Report of the Ministerial Relations Committee
The Lord continues to graciously provide for and oversee His flocks in the Bible Fellowship Church. We are grateful for the privilege to have a part in overseeing the pulpit supply procedures during the year. The committee appreciates the manner in which pastors, elders, and congregations conduct their business in conjunction with the Ministerial Relations Committee. The full committee met four times since the 121st Annual Conference to carry out its responsibilities. In addition to these meetings, numerous other meetings took place with pastors, congregations, and committee members to provide information, guidance, and support. We pray regularly for those congregations seeking a pastor and for the men eligible to receive a call.
The following resignations were received according to the rules of our Faith and Order this year:
Church Pastor Effective Date
Stroudsburg, PA John R. Stover April 25, 2004
Emmaus, PA Billy J. Dunn September 12, 2004
(Pastor of Youth Ministries)
Walnutport, PA Jonathan P. Tait October 17, 2004
Scranton, PA Roger L. Reitz October 24, 2004
Ephrata, PA Daniel P. Allen December 31, 2004
Pinebrook B.C. Mark J. McCreary December 31, 2004
(Director of Ministries)
Quakertown, PA Dennis J. Lawrence February 15, 2005
The following pastorates were established according to the rules of our Faith and Order this year:
Church Pastor Effective Date
Long Neck, DE Kenneth F. Barber April 26, 2004
Board of C. E. Albert J. Dommel June 1, 2004
Hellertown, PA Mission (Church Planting Pastor)
Quakertown, PA Ronald L. Kohl June 1, 2004
Newark, NJ Delbert R. Baker, II June 13, 2004
Camden, DE Timothy J. Schmoyer July 1, 2004
Graterford, PA Philip E. Yerrington September 5, 2004
Mt. Carmel, PA Philip G. Norris October 1, 2004
Paradise, PA Mark A. Baumgardner October 1, 2004
Pinebrook B.C. Daniel P. Allen January 1, 2005
(Director)
Oley, PA Scott B. Evans January 30, 2005
(Youth Pastor)
The following churches are presently in the process of seeking a pastor, either a senior pastor or an addition to the pastoral staff: Coopersburg, PA, Ephrata, PA, Holmes, NY, Scranton, PA, Shamokin, PA, Stroudsburg, PA, Thompson, CT, and Walnutport, PA.
The ministry of our Conference Pastor, Ronald C. Mahurin, continues to be a great asset to the ministering brethren. The committee is grateful for his availability to meet with men to share insights from God’s Word and from his own rich experience. His counsel, prayer, guidance, and exhortations have been a source of encouragement to many pastors during this year.
The committee makes the following recommendations to the 122nd Annual Conference:
1. Resolved, that the recommended minimum salary for a pastor serving in the BFC, including Social Security, be $28,764. Parsonage and/or housing allowance, health insurance and retirement must be provided in addition to his salary, and provision should be made for reimbursement for allowable car and professional expenses.
Housing allowance, health insurance, and retirement must be provided in addition to his salary, and provision should be made for reimbursement for allowable car and professional expenses.
Note: This minimum is for those men who are called under the rules of the Faith and Order.
2. Resolved, that the salary for the Conference Pastor be $26,000, and in addition we provide $7,800 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.