Report of the
Committee on Credentials
The Committee on Credentials held four meetings during the year in the performance of its duties.
The Faith and Order questionnaire was sent to each of the ministers holding Ordination Credentials with the Bible Fellowship Church.
The Lord, in His providence this year, has chosen to take home James A. Beil, C. Larry Bennett, Walter H. Frank, Harvey J. Fritz, Jr. and David E. Thomann of our ministering brethren. We thank God for their many years of ministry among us, their commitment to our Savior and we look forward to the day we will be reunited with them in glory.
The Committee conducted a two-tiered approach to the ordination service that was approved at the 124th Annual Conference. The first tier was on Tuesday evening, April 27, 2010 during which we introduced the men to be ordained or to have their previous ordination recognized, gave a charge to them, administered the vows, laid hands on them with prayer by the Committee and extended the right hand of fellowship.
The second tier was administered in the church where each man is serving by affirming the vows of ordination, through prayer, the right hand of fellowship by pastors in that region, and an appropriate ordination sermon. This is an important opportunity to show love and support for those called of God to minister alongside us as brothers. We are grateful for those who were present. We strongly encourage all our credentialed men to make ordination services in their region a priority. Please put these services on your calendars and affirm these brothers in the Lord.
The following changes in status were approved:
Albert J. Dommel was changed from Ordained Ministers Between Calls to Ordained Ministers On Leave of Absence.
Jacob J. Susek was changed from Ordained Ministers Working Under the Direction of the Bible Fellowship Church to Ordained Ministers Between Calls.
Clyde D. Bomgardner Jr. was changed from Ordained Ministers Between Calls to Ordained Ministers Working Under the Direction of the Bible Fellowship Church.
William J. Dunn was changed from Ordained Ministers on Leave of Absence to Ordained Ministers Working in Other Christian Ministries
Jeffrey L. Ruhl was changed from Ordained Ministers in Other Christian Ministries to Ordained Inactive Ministers.
Jonathon W. Arnold Sr. was changed from Ordained Ministers Working Under the Direction of the Bible Fellowship Church to Ordained Ministers Between Calls.
Roger L Reitz was changed from Ordained Ministers Between Calls to Ordained Ministers in Retirement.
Michael J. Tannous was changed from Ordained Ministers on Leave of Absence to Ordained Inactive Ministers.
According to the F&O §512-11(7) Steven L. Trommler, has exhausted his stay of ten years in the combined categories of “Between Calls”, “Leave of Absence” and “Ordained Inactive Ministers” and therefore loses his credentials with the BFC.
The Committee met with eight men for ordination examination. The Credentials Committee gives thanks to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Who has given these gifted men for the ministry of the BFC.
1. Whereas, the Ministerial Candidate Committee has recommended ordination for Joshua D. Edwards, Marcos G. Ramirez Montalvo, David J. Peters, Michael D. Roberts, Aaron J. Susek, and Timothy M. Zuck for ordination, and
Whereas, the Ministerial Candidate Committee has recommended recognition of prior ordination for James Arcieri, and Mark R. Orton, and and
Whereas, these brethren have served acceptably as ministers of the Bible Fellowship Church for the required period of time or the equivalent thereof, and
Whereas, after examination, the Credentials Committee believes these men to be called of God to the gospel ministry and to be in accord with the Faith & Order of the Bible Fellowship Church, therefore be it
Resolved, that Joshua D. Edwards, David J. Peters, Michael D. Roberts, Aaron J. Susek, and Timothy M. Zuck be ordained to the gospel ministry of the Bible Fellowship Church, and further
Resolved, that the prior ordination of James Arcieri, Mark R. Orton, and Marcos G. Ramirez to the gospel ministry be recognized by the Bible Fellowship Church.
The Credentials Committee has placed our Ordained Ministers in the following categories. (These men are eligible to serve a Bible Fellowship Church):
I. Ordained Ministers Working Under the Direction of the BFC
Allen, Daniel P.
Allen, David T.
*Arcieri, James
Baker, Delbert R. II.
Barninger, Mark E.
Bertolet, Raymond R.
Bertolet, Timothy J.
Bomgardner, Clyde D., Jr.
Boone, Clifford B.
Brandt, David E.
Brush, R. Jerome
Cahill, Dennis M.
Clapier, G. Wayne
Clark, Gerald D.
Cleck, Shan D.
Clineff, Kevin W.
Cole, Charles E.
Cowen, Timothy S.
Crossgrove, Andrew T.
Curcio, Louis S.
DelDuco, Steven J.
Duggins, Davis E.
*Edwards, Joshua D.
Erb, Ronald C.
Evans, Mark R.
Felty, Glenn R.
Fischer, Carl J., Jr.
Francis, Kurt P.
Grossman, Randall A.
Gundrum, David E.
Harris, Richard D.
Heller, LeRoy S.
Johnson, Robert A.
Keeler, Kenneth D.
Kirkpatrick, Kevin W.
Kohl, Ronald L.
Kramer, Robert B.
Kuntzman, Donald E.
Madara, Ferdie R.
Mahurin, Ronald C.
Miller, Alan G.
Miller, Joshua P.
Morrison, Mark L.
Norris, Philip G.
North, Eric R.
* Orton, Mark R.
