Report of the
Ministerial Relations Committee
And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets,
and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,
for the equipping of the saints for the work of service,
to the building up of the body of Christ”
Ephesians 4:11-12
The work of the Ministerial Relations Committee is to come alongside churches in the process of finding a pastor as well as those in the process of saying goodbye to a pastor. Additionally, we seek to promote healthy relationships between churches and their pastoral staff. This year, many of our churches have called a pastor to shepherd them.
The committee met three times since the last BFC Conference. Additionally, numerous meetings took place at churches between committee representatives and pastors, elders, and pastoral search committees. We thank God for the spirit of camaraderie the committee and local church leaders share in our interactions.
The following resignations took place according to our rules this year:
Church Pastor Effective Date
Paradise, PA Shan D. Cleck June 26, 2011
Harrisburg, PA Carl K. Spackman June 30, 2100
Wissinoming, PA G. Wayne Clapier September 25, 2011
Harleysville, PA R. Scott Wright September 30, 2011
Quakertown, PA Joshua P. Miller December 31, 2011
The following calls were issued according to our rules this year:
Church Pastor Effective Date
Church Extension David A. Smith February 11, 2011
Hellertown, PA Timothy M. Zuck May 8, 2011
Woodbury Heights, NJ Daniel L. Williams June 12, 2011
Bethlehem, PA Jason L. Hoy July 25, 2011
Church Extension Keith A. Strunk September 1, 2011
Wissinoming, PA Justin L. Hunter September 25, 2011
Church Extension R. Scott Wright October 1, 2011
Church Extension Ronald B. Smith October 1, 2011
Las Cruces, NM Joshua M. Allen October 2, 2011
Blandon, PA Jordan K. Eyster November 8, 2011
Harrisburg, PA Joshua P. Miller January 1, 2012
Zionsville, PA Bryan C. McNally January 1, 2012
Reading, PA (Grace) Matthew L. Lynskey February 5, 2012
The following churches are seeking a pastor (either a senior pastor or other pastoral staff member): Bethlehem, PA; Camden, DE; Carmel, NY; Coopersburg, PA; Long Neck, DE; Paradise, PA; Royersford, PA; Toms River, NJ; Walnutport, PA.
The Lord has faithfully provided pulpit supply and interim pastoral ministry in each of these churches. However, we beseech the BFC family to pray for God’s provision of a pastor for each church according to the BFC Principles of Order.
Conference Pastor Ronald C. Mahurin has completed his eleventh year of service in this strategic office. The committee expresses its appreciation for his faithful service to our brothers in the pastorate.
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 our committee chairman, Byron Widger.
The Committee makes the following recommendation to the 129th BFC Conference:
Resolved, that the recommended minimum salary for a BFC Pastor in the U.S. be $35,000 for 2012, and further,
Resolved, that in addition to his salary, the church must provide a sum equal to 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%.
Ministerial Relations Committee: Byron Widger, Chairman; Timothy J. Schmoyer, Secretary; Randall A. Grossman, Steven J. Kauffman, Ronald W. Reed, L. James Roberts, Jr., William G. Schlonecker.