Report of the
Strategic Planning Committee
Responding to the mandate of the One Hundredth and Fourteenth Annual Conference to study the administrative structure of the BFC and to prepare legislation for regionalization in the BFC, the Strategic Planning Committee took significant steps forward in its work in monthly planning sessions, two Summit Meetings, and the 1997 Ministerial Convention.
Two Summit Meetings were held on June 26 and August 19, 1997 with 23 pastors and past and present agency heads to address the issues related to our current status, the perceived problems in the BFC, and the possible solutions that would move the denomination forward. On September 30 – October 1 similar discussion and study where the focus of the Ministerial Convention led by the Strategic Planning Committee. A synopsis of the finds from these gatherings were distributed to all pastors.
Primary areas of study under consideration as a result of these gatherings include:
∙ the streamlining of Annual Conference for effectiveness and growth
∙ a unified system of audit and financial responsibility for agencies and boards
∙ the provision of a conference administrator or administration team
∙ the establishment of denominational headquarters
∙ the development of regionalization for expanded ministries
∙ providing methods for expanded communication to strengthen our unity
As steps toward the development of these concepts, the Committee is currently planning the following:
1. A Bible Fellowship Night of Prayer.
All BF Churches have been asked to set aside the evening of April 26, 1998 as a night of prayer. This date is especially appropriate because it is the day before Annual Conference convenes. The focus of the evening will be corporate prayers of praise and thanks-giving for the grace and blessings of our God, recognition of God’s working in and through the BFC past and present, and seeking God’s wisdom and direction for the next stages of development within the denomination.
Materials will be distributed to each pastor to aid in presenting this evening of prayer.
2. The Ongoing Development of Regionalization Ministry
At the Ministerial Convention as well as during the last convening of the Annual Conference, pastors met with others from their “regions” for prayer and interaction. Since the Ministerial Convention, most of these “regions” of pastors have continued to meet regularly for prayer and fellowship. Several have taken steps forward to develop corporate ministries ranging from corporate worship services and fellowships to the shared establishment of daughter churches and shared missions support.
See the Addendum at the end of this report for guidelines toward regionalization.
3. BFC 2000
With a desire to strengthen our corporate identity, fellowship, and unity as the BFC, the Committee is planning a denomination-wide gathering tentatively planned to be held in the Stabler Arena, Bethlehem, PA on April 30, 2000. It is hoped that 5,000 men, women, teens, and children from our denomination will gather for an afternoon and evening of worship, praise, encouragement, and fellowship. Presentations from each of the BFC arms of ministry will be included as will times of dynamic singing, structured prayer, encouragement from speakers from within and without the Conference, and the ministry of gifted musicians.
A planning committee is being formed for this endeavor. People who might be interested in serving on this committee should contact the Secretary of the Strategic Planning Committee.
4. Reorganization
The bulk of this committee’s time has been in evaluating the status of the BFC and making a plan for the future. The redefinition and clarification of the duties of a Conference officer and committee, as well as the establishment of a new committee are being proposed.
4.1 The Chairman of Annual Conference.
The present duties of the Chairman [507-1] are limited to conducting the business of Annual Conference. The Committee recommends that the Chairman, along with the Conference Executive Committee, develop and promote a shared vision for the future ministry of the BFC.
To do this, the following added responsibilities would be given to him:
#1. Spokesman for the Bible Fellowship Church during year(s) of office.
#2. Member of the Conference Executive Committee. Have the privilege of attending the meetings of Conference Agencies, Boards and Committees in an advisory capacity.
#3. Member of Strategic Planning Committee
4.2 Board of Directors
The Board of Directors, in accordance with the Faith & Order, has functioned as a board of trustees [see 512-1.3 Duties of the Board]. The Committee recommends that they continue in this capacity with the added responsibility of having the authority to review the financial affairs of all Agencies, Boards and Committees.
We suggest that the Conference Auditing Committee, with expanded duties, act as an arm of the Board of Directors, receiving full financial reports of each Agency, Board and Committee prior to Annual Conference, and receiving a summary financial report to be presented to Annual Conference and published in the Yearbook.
