desire to see Bible Fellowship Churches planted in foreign countries, and
Whereas, the establishment of Bible Fellowship Churches in foreign counties is consistent with our mission statement that we are “An Expanding Fellowship of Churches united to make disciples of Jesus Christ,” and
Whereas, we already have a church in Mexico that was under the auspices of Church Extension, and
Whereas, Church Extension is the church planting arm of the Bible Fellowship Church, therefore be it
Resolved, that the Bible Fellowship Conference charge the Executive Board to examine a potential strategy for planting Bible Fellowship Churches in other foreign countries.
Resolved, that the request be received.
Report of the Study Committee on the Importance of Preaching: (see page 142)
Resolved, that the report be received.
After extended discussion, the following action was taken by Conference:
Resolved, that we refer the report back to the committee for continued study in preparation for the 137th BFC Conference.
The Moderator recommended that the committee consider what was discussed on the floor of Conference. He encouraged members of Conference to submit suggestions to the committee.
The following were elected:
Ministerial Candidate Committee:
Andrew W. Barnes (3 years)
Vice-Moderator of BFC Conference:
Steven J. DelDuco (1 year)
Duane E. Moyer, Director of the Bible Fellowship Church’s Board of Missions, greeted Conference by pointing the pastors’ and delegates’ attention to the BFC Missions Rally scheduled for May 4, 2019 at Cedar Crest BFC.
The following missionaries were introduced to BFC Conference:
Daniel P. Allen; Larry Davies; Bill Early; John Elias; Sean & Sunny Fox; Chris Merrick; Joseph & Thana Moussa; Jerry L. & Carolyn Moyer; John C. Studenroth; Ondra & Melissa Zikanovi.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:13 p.m. as Clifford B. Boone prayed. Pastors remained for a brief meeting of the Beneficiary Society prior to heading off to dinner.
Fourth Meeting
Tuesday, April 30, 2019, 7:00 P.M.
Tuesday evening’s session, which was called to order at 7 p.m., was entirely devoted to the service of ordination. No Conference business was conducted. Musical worship leader Jeremy L. Harkins read Psalm 46:1-7. Conference then sang “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” and “All Creatures of Our God and King.”
Jason L. Hoy read Psalm 145:1-7 before praying. Ronald C. Erb presented Jason A. Filbert and James D. Reff II as candidates for ordination. Prior to Filbert and Reff being ordained to the gospel ministry, David E. Gundrum reminded the ordinands and all who attended the service of the greatness of God with a sermon entitled “Mysteriously Unfathomable.”
Gundrum read 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 and 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 as his texts – passages which focus on God’s incomprehensible greatness and on His calling of ordinary men to do extraordinary things. “Consider your calling, brothers,” Paul wrote. “Not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.”
But God chose things that “are not” to shame the things that are. He chooses the foolish instead of the wise, and the weak instead of the strong. “God chooses ‘nothings’ – things that are not – so that He might get all the glory,” Gundrum said.
First Corinthians 4:1-2 reads, “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.” “It’s incomprehensible that we should be called servant-leaders,” Gundrum reminded the ordinands. “You have been called to serve.”
Following the administering of the ordination vows, the ordination service concluded with the singing of “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” and the benediction at 8:10 p.m. After the newly-ordained pastors were greeted by their fellow BFC pastors, a time of celebration and refreshment was held in Fellowship Hall.
Fifth Meeting
Wednesday, May 1, 2019, 8:45 A.M.
The Moderator called the meeting to order at 8:45 a.m. as Dana E. Weller prayed. Conference worshiped our great, holy, loving, and merciful God through the singing of “Blessed Assurance,” “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” “In Christ Alone,” “His Mercy is More,” and “Show Us Christ.”
Calvin T. Reed preached the morning sermon on the subject of discipleship in the church. His text was 2 Timothy 2:1-2 – “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
Reed used the familiar metaphor of discipleship as a passing of the baton to work through the text and bring light to those who heard him preach. He quickly answered several preliminary questions:
How is the baton to be passed? “Entrust to faithful men…” “To entrust something is to hand over to another person that which they are to guard for safekeeping,” Reed explained.
Who is to pass the baton? Those who have received it. Paul passed the baton to Timothy and Timothy is then to entrust it to faithful men, who will entrust it to still others…
What is the baton that is to be passed? The faith in its entirety. “It is the whole Word of God and our response to it. It is the full embracing of the faith in word and deed,” Reed said.
How is the baton to be passed? Focusing on the word “entrusting,” Reed pointed to the importance of teaching in both private (one-on-one, Paul-to-Timothy) and public settings.
Reed, the son of a dairy farmer, learned countless life-lessons by observing and working under a father who never missed a milking in 30 years. “I learned a lot about character because he was not only concerned about my abilities; he was also concerned about the kind of person I would be and the kind of worker I would be.”
