Report of the
BFC Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of the Bible Fellowship Church held four regular meetings to attend to corporate business related to Annual Conference, to agencies, and to churches.
The Board provided oversight, advice, and assistance in respect to fiscal, legal, and property acquisition and disposal matters as follows: Annual Conference, medical insurance, administrative budget, Board of Church Extension, and churches.
American Insuring Group, LTD, continues as agent of record for BFC sponsored health insurance plans. Policy holders with questions or concerns should contact Mr. David Ross, who administers the program for American Insuring Group, LTD. Mr. Charles Lavigna serves the Board of Directors as Health Insurance Coordinator and liaison with Mr. Ross. He is available to churches as needed.
We believe that cost-saving measures taken last year continue to make the denominational health plan more affordable than plans being used by some of our churches. Accordingly, we encourage each church to evaluate the health plan they are using each year by cost and coverage in order to assure they are making the best possible decision in determining what plan to us.
In preparing for the transfer of administrative responsibilities from the Baord of Directors to the Executive Board upon approval at second reading of legislation, which will come before the 126th Annual Conference in April 2009, the Board of Directors analyzed the use of a few funds administered by the Board of Directors and decided that all funds in the Ministerial Assistance Fund and Pastoral Intern Fund be transferred to the Church Assistance Fund and be distributed as indicated from that fund. In addition, the Board of Directors advised the Executive Board to combine the Vision Fund with the Special Project Fund.
Since its inception in 1859, the denomination known as Bible Fellowship Church has operated under several names and the administrative structure has changed in smaller or larger ways from time to time. In 1948 the Annual Conference approved legislation whereby the Board of Directors replaced the Executive Board as the board charged with representing the denomination in all legal matters. Since 1948 the most significant changes approved by Annual Conference relating to the Board of Directors took place in 1954, when legislation was adopted that expanded the all-clergy board from seven to nine, reduced the number of clergy from seven to six, and designated three seats for laymen. At present the Board is composed fo five clergy and four laymen. Should the creation of the Executive Board as the central administrative board of Bible Fellowship Church be approved at the 126th Annual Conference, the Board of Directors will likely cease to exist by resolution of the same Annual Conference.
Though none of the original Directors are still living, a few of the present Directors have served on the Board for most of the years the Board has been in existence. Accordingly, it is fitting that we praise God for their faithful service to the Lord and the Denomination. Financial Secretary Horace A. Kauffman served as a director for 40 years. On Thursday night, February 5, 2009, Horace completed the annual financial report that was approved for submission to this 126th Annual Conference by the board of Directors in its regular meeting on the morning of Friday, February 6. Early that same morning, our brother and friend was taken home to be with the Lord at the age of 91.
In addition to the service by brother Horace A. Kauffman, we praise God for the service of Vice Chairman, Carl C. Cassel, who has been a director for 43 years, and Treasurer, Robert W. Gehret, who has been a director for 42 years. These men, along with the rest of the present Directors, express their gratitude to the Annual Conference for the privilege of having served on this Board and we pledge our prayerful support to those who take on both the parallel and broadened duties accorded to the Executive Board.
All funds are deposited in Wachovia Bank. Accounts were reviewed by Linda K. Yuill.
We recommend that the 126th Annual Conference adopt the following:
1. Resolved, that the rate of mileage reimbursement for conference business conducted in 2009 be 27¢ per mile.
2. Resolved, that the Administrative Budget for January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009 be adopted.
Board of Directors of the BFC: Randall A. Grossman, President; Carl C. Cassel, Vice President; David J. Watkins, Secretary; Horace A. Kauffman, Financial Secretary; Robert W. Gehret, Treasurer; Charles A. Lavigna, Health Insurance Coordinator; David T. Allen, Raymond R. Dotts, L. James Roberts, Jr.