Paashaus, Richard T.
* Peters, David J.
Prontnicki, Louis
* Ramirez, Marcos G.
Ramos, Elliot H.
Ravis, Richard B.
Reed, Calvin T.
Ritter, Ralph E.
Rodriguez, Carlos G.
Schlonecker, William G.
Schmoyer, Timothy J.
Schoen, David N.
Shorb, Thomas P.
Simpson, Arthur J., Jr.
Sloan, Robert A., Jr.
Spackman, Carl K.
Spinney, Dennis W.
* Susek, Aaron J.
Taylor, Richard E.
Thomann, David A.
Uhrich, Gregory A.
Vandegriff, John C., Jr.
Vivona, Alan R.
Weller, Dana E.
Wells, Howard N.
Wickstead, James A.
Widger, Byron
Williams, Daniel L.
Yerrington, Philip E. – Fellowship Manor
*Zuck, Timothy M.
* Contingent upon approval of recommendation of their ordination in this report.
II. Ordained Ministers Working Under the Direction of the Board of Missions of the BFC:
Aukamp, William A.
Denlinger, Ronald K.
Evans, Scott B.
Head, Jim D.
Johnston, Walter M.
Lenahan, Frank E.
Morrison, Philip E.
Moyer, Duane E.
Moyer, Jerry L.
Pollock, Thomas A.
Riddell, David W.
Studenroth, John C.
III. Ordained Ministers Working in the Chaplaincy Under the Sponsorship of the BFC:
Fields, Robert K. – Chaplain
Heineman, David N. – Hospice
Hurst, Kenneth J. – Military
Jones, David H. – Military
Moyer, Richard A. – Prison Ministry
* Roberts, Michael D. – Fellowship Manor
IV. Ordained Ministers Working in Other Christian Ministries:
Commerford, Robert S.
Cooper, Brian C.
Dowling, Willis I.
Dunn, William J.
Hagy, Ronald C.
Lawrence, Dennis J.
Lea, Herbert K.
Martin, Carl T.
V. Ordained Ministers Between Calls:
Arnold, Jonathon W.
Harding, W. Neil, Jr.
Morrison, Thomas H.
Susek, Jacob, J., Jr.
VI. Ordained Ministers on Leave of Absence:
Dommel, Albert J.
VII. Ordained Ministers in Retirement:
Barber, Kenneth F.
Batchler, James R., Jr.
Bigley, T. James, Jr.
Brosius, Bert N.
Buck, Leonard E.
Byrd, Terris L.
Cassel, Alva C.
Cassel, Carl C.
Coulbourn, Hugh C., Jr.
Dotts, Raymond R.
Draper, Robert L.
Ellingson, Bruce A.
Gehman, Richard J.
Harley, J. Barclay
Herb, Frank L., Jr.
Herb, George E.
Herb, John H.
Hertzog, Roy A.
Hoyle, Ronald W.
Manney, David L.
Minsky, Barry J.
Moyer, Edward
Munyan, Edgar H.
Phillips, D. Thomas
Plows, Keith E.
Reichenbach, R. C.
Reitz, Roger L.
Riggall, John H.
Seifert, A. L.
Shelly, Austin G.
Smith, Gene W.
Soper, Ralph M.
Stortz, Dean A.
Watkins, David J.
Way, David R.
Weaber, Harold C.
Ziegler, Daniel G.
Zimmerman, Paul G.
VIII. Ordained Inactive Ministers:
McCreary, J. Mark
Ruhl, Jeffrey L.
Tait, Jonathan P.
Tannous, Michael J.
The Credentials Committee makes the following additional recommendations:
2. Resolved, that an Ordination Service be held at the 128th Annual Conference.
3. Resolved, that the Bethel BFC in Emmaus, PA, and Grace Church in Old Bridge, NJ, Calvary BFC in Quakertown, PA, Adams County Bible Fellowship Mission, Adams County, PA, and Saucon Community BFC, Hellertown, PA be encouraged to have a service in recognition of the ordinations of Joshua D. Edwards, Marcos G. Ramirez Montalo, David J. Peters, Michael D. Roberts, Aaron J. Susek, and Timothy M. Zuck, respectively, and that Community BFC, Red Hill, PA, Graterford BFC, Graterford, PA, and Iglesia Biblica La Roca de Merida, Yucatan, Mexico be encouraged to have a service to recognize the recognition of prior ordinations of James Arcieri, and Mark R. Orton, , respectfully, and that they be encouraged to invite the Credentials Committee to send representation to be present at the service.
4. Resolution on Classification of Ordained Men
Whereas, the Beneficiary Society has brought to our attention that there is currently no category to cover a man who is disabled, but too young for retirement, therefore be it
Resolved, that, we recommend to the BFC Conference that permanently disabled pastors be defined by the US Government or by exception by the Credentials Committee, and further
Resolved, that we add “or on disability” to the category of “Ordained Ministers in Retirement”, and further
Resolved, that permanently disabled pastors be placed under the category of “Ordained Ministers in Retirement or on disability.”
Committee on Credentials: Dennis M. Cahill, Chairman; Keith E. Plows, Vice Chairman; Carl J. Fischer, Jr., Secretary; LeRoy S. Heller, Ralph M. Soper