Report of the
Agenda and Program Committee
125th Annual Conference
Worship Theme: “A Mandate to Godly Leadership”
[Note: Voting Members of Annual Conference should bring copies of the 2006 and 2007 BFC Yearbooks to Annual Conference.]
Recommendation:
Whereas, both the Chairman and the Vice Chairman of the 125th Annual Conference are members of the Study Committee on the Process and Purpose of God’s Calling People to Salvation and will be involved in the presentation and discussion of the consideration of legislation at Second Reading pending a positive vote by a sufficient number of churches, therefore be it
Resolved, that Randall A. Grossman, the Chairman of the 123rd and 124th Annual Conferences when this committee previously reported, assume the Chair during the discussion of the Second Reading of the Articles on Salvation.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Registration . . . (Refreshments available in Fellowship Hall). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9:00 – 10:00 AM
Monday Morning Session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:00 AM
Call to Order and Prayer – William G. Schlonecker, Chairman
Worship – “A Mandate to Godly Leadership: The Man,” William G. Schlonecker
Report of the Registrar and Roll Call
Establishment of Conference Bar as recommended by the Registrar
Report of the Committee on Agenda and Program (page 1)
Report of the Committee on Arrangements (page 9)
Welcome from Conference Host
Appointment of Assistants to the Secretary
Appointment of Conference Committees:
Tellers, Resolutions, Auditing, Examination of Annual Conference
Minutes (125th ), Reporter, Parliamentarian, Timekeeper
Introduction of New Members of Annual Conference
Adjournment for Lunch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12:00 PM
[Photographs:
1. Officers of the 125th Annual Conference, including Registrars & Assistants to the Secretary
2. Retired Ministers]
Lunch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Served at 12:30 PM
Monday Afternoon Session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:30 PM
Reports of Elected Boards and Committees
Nominating Committee (page 11)
Prayer for the upcoming elections
Credentials Committee (page 15)
Consideration of recommendations regarding Ordination and the Service of Ordination
Welcome and seating of Ordinands in Conference Bar
Ministerial Candidate Committee (page 19)
Consideration of list of men under care of the committee
Consideration of Legislation at Second Reading
Revision §505-1 Members of Annual Conference, Voting Members, (2007 Yearbook, p. 58)
Introduction of men under care of the committee
Welcome and seating of Licensed Probationers eligible to be seated in the
Conference Bar pending approval of legislation at Second Reading.
Board of Directors of Bible Fellowship Church (15 minutes) (page 23)
Ministerial Relations Committee (page 29)
Report of Conference Pastor (10 minutes) (page 31)
Board of Church Health (page 33)
Board of Church Extension (page 35)
Director of Church Extension (page 41)
Consideration of recommendations regarding Recognition of Congregations as Particular Churches
Seating of Delegates of newly recognized Congregations pending approval
Report of the Joint Committee on Ethnic Church Planting (page 49)
Afternoon Break . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3:00 – 3:15 PM
[Photographs: Berks Region, Pastors & Delegates- Blandon, Fleetwood, Kutztown,
La Roca de Reading, Oley, Reading, Sinking Spring]
Reports of Elected Boards and Committees (continued):
Board of Missions (page 51)
Affiliate Report – Board of Directors of BFC Homes, Inc. (page 59)
Board of Directors of Pinebrook Bible Conference (page 62)
Board of Victory Valley (page 69)
Board of Communications (page 73)
Board of Christian Education (page 77)
Board of Youth and Young Adults (page 79)
Board of Higher Education (page 81)
Strategic Planning Committee (page 85)
Nominations for all elections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4:45 PM
Adjournment for Dinner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5:00 PM
[Photographs:
1. BucksMont Region, Pastors & Delegates – Graterford, Harleysville,
Hatfield, Quakertown, Red Hill, Royersford, Spring City
2. BFC Agency Heads and key staff members present at Annual Conference]
Dinner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . served at 5:30 PM
Monday Evening Session. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:30 PM
