Report of the

Committee on Credentials

             The Committee on Credentials held three meetings during the year in the performance of its duties.

             As a fulfillment of our requirements concerning our involvement in the military chaplaincy program, Keith E. Plows represented the Committee on Credentials at the NACMAF Convention in Washington, DC in December. It should be noted that David H. Jones, Army Reserve Chaplain, was called up to active duty. Let us remember to pray for him in these unsettling times.

             The Faith and Order questionnaire was sent to each of the ministers holding Ordination Credentials with the Bible Fellowship Church. All of the brethren returned their questionnaire except: W. Neil Harding, Jr., Robert N. Gordon and Thomas S. MacMillan. The Committee is well satisfied with the responses of those who handed in their questionnaires. The Committee will communicate with those who have not returned their Questionnaire.

             The following changes in status were approved:

             Richard J. Gehman was changed from Ordained Ministers Under the Direction of the Board of Missions to Ordained Ministers in Retirement.

             Alva C. Cassel was changed from Ordained Ministers Under the Direction of the Bible Fellowship Church to Ordained Ministers in Retirement.

             D. Thomas Phillips was changed from Ordained Ministers Under the Direction of the Bible Fellowship Church to Ordained Ministers in Retirement.

             Jeffrey L. Ruhl was changed from Ordained Ministers Under the Direction of the Bible Fellowship Church to Ordained Ministers on Leave of Absence.

             David J. Watkins was changed from Ordained Ministers Under the Direction of the Bible Fellowship Church to Ordained Ministers in Retirement.

             The committee met with W. David Armstrong, Jr. during the year to counsel and direct him through his disobedience to the Word of God in the area of purity by pursuing a relationship outside his marriage. The committee passed this resolution August 29,2002:

Whereas, W. David Armstrong, Jr. has confessed to the sin of improper moral conduct, and

Whereas, he has expressed his sorrow and willingness to be reconciled to his Lord, his wife and his children, and

Whereas, we sense a repentant attitude, therefore be it

Resolved, that in accordance with the Faith & Order (sec. 512.11.2), we suspend the credentials of W. David Armstrong, Jr. for an indefinite period of time, and further

Resolved, that his name be dropped from the list of men eligible to receive a call to pulpit supply in the Bible Fellowship Church, and further

Resolved, that W. David Armstrong, Jr. submit to the restoration process as directed by the Committee on Credentials of the Bible Fellowship Church.

             The committee created an accountability team made up of two elders from the Harleysville BFC, one member of the Committee on Credentials and the Conference Pastor. After a period of time, it became evident that our brother was not repentant of his sin and was unwilling to submit to the counsel of the accountability team. It became our sorrowful duty to pass the following resolution January 23, 2003:

Whereas, the Committee on Credentials is given the responsibility to “have oversight of all men who hold credentials with Annual Conference” in the Bible Fellowship Church, and

Whereas, W. David Armstrong, Jr. has chosen to be disobedient to the Word of God in the area of purity by pursuing a relationship outside of his marriage, and

Whereas, the Committee on Credentials has interviewed and counseled W. David Armstrong, Jr. to be reconciled with his Lord and his wife and family, and

Whereas, he has been assigned to an accountability group which consists of two pastors and two elders, and

Whereas, W. David Armstrong, Jr., has, by his behavior, disregarded the counsel of the Committee on Credentials and the accountability team by continuing to pursue a life contrary to the Biblical mandates of purity and loving his wife as Christ loves the church, therefore be it

Resolved, that, with great sorrow and anguish of spirit, the Bible Fellowship Church credentials of W. David Armstrong, Jr. be removed, and be it further

Resolved, that we commit ourselves to pray for our brother that he be reconciled to Christ and to his family.

             The Committee met with four men for ordination examination. The Credentials Committee gives thanks to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Who has given these gifted men for the ministry of the Bible Fellowship Church.

Whereas, the Ministerial Candidate Committee has recommended David T. Allen for ordination; and

Whereas, the Ministerial Candidate Committee has recommended prior ordination recognition for C. Larry Bennett, Arthur J. Simpson, Jr., and John R. Stover; 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 David T. Allen be ordained to the gospel ministry of the Bible Fellowship Church and further;

Resolved, that the prior ordination of C. Larry Bennett, Arthur J. Simpson, Jr., and John R. Stover to the gospel ministry be recognized by the Bible Fellowship Church and further;

Resolved, that the service of ordination be held Monday, May 19, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. at Cedar Crest Bible Fellowship Church, Allentown, 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.

Allen, David T.

Arnold, Jonathon W.

Baker, Delbert R. II.

Bennett, C. Larry

Bomgardner, Clyde D., Jr.

Boone, Clifford B.

Brush, R. J.

Cahill, Dennis M.

