Annual Conference Council reviews, implements 2004 actions.

The Annual Conference Council, meeting Aug. 28 in Elgin, Ill., welcomed two new members, took next steps with regard to actions of the 2004 Conference, and reviewed minutes of a conversation held at the Conference on the 2003 "Query of Clarification of Confusion," according to report by Conference secretary Fred Swartz.

New members are Ronald D. Beachley, moderator elect and executive minister for Western Pennsylvania District; and Joan Daggett, associate executive minister for Shenandoah District. Continuing members are chair Earl K. Ziegler, a past moderator; Jim Hardenbrook, 2005 moderator; Christopher Bowman, immediate past moderator; Swartz; and Lerry Fogle, executive director.

The council discussed next steps with regard to two study committees named by the 2004 Conference: the Doing Church Business Study Committee and the Multi-Ethnic/Cross Cultural Study Committee. The Committee on Interchurch Relations was to be asked to assist in naming the member of the Multi-Ethnic/Cross Cultural Study Committee who will be ex-officio from the American Baptist Churches USA. The council also decided to seek the assistance of the General Board's Congregational Life Team staff who serve as liaisons to the Cross-Cultural Ministries Team, to develop a form for use by agencies, districts, and congregations in assessing their ethnic ministries and relationships.

In a follow-up report, Fogle announced that the Doing Church Business Study Committee--comprising Joe Detrick, Matt Guynn, Verdena Lee, Dale Posthumus, and Dave Shetler--will meet Sept. 30-Oct. 2. The Multi-Ethnic/Cross-Cultural Study Committee--comprising Darla Kay Bowman Deardorff, Nadine Monn, Ruben DeOleo, Neemita Pandya, Gilbert Romero, and Asha Solanky--will meet Oct. 17-18. Fogle also announced that this committee elected Thomas Dowdy, pastor of Imperial Heights Church of the Brethren, Los Angeles, Calif., as the African-American member of the group at the direction of Annual Conference. "The Annual Conference Office extends much gratitude to others who were on the ballot to fill that additional position," Fogle said.

A new committee to update the 1988 Conference statement, "A Structural Framework for Dealing with Strongly Controversial Issues," will be named by the council following recommendations from the denominational name study committee that reported in 2004. The three-member committee will consist of a member of the council, a member of the study committee, and a person with skills in conflict resolution.

The papers "Functions and Qualifications of the Local Church Moderator" and "Resolution on Iraq" will be posted on the Conference website at www.brethren.org. The paper on moderators will be sent to districts with the request that it be reproduced for congregations. The council also will remind districts of the paper on "Congregational Disagreement with Annual Conference Decisions" as a resource.

Swartz reported that the council "carefully read the recorded minutes of the 'conversation' sponsored by the council, held during Annual Conference on July 4, 2004." The conversation was held on the "Query of Clarification of Confusion," which referred to the response of the 2002 Conference to the query "Licensing/Ordination of Homosexual Persons to the Ministry in the Church of the Brethren." The conversation also covered theological and ministry-related issues.

The council recorded the following minute with regard to the July 4 conversation:

"The council's good intention in holding this meeting was to hear the ideas, suggestions, and concerns of persons across the denomination in an effort to gather as much information and assistance as possible toward answering the questions about ministry raised in the 2003 query, 'Clarification of Confusion.' From comments made by persons in attendance at the meeting, and from communications received by the council since Conference, it is evident to the council that the word 'conversation' in the session title conveyed a meaning other than that intended by the council. Questions were asked of the council, both in the query and in the Charleston meeting, that its members feel inadequate to answer without having dialogue with the denomination. The council sees as its task the responsibility to see that these questions are answered, but does not feel that its members alone have the definitive answers. So the Council is endeavoring to take steps to see that the questions are addressed.

"Questions identified as needing answers include the following: What are the denominational requirements or qualifications for calling and maintaining persons in ministry? Is the church consistent in its 'list' and perceptions of the gifts and qualifications of ministers? What is the nature and parameters of the authority given districts in the calling, licensing, ordaining, and disciplining of ministers? What is the Brethren understanding of the relationship of baptism to the set-apart ministry? What mechanisms, processes, assumptions can be established to provide for creative dialogue on issues on which Brethren strongly disagree?

"The council noted that the General Board Office on Ministry has agreed to review the denominational policies on ministry. The council also continues to seek a dialogue with the Council of District Executives concerning the questions raised by the query 'Clarification of Confusion.' The council continues to give attention to this item in its meetings, noting progress and information gathered. Finally, the council has reported its work to Standing Committee and it continues to keep the District of Michigan apprised of its progress toward responding to the questions of the query."

A complete summary of the council's meeting can be obtained from the Annual Conference office, 800-323-8039 or e-mail annualconference@brethren.org. For the "Query of Clarification of Confusion" and the council's response go to the Annual Conference pages at www.brethren.org, click on Conference Statements.

Source: Newsline 09/17/2004
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