Report of the Registrar
Approval of Minutes
Elections
Introduction of Visiting Missionaries – Dana E. Weller, Coordinator. . . . . . . . . . .6:45 PM
Reports of Elected Boards and Committees (continued):
Board of Pensions (page 87)
Historical Committee (page 93)
Conference Judicatory (page 100)
Reports:
Beneficiary Society (page 95)
Committee on Examination of Annual Conference Minutes, 124th (page 101)
Committee on Examination of Minutes of Particular Churches (page 103)
Ministerial Convention Committee (page 105)
Service of Recognition of Las Cruces, NM Congregation and Merida, Mexico Congregation as Particular Churches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7:30PM
Adjournment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:00 PM
[Photographs: New Mexico/Mexico. Pastors & Delegates – Las Cruces, Merida]
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Breakfast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .served at 8:00 AM
Tuesday Morning Session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:00 AM
Call to Order
Worship – “A Mandate to Godly Leadership: The Mission” David T. Allen
Report of the Registrar
Approval of Minutes
Report of Elections
Morning Break . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10:00 – 10:15 AM
[Photographs: Capital Region, Pastors & Delegates- Adams County, Ephrata, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon, Paradise, Terre Hill, York]
Any Unfinished Reports of Boards and Committees
Report by the Secretary of Annual Conference on the Status of the Legislative Process regarding Proposed Clarifications to the Articles of Faith
The Study Committee on the Process and Purpose of God’s Calling People to Salvation
(page 107)
Consideration of Legislation at Second Reading (pending approval of sufficient
number of churches); (Presenter: Ronald L. Kohl)
1. Revision §9-1 Sin, (2006 Yearbook, p. 32).
2. Revision §10-1 Human Ability and Responsibility, (2007 Yearbook, p. 25,26)
3. Revision §11-1 Election, (2006 Yearbook, p. 31).
4. Revision §12-1, 12-2 Salvation, (2006 Yearbook, p. 33, 34).
5. Revision §13-1 Repentance, (2006 Yearbook, p. 34, 35).
Consideration of Legislation at Second Reading; (Presenter: Michael J. Tannous)
Revision §18-4 The Church, (2006 Yearbook, p. 29).
Elections
Adjournment for Lunch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12:00 PM
[Photographs: Lehigh Valley Region A, Pastors & Delegates – Cedar Crest, Coopersburg, El Faro, Emmaus, Walnutport, Zionsville]
Lunch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .served at 12:30 PM
Tuesday Afternoon Session. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:30 PM
Approval of Minutes
Report of Elections
Report of the Study Committee on Women Serving As Deacons
Consideration of Legislation at Second Reading (Presenter: Michael J. Tannous)
1. Revision §201-5, 201-6 Preliminary Principles, (2007 Yearbook, p. 27)
2. Revision §202-3.2(5) Qualifications & Duties of Church Membership, (2007 Yearbook, p. 28)
3. Revision §204 Elders, Deacons, Staff, (2007 Yearbook, p. 28)
4. Revision §204-1 Elders, (2007 Yearbook, p. 28,29)
5. Revision §204-1.6 Elders, p. 29 (cf. 2007 Report Book, p. 147)
6. Revision §204-2 Ministers, (2007 Yearbook, p. 29,30)
7. Revision §204-4.1, 204-4.4 (2007 Yearbook, Deacons, p. 31)
8. Revision §204-4.2, 204-4.3 Deacons, (2007 Yearbook, p. 31)
9. Revision §401-1.1, 401-1.8, 401.1-9 The Board of Elders, (2007 Yearbook, p. 31)
10. Revision §401-2, The Board of Deacons; § 404 Choosing Leaders Other Than Elders and Deacons, (2007 Yearbook, p. 33)
Afternoon Break. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3:00 – 3:15 PM
[Photographs: Lehigh Valley Region B, Pastors & Delegates -Bethlehem, Fellowship Community, Hellertown, Nazareth, Finesville, Whitehall,]
Report of the Steering Committee & Consideration of Recommendations (page 125)
Elections
Adjournment for Dinner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:00 PM
[Photographs: Metro Region, Pastors & Delegates- Brooklyn, Denville, Howell, Newark, NJ, Old Bridge, Piscataway, Toms River]
Dinner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . served at 5:30 PM
Tuesday Evening Session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6:30 PM
Report of the Registrar
Approval of Minutes
Report of Elections
Consideration of Legislation at Second Reading
Ministerial Relations Committee (Presenter: Jacob J. Susek, Jr.)
