Report of the
Ministerial Relations Committee
“As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand,
and the seven golden lampstands,
the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches;
and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.”
Revelation 1: 20
The vision given in Revelation 1 is of the risen Lord Jesus ruling in His church. The “lampstands” are the individual congregations, and the “angels” probably are the local pastors. How comforting and challenging to know that the Son of Man, Jesus Christ, walks among us, and provides undershepherds for each of the churches.
It is in that spirit that the Ministerial Relations Committee conducts its work, believing that the Chief Shepherd goes before us in His care and concern for the churches and the pastors of the BFC. The committee met three times since the last BFC Conference. In addition to these meetings of the full committee, numerous other meetings took place at churches and with pastors, elders, and pastoral search committees. We appreciate the cooperative spirit we have found among all with whom we work for God’s glory in the BFC.
The following resignations took place according to our rules this year:
Church Pastor Effective Date
Royersford, PA Jacob J. Susek, Jr. October 3, 2010
Long Neck, DE Jonathon W. Arnold, Sr. December 31, 2010
Harrisburg, PA Carl K. Spackman June 30, 2011
In addition to these resignations, the Lord called C. Larry Bennett home on December 4, 2010, vacating the Zionsville pulpit.
The following calls were issued according to our rules this year:
Church Pastor Effective Date
Bethlehem Richard F. Bickings, Jr. April 19, 2010
Sinking Spring Stanley P. Lauterback June 10, 2010
Nazareth Francis Podlasinski June 27, 2010
Harrisburg Steven J. DelDuco July 1, 2010
Reading Clyde D. Bomgardner, Jr. July 1, 2010
Lancaster Keith M. Long September 19, 2010
The following churches are seeking a pastor (either a senior pastor or other pastoral staff member): Bethlehem, Camden DE, Carmel NY, Harrisburg, Las Cruces NM, Long Neck DE, Royersford, Toms River NJ, Walnutport, Zionsville.
The Lord has faithfully provided pulpit supply and interim pastoral ministry in each of these churches. But pray for God’s provision for a pastor called according to our rules for each church.
Conference Pastor Ronald C. Mahurin has completed his tenth year of service in this strategic office. The committee expresses its appreciation for his faithful service to our ministering brethren.
The committee reminds our churches of two resource booklets: Guidelines for the Pastoral Relations Committee, and Guidelines for the Pastoral Search Committee. Copies are available from the chairman.
The Committee makes the following recommendation to the 128th BFC Conference:
Resolved, that the recommended minimum salary for a BFC Pastor be $34,000 for 2011, 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%.
During the year, Jacob Susek resigned from the committee because he is not currently pastoring a church. The committee thanks Jake for his friendship, fellowship, and years of service on the committee as secretary.
Ministerial Relations Committee: Byron Widger, Chairman; Randall A. Grossman, Secretary; Steven Kauffman, Ronald W. Reed, L. James Roberts, Jr., William G. Schlonecker.