Report of the
Board of Church Extension
The Board of Church Extension Ministries is the church-planting arm of the BFC, seeking to strategically assist the BFC to “become an expanding fellowship of churches united to make disciples of Jesus Christ.” Largely, the extent to which we are committed to planting new churches in obedience to the Great Commission, will be the extent to which we are successful in accomplishing our mission. Planting churches is at the heart of the Great Commission – gathering new believers into communities of faith and obedience under the authority of Jesus Christ.
The Board met four times since last Annual Conference and various committees of the Board met additional times to accomplish necessary work.
The Board recognizes the immense value of each member of the team. David E. Gundrum, Executive Director, has provided faithful and diligent leadership for another year. This year the Board called Mark L. Morrison to serve as Assistant Director of Church Extension Ministries, fulltime as of January 1, 2007. He has been working closely with several church-planting pastors in providing oversight, direction, and encouragement. We encourage churches to consider financial support for Mark as he has now begun to serve fulltime with the department. Lisa Christensen, Administrative Assistant, continues to serve with excellence in this area of ministry. William Singletary, long-time Board member and treasurer of Church Extension Ministries for many years, deserves a hearty “well done” as he devotes hours in his retirement to keeping the financial records of the department. Carol Snyder continues to assist in special assignments, publications, and communication. Raymond and Louise Bertolet and John and Judy Pello continue to assist in the Delmarva region.
The Board continues to appreciate and support the concept of “Aquila and Priscilla” teams in the ministry. The Workmans are serving in Long Neck, DE, the Engleharts are serving in La Roca mission church in Reading, PA, and Sandy Mitchell continues to be a part of the Hellertown, PA, mission church. The Pellos are experiencing some challenging health issues and during the past year Philip Mitchell was suddenly called home to be with the Lord. Pray for these auxiliary team members who are so vital to the development of church plants. Visits to church plants for worship services can go a long way in encouraging church planters and their congregations. Also, numerous church plants would welcome assistance in the areas of music and youth ministry. Why not consider how you or a group from your church can personally be of assistance and encouragement to a particular Mission Church?
The Personnel Committee is very active in meeting with and providing direction for each church planter. This year Kenneth F. Barber resigned from the pastorate at Long Neck, DE, in order to move south with his new wife, Cathy. Jonathon W. Arnold, Sr. has been called as pastor at Long Neck, effective January 1, 2007. Raymond R. Bertolet has been recommended for ordination by the Ministerial Candidate Committee.
In conjunction with the Joint Committee on Ethnic Church Planting, the Board approved the pursuit of a connection with La Roca church of Merida, Mexico, and will continue to work with the Committee toward this end. With the approval and support of the Board of Missions and the Joint Committee on Ethnic Church Planting, the Board is recommending legislative changes to Annual Conference that will impact the carrying out of the mission of church-planting in the BFC. Also, the Board approved the establishment of a Mission Church in Mantua, NJ, to be known as New Beginnings, embracing this small core group of believers who desired to be a part of the BFC. The Board continues to wait on the Lord for His timing in launching a church plant in the Millsboro/Dagsboro, DE area.
The “Forward Plan for Planting New Bible Fellowship Churches in 2006-2011: Missions Here and Now,” provides the blue print for growth along with strategic goals. The Board encourages each local church to review this plan and to consider ways to be increasingly involved in reaching these goals for God’s glory. Toward that end, the Board is seeking to establish an Endowment Development Committee to formulate a strategic financial plan to support the five year plan. The Board is encouraged by the increased support and involvement of many churches and concerned individuals, but much more can be accomplished. Hundreds of individuals pray regularly for Church Extension Ministries, many using The Extension Call, the monthly prayer guide supplied. Please help the Board by making these available and accessible to as many in your congregation as possible. Pray for the Lord to raise up church planters from among our churches. Pray for the church planters who continue to faithfully serve the Lord on the front lines. The Board is deeply grateful to these church planters and their families – for their sacrificial labor of love unto the Lord and His Church. The Board covets the continued prayer and support of so many churches and individuals. Together, let us “expect great things from God and attempt great things for God.”
The following is a list of men who are presently serving in the Department of Church Extension Ministries:
Adams County, PA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David R. Way
Brooklyn, NY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ralph E. Ritter
Cape May, NJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Frank E. Lenahan
Chesapeake, VA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Willis I. Dowling
Hellertown, PA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Albert J. Dommel
Las Cruces, NM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thomas H. Morrison
Long Neck, DE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jonathon W. Arnold
Mantua, NJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .To be called
Reading, PA (La Roca). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carlos Rodriguez
South Allentown, PA (El Faro). . . . . . . . . . Elliot H. Ramos
Worcester County, MD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . To be called
Resolved, that the following be adopted at first reading:
406-2 Mission Organizations: (proposed changes are underlined and bold)
406-2.1 Each Particular Church is encouraged to establish organizations that will promote and assist in carrying out its task of world evangelization. Organizations so established are encouraged to inform the Board of Missions and Church Extension Ministries of their officers in order that information can be circulated to and coordinated with similar organizations from other Particular Churches. Suggested bylaws for such organizations are available in the Appendix.
