Report of the

Ministerial Relations Committee

      In the year ending December 31, 1997, resignations from pastorates were as follows:

      Church                     Pastor                          Effective Date

Camden, DE. . . . . . James G. Koch. . . . . . .April 13, 1997

      Bethlehem. . . . . . . .Jim D. Head. . . . . . . . .May 10, 1997

      Spring City. . . . . . . Carl T. Martin. . . . . . . August 31, 1997

      Sunbury. . . . . . . . . .Dennis J. Lawrence. . . November 2, 1997

      Also during 1997 resignations were received from Harold E. Weaber at Howell, NJ, to become effective on or before January 31, 1998, and from Kenneth F. Barber at Oley, to become effective on or before August 31, 1998.

      The following pastorates were established under our rules:

      Nazareth. . . . . . . . . Jeffrey L. Ruhl. . . . . . .February 16, 1997

      Wallingford. . . . . . .Timothy S. Cowen. . . .October 1, 1997

      Reading. . . . . . . . . .Clyde D. Bomgardner. October 5, 1997

      Camden, DE. . . . . . Dennis J. Lawrence. . . November 2, 1997

      At the close of the year, the Spring City congregation was seeking a pastor, and the Howell and Oley churches had begun the process of seeking a pastor. Join us in prayer that the Lord would provide the undershepherd of His choosing for these congregations.

      The committee makes the following recommendations to the 115th Annual Conference:

Resolved, that the recommended minimum salary for a pastor serving a Bible Fellowship Church, including benefits, be $23,400 for 1998 (a 3.0% increase).

Resolved, that the proposed legislation §512-14.3 Conference Pastor be approved at Second Reading. (1997 Yearbook, p.37)

[Also found in the “Resolution” section, under “Second Reading” of this Report Book]

Ministerial Relations Committee: David J. Watkins, Chairman; Randall A. Grossman, Secretary; Lee E. Boyles, Keith E. Plows, Calvin T. Reed, L. James Roberts, Jr., Harold L. Snyder, Jr.