Report of the Ministerial Relations Committee
When the 108th Annual Conference adjourned, the church seeking a pastor was Blandon, PA.
In the year ending September 30, 1992, resignations from pastorates were as follows:
Church Pastor Effective Date
Nazareth. . . . . . . . . Carl J. Fischer, Jr.. . . . December 29, 1991
(Assistant)
Roseto. . . . . . . . . . . Edgar H. Munyan. . . . .December 31, 1991
The following pastorates were established under our rules.
Church Pastor Effective Date
Stroudsburg. . . . . . .Donald L. Hibbs. . . . . .September 25, 1991
(Adjunct Pastor)
Upper Perkiomen. . .D. Thomas Phillips. . . .October 24, 1991
(Church Extension)
Blandon. . . . . . . . . . Carl J. Fischer, Jr.. . . . January 8, 1992
Wallingford. . . . . . . Jerry L. Moyer. . . . . . .March 3, 1992
(Assistant)
Harrisburg. . . . . . . . Allan R. Vivona. . . . . . April 21, 1992
The Berean Bible Fellowship Church of Stroudsburg, PA granted Philip E. Morrison a one year sabbatical leave of absence to serve as a volunteer missionary teacher at Moffat College of the Bible, Kenya, East Africa, August 1992 through August 1993.
Carl C. Cassel is serving as the Interim Pastor of the Stroudsburg congregation and is living in the parsonage during Philip E. Morrison’s absence.
Philip E. Morrison has submitted his resignation as a member of the Ministerial Relations Committee due to inability to serve during his sabbatical leave. We recommend that the Nominating Committee place in nomination names to fill the two years remaining in Philip E. Morrison’s term.
The Cornerstone Bible Fellowship Church of Roseto, PA (formerly Bangor) decided at a duly called meeting on the evening of September 13, 1992 to discontinue services.
We recommend that the following be adopted by the 109th Annual Conference:
1. WHEREAS, we believe it is the Scriptural responsibilities of the church to adequately meet the needs of its Pastors (Matthew 10:10; I Corinthians 9:7-15; Galatians 6:6; Philippians 4:10-19; I Timothy 5:17-18); therefore be it
RESOLVED, that we encourage each church to increase its Pastor’s salary commensurate with the general economic condition in the nation and local community, with the Consumer Price Index as a suggested means of measurement; and further
RESOLVED, that it is the consensus of this Committee that the minimum salary adequate for a Pastor serving a Bible Fellowship Church including benefits is $20,950.00 for the 1992-1993 year.
2. That the service of Installation of a Pastor of the Bible Fellowship Church be added to the FAITH & ORDER under IV appendices; B. Suggested Forms; Installation of a Pastor p. 202.
3. WHEREAS, Jansen E. Hartman has served faithfully for many years as a Pastor of the Bible Fellowship Church, as Chairman of the Ministerial Relations Committee and has been elected and appointed to other leadership positions within the Bible Fellowship Church; and
WHEREAS, his combined years of experience represents a valuable resource to the Bible Fellowship Church and this Committee; and
WHEREAS, since his retirement he has been freed to minister to our particular churches without affecting pastoral duties in a particular church of his own; and
WHEREAS, it gives the freedom for a minister on the Committee to respond quickly to problems and to attend meetings on Sundays and Wednesdays where otherwise it would be unreasonable for one of the ministers to be absent from his own church; and
WHEREAS, the Committee has never had the opportunity for one of its ministers heretofore to give attention on a continuing basis to an ongoing need in a particular church; and
WHEREAS, during this past year Jansen E. Hartman has functioned as supply Pastor of Cornerstone Bible Fellowship Church, Roseto, PA since January; therefore be it
RESOLVED, that by the Rule of Exception Annual Conference allow Jansen E. Hartman to stand for re-election to the Ministerial Relations Committee for a three-year term.
Ministerial Relations Committee: Jansen E. Hartman, Chairman; Harvey J. Fritz, Jr., Secretary; Lee E. Boyles, Alva C. Cassel, L. James Roberts, Jr., Harold L. Snyder, Jr.
Suggested Outline and Elements of a Service of Installation
of a Pastor of the Bible Fellowship Church
Prelude
Call to Worship
Statement of Purpose of Meeting
Hymn
Invocation
Greetings from Invited Guests
From Community Leaders
From Representatives of the Bible Fellowship Church
From Evangelical Leaders of Church and Parachurch Organizations
Recognition of the presence of other Pastors and Missionaries
Offering
Special Music
Message or Sermon
Installation of Pastor
Leader (Delegate to Annual Conference) takes podium, as Pastor stands before the congregation.
Leader: Do you, , confess that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior and that He alone is the Redeemer and Head of the Church?
Pastor: (Brief affirmation)
Leader: Are you inwardly persuaded that you are called of God to the proclamation of the Gospel and to the office of Pastor and Teacher?
Pastor: (Brief affirmation)
Leader: On (date) , (name of church) voted to call you as its pastor to serve under the Constitution of the FAITH & ORDER of the Bible Fellowship Church and the By-Laws of this Body. Do you believe that this call is the will of God, and do you accept this call?
Pastor: (Brief affirmation) (Takes his seat in front pew)
Charge to the Congregation: (By designated person; charge should not take more than three minutes)
Question: Will you as a congregation, on the basis of the evidence given as to the validity of the call of , receive and honor him as your minister and pastor?
If so, answer “We Will” (Congregation responds)
Charge to Elders and Deacons: (By designated person, who directs the elders and deacons to stand in front of the congregation) (Charge should take no more than three minutes)
Question: Will you, the elders and deacons of this congregation, assume your God-given responsibilities and support the Pastor in the carrying out of his and your sacred stewardship? If so, answer, “We Will!” (Elders and Deacons respond)
Charge to the Pastor: (by designated person; charge to be no longer than three minutes) (He directs Pastor to stand before the elders and deacons)
Question: Will you as Pastor-Teacher solemnly affirm that you will take heed to yourself and to all the flock, over which the Holy Spirit has made you an overseer, to feed the church of God, which He has purchased with His own blood?
Pastor: By God’s help, I will!
Installation Prayer: (Pastor kneels, with elders, deacons, and other designated participants around him. Designated person(s) will lead in prayer)
Response from the Pastor
Hymn
Benediction
Reception