Much of what Reed said was biographical in nature, referring frequently to how his own father had taught Reed to follow in his footsteps, but always to make the point that discipleship is intensely personal and is conveyed by word, by deed, and by example. Paul did the same thing with Timothy. “Paul taught Timothy so much about life. Literally and figuratively, he [Timothy] adopted the lifestyle of the apostle Paul,” Reed said.
“Just as cows need to be milked, the gospel has to be preached if people are going to be saved,” Reed stressed.
Discipleship, according to the text, took place in both personal teaching and public discipleship through Paul’s pulpit ministry. “I believe that preaching is a very, very, very important part of discipleship, and I think that’s what’s missing from a lot of the paradigms we get from a lot of para-church organizations,” Reed said.
“We are living in a time where the preaching of the Word of God is out of season,” he noted. “But we shouldn’t abandon the preaching of the Word simply because it’s out of season and people don’t want to hear it…no one is going to dissuade me from doing it because that’s what we’re charged to do.”
Reed concluded his sermon with several ways in which the Lebanon church has personally applied the biblical injunction he had just preached in 2 Timothy 2:1-2. “My greatest passion is for developing pastors,” Reed stressed. “I have a real heart to see men become preachers and teachers of the Word of God.”
Daniel L. Williams led Conference in a time of concerted prayer using Psalm 145 as his base text and springboard for prayers of confession, thanksgiving, and commitment.
The following was elected:
Committee on Church Health:
Daniel L. Williams (3 years)
Report of the Executive Board: (see page 44)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
Bible Fellowship Church Executive Director David T. Allen addressed Conference, briefly walking the pastors and delegates through the Executive Board’s report. Pinebrook was Allen’s immediate focus; he highlighted the 2018 transfer of property to the Franconia Mennonite Camping Association (Spruce Lake Retreat) and related some of the changes and adjustments that accompany the transfer.
“It wasn’t about money. It was about ministry,” Allen said in explaining the decision to turn over the assets of Pinebrook Bible Conference to Spruce Lake Retreat.
Allen introduced Mark Swartley, Spruce Lake’s Executive Director, who provided some updates on facility improvements, new staff at Pinebrook, etc. “It has been a great decision to be involved here. It hasn’t been an easy decision, but we’ve seen God work here,” he said.
The recent deaths of Jay H. Fasnacht and Robert Zentz, two valuable longtime servants, were acknowledged, with L. James Roberts, Jr. and Ronald W. Reed praying, thanking God for the faithfulness of Fasnacht and Zentz, respectively.
Allen reviewed the BFC’s financial statements, presenting both a revised budget for 2019 and a proposed budget for 2020.
Resolved, that the 2019 revised Executive Board budget be adopted by the 136th BFC Conference (see page 63).
Resolved, that an assessment rate of two (2.0) percent be adopted by the 136th BFC Conference for 2020 (based on assessable receipts from 2018).
The Executive Board recommended the following resolutions to the 136th BFC Conference:
Whereas, the MRF annuity rate for 2019 was $221 per year of service, and
Whereas, cost-of-living adjustments no longer apply to MRF payments, be it
Resolved, that the MRF annuity rate for calendar year 2020 be $221 per year of service.
Resolution Relating to Rental/Housing Allowances for Retired or Disabled Ministers of this Conference for Calendar Year 2020:
Whereas, the religious denomination known as The Bible Fellowship Church has, and functions through ministers of the gospel who are duly ordained or licensed, and
Whereas, the practice of The Bible Fellowship Church is to provide a parsonage or a rental allowance as part of the gross compensation for each of its active ordained or licensed ministers, and
Whereas, pensions paid to retired and disabled ordained or licensed ministers of The Bible Fellowship Church are considered as deferred compensation and are paid to said retired and disabled ordained or licensed ministers in consideration of previous, active service, and
Whereas, the Internal Revenue Service has recognized that The Bible Fellowship Church is the appropriate organization to designate a housing/rental allowance for retired and disabled ordained or licensed ministers who are members of this Conference, therefore be it
Resolved,
1. An amount equal to 100% of the pension payments received during the year of 2020 be and is hereby designated as a rental/housing allowance for each retired and disabled ordained or licensed minister of The Bible Fellowship Church who is or was a member of the Bible Fellowship Church Minister’s Retirement Fund.
2. This rental/housing allowance shall apply to each retired and disabled ordained or licensed minister who has been granted the retired relationship or placed on disability leave by the BFC Conference and whose name and relationship to the conference is recorded in the Yearbook of BFC Conference and in other appropriate records maintained by the conference.
