Report of the Board of Church Extension
The Board of Church Extension met four times during the past year. In addition to these meetings, there have been numerous meetings of committees of the Board.
High and low points characterize the ministry of Chruch Extension during the past year. The high points are found in the ministry of the churches and the progress being recorded. Four of our churches are in the final stages for qualification for membership in Annual Conference. The need for property, while it places a strain on finances, shows the progress that is taking place.
The low points are found in the financial condition of the Board. Last year’s report noted that the financial condition of the Board was precarious. Since that time, the Board’s financial condition has worsened. Special efforts were made to raise new funds and new supporters. That effort has been helpful and has served to generate new interest in the work of Church Extension. Difficult decisions will need to be made. The issue is not merely whether new churches can be started. The issue is whether adequate care can be given to the families of our church planters. The Board earnestly asks you to pray for wisdom in the coming days.
Significant actions of the Board include the following:
1. Purchase of property at Upper Perkiomen, Pennsylvania;
2. Appointment of assessment committees for Upper Perkiomen, PA, Spencer, MA, and Somers Point, NJ.
The following is a list of the ministries of the Board of Church Extension and the church planters serving in those ministries:
Edison, NJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dennis M. Cahill, Richard B. Ravis
Newark, NJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Delbert R. Baker, III
Spencer, MA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Christopher J. Morrison
Dudley, MA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dennis W. Spinney
Ocean County, NJ. . . . . . . . . . . . .Dean A. Stortz
Pleasant Valley, NY. . . . . . . . . . . David R. Way
Somers Point, NJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Roger L. Reitz
Holmes, NY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert S. Commerford
Walnutport, PA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Larry M. Smith
Staten Island, NY. . . . . . . . . . . . . Ralph E. Ritter
Upper Perkiomen Valley, PA. . . . Ronald Denlinger, D. Thomas Phillips
The Board of Church Extension recommends the following resolutions be adopted by the 109th Annual Conference of the Bible Fellowship Church:
WHEREAS, the Board of Church Extension is of the opinion that the Edison, New Jersey, Mission and the Holmes, New York, Mission meet the qualifications of a church as specified in Article 18 of the FAITH & ORDER of the Bible Fellowship Church, therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Edison, New Jersey, Mission and the Holmes, New York, Mission be recognized as churches and their delegates received into membership of the 109th Annual Conference of the Bible Fellowship Church.
Board of Church Extension: Dana E. Weller, Chairman; Robert W. Smock, Vice Chairman; Daniel G. Ziegler, Executive Director; Richard E. Taylor, Secretary; William R. Singletary, Treasurer; Alfred G. Roberts, Clyde W. Snyder, John Vandegriff, Robert H. Zentz, Joseph L. Dugan, William G. Schlonecker