Report of the Credentials Committee
The Credentials Committee held four meetings during the year in the performance of its duties.
During the year, the Credentials Committee met with several of the Pastors and counseled with them. Randall A. Grossman and David A. Thomann were appointed to serve on the study committee to answer the questions brought to Annual Conference by the Kutztown Church concerning the roll of laymen in certain aspects of the ministry. Randall A. Grossman and Keith E. Plows attended the NCMAF conference in Washington D.C. in December. Communication was received regarding Chaplain Barry J. Minsky. He is heading up the team of chaplains serving over one million refugees in Goma, Zaire. He received a promotion to Lieutenant Colonel, August 15, 1994.
The following changes in status were approved:
Bernard H. Coble from Ordained Ministers Working Under the Direction of the Bible Fellowship Church to Ordained Ministers Between Calls
Robert L. Draper from Ordained Ministers Working Under the Direction of the Board of missions of the Bible Fellowship Church to Ordained Ministers in Retirement
David H. Jones from Ordained Ministers Working Under the direction of the Bible Fellowship Church to Ordained Ministers on Leave of Absence
William W. Mull from Ordained Ministers Working Under the Direction of the Board of Mission of the Bible Fellowship Church to Ordained Ministers in Retirement
James E. Neher from Ordained Minister Working Under the Direction of the Bible Fellowship Church to Ordained Ministers Between Calls
Austin G. Shelly from Ordained Ministers Between Calls to Ordained Ministers Working Under the Direction of the Bible Fellowship Church
The Committee, in fulfillment of the assignment given to it at the 109th Annual Conference (page 41, 1992 YEARBOOK), presents the “Suggested Outline: Local Church Recognition of Ordination” (See attached)
The Faith & Order questionnaire was sent to each of the Ministers holding Ordination Credentials with the Bible Fellowship Church. All of the brethren, returned their questionnaire and gave acceptable answers. Supplemental questionnaires were sent to a number of our ordained men who are listed in the categories Ordained Ministers Working In Other Christian Ministries, Ordained Ministers Between Calls, and Ordained Ministers on Leave of Absence. All returned their forms and noted their desire to continue retaining credentials with the Bible Fellowship Church.
During this past year our beloved brother, C.E. Kirkwood, went home to be with the Lord. We thank God for the many years He granted him to labor among us. Truly he was a pastor’s pastor and a tender shepherd to many of our people. We wish to express our deepest sympathy to his dear wife and family and to assure them of our continued love and prayers.
RESOLVED, that the Chairman of the 111th Annual Conference appoint a committee to prepare a tribute to C.E. Kirkwood to appear in the 1994 YEARBOOK.
The Committee met with two men for ordination examination. The Credentials Committee gives thanks to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Who has given these gifted men to the ministry of the Bible Fellowship Church.
WHEREAS, the Ministerial Candidate Committee has recommended Jerry L. Moyer and Ralph E. Ritter for ordination; 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 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 Jerry L. Moyer and Ralph E. Ritter be ordained to the gospel ministry of the Bible Fellowship Church; and further;
RESOLVED, that the service of ordination be held Tuesday, October 18, 1994, at 7:30 p.m. at Berean Bible Fellowship Church; Stroudsburg, PA.
The Credentials Committee has placed our Ordained Ministers in the following categories: (These men are eligible to serve a Bible Fellowship Church.)
I. Ordained Ministers Working Under the Direction of the Bible Fellowship Church:
Allen, Daniel P.
Armstrong, W. David
Baker, Delbert R. II
Barber, Kenneth F.
Bartron, William H.
Beil, James A.
Brosius, Bert N.
Brush, R. Jerome
Cahill, Dennis M.
Cassel, Alva C.
Cassel, Carl C.
Clapier, G. Wayne
Commerford, Robert S.
Coulbourn, Hugh C. Jr.
Erb, Ronald C.
Fischer, Carl J. Jr.
Fritz, Harvey J. Jr.
Good, Kenneth L.
Grossman, Randall A.
Gundrum, David E.
Harris, Richard D.
Heller, LeRoy S.
Hertzog, Roy A.
Johnson, Robert F.
Koch, James G.
Mahurin, Ronald C.
Martin, Carl T.
*Moyer, Jerry L.
Paashaus, Richard T.