3. The pension payment to which this rental/housing allowance applies shall be the pension payment resulting from all service of such retired or disabled ordained or licensed minister from all employment by any local church, BFC Conference or institution of The Bible Fellowship Church or of any former denomination that is now a part of The Bible Fellowship Church, or from any other employer who employed the minister to perform services related to the ministry and who elected to make contributions to the pension funds of The Bible Fellowship Church for such retired minister’s pension.
Note: The rental/housing allowance which may be excluded from a minister’s gross income is limited to the lesser of (1) the amount of the rental/housing allowance designated by the minister’s employer or other appropriate body, (2) the amount actually expended by the minister to provide his housing, or (3) the legally-determined fair rental value of the parsonage or other housing provided. As specified in Rev. Rul. 71-290 C.B. 92, “the only amount that will qualify for exclusion under section 107(2) of the Code as a ‘rental allowance’ is an amount equal to the fair rental value of the home, including furnishings and appurtenances such as a garage, plus the cost of utilities.”
The Executive Board also brought the following legislation for approval at the 136th BFC Conference:
Whereas, the religious denomination known as The Bible Fellowship Church has, and functions through ministers of the gospel who are duly ordained or licensed, and
Whereas, the practice of The Bible Fellowship Church is to provide a parsonage or a rental allowance as part of the gross compensation for each of its active ordained or licensed ministers, and
Whereas, contributions paid to an authorized 403(b) plan for the benefit of retired and disabled ordained or licensed ministers of The Bible Fellowship Church are considered as deferred compensation and are paid to said retired and disabled ordained or licensed ministers in consideration of previous, active service, and
Whereas, the Internal Revenue Service has recognized that The Bible Fellowship Church is the appropriate organization to designate a housing/rental allowance for retired and disabled ordained or licensed ministers who are members of this Conference, therefore, be it
Resolved,
1. An amount equal to 100% of the proceeds drawn from a 403(b) plan during the year of 2020 be and is hereby designated as a rental/housing allowance for each retired and disabled ordained or licensed minister of The Bible Fellowship Church who is or was a member of the Bible Fellowship Church.
2. This rental/housing allowance shall apply to each retired and disabled ordained or licensed minister who has been granted the retired relationship or placed on disability leave by the BFC Conference and whose name and relationship to the conference is recorded in the Yearbook of BFC Conference and in other appropriate records maintained by the conference.
3. The pension payment to which this rental/housing allowance applies shall be considered the pension payment resulting from all service of such retired or disabled ordained or licensed minister from all employment by any local church, BFC Conference or institution of The Bible Fellowship Church or of any former denomination that is now a part of The Bible Fellowship Church, or from any other employer who employed the minister to perform services related to the ministry and who elected to make contributions to the pension funds of The Bible Fellowship Church for such retired minister’s pension.
Note: The rental/housing allowance which may be excluded from a minister’s gross income is limited to the lesser of (1) the amount of the rental/housing allowance designated by the minister’s employer or other appropriate body, (2) the amount actually expended by the minister to provide his housing, or (3) the legally-determined fair rental value of the parsonage or other housing provided. As specified in Rev. Rul. 71-290 C.B. 92, “the only amount that will qualify for exclusion under section 107(2) of the Code as a ‘rental allowance’ is an amount equal to the fair rental value of the home, including furnishings and appurtenances such as a garage, plus the cost of utilities.”
Resolved, that the 2020 proposed Executive Board budget be adopted by the 136th BFC Conference (see page 64).
Resolved, that David T. Allen be ratified for another three-year term as Executive Director of the Bible Fellowship Church.
The Executive Board brought the following legislation for adoption at the 136th BFC Conference:
Resolved, that we recommend to BFC Conference the deletion of Article 512-4 of the Principles of Order of the BFC Faith & Order, Board of Pinebrook Bible Conference.
[FIRST READING]
Yes – 156; No – 1.
Resolved, that the Executive Board presents Article 511-1.7(5), the BFC Life Committee, for adoption at the 136th BFC Conference.
511-1.7 (5) BFC Life Committee
Purpose
To promote spiritual growth and fellowship within the Bible Fellowship Church by providing ministry, training, and recreational opportunities within the denomination.
Composition
(1) It shall be composed of individuals who have a heart for the committee’s purpose and can provide valuable assistance to the Committee. Each committee member should have the desire and skill set to enable the ministry to accomplish its mission. The members of the Committee shall be members in good standing of a Bible Fellowship Church and shall be nominated by the Committee and ratified by the BFC Executive Board for a three year term before beginning service on the Committee. The number of members on the Committee shall be determined by the Executive Board, with no less than six members and no more than twelve members in equal classes. In order to coordinate and cooperate ministries, one of the Committee members shall be a member of the BFC Executive Board.