406-2.2 Regional Mission Organization Programs. The Board of Missions and Church Extension Ministries may coordinate regional programs as deemed advisable.
Article 504 -Membership of Congregations in Annual Conference [proposed]
504-1. Particular Church.
Any congregation meeting the standards of Article 18 of the Articles of Faith and committed to the F&O, may be admitted to membership in Annual Conference and shall be known as a Particular Church. This admission must follow upon a positive assessment and recommendation by the Board of Church Extension. Assessment includes an evaluation of elders, committed participants and financial stability.
504-2. Mission Churches
504-2.1 Any congregation that is under the supervision of the Board of Church Extension of the BFC but has not yet met the standard for recognition as a Particular Church shall be called a mission church. The term mission church is used in a technical sense, but this does not preclude the use of the term church in any of the congregation’s public relations activities.
504-2.2 The Board of Church Extension has the responsibility of assessing the preparedness of the mission church for admission to Annual Conference.
504-2.3 Upon recommendation by the Board of Church Extension, the mission church may be recognized as a church and admitted to Annual Conference by a majority vote of Annual Conference.
504-3. Other Congregations
504-3.1 Daughter churches of Bible Fellowship Churches
504-3.1.1 – A Bible Fellowship Church desiring to plant a daughter church shall contact the Board of Church Extension and seek its counsel and assistance in the development and preparation of the daughter church for recognition at the Annual Conference.
504-3.1.2 – When the parent church determines that the daughter church is ready to pursue membership in the Annual Conference, the parent church shall request an assessment from the Board of Church Extension. The daughter church shall be assessed by the Board of Church Extension.
504-3.1.3 The daughter church shall be recommended for membership in the Annual Conference by the parenting church and the Board of Church Extension and admitted to Annual Conference upon majority vote of Annual Conference.
504-3.2 Pre-existing Congregations
504-3.2.1 An independent congregation or an established congregation of another denomination desiring membership in Annual Conference shall contact the Board of Church Extension.
504-3.2.2 This church shall be evaluated by the Board of Church Extension on the basis of its agreement with the F&O, particularly as to its compliance with Article 18 of the Articles of Faith. This church shall meet the standards of Article 18 of the Articles of Faith and be committed to the F & O.
504-3.2.3 This church may be recommended for membership in Annual Conference by the Board of Church Extension upon satisfactory completion of an assessment.
504-3.2.4 A majority vote of Annual Conference shall be required for membership in Annual Conference.
Article 504 – Membership of Congregations in Annual Conference [current]
504-1. Particular Church. Any congregation meeting the standards of Article 18 of the Articles of Faith and committed to the F&O may be admitted to membership in Annual Conference and shall be known as a church.
504-2. Organized Mission
504-2.1 Any congregation that is under the supervision of the Board of Church Extension of the BFC but that has not yet met the standard for recognition as a church shall be called a mission. The term mission is used in a technical sense, but this does not preclude the use of the term church in any of the congregation’s public relations activities.
504-2.2 A mission may be recognized as a church with membership in Annual Conference when it has attained to the standards set forth in Article 18 of the Articles of Faith and demonstrates a commitment to the F&O. The Board of Church Extension has the responsibility of evaluating the preparedness of the mission for admission to Annual Conference.
504-2.3 Upon recommendation by the Board of Church Extension, the mission congregation may be recognized as a church and be admitted to Annual Conference membership by a majority vote of Annual Conference.
504-3. Other Congregations
504-3.1 A daughter congregation of a BFC, an independent congregation, or an established congregation of another denomination desiring membership in Annual Conference shall establish contact with and come under the care of the Board of Church Extension.
504-3.2 This church shall be evaluated by the Board of Church Extension on the basis of its agreement with the F&O, particularly as to its compliance with Article 18 of the Articles of Faith.
504-3.3 This church shall be recommended for admission into membership in Annual Conference by the Board of Church Extension upon satisfactory completion of the evaluation.
504-3.4 A majority vote of Annual Conference shall be required for membership in Annual Conference.
512-4 Board of Church Extension. [proposal]
The Board of Church Extension governs Church Extension Ministries which consists of the Board of Church Extension, the Executive Director of Church Extension Ministries, church planters serving under the direction of the Board, all other employees of the Board, and mission churches under jurisdiction of the Board.