Phillips, D. Thomas
Plows, Keith E.
Prontnicki, Louis
Ravis, Richard B.
Reed, Calvin T.
Reitz, Roger L.
*Ritter, Ralph E.
Schlonecker, William G.
Schoen, David N.
Shelly, Austin G.
Shorb, Thomas P.
Sloan, Robert A. Jr.
Smith, Gene W.
Soper, Ralph M.
Spinney, Dennis W.
Stortz, Dean A.
Studenroth, John C.
Taylor, Richard E.
Thomann, David A.
Trommler, Steven L.
Uhrich, Gregory A.
Vandegriff, John C. Jr.
Vining, Gilbert J.
Vivona, Allan R.
Watkins, David J.
Way, David R.
Weller, Dana E.
Wells, Howard N.
Wickstead, James A.
Widger, Byron
Ziegler, Daniel G.
II. Ordained Ministers Working Under the Direction of the Board of Missions of the Bible Fellowship Church:
Aukamp, William C.
Boone, Clifford B.
Buck, Leonard E.
Butler, Brian H.
Gehman, Richard J.
Harding, W. Neil, Jr.
Harley, J. Barclay
Hoyle, Ronald W.
Johnston, Walter M.
Lea, Herbert K.
Morrison, Philip E.
Moyer, Edward
Riddell, David W.
Yerrington, Philip E.
Zimmerman, Paul G.
III. Ordained Minister Working in the Military Chaplaincy Under the Sponsorship of the Bible Fellowship Church:
Minsky, Barry J.
IV. Ordained Ministers Working in Other Christian Ministries:
Bigley, T. James Jr.
Ellingson, Bruce A.
Frable, Arthur H. Jr.
Gordon, Robert N.
Hagy, Ronald C.
Keeler, Kenneth D.
Manney, David L.
Schell, Henry A.
V. Ordained Ministers Between Calls:
Batchler, James R. Jr.
Byrd, Terris L.
Coble, Bernard H.
Herb, John H.
Neher, James E.
Weaber, Harold C.
VI. Ordained Ministers on Leave of Absence:
Burnett, Raymond G.
Dommel, Albert J.
Dotts, Raymond R.
Jones, David H.
MacMillan, Thomas S.
Smith, Larry M.
VII. Ordained Ministers in Retirement:
Cassel, Willard E.
Draper, Robert L.
Dunn, John
Frank, Walter H.
Hartman, Jansen E.
Herb, Frank L.
Herb, George E.
Kirkwood, Donald T.
Miller, C. Leslie
Mull, William W.
Munyan, Edgar H.
Reichenbach, R. C.
Riggall, John H.
Seifert, A. L.
Smock, Robert W.
Stengele, Laird F.
Thomann, David E.
Yarrington, Harold D.
The Credentials Committee makes the following recommendations:
RESOLVED, that an Ordination Service be held Tuesday, April 25, 1995, during the 112th Annual Conference at the Berean Bible Fellowship Church, Stroudsburg, PA.
RESOLVED, that the Staten Island Bible Fellowship Church and Grace Bible Fellowship Church, Wallingford, PA be encouraged to have a service acknowledging the Ordination of their Pastor and that they be encouraged to invite the Credentials Committee to send representation to be present at the service.
* Contingent upon approval of recommendation of their Ordination in this report.
Committee on Credentials: Keith E. Plows, Chairman; David A. Thomann, Secretary; James A. Beil, Randall A. Grossman, LeRoy S. Heller
Supplemental Material to the
Credentials Committee
Suggested Outline:
Local Church Recognition of Ordination
(In fulfillment of the assignment given to the Committee on Credentials at the 109th Annual Conference [page 41, 1992 YEARBOOK]
Prelude
Call to Worship
Statement of Purpose
Hymn
Invocation
Special Music
Greetings from Invited Guests:
From Community Leaders
From Representatives of the Bible Fellowship Church
From Evangelical Leaders of Church and Parachurch Organizations
Recognition of the presence of other Pastors and Missionaries
Offering
Sermon
Declaration by Credentials Committee of the Bible Fellowship Church
Announcement of Date and Place of Ordination
(Announcement of Recognition of Previous Ordination, if Pastor was ordained when he was accepted by the Bible Fellowship Church)
Hymn
Benediction
Celebration/Reception/Refreshments (optional)