(2) It shall annually determine which of its members will serve as Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, and Financial Secretary.
Duties
(1) It shall plan for, provide, and promote a Summer Conference program available to both the Bible Fellowship Church and the greater Christian community. The number of weeks, the actual program, and the goals of each week shall be determined by the Committee. Pinebrook Bible Conference shall be the primary venue for events, but other venues may also be considered. The cost for attending BFC Life events should be covered by those who participate, but may be supplemented by funds raised or received by this Committee.
(2) It shall plan for, provide, and promote specific retreat opportunities for the Bible Fellowship Church. The purpose of these retreats should include spiritual enrichment, biblical knowledge enhancement, and fellowship opportunities. These could include retreats for special interest groups within the Bible Fellowship Church. Pinebrook Bible Conference should be considered as a preferred venue. The cost for attending BFC Life events should be covered by those who participate, but may be supplemented by funds raised or received by this Committee.
(3) It is authorized to collect, retain, and disburse funds in the execution of their duties. The Financial Secretary shall provide the BFC Executive Board with quarterly financial reports of monies received by and expended by the Committee.
(4) It may create any sub-committees necessary to carry out its responsibilities.
(5) It may use various means to promote the events organized and arranged by this Committee.
(6) It shall coordinate its program goals and events with the BFC Executive Board in order to promote the vision and strategy of the Bible Fellowship Church.
(7) It shall submit an annual written report to the BFC Executive Board.
[FIRST READING]
Yes – 160; No – 2.
Whereas, the Christian Education Committee has not met in the last three years, nor has it reported since the 132nd BFC Conference, and
Whereas, none of the members have come forward to have their names put forward to be re-elected to the Christian Education Committee after their three-year term has expired, therefore be it
Resolved, that we recommend to BFC Conference the deletion of Article 511-1.7(2) of the Principles of Order of the BFC Faith & Order, Christian Education Committee, and be it further
Resolved, that the Executive Board presents Article 511-1.7(2), BFC Education and Training Committee, for adoption at First Reading at the 136th BFC Conference, and further
Resolved, that this legislation be immediately implemented by rule of exception.
511-1.7 (2) BFC Education and Training Committee
Purpose
To provide for, promote, and/or support educational opportunities on behalf of the Bible Fellowship Church.
Composition
(1) The committee shall select its own members in three-year classes, subject to the ratification of the BFC Executive Board.
(2) It shall annually determine which of its members will serve as Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, and Financial Secretary.
Duties
(1) It shall work with the Ministerial Candidate Committee in developing BFC-oriented material that can enable potential pastoral candidates to meet their academic prerequisites for ordination.
(2) It shall develop BFC-oriented materials that would provide biblical standards for new BFC Elders.
(3) It shall provide periodic training opportunities for new and existing BFC Elders to raise their level of biblical understanding.
(4) It shall develop and promote BFC-oriented materials (Articles of Faith, Biblical Principles for Living, etc.) for both adult and children’s usage in BFC churches.
(5) It may present to the BFC Executive Board any new initiatives for biblical training for college age young people.
(6) It shall receive funds designated by BFC Conference and disburse them for the needs of its work.
(7) It shall submit an annual written report to the BFC Executive Board.
[FIRST READING]
Yes – 157; No – 1.
Timothy S. Hogan provided an update from the Youth and Young Adults Committee, which serves under the direct authority of the BFC Executive Board. The Committee recommended the following resolution:
Whereas, the Committee has found difficulty in maintaining the balance of ministers and lay persons as outlined in the Faith and Order, and
Whereas, the Committee seeks freedom to have more than the currently required number of Committee members, therefore be it
Resolved, that the requirement for composition as found in Article 511-1.7 (3) Composition and Election (1) be removed, and be it further
Resolved, that the other requirements of Article 511-1.7 (3) be renumbered accordingly.
[FIRST READING]
Yes – 155; No – 2.
Whereas, it would serve these three committees well to begin operating under the new order, be it
Resolved, that Conference approves the implementation of these committee by-laws by rule of exception.
Report of the Board of Missions: (see page 72)
Duane E. Moyer, Director of the BFC Board of Missions, promoted the upcoming Missions Rally and provided a few updates on some of our BFC missionaries. He noted that the Committee on the Multi-Cultural Church has been dissolved.
Ralph M. Soper prayed for the work of the BFC’s Board of Missions.
Conference adjourned for lunch at 12:15 p.m. as Ricky D. Whitmire prayed.
Sixth Meeting
Wednesday, May 1, 2019, 1:30 P.M.
Timothy D. Gibson opened the afternoon meeting with prayer at 1:30 p.m.