1. Revision §409-1.14 Pastoral Change Procedure, (2007 Yearbook, p. 53,54)
2. Revision §409-2.4 Pastoral Change Procedure, (2007 Yearbook p. 55,56)
Board of Church Health (Presenter: Byron Widger)
1. Revision §504-1.1, 504-1.2 Membership of Congregations in Annual Conference, (2007 Yearbook p. 64,65)
Board of Church Extension (Presenter: Richard E. Taylor)
1. Revision §406-2 Mission Organizations, (2007 Yearbook p. 58,59)
2. Revision §504 Membership of Congregations in Annual Conference, (2007 Yearbook p. 59,60)
3. Revision §512-4 Board of Church Extension, (2007 Yearbook p. 60-63)
Strategic Planning Committee (Presenter: Richard T. Paashaus)
1. Revision §512-17, Strategic Planning Committee, (2007 Yearbook, p. 45)
Elections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7:50PM
Service of Ordination. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8:00PM
Adjournment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:00 PM
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Breakfast. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . served at 8:00 AM
Wednesday Morning Session. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:00 AM
Call to Order
Worship – “A Mandate to Godly Leadership: The Motivation,” Richard B. Ravis
Report of the Registrar
Approval of Minutes
Report of Elections
Morning Break . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10:00 – 10:15 AM
[Photographs: New York/New England Region, Pastors & Delegates – Clinton Corners, Holmes/Carmel, Lagrangeville, Thompson]
Report of the Study Committee on the Millennium (page 139)
Elections
Adjournment for Lunch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12:00 PM
[Photographs:
1. Phila Area Region, Pastors & Delegates- Maple Glen, Wissinoming;
2. Pocono Area Region, Pastors & Delegates- Lehighton, Mt Pocono, Stroudsburg]
Lunch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .served at 12:30 PM
Wednesday Afternoon Session. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1:30 PM
Report of the Registrar
Approval of Minutes
Report of Elections
Elections
Unfinished Study Committee Reports and/or Second Reading Legislation
Consideration of Any Requests from Boards of Elders to Annual Conference
Afternoon Break. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:00 – 3:15 PM
[Photographs: Southern Region, Pastors & Delegates- Camden, Cape May, Chesapeake, Long Neck, Newark, DE, Wallingford]
Approval of Minutes
Consideration of Recommendations of Boards and Committees
Board of Directors of BFC
Ministerial Relations Committee
Credentials Committee
Ministerial Candidate Committee
Board of Church Health
Board of Church Extension
Board of Missions
Board of Higher Education
Board of Directors of Pinebrook Bible Conference
Board of Victory Valley
Board of Pensions
Strategic Planning Committee
Board of Christian Education
Board of Youth and Young Adults
Board of Communications
Historical Committee
Committee on Arrangements
Ministerial Convention Committee
Other
Report of Elections
Elections
Adjournment for Dinner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:00 PM
[Photographs: Upper Susquehanna Region, Pastors & Delegates – Mt Carmel, Shamokin, Sunbury]
Dinner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .served at 5:30 PM
Wednesday Evening Session. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:30 PM
Report of the Registrar
Approval of Minutes
Report of Elections
Elections
Unfinished Business
Report of Appointed Committees
Committee on Statistics (page 147)
Committee on Auditing
Committee on Resolutions
Report of Elections
Appointments of Registrars and Committees
Registrar & Assistant Registrar
Committee on Agenda and Program
Committee on Arrangements
Committee on Statistics
Committee on Examination of Minutes of Particular Churches
Appointment or Election of Study Committees (as necessary)
Announcement of Secretary of Conference Judicatory and Secretary of Special Appellate Judicatory
Announcement of Address of Primary Place of Business of Corporation known as Bible Fellowship Church
Approval of Minutes
Adjournment
__________________________________________________________________________
Worship Leader for 125th Annual Conference – Richard T. Paashaus
Committee on Agenda and Program: David A. Thomann, Chairman; Thomas P. Shorb, Secretary; Andrew T. Crossgrove, Robert A. Johnson II, Calvin T. Reed, William G. Schlonecker.