The Annual Conference Council met Dec. 8-9 in Elizabethtown, Pa., with a full agenda. Major items included the council's response to an unanswered portion of a query sent to Conference from Michigan District, a revised draft of the Annual Conference paper on The Role and Qualifications of Local Church Moderators, next steps toward a revision of the denomination's Manual of Organization and Polity, and items related to preparation for the 2004 Conference in Charleston, W.Va.
The council was charged by 2003 Conference delegates with the task of responding to a number of questions raised in a Michigan query titled, “Clarification of Confusion.” The request for clarification related to both procedural and theological issues in the denomination's policies for calling and disciplining set-apart ministers.
After considerable discussion relating to each question, the council felt that answers should come from a larger group than the council itself, and that a consultation on ministry issues, involving especially the General Board Office of Ministry and district executives, should occur as soon as possible. Current moderator Chris Bowman and moderator-elect Jim Hardenbrook are also planning a visit to several areas of Michigan District.
Aware of both the Michigan issues and similar concerns throughout the denomination, the council made plans to hold a session at the 2004 Conference in which individuals and groups will have “opportunity to share with the council and fellow Conferencegoers concerns, observations, and suggestions relating to denominational life and ministry.” the session is scheduled for July 4 at 9 p.m. On Earth Peace has agreed to help facilitate the discussion.
As asked by the 2003 Conference, the council assembled a committee of key people to help revise the paper on local church moderators. With the help of this ad-hoc committee, the council revised the paper for consideration by the 2004 Conference. The new paper provides for the moderator to work in whatever structure the congregation has, including the possibility for moderators to be called from beyond the local church. The paper still maintains the traditional requirement for moderators to be members of the Church of the Brethren.
At the invitation of the council, Wayne Miller had been working at revising the 2001 Manual of Organization and Polity, primarily gathering materials for a section that will provide information on the Annual Conference agencies. Miller asked to be relieved of further responsibilities for the revision, so the council asked Conference secretary Fred Swartz to form a committee to help him complete an initial draft of the revision.
The initial draft will be posted on the Annual Conference web page prior to the 2005 Conference, when a new denominational Review and Evaluation Committee is to be called by Conference. A new manual will not be published in hard-copy form until after the next Review and Evaluation Committee has made its report.
In other actions, the council:
- received with regret the resignation of council member Sandy Bosserman, who cited unexpected responsibilities at home and work. Annual Conference delegates will be asked to elect another district executive to fill the vacancy on the council.
- confirmed that it now shares with Standing Committee the responsibility to provide for denominational envisioning. The moderator and moderator-elect will engage the 2004 Standing Committee in a process to begin the fulfillment of that function.
- confirmed a mission statement and refined core value and vision statements as part of a strategic planning process. The council plans to submit the statements to Standing Committee in Charleston for consideration, then do further work on goals and objectives.
- heard and ratified plans from the Conference officers to prepare materials and hold information sessions where invited on the preparation of queries for Annual Conference.
- heard reports from the moderator and Annual Conference executive on preparations for the 2004 Conference in Charleston, W.Va., and approved the executive director's salary package for 2004.
Source: Newsline 1/02/2004
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