Report of Victory Valley Camp: (see page 111)
Douglas J. Manwiller, Director of Victory Valley Camp, greeted Conference with a series of photos highlighting the now-completed dining hall and kitchen and other ministries at the Zionsville camp. Manwiller noted that 950 children attended summer camp in 2018. “It’s not just the number that we’re excited about; it’s that we’re sharing the gospel with children.”
Mark R. Orton prayed for Victory Valley Camp’s ministry and for needs pertaining to the upcoming summer camp ministry season.
Report of Church Extension Ministries: (see page 80)
Church Extension Ministries Director David E. Gundrum introduced his large team of church planters, then explained the Church Extension Ministries’ church-planting focus on “expansion through multiplication.”
Richard E. Taylor remembered Church Extension Ministries in prayer, asking God to lead in allowing the BFC to develop a multiplication culture.
Report of the Committee to Implement a Training Program for BFC Candidates for Ordination: (see page 138)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
Whereas, the Principles of Order of the Bible Fellowship Church state “All men desiring to be ordained to the ministry of the BFC shall have been graduated from college/university and are encouraged to pursue a seminary degree. The minimum requirement is three years of theological training or its approved equivalent,” and
Whereas, in recent years a number of men have applied for pastoral credentials but do not have the required prerequisite theological education, and
Whereas, there is no clear understanding of what it means to have or obtain a three year equivalent theological training, and
Whereas, it would benefit the Ministerial Candidate Committee and the Bible Fellowship Church to have an Equivalency Training Program for Ministerial Applicants that have life limiting situations that prohibit further formal theological education, therefore be it
Resolved, that the Ministerial Candidate Committee shall establish an Equivalency Training Program, and be it further
Resolved, that following legislation for the Equivalency Training Program be added as 511-4.6, Equivalency Training Program:
511-4.6 Equivalency Training Program
1. When an Applicant does not have three years of formal theological training, he may apply to the Ministerial Candidate Committee for admission to the Equivalency Training Program (ETP).
2. Applicants shall be accepted into the program as an ETP candidate if their life-limiting situation prohibits enrollment in a formal training program.
3. The Committee shall prepare an individualized plan of study that will qualify the ETP candidate to meet the equivalency of the three years of theological study requirement in 204-2.3 Educational Qualifications (1).
4. The ETP candidate shall be assigned to a Qualified Training Mentor who shall oversee the program of study.
a. The Qualified Training Mentor (QTM) shall test and evaluate an ETP candidate’s level of initial equivalence to a three-year theological education.
b. The QTM shall develop an individualized plan for the ETP candidate to meet all the ETP requirements.
c. The plan shall be presented to the Ministerial Candidate Committee for approval.
d. Progress reports of the ETP candidate’s development shall be submitted to the Ministerial Candidate Committee by the QTM.
e. Upon satisfactory completion of the plan, the QTM shall recommend the ETP candidate to the Ministerial Candidate Committee for certification of his equivalency.
And further
Resolved, that the new duty be added as:
511-4.3 (6) It shall oversee the Equivalency Training Program.
The subsequent numbers in 511-4.3 to be altered accordingly.
[FIRST READING]
Yes – 144; No – 5.
Whereas, the number of individuals under the care of the Ministerial Candidate Committee continues to grow, and
Whereas, the responsibilities for the Ministerial Candidate Committee continue to grow, therefore be it
Resolved, that the Ministerial Candidate Committee be enlarged from 5 ministers to 7 ministers. And be it further
Resolved, that the composition of the MCC be amended as follows:
511-4.2 Composition and Election
(1) It shall be composed of seven ordained ministers.
(2) They shall be elected for a term of three years in classes as follows:
Class I Two ministers
Class II Two ministers
Class III Three ministers
[FIRST READING]
Yes – 146; No – 0.
Whereas, BFC Conference has voted that the Ministerial Candidate Committee establish an Equivalency Training Program, and
Whereas, there is already a pressing need for the Equivalency Training Program to be established and implemented, therefore be it
Resolved, that the two additional ministers to the Ministerial Candidate Committee be elected at this BFC Conference by rule of exception.
Legislation to be considered at Second Reading
BFC Executive Board (see p. 35, 2018 Yearbook)
Resolved, that Article 511-1.2 (2) be changed from “Nine voting members” to “Eight voting members.”
[SECOND READING]
Yes – 142; No – 3.