We also recommend the hiring of an accountant or financial secretary when and if the need arises.
4.3 Conference Executive Committee
To cast a vision for the future, the Committee recommends the establishment of a Conference Executive Committee. This Committee, in cooperation with the Chairman of Annual Conference, would endeavor to sense the “pulse” or “heartbeat” of the Conference. Its primary function would be to coordinate, communicate, facilitate and monitor the activities of Annual Conference, the Regions and the Agencies, Boards and Committees (ABC).
The Executive Committee would be composed of the Chairman of Annual Conference, one representative chosen by and from each Region of churches (chairman or other representative), one representative chosen by and from each Agency (Church Extension, Homes, Missions, Pinebrook, Victory Valley), from Board of Directors, from Strategic Planning Committee [until dissolved], and the Conference Pastor (if appointed).
Further functions of the Conference Executive Committee are as follows:
1. coordinating programs and planning among the Regions and ABC’s;
2. communicating Annual Conference directives, Faith & Order matters and other helpful information, including innovative church work concepts, among the Regions and ABC’s;
3. facilitate denominational activities of the Regions and ABC’s. This shall include encouraging cooperation and support of denominational projects.
4. monitor denominational activities for compliance with Annual Conference regulations and shall notify the appropriate entity of non-compliance. It shall monitor denominational activities to promote cooperation among the Regions and ABC’s. It may request minutes or reports of all Region administrative meetings and all ABC meetings;
5. have advisory capacity with the Regions and ABC’s except when given specific authority by the Annual Conference;
6. it shall be accountable and report annually to the Annual Conference.
Resolutions
1. Resolved, that a denomination-wide gathering be scheduled for April 30, 2000 with the goal of strengthening the corporate identity, fellowship and unity of the Bible Fellowship Church.
2. Whereas, relative proximity and affinity with other churches is the most logical alignment of Regions, therefore be it
Resolved, that the initial configuration of the Regions of the BFC be as follows:
Lehigh Valley: Bethlehem, Cedar Crest, Coopersburg, Emmaus, Finesville, Nazareth, Walnutport, Whitehall, Zionsville
New York/New England: Beacon, Holmes, Pleasant Valley, Poughquag, Thompson
Berks County: Blandon, Fleetwood, Kutztown, Oley, Reading, Sinking Spring
Pocono District: Brodheadsville, Lehighton, Pocono Mountain, Scranton, Stroudsburg
North-West: Mt. Carmel, Shamokin, Sunbury
South Central: Graterford, Harleysville, Hatfield, Quakertown, Red Hill, Royersford, Spring City
Capital: Ephrata, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon, Paradise, Terre Hill, York
New Jersey: Aberdeen, Denville, Edison, Howell, Newark, NJ, Staten Island, Tom’s River,
Southeast: Camden, DE, Maple Glen, Newark, DE, Wallingford, Wissinoming
Whereas, the Strategic Planning Committee has led the way in the concept of regionalization, therefore be it
Resolved, that we follow the guidelines as presented in the Appendix
3. Whereas, the 114th Annual Conference charged the Strategic Planning Committee to study the administrative structure of the Bible Fellowship Church and bring recommendations to the Annual Conference, therefore be it
Resolved, that we endorse the reorganization concepts pertaining to: (1) the Chairman of Annual Conference; (2) Board of Directors; (3) Conference Executive Committee.
4. Resolved, that a Committee on Legislation be formed by the Chairman of Annual Conference. The purpose of this committee will be to develop the legislation necessary for the implementation of the following: (a) Formation of Regions; (b) Additional duties for Chairman of Annual Conference; (c) Additional duties for Board of Directors of the BFC; (d) Conference Executive Committee; (e) Any other related issues, and further
Resolved, that it present legislation for First Reading to the 116th Annual Conference (April 1999).
Strategic Planning Committee: Daniel P. Allen, Chairman; Richard T. Paashaus, Secretary; Raymond R. Dotts, Ronald W. Reed, William R. Singletary, Richard E. Taylor, Dana E. Weller