Report of the Board of Communications
“Listen, O heavens, and I will speak;
hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.” Deuteronomy 32:1
The words God speaks to human beings are extremely important to us. First, God commands that His words be heard. In Deuteronomy 32:1, God pointedly cautions us to “Listen” because He will speak. Here in the Pentateuch, the instruction to “listen” was to the “earth” not solely to Israel. We need to exercise discipline to be sure we place ourselves in the position of knowing that word from God. The “words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart” (Psalm 19:14) will never be pleasing in God’s sight if I am not a daily student of that word and know how to use those words positively. There are implications in Psalm 54:2 that my prayer uttered in the words God loves (His words) may be more effective with Him: “Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth.” Psalm 78:1 brings the importance of words well spoken over into interpersonal speech: “O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth.”
Before the words spoken in Annual Conference sessions are permanently recorded for posterity, we first make sure that what was said was heard accurately by discussing and voting on the inclusion of reports and resolutions. We then read the record of those words as the result of the diligent work of our conference secretary and staff. Often revisions are made at this point. The body approves of the record as presented or revised. Then, if that is not enough (and it isn’t) a Committee To Examine the Minutes of Annual Conference examines those minutes more fully and brings a report to the next Annual Conference for the whole body to examine and approve the contents of that report.
Accuracy is constantly being pursued in the work of the Board of Communications. It is a never- ending pursuit. We are concerned that what is presented to you is a full account and a precise record. We are interested in your input when we do make an occasional error.
Please be aware that the Bible Fellowship Church now has a toll free telephone number. The number is 877-795-1212. We want to especially thank Fellowship Community for making the phone, space, and the finances for this.
This year we resized Fellowship News. Some have said “But it sticks outside my Bible.” That is exactly the point, it is supposed to show outside your Bible. You will notice the part that shows is the title of the publication, Fellowship News. We have had much positive response to the new size as well as the contents of each issue. It is definitely an easier publication to hold and read. We want to thank our publishing team of Carol Snyder, Editor; Clyde Snyder, Graphics Design; and Daniel P. Allen, Printing and Warehousing, for their usual first-rate job.
The Biblical Principles For Living are at last complete and a booklet containing them is available. You may wish to pick up copies for your church before you leave Annual Conference.
Our web site management has gone through some changes in the past year with the resignation of Stephen Mann as a board member and web servant. New board member Maggie Gallo will be overseeing a team that will act together to manage and develop www.bfc.org. Your questions regarding our web site should be directed to her. (See below for contact information.) We want to especially thank the Board of Christian Education for a special gift that allowed us to upgrade the quality of the web site. Some changes have been made. Other changes will be coming as our team receives training from the company that manages the web site for us. This year our two existing e-groups: BFC/AC and BFC/Pastors will be joined by BFC/Pastors’ Wives as soon as a moderator is recruited and we can make the necessary transition from Yahoo Groups. The request for this e-group came from our pastors’ wives at our Ministerial Convention this year.
The Board desires to do an entire reprinting of the Faith and Order in 2006, so in 2005 we will be assembling the data necessary to make that printing possible. The last full reprinting was completed in 1996. The many inserts that are distributed in the last few years with each order for a new Faith and Order has made the inserts cumbersome to assemble and use and reflects the need for a new edition.
In closing, as Chairman, I am deeply grateful for the hard, conscientious work of the people I work with on the Board. It is a joy to serve with such a committed group of people.
To help us to efficiently handle your concerns please contact the following people with your concerns:
Fellowship News articles and questions about editorial policy should go to:
Carol Z. Snyder , 3091 York Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325
717.337.3408
Billing & Payments of Accounts
Paul T. Rutman, Apt 607, 824 Lisburn Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011
717.731.1490
Orders
Dan Allen, 8 Pinebrook Road, E. Stroudsburg, PA 18301
570.656.0325
www.bfc.org
Our Web Servant is Scott Ott. Brother Ott is part of a team consisting of Donald E. Kuntzman and Roy A. Hertzog. We are grateful to these men for their faithful service.
Web Site: New Material, Revisions, Corrections
There are two (2) ways of doing this.
1. Send your new material, corrections, or revisions to your part of the Bible Fellowship Church web site to the Web Servant at bfc@bfc.org.
2. Go directly to www.bfc.org. There is a place at the bottom of the left hand column where you can simply click on bfc@bfc.org for an e-mail form and simply fill in the form with your desired material or changes and click “send.”
The Board presents the following for your prayerful consideration:
Resolved, that the Proposed Budget of the Board of Communications for conference year January 1 to December 31, 2005 be approved as presented.
(See attached.)
Resolved, that a contribution of three hundred twenty-five dollars ($325.00) for the conference year 2005 be given to the Board of Communications from each agency to help underwrite the cost of printing and distributing the Fellowship News. Payments are to be made to the Board of Communications table before the end of the 122nd Annual Conference.
Resolved, that one dollar and seventy-five cents ($1.75) per member of the Bible Fellowship Church for 2005 be given to the Board of Communications from each church to help underwrite the cost of printing and distributing Fellowship News. Payments are to be made to the Board of Communications table before the end of the 122nd Annual Conference.
Resolved, that the cost of the 2005 Yearbook be $8.50 per copy.
Whereas, Steven C. Mann is unable to continue his duties as Webservant, therefore be it
Resolved, that 122nd Annual Conference ratify the appointment of Scott Ott as Webservant for the remaining two years of this term.
Resolved, that Carol Z. Snyder be ratified by the 122nd Annual Conference as the Editor of Fellowship News.
Board of Communications: William H. Bartron, Chairman; Daniel P. Allen, Secretary; Paul T. Rutman, Business Manager; Carol Z. Snyder, Fellowship News Editor; Stephen C. Mann, Webservant; Clyde W. Snyder, Jonathan P. Tait