Committee on Agenda & Arrangements (see pp. 44-45, 2018 Yearbook)
Whereas, it is increasingly difficult for a man to dedicate time from his work responsibilities to serve as a delegate for the entire BFC Conference, and
Whereas, the role of delegate was more important during our previous pulpit supply system, and
Whereas, the full board of elders guides a church during a pastoral transition, and
Whereas, more than one man may serve adequately as a delegate, and
Whereas, every delegate has already been elected as an elder by the congregation, therefore be it
Resolved, that the following legislation be considered at Second Reading:
401-1.7 Replace the paragraph with the following:
The Board of Elders shall be the channel of communication between the Particular church and the fellowship of churches and its organizations. The Elders shall elect from their number enough delegates to attend the meetings of BFC Conference based on congregational membership as follows:
1-299 members 1 delegate
300-499 members 2 delegates
500-plus members 3 delegates
If a delegate is not able to attend all the meetings of BFC Conference, the Board of Elders may, if possible, elect as many delegates as necessary to provide representation at all meetings.
A man serving on a pastoral staff is not eligible to serve as a lay delegate at the BFC Conference.
403-3(7) Replace “the Delegates and Alternate Delegate” with “Delegate(s).”
407-5 Replace “the duly elected BFC Conference delegate(s) and alternate delegate(s) with “the delegates elected by the Board of Elders.
409-1.9 Replace “the first Delegate” with “an Elder elected by the Board of Elders.”
505-1(8) Replace with the following:
(8) Delegates from every properly-constituted church based on congregational membership as follows:
1-299 members 1 delegate
300-499 members 2 delegates
500-plus members 3 delegates
If a delegate(s) is unable to attend any meeting of BFC Conference, another delegate elected by that church’s Board of Elders may be seated for those meetings, having informed the Registrar. If a church fails to seat a delegate, it forfeits his representation in his absence.
506-2(1) Replace the sentence “A list of…” with “A roll of qualified members of BFC Conference, including all delegates, shall be published in the minutes of the First Meeting.”
(2) Delete “and alternate delegates”
(3) Delete “and alternate delegate(s) in two places, and “or alternate delegate”
506-3 Delete “and alternate delegate(s)
506-5 Replace with the following:
Prior to the first meeting, all voting members shall sign in with the Registrar.
Delegates serving at subsequent meetings shall sign in with the Registrar before being seated in replacement of another delegate. This action will be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.
506-6 Requests to be excused
Delete the sentence beginning, “This information will be submitted…”
[SECOND READING]
Yes – 148; No – 2.
Report of the Church Health Committee: (see page 130)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
Report of the Ministerial Candidate Committee: (see page 121)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
Resolved, that the list of Ministerial Candidates be approved.
The following men under the care of the Ministerial Candidate Committee were introduced to the 136th BFC Conference:
Benjamin J. Armstrong, Ronks, PA; Benjamin Bailey, Oley, PA; Jesse Benack, Paradise, PA; Jared Burkholder, Emmaus, PA; Freddy Chi, Villa Magna, Mexico; Jarrod Cruise, Lebanon, PA; Larry Davies, Emmaus, PA; Neil J. Franklin, Jr., Lancaster, PA; John J. Hanner, Gettysburg, PA; Paul S. Harvey, Sinking Spring, PA; Derek H. (last name withheld), Paradise, PA; Jules J. Hull III, Sunbury, PA; Jeffrey A. Kauffman, Spring City, PA; Daniel King, Newark, DE; Dan Krall, Ephrata, PA; Nathaniel C. LeTowt, Reading, PA; Juan Carlos Morales, Lancaster, PA; Barry T. Parsons, Boyertown, PA; David M. Poland, Las Cruces, NM; James Reff II, Chestertown, MD; Roger Siegrist, Mount Carmel, PA; Isaias Vega, Sinking Spring, PA; Christopher M. Von Holt, Allentown, PA.
The following were elected:
Ministerial Candidate Committee:
Timothy J. Bertolet (3 years)
David A. Smith (3 years)
Report of the Ministerial Relations Committee: (see page 128)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
Resolved, that each church provide a minimum of 3% of the pastor’s salary for retirement, plus an additional 1% match if the pastor is voluntarily contributing 1%.
Resolved, that the BFC Conference ratify the appointment of Ralph M. Soper as Conference Pastor for a three-year term effective May 1, 2019.
Report of the Conference Pastor: (see page 114)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
Ronald C. Mahurin prayed for the offering that was received for the Darlene J. Mahurin Memorial Fund, which annually helps to meet the financial needs of our pastors. A total of $1,911 was collected.
Report of the Conference Judicatory: (see page 135)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
Report of the Ministerial Convention Committee: (see page 170)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
Report of the Beneficiary Society: (see page 168)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
Report of the Communications Committee: (see page 113)
Donald E. Kuntzman provided a short update on the work of the Communications Committee.
Consideration of a Request from the Board of Elders, Emmanuel BFC, Sunbury: (see page 167)
Whereas, there have been recent scandals of sexual immorality in churches, and
Whereas, the autonomy of the church should defer to the government when the matter at hand is an issue “to promote and to protect the good and restrain and punish the evil,” and
Whereas, the BFC has no current policy on calling pastors who have past convictions of sexual abuse or are registered as sexual offenders, therefore be it
Resolved, that the BFC form a study committee to study the issue of sexual abuse and present the legislation and policy for the denomination and local churches and how our churches can assist and bring comfort to victims of sexual abuse.
