Report of the

Ministerial Relations Committee

          We thank the Lord for His faithfulness to the BFC in the year 2000. The Chief Shepherd cares for His flock and provides undershepherds for each of the churches.

As of this report to Annual Conference, resignations from pastorates were as follows:

Church                        Pastor                        Effective Date

Staten Island, NY           Ralph E. Ritter              May 31, 2000

Brodheadsville, PA         Donald R. Hibbs            June 30, 2000

Reading, PA                    Jonathon W. Arnold, Sr.         July 31, 2000

Coopersburg, PA            Thomas P. Shorb            February 11, 2001        Senior Pastor

The following pastorates were established under our rules:

Camden, DE                   Raymond R. Dotts          February 20, 2000

Kutztown, PA                  Alan R. Vivona              May 7, 2000

Brooklyn Mission, NY     Ralph E. Ritter              June 1, 2000

Harrisburg, PA                Carl K. Spackman          July 1, 2000

Nazareth, PA                  Jonathon W. Arnold, Sr.         August 1, 2000

Quakertown, PA             Leland C. Stauff             August 1, 2000

Sinking Spring, PA         Donald Ellwanger          January 28, 2001

Piscataway, NJ               Richard Ravis                February 12, 2001

Coopersburg, PA            Thomas P. Shorb            February 11, 2001  Pastor of Congregational Care

Terre Hill, PA                  Kevin W. Kirkpatrick     March 16, 2001

Oley, PA                          Arthur J. Simpson, Jr.  March 20, 2001

Zionsville, PA                  Charles L. Bennett         March 28, 2001

Spring City, PA               Kevin W. Cliniff             April 15, 2001

Lancaster, PA                 Gregory A. Uhrich         June 1, 2001

          At this time, the churches in Pleasant Valley, NY, Red Hill, PA, and Stroudsburg, PA, were in the process of seeking a pastor. Pleasant Valley, NY, was being served by men providing pastoral ministry and was moving toward the establishment of pastorates according to our rules. Pray for the Lord’s provision of a pastor for each of our churches.

          The committee was represented on a study committee to address the concerns voiced by the Oley church in its petition to Annual Conference. Legislation will be presented from that committee to this Annual Conference.

          The committee believes the timing is right for the appointment of a Conference Pastor (F&O §512-14,3). Pray with us for this provision. The committee recommends that provision be made for a part-time salary through the Administrative Budget (up to $24,000 including all expenses and benefits).

          The committee is planning to present a name for ratification as Conference Pastor, pending the approval of funding for the position through the Administrative Budget.

          The committee makes the following recommendation to the 118th Annual Conference:

Resolved, that the recommended minimum salary for a pastor serving a Bible Fellowship Church, including benefits, be $26,550.

Ministerial Relations Committee: David J. Watkins, Chairman; Randall A. Grossman, Secretary; Lee E. Boyles, Ronald C. Mahurin, Calvin T. Reed, Ronald W. Reed, L. James Roberts, Jr.