512-4.1 Purpose
Church Extension Ministries exists to plant churches in order to build the Body of Christ through extending the Bible Fellowship Church.
It does this by evangelizing in areas, communities, and neighborhoods as well as among people, where Bible Fellowship Churches do not exist, by forming and nurturing to maturity new congregations.
512-4.2 Composition and Election
(1)The Board of Church Extension will be composed of the Executive Director of Church Extension Ministries, five ministers and five elders. Classes shall be formed as follows:
Class ITwo ministers and two elders
Class IITwo ministers and two elders
Class IIIOne minister and one elder
(2)The Executive Director shall be called by the Board of Church Extension.
(3)Each class of the Board of Church Extension shall be elected in turn annually by ballot by the Board of Church Extension, subject to ratification by the Annual Conference.
(4) The term for each class shall be for three years.
512-4.3 Duties
(1)It shall have authority to establish and oversee the development of mission churches.
(2) It shall issue calls to church planters credentialed by the BFC.
(3) It shall have authority to hire church planters not credentialed by the BFC. In such cases, a contract for ministry shall be established.
(4) It shall function as a board of Elders in behalf of mission churches.
(5) It shall receive applications for admission to Annual Conference from daughter churches or congregations outside the Bible Fellowship Church.
(6) It shall require all mission churches to adhere to the Faith and Order.
(7) It shall receive and disburse monies designated for Church Extension Ministries.
(8) It shall make recommendations to the Board of Directors of the Bible Fellowship Church on the approval and consummation of legal transactions for the purchase of real estate and/or the erection of buildings for purposes of Church Extension Ministries.
(9) It shall make recommendations to Annual Conference on the admission of mission churches and daughter churches to membership in Annual Conference.
(10) It shall make a written report of its activities to Annual Conference.
(11) It shall promote the program of Church Extension Ministries and develop a broadening financial base for its ministry.
512-4.4 Executive Director of Church Extension Ministries
The Executive Director of Church Extension Ministries shall be an ordained minister of the Bible Fellowship Church. He shall, by virtue of his office, be a member of the Board of Church Extension and shall be accountable to the Board of Church Extension for his ministry.
512-4.5 Rules Relative to the Recognition of Churches.
(1) Any congregation that has a relationship with the Bible Fellowship Church but has not yet met the standards for recognition as a particular church shall be called a mission church. (See 504-2.2)
(2) When, in the opinion of the Board of Church Extension, a mission church is prepared for recognition, the Board shall recommend to Annual Conference that this mission church be recognized as a Particular Church and that it be admitted to the membership of Annual Conference. This recognition will be by a majority vote of Annual Conference.
(3) Churches which have been recognized by the Annual Conference are no longer under the jurisdiction of the Board of Church Extension and are no longer eligible for financial aid from the Board. Churches recognized by the Annual Conference shall not again come under the jurisdiction of the Board of Church Extension but may seek counsel from the Ministerial Relations Committee and assistance from the Board of Church Health.
512-4 Board of Church Extension.
[current]
The Board of Church Extension governs the Church Extension Department which consists of the Board of Church Extension, the Executive Director of Church Extension, all other employees of the Board, the churches and missions under jurisdiction of the board and the pastors of those churches and organizing pastors of those missions.
512-4.1 Purpose
The Church Extension Department exists for the purpose of building the Body of Christ through extending the Bible Fellowship Church in the United States of America and its territories and jurisdictions and Canada.
It does this by evangelizing in areas, communities and neighborhoods and among people where Bible Fellowship Churches do not exist and by forming, fostering and nurturing to maturity new congregations.
512-4.2 Composition and Election
(1) The Board of Church Extension will be composed of the Executive Director of Church Extension by virtue of his office and five ordained ministers and five elders.
(2) The Executive Director shall be elected by the Board of Church Extension, subject to ratification by Annual Conference, for a three-year term to begin when the incumbent has submitted his report to Annual Conference.
(3) The Board members shall be elected for a term of three years in classes as follows:
Class I Two ministers and two elders
Class II Two ministers and two elders
Class III One minister and one elder
512-4.3 Duties
(1) It shall have authority to establish new congregations and aid in their organization.
(2) It shall have oversight over all organizing congregations known as missions.
(3) It shall function on behalf of each mission on all matters that relate to pulpit supply and Particular Church government in accordance with the F&O.
(4) It shall receive applications for admission to Annual Conference from daughter churches or congregations outside the BFC.
(5) It shall require all missions and churches under its care to adhere to the F&O.
(6) It shall receive and disburse monies designated for church extension.
(7) It shall make recommendations to the Board of Directors of the BFC on the approval and consummation of legal transactions for the purchase of real estate and/or the erection of buildings for purposes of church extension.
