Report of the

Strategic Planning Committee

            In 1991, the Annual Conference called for the appointment of a Strategic Planning Committee for the denomination. Since that time, the Committee selected by Annual Conference has sought to provide vision, cohesive direction, support, and encouragement for the ministries of the BFC. They worked toward the development and implementation of a Vision Statement, took major steps to regionalize the ministries of the BFC, oversaw the provision of two denomination-wide gatherings for corporate worship, provided evaluation and encouragement to churches in need, took steps toward developing a corporate identity for the denomination, sought to streamline administrative processes, and sought to bring cohesive focus to denominational ministries.

            It is quite possible that this Committee has now worked itself out of a job.

            During their shared ministry, the Strategic Planning Committee met extensively with pastors, laymen, denominational leaders, agency heads, and even leaders of ministries outside of the BFC to gain perspective for the direction, focus, and vision of our fellowship of Churches. Repeatedly, we heard pastors and laymen asking for more leadership, a structure that would better oversee our denomination, and centralized offices.

            Working with the Board of Directors and Agency Leaders, the Committee has developed the foundations for a restructuring of the BFC. A proposed framework for streamlining Annual Conference, developing an executive branch of the denominational ministry for leadership on a year-round basis, moving toward corporate offices, and providing an Executive Director to serve as an encourager and implementer of BFC vision was presented to all of the Bible Fellowship Church pastors, elders, and agency leaders in 2006. Those who reviewed the proposals were positive and supportive and gave significant input to help develop the framework into a useable plan for restructuring of the denomination. We were very pleased with the broad participation and input we received in regional gatherings in the late Fall and Winter of 2006. Our thanks to all who participated.

            After extensive interaction with members of the Board of Directors, we join them in proposing that a Steering Committee be established with the express goal of formulating procedures necessary for the provision of a denominational Executive Board and Executive Director. We believe that such provision will give leadership for the denomination in the years ahead that will be cohesive, comprehensive, and coordinated. Furthermore, we encourage the Annual Conference to expedite this process so that the BFC can proceed in serving our Lord, His Church, and His world more effectively in the days ahead.

            We also believe that the establishment of this Steering Committee and the subsequent provision of an Executive Board along with the Executive Director should result in the dissolution of the Strategic Planning Committee as it currently exists. The work we have overseen should be cared for under the auspices of the Steering Committee and the subsequent Executive Board.

            Thank you for your support and participation in our work these past 16 years. We trust that the work we have done has strengthened the fellowship of churches and has brought cohesive perspective of ministry and vision to the BFC.

            May we, as the Bible Fellowship Church, continue to “seek to become an expanding fellowship of churches united to make disciples of Jesus Christ.”

Resolution:

Whereas, the work of the Strategic Planning Committee as established by the Annual Conference and outlined in the Faith & Order of the Bible Fellowship Church will no longer be necessary when the Executive Board and Executive Director are in place, therefore, be it

Resolved, that the Strategic Planning Committee as described in Article 512-17 of the Faith & Order of the Bible Fellowship Church be dissolved, and further

Resolved, that the responsibilities for strategic planning now be cared for by the Executive Board and Executive Director of the BFC, and further

Resolved, that Article 512-17 as well as other references to the Strategic Planning Committee be deleted from the Faith & Order. [FIRST READING]

Strategic Planning Committee: Dana E. Weller, Chairman; Richard T. Paashaus, Secretary; Robert T. Evans, Elliot H. Ramos, Richard E. Taylor, Robert Vaughn, Robert H. Zentz.