Resolved, that the request be approved.
Report of the Day of Prayer Committee: (see page 171)
Michael W. Walker urged Conference to give greater urgency to attending the next BFC Day of Prayer.
Resolved, that the report be approved.
Report of the Committee on Examination of Minutes of Particular Churches: (see page 134)
Resolved, that the report be accepted.
Report of the Registrar:
1. The following alternate delegates were seated for part or all of the 136th BFC Conference:
Dave Graham, Eric McNutt, Bill Ryan, Jeff Keller, John Weller
Resolved, that their seating be approved.
2. The following delegates requested to be excused from part or all of the 136th BFC Conference:
Todd Heath, Tom Lioy, Harry Nessler, Mike Rebman, Stu Stocker, Bruce Wilson.
Resolved, that these requests for excuses be granted.
3. The following licensed and ordained pastors requested to be excused from part or all of the 136th BFC Conference. These requests were approved by the Ministerial Credentials Committee:
Delbert R. Baker II, Timothy J. Bertolet, Leonard E. Buck, G. Wayne Clapier, Raymond R. Dotts, Joshua D. Edwards, Bruce A. Ellingson, Sean Fox, Richard J. Gehman, Roy A. Hertzog, Donald E. Kuntzman, Frank E. Lenahan, Matthew W. Lynskey, Ferdie R. Madera, Richard A. Moyer, Eric R. North, Richard T. Paashaus, Keith E. Plows, Richard B. Ravis, Roger L. Reitz, David N. Schoen, Michael J. Tannous, Benjamin J. Triestman, Gregory A. Uhrich, David R. Way, Howard N. Wells, Paul G. Zimmerman.
4. The following licensed and ordained pastors were noted as absent without excuse.
Kevin W. Clineff
The following appointments were made by the Moderator for the 137th BFC Conference:
Registrar: Daniel L. Williams
Assistant Registrar: Joel B. Klase
Committee on Agenda and Arrangements: Ronald L. Kohl (Chairman); David T. Allen, Steven J. DelDuco, Randall A. Grossman, Timothy J. Schmoyer, Thomas P. Shorb, R. Daniel Wagner.
Committee on Examination of Minutes of Particular Churches: Kevin K. Kirkpatrick (Chairman); Bryan C. McNally, David J. Peters, David A. Smith.
Secretary of Conference Judicatory: Clyde D. Bomgardner, Jr.
Secretary of Special Appellate Judicatory: Hans R. Waldvogel
Study Committee on Examination of the BPL on the Family: Clyde D. Bomgardner, Jr. (Convener); Lisa Bomgardner, Brad L. Boyer, Jared Burkholder, Timothy S. Cowen, Nancy Maurer, James Reff II, Andrew Schmersahl.
Study Committee on Examination of the BPL on Sexual Identity: Aaron J. Susek (Convener); Ronald Burgess, Greg W. Carder, Timothy S. Radcliff, Ronald W. Reed, David A. Smith, John Wilson.
Study Committee on Sexual Abuse: Joshua P. Gibson (Convener); Mark A. Bickel, Philip E. Morrison, Timothy J. Schmoyer, Benjamin J. Triestman.
Resolved, that the appointments be ratified.
Report of the Committee on Resolutions:
Whereas, Pastor David T. Allen challenged Conference using the example of the tribe of Issachar to seek clarity in our disciple-making mission by becoming experts in the times in which we live as our culture changes and as we seek to live out the great commission, and
Whereas, Will Mancini has identified that many churches are over-programmed, under-discipled, and in need of a renewed vision for the church to find and focus on the church’s future, and
Whereas, Calvin T. Reed implored the church to maintain the diligence of preaching the Word of God by the grace of God, which is the means of discipleship, and to pass the baton of preaching and teaching to faithful men who will replicate the lifestyle that was demonstrated by the apostle Paul, therefore be it
Resolved, that we express our desperate dependence upon the grace of God to pass onto faithful men the gift of life found in Jesus Christ, and that our churches become discipleship centers, not merely teaching centers, and make disciple-making a priority.
Whereas, God continues His sovereign work of building His church, and
Whereas, God has providentially brought Harvest Fellowship Church of Boyertown, PA to the Bible Fellowship Church’s expanding fellowship of churches, and
Whereas, Harvest Fellowship Church meets all the qualifications for a particular church according to the Faith and Order and has been recognized by this Conference as a particular church, therefore be it
Resolved, that we give thanks to the Lord for His divine protection and preservation of this church, and be it further
Resolved, that we continue to support and pray for Harvest Fellowship Church and for its pastor, Barry T. Parsons, and his leadership team, that they would grow in maturity and unity.