(8) It shall make recommendations to Annual Conference on the admission of missions and churches to membership in Annual Conference.
(9) It shall make a written report of its activities to Annual Conference.
(10) It shall promote the program of church extension and develop a broadening financial base for its ministry.
512-4.4 Executive Director of Church Extension
The Executive Director of Church Extension shall be an ordained minister of the BFC. He may, at the discretion of the Board of Church Extension, on the basis of the demands of the office at the particular time, serve either full-time or part-time in the office.
Duties
(1) He shall, by virtue of his office, be a member of the Board of Church Extension.
(2) In the performance of his duties he shall in all matters work within the policies of the Board of Church Extension. He shall be the executive and administrative officer of the board. This shall include the supervision of churches, missions, and ministers under the board’s jurisdiction.
(3) He shall be responsible for devising strategy and tactics for church planting and development.
(4) He shall make studies and surveys to determine likely areas for location of new missions.
(5) He shall be responsible for the disbursement of funds allotted to him by the Board of Church Extension.
(6) He shall submit a written report of his activities to the Board of Church Extension at least quarterly.
(7) He shall annually submit a written report to Annual Conference.
(8) He may personally open missions in new locations.
(9) He may serve as the pastor of a church mission under the jurisdiction of the Board of Church Extension.
(10) He may provide counsel, help, and training in principles and methods of church planting and development for men who are working in the Department of Church Extension.
(11) He may actively promote the program of Church Extension throughout the denomination.
512-4.5 Rules Relative to Status of Churches.
(1) Any congregation meeting the standards of Article 18 of the F&O is a member of Annual Conference and shall be known as a church.
(2) Any congregation that has a relationship with the BFC but has not yet met the standards for recognition as a church shall be called a mission. The term mission is used in a technical sense, but this does not preclude the use of the term church in any of the congregation’s public relations activities.
(3) When, in the opinion of the Board of Church Extension, a mission has attained the standards set forth in Article 18, the board shall recommend to Annual Conference that this mission be recognized as a church and that it be admitted to the membership of Annual Conference. This recognition will be by a majority vote of Annual Conference.
(4) All churches that receive financial aid from the Board of Church Extension shall be under the jurisdiction of the Church Extension Department as long as they continue to receive such aid until three years after the date of their receiving the last payment of such aid. After a church ceases to be under the jurisdiction of the Church Extension Department, it shall not again come under that jurisdiction or be eligible to receive financial aid from the Board of Church Extension except when a need for financial aid is occasioned by its participation in the start of a new BFC or mission, in which case the Board of Church Extension may appropriate such financial aid. The Board of Church Extension and the Director may counsel and advise the churches under their jurisdiction in matters of pastoral relations and pulpit supply.
(5) The Board of Church Extension shall participate in Annual Conference Pulpit Supply procedures on behalf of the missions under its jurisdiction to supply pastors for them. It shall seek to call a pastor for each of these missions, according to the Bylaws of the BFC that govern pulpit supply, in which the Board of Church Extension shall function in lieu of the Board of Elders.
702-1.1 Name- The name of this organization shall be the (Name of Organization) of (Name of Church) (City. State) . (proposed changes are underlined and bold)
702-1.2 Purpose -The purpose of this Mission Organization shall be to
(1) Give diligence to intercessory prayer in behalf of missionaries under the care of the Board of Missions and the Board of Church Extension.
(2) Encourage sacrificial giving in behalf of missions
(3) Support missionary projects, both domestic and foreign
(4) Correspond with missionaries under the care of the Board of Missions and the Board of Church Extension.
(5) Assist BFC missionaries and missionary appointees under the care of the Board of Missions and the Board of Church Extension.
(6) Promote spiritual growth among the members of the organization
(7) Seek to provide spiritual growth to missionaries in remote areas of the world (e.g. tapes of good messages and music, Christian magazines, etc. )
(8) Provide prayer letter reproduction, address maintenance, and mailing services to missionaries under the care of the Board of Missions and the Board of Church Extension where possible
(9) (Other purposes can be added or deleted to fit the organization’s purposes.)
702-1.3 Membership -Membership shall be open to Christians of like faith who are interested in missionary work and desire to share in this fellowship.
Board of Church Extension Ministries: Richard E. Taylor, Chairman; Byron Widger, Vice Chairman; William R. Singletary, Treasurer; William G. Schlonecker, Secretary; Robert W. Davies, Kenneth D. Keeler, Alfred G. Roberts, Clyde W. Snyder, Carl K. Spackman, Robert H. Zentz, David E. Gundrum, Executive Director; Mark L. Morrison, Assistant Director.
Financial Report
[not included]