Report of the Ministerial Candidate Committee
The Ministerial Candidate Committee met ten times during the conference year.
The following men were interviewed during the year: Jeffrey B. Thompson, Jimmy D. Head, Jonathan P. Tait, Thomas J. Beil, Howard N. Wells, R. Jerome Brush, John C. Studenroth, W. Neil Harding, Jr., Kevin K. Gehman and Clifford B. Boone.
Allan R. Vivona, Daniel F. Delozier, and Jerry L. Moyer were approved as probationers eligible to receive a call.
Donald R. Hibbs, Jerry L. Moyer, and Allan R. Vivona were issued licenses during the year.
Brent E. Robinson is on a leave of absence.
The following men were recommended for ordination examination: R. Jerome Brush, John C. Studenroth, Howard N. Wells and Clifford B. Boone.
An orientation seminar was held for the men under the care of the Committee. Dr. Samuel Logan, president of Westminster Theological Seminary, spoke on the theme, “How to Cultivate a Genuine Love for Christ.” His presentation reviewed Jonathan Edwards’ writing, A Treatise on Religious Affections, and showed Edwards’ concern to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit conversion. Six men completed the seminar.
The Committee began a new system for evaluating sermons during the year. Men are asked to preach a sermon in the church which they serve and submit a video tape of the sermon with evaluations from the church. Members of the Committee review the tapes and submit a report to the men.
The Orientation Seminar for next year will be held June 7-10, 1993. Pastors are invited to this seminar which will focus on the skills of the ministry.
RESOLVED, that the men under the care of the Ministerial Candidate Committee be accepted as listed below:
Probationers (Year of licensing in parenthesis)
Clifford B. Boone. . . . . . . . . . . . . Tanzania, East Africa (1989)
Douglas D. Bowne. . . . . . . . . . . . Pottstown, PA
R. Jerome Brush. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fleetwood, Pa (1988)
Daniel F. DeLozier. . . . . . . . . . . . Lancaster, PA
Arthur J. Frisbie*. . . . . . . . . . . . . Newark, DE (1976)
W. Neil Harding, Jr.. . . . . . . . . . . Philadelphia, PA (1983)
Donald R. Hibbs. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sciota, PA (1991)
Barnabas Marshall. . . . . . . . . . . . Staten Island, NY
Christopher J. Morrison. . . . . . . . .Spencer, MA (1988)
Jerry L. Moyer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wallingford, PA (1992)
Ralph E. Ritter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Staten Island, NY (1991)
Brent E. Robinson**. . . . . . . . . . .Baltimore, MD (1988)
Gene W. Smith. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Catasauqua, PA (1991)
David H. C. Sng. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lansdale, PA
Dennis W. Spinney. . . . . . . . . . . . Dudley, MA (1984)
John C. Studenroth. . . . . . . . . . . . Kutztown, PA (1991)
Allan R. Vivona. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Harrisburg, PA (1992)
David R. Way. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pleasant Valley, NY (1989)
Howard N. Wells. . . . . . . . . . . . . Hatfield, PA (1990)
Candidates
Thomas J. Beil. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Upper Darby, PA
William Crowell. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Limerick, PA
Wayne A. Davidson. . . . . . . . . . . Schwenksville, PA
Jimmy D. Head. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bethlehem, PA
Kevin K. Gehman. . . . . . . . . . . . . Lancaster, PA
Dennis J. Lawrence. . . . . . . . . . . .Sunbury, PA
J. Mark McCreary. . . . . . . . . . . . .Stroudsburg, PA
Philip J. Mitchell. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Allentown, PA
Duane E. Moyer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Guadeloupe, West Indies
Thomas A. Pollock. . . . . . . . . . . . Puposky, MN
Jonathan P. Tait. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Royersford, PA
Thomas F. Templeton. . . . . . . . . .Somers Point, NJ
Ronald R. Vining. . . . . . . . . . . . . Allentown, PA
Daniel J. Vitalo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Reading, PA
Richard J. Vroman. . . . . . . . . . . . Edison, NJ
Applicants
Clyde D. Bomgardner. . . . . . . . . .Graterford, PA
Peter C. Fessler. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lebanon, PA
Scott Fetterolf. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mt. Carmel, PA
Harold F. Noyes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cambridgeport, VT
(* Now retired / ** On leave of absence.)
RESOLVED, that the By-Laws for Annual Conference, Article II, Procedure for the Recognition of a Minister, Men Entering the Ministry (FAITH & ORDER, pages 119-120) be revised as follows:
Men Entering the Ministry
The Ministerial Candidate Committee divides those under its care into three groups: Applicants, Candidates, and Probationers. An Applicant is a man who offers himself to this committee for service in the Bible Fellowship Church; young men are encouraged to seek this recognition as early in their educational program as they sense the call of God to the ministry. A Candidate is a man whose application is accepted and who remains under the guidance of this Committee; men move to this group when they near the completion of their educational preparation for the ministry. A Probationer is a man who has been approved by this Committee, has passed examinations on the FAITH & ORDER of the Bible Fellowship Church, and is working in the Bible Fellowship Church (a particular church or agency) or other ministry approved by the Ministerial Candidate Committee in consultation with the Credentials Committee. Such other ministry does not include service on the pastoral staff of a church other than a Bible Fellowship Church. Men who meet all stated requirements for probationers are eligible to be licensed as probationers by the Ministerial Candidate Committee.
Probationary Service in a Particular Church or Mission
Normally, a probationer serves in a full-time capacity. After a probationer has served at least two years, he may be recommended to the Credentials Committee for ordination examination. The minimum period of probationary service may be extended; having served as a probationer does not guarantee ordination.
A man serving his probationary period on a part-time basis may do so with the following requirements: a. He shall serve the equivalent of at least two years full-time service determined by the Ministerial Candidate Committee, in consultation with the Credentials Committee. b. He shall serve at least one year under the supervision of a Board of Elders and/or another evaluating body approved by the Ministerial Candidate Committee and the Credentials Committee.
Probationary Service in Other Ministry
If a man seeks ordination in the Bible Fellowship Church and is not serving as the pastor of a particular church or mission, he may do so with the following requirements: a. He shall be a member of the Bible Fellowship Church. b. He shall follow the same procedure for ordination as other probationers. c. He shall comply with the FAITH & ORDER in the course of his service. d. He shall be supervised by the Board of Elders of the church in which he holds membership, the governing board of the ministry under which he serves, and any other evaluating agencies the Ministerial Candidate Committee may require during the probationary period of service. The time of the probationary service may be in full or part-time capacity. [SECOND READING] (See pages 26-27, 1991 Year Book)
Ministerial Candidate Committee: Carl C. Cassel, Chairman; Richard E. Taylor, Secretary; Alva C. Cassel, Randall A. Grossman, Daniel G. Ziegler