Whereas, Jason A. Filbert and James D. Reff II were ordained at the 136th BFC Conference, and
Whereas, Pastor David E. Gundrum ardently exhorted the ordinands to preach the Word in the power of the Holy Spirit, therefore be it
Resolved, that we also receive his exhortation with thanksgiving, and may we also expect the Holy Spirit to attend to our preaching and effect salvation in our hearers.
Whereas, Glenn R. Felty, Jason W. Blair, and John C. Vandegriff, Jr. have resigned from their positions of ministry, therefore be it
Resolved, that we give thanks to the Lord for their ministry and service at their particular churches and pray for God’s guidance as they seek to serve the Lord with the calling and gifts He has given them.
Whereas, Willis I. Dowling, Jay H. Fasnacht, Edgar H. Munyan, and Robert Zentz, after having lived lives full of faith and dedicated service to our Lord’s church, and having joined the saints eternal in the Kingdom of God, therefore be it
Resolved, that we praise God for giving these faithful servants to the service of Christ’s church for many years, and be it further
Resolved, that we endeavor to follow their examples of love and commitment to Jesus Christ as God uses us in the advancement of His Kingdom purposes.
Whereas, a number of our churches are seeking pastors, therefore be it
Resolved, that we pray for the Lord to raise up gifted, Spirit-filled shepherds for our churches in Carmel, NY; Clinton Corners, NY; Oley, PA; and Steelton, PA, and further be it
Resolved, that we pray for these churches during their times of transition.
Whereas, the BFC Executive Board has worked assiduously, devoting much time to the performance of its duties and
Whereas, David T. Allen has served efficiently and effectively as Executive Director, therefore be it
Resolved, that we give praise to our sovereign Lord for his impeccable leadership and extend our deep gratitude to our brothers for their service and leadership.
Whereas, Pinebrook Bible Conference is now under the oversight of the Franconia Mennonite Camping Association and the updates and new leadership are positive and exciting, and
Whereas, God has abundantly answered the prayers of Conference for the future of Pinebrook through the Franconia Mennonite Camping Association and Spruce Lake Retreat, and
Whereas, Conference has been blessed by the gracious, joyful service of all the staff at Pinebrook, along with wives and family members of our pastors and delegates, therefore be it
Resolved, that we praise God for answering Conference’s prayer for Pinebrook’s future, and further be it
Resolved, that we continue to pray for the future of Pinebrook, and further be it
Resolved, that we extend our sincere gratitude for all those who served Conference with a round of applause.
Whereas, Jeremy L. Harkins, James Arcieri, Elliot H. Ramos, Richard B. Ravis, and Aaron J. Susek have used their giftedness in leading Conference in the singing of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and
Whereas, Michael W. Walker and Daniel L. Williams have capably directed us in times of corporate prayer, therefore be it
Resolved, that we give thanks to the Lord for their leading us in the worship of His mighty Name.
Whereas, BFC Conference Secretary Ronald L. Kohl, Assistant Secretary Bryan C. McNally, and Assistants to the Secretary David E. Brandt and Donald E. Kuntzman, have served willingly and faithfully, therefore be it
Resolved, that we thank the Lord for their service during our proceedings.
Whereas, Head Page Nathaniel C. LeTowt, and pages Benjamin J. Armstrong, Benjamin Bailey, Jared Burkholder, Adam Crain, Neil J. Franklin, Benjamin Herb, Paul S. Harvey, Sandy Holbert, Brad Kunkle, Diego A. Rodriguez, Isaias Vega, and Nate Walls have persistently, humbly, and joyfully served the 136th BFC Conference, enabling it to function smoothly, therefore be it
Resolved, that we express our appreciation for their service with a round of applause.
Whereas, Timothy J. Schmoyer has served exceptionally as the Moderator of 136th Conference of the Bible Fellowship Church, therefore be it
Resolved, that we offer our admiration, praise, and thanksgiving to God for providing us with a yielded servant for His service and be it further
Resolved, that the members of the BFC Conference show their appreciation for Brother Schmoyer with a round of applause.
Whereas, on the basis of the hearing of God’s Word, reports, testimonies, and proceedings of the 136th Conference of the Bible Fellowship Church, we believe that Christ’s Spirit is actively advancing His cause in and through us, therefore be it
Resolved, that we press on in the challenging work before us with joy and humility, and be if further
Resolved, that we continue to encourage one another, building up the saints in faith, hope, and love, as we see His great day approaching.
The Moderator adjourned the 136th BFC Conference in prayer at 4:35 p.m.