Report of the
Ministerial Relations Committee
We once again express our gratitude to God for His faithfulness in providing for the shepherding of His flock through men called to serve as pastors. We are dependent upon Him to lead each congregation and pastors according to His perfect will.
The following pastorates were established under our rules:
| Church | Pastor | Effective Date |
| Thompson, CT | Dennis W. Spinney | July 27, 2003 |
| Harleysville, PA | Allen G. Miller | November 25, 2003 |
| Graterford, PA | Mark A. Baumgardner | January 1, 2004 |
| Lebanon, PA | Timothy J. Bertolet (Pastor of Youth & Young Families) | January 21, 2004 |
| Bethlehem, PA | Robert K. Fields (Pastor of Discipleship) | February 1, 2004 |
| Brooklyn, NY | Ralph E. Ritter | February 15, 2004 |
| Quakertown, PA | Ronald C. Kohl | June 1, 2004 |
The following resignations were received according to our rules this year:
| Church | Pastor | Effective Date |
| Sinking Spring, PA | Donald R. Ellwanger | May 31, 2003 |
| Paradise, PA | Mark L. Morrison | July 27, 2003 |
| Shamokin, PA | Robert S. Commerford | October 26, 2003 |
| Graterford, PA | Mark A. Baumgardner | January 15, 2004 |
| Thompson, CT | Dennis W. Spinney | February 8, 2004 |
| Camden, DE | Raymond R. Dotts | June 30, 2004 |
| Stroudsburg, PA | John R. Stover | April 25, 2004 |
The following churches are presently in the process of seeking a pastor, either a senior pastor or addition to a pastoral staff: Coopersburg, PA, Graterford, PA, Holmes, NY, Mt. Carmel, PA, Paradise, PA, Shamokin, PA, Stroudsburg, PA, Thompson, CT. Pray for these congregations and those involved in the search process.
The Conference Pastor, Ronald C. Mahurin, is completing his first term serving the Lord among us in this position. The committee expresses deep appreciation to Brother Mahurin for his dedicated, loving, and sacrificial ministry to the brethren in ministry. He has been an integral source of encouragement, counsel, and exhortation as he serves as an extension of this committee. During his term, his ministry has begun to expand beyond being a “pastor to pastors,” and he has become more involved with boards of elders as well. In the upcoming term, he will once more focus primarily on personal ministry to other pastors. Continue to pray for Ron’s ministry to shepherds of God’s flock.
The committee has met with numerous churches through the year, sometimes to provide guidance in their search for a pastor, other times to provide assistance in resolving difficulties that have arisen. May God grant an increasing “spirit of unity among us as we seek to follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth we may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 15:5-6).
The committee makes the following recommendations to the 121st Annual Conference:
1. Resolved, that we recommend that Ronald C. Mahurin be ratified as Conference Pastor for another three-year term.
2. Resolved, that the recommended minimum salary for a pastor serving in the BFC, including Social Security, be $28,764.00. In addition to his salary, housing allowance, health insurance, and retirement must be provided, and provision should be made for reimbursements for car and professional expenses.
3. Resolved, that the salary for the Conference Pastor be $26,000.00, and in addition we provide $7,200.00 for car and professional expenses and $4,800 for health insurance.
Ministerial Relations Committee: Randall A. Grossman, Chairman; William G. Schlonecker, Secretary; Lee E. Boyles, Calvin T. Reed, Ronald W. Reed, L. James Roberts, Jr., John C. Vandegriff, Jr.