Report of the
Ministerial Relations Committee
The Lord continues to graciously provide for and oversee His flocks in the BFC. 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 five times since the 126th Session of Annual Conference. In addition to these meetings, other meetings took place with pastors, congregations and committee members to provide information, guidance and support. We pray regularly for congregations seeking a pastor, for the men eligible to receive a call and for particular issues that they are facing.
The following resignations were received according to the rules of our F&O this year:
Church Pastor Effective Date
Camden, DE Timothy J. Schmoyer August 31, 2009
Las Cruces, NM Thomas H. Morrison October 31, 2009
Tom’s River, NJ Dean A. Stortz December 31, 2009
Cedar Crest, PA David T. Allen January 31, 2010
The following pastorates were established according to the rules of our F&O this year:
Church Pastor Effective Date
Whitehall, PA Timothy J. Schmoyer September 1, 2009
The following churches are presently in the process of seeking a pastor, either a senior pastor or additional pastoral staff: Bethlehem, PA., Camden, DE., Coopersburg, PA., Las Cruces, NM., Toms River, N.J. and Walnutport, PA.
The ministry of our Conference Pastor, Ronald C. Mahurin, continues to be a great blessing to our 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. We especially enjoy his concerted effort to meet informally with so many of us during Pinebrook’s summer conferences.
The committee makes the following recommendations to the 127th BFC Conference:
1. Whereas, the recommended minimum salary for a pastor serving in the BFC was set at $33,000 at the 2009 Annual Conference, and,
Whereas, the MRC recognizes the difficult financial challenges facing many of our congregations during the present economic climate of our nation, now therefore be it,
Resolved, that as of our 2010 BFC Conference, our particular churches be advised to maintain no less than the current recommended minimum salary of $33,000 while striving to give appropriate increases as finances may warrant, and further,
Resolved, that in addition to his salary, the church must provide half of the pastor’s Social Security tax, parsonage and/or housing allowance (which would include utilities, repair costs, etc.), health insurance, and provision should be made for reimbursement for allowable car and professional expenses. The church must also contribute a minimum of 3% of the pastor’s salary for retirement to the ministers annuity fund, plus an additional 1% match if the pastor is voluntarily contributing 1%.
Note:
The above recommendation is considered the minimum. In establishing a fair and equitable salary and benefits package for the minister, consideration should be given to experience, education and the cost of living as per one’s location. In some areas, a higher figure would be more equitable.
Additional information for the Pastoral Relations Committee can be found in the newly published booklet, “Guidelines for Pastoral Relations Committees”.
2. Resolved, that Ronald C. Mahurin be ratified as Conference Pastor for another three-year term of service.
Guidelines for Pastoral Relations Committee Booklet:
We are glad that many are using the booklet entitled, Guidelines for Pastoral Relations Committee. We encourage the continued use of this booklet so that you can properly minister to your pastoral staff. Copies can be found at the Board of Communications table. We will also continue sending out in September emails to all pastors and delegates reminding them of the importance of having a Pastoral Relations Committee meeting.
Guidelines for the Pastoral Search Committee Booklet:
In order to better assist churches when they are going through a time of pastoral transition, we have put together a booklet to help guide the process. They are available at the conference Board of Communications table. You can also contact Randy Grossman for additional copies.
Ministerial Relations Committee: Randall A. Grossman, Chairman; Jacob J. Susek, Jr., Secretary; Steven Kauffman, Ronald W. Reed, L. James Roberts, Jr., William G. Schlonecker, Byron Widger.