Clapier, G. Wayne

Cole, Charles E.

Commerford, Robert S.

Cooper, Brian H.

Cowen, Timothy S.

Crossgrove, Andrew T.

Dowling, Willis I.

Dunn William J.

Ellwanger Donald R.

Erb, Ronald C.

Fischer, Carl J., Jr.

Grossman, Randall A.

Gundrum, David E.

Harris, Richard D.

Heineman, David, N.

Heller, LeRoy S.

Keeler, Kenneth D.

Lawrence, Dennis J.

Mahurin, Ronald C.

McCreary, J. Mark

Morrison, Mark L.

Paashaus, Richard T.

Prontnicki, Louis

Ramos, Elliot H.

Ravis, Richard B.

Reed, Calvin T.

Reitz, Roger L.

Ritter, Ralph E.

Schlonecker, William G.

Schoen, David N.

Shorb, Thomas P.

Simpson, Arthur J., Jr.

Sloan, Robert A. Jr.

Smith, Gene W.

Soper, Ralph M.

Spackman, Carl K.

Spinney, Dennis W.

Stortz, Dean A.

Stover, John R.

Susek, Jacob, J., Jr.

Tait, Jonathan P.

Taylor, Richard E.

Thomann, David A.

Uhrich, Gregory A.

Vandegriff, John C., Jr.

Vivona, Alan R.

Way, David R.

Weller, Dana E.

Wells, Howard N.

Wickstead, James A.

Widger, Byron

II. Ordained Ministers Working Under the Direction of the Board of Missions of the Bible Fellowship Church:

Aukamp, William C.

Denlinger, Ronald K.

Harding, W. Neil, Jr.

Head, Jim D.

Johnston, Walter M.

Lea, Herbert K.

Manney, David L.

Morrison, Philip E.

Moyer, Duane E.

Moyer, Jerry L.

Pollock, Thomas A.

Riddell, David W.

Studenroth, John C.

Yerrington, Philip E.

Zimmerman, Paul G.

III. Ordained Ministers Working in the Chaplaincy Under the Sponsorship of the Bible Fellowship Church:

             Hurst, Kenneth J. – Military

             Minsky, Barry J. – Military

             Moyer, Richard A. – Prison Ministry

IV. Ordained Ministers Working in Other Christian Ministries:

             Ellingson, Bruce A.

             Martin, Carl T.

V. Ordained Ministers Between Calls:

Bartron, William H.

Batchler, James R., Jr. 

Dommel, Albert J.

Herb, John H.

Jones, David H.

Trommler, Steven L.

VI. Ordained Ministers on Leave of Absence:

Byrd, Terris L.

Frable, Arthur H., Jr.

MacMillan, Thomas S.

Neher, James E.

Ruhl, Jeffrey L.

VII. Ordained Ministers in Retirement:

Barber, Kenneth F.

Beil, James A.

Bigley, T. James Jr.

Brosius, Bert N.

Buck, Leonard E.

Cassel, Alva C.

Cassel, Carl C.

Cassel, Willard E.

Coulbourn, Hugh C., Jr.

Dotts, Raymond R.

Draper, Robert L.

Dunn, John

Frank, Walter H.

Fritz, Harvey J., Jr.

Gehman, Richard J.

Gordon, Robert N.

Harley, J. Barclay

Hartman, Jansen E.

Herb, Frank L., Jr.

Herb, George E.

Hertzog, Roy A.

Hoyle, Ronald W.

Kirkwood, Donald T.

Koch, James G.

Moyer, Edward

Mull, William W.

Munyan, Edgar H.

Phillips, D. Thomas

Plows, Keith E.

Reichenbach, R. C.

Riggall, John H.

Seifert, A. L.

Shelly, Austin G.

Smock, Robert W.

Thomann, David E.

Watkins, David J.

Weaber, Harold C.

Yarrington, Harold D.

Ziegler, Daniel G.

Credentials Committee makes the following recommendations:

1.          Resolved, that an Ordination Service be held Monday, May 24, 2004, at a place to be determined.

2.          Resolved, that Cedar Crest Bible Fellowship Church, Allentown, PA, Zionsville Bible Fellowship Church, Zionsville, PA, New Life Bible Fellowship Church, Oley, PA, and Berean Bible Fellowship Church, Stroudsburg, PA be encouraged to have services acknowledging the Ordination of David T. Allen, and the recognition of the prior ordinations of C. Larry Bennett, Arthur J. Simpson, Jr., and John R. Stover, respectively and that they be encouraged to invite the Credentials Committee to send representation to be present at the services.

Committee on Credentials: Keith E. Plows, Chairman; David A. Thomann , Secretary; Dennis M. Cahill; LeRoy S. Heller; Ralph M. Soper.