Southern Plains restructures board, names district minister.

Southern Plains District Conference was held July 29-31 at Molsbee Chapel in Nocona, Texas. "We were excited to have Jim Hardenbrook come as our guest speaker," reported new district executive Joan Lowry. "Our theme was HEY JUDE! key verse 21, 'Keep yourselves in the love of God. Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.'" Hardenbrook is the 2005 Annual Conference moderator.

Business sessions were filled with new things happening in the district, reported Lowry, who was named as district minister by the conference. The conference restructured the district board, returning to a two-meeting format of a district conference meeting and a winter meeting, and combined the nurture and witness commissions into one commission. The conference decided that each commission will have four members and that the district board will serve on all business except when a special meeting is called, when the executive board will serve.

In other business, a new line item was added to the budget for New Church Development with funds from the sale of property from Thomas (Okla.) Church of the Brethren. It was reported that a new church start in Enid, Okla., is doing well. The pastors of the Enid church plant, Carol and Nina Coulter, requested that it be recognized as a fellowship. Waka (Texas) Church of the Brethren requested that the church be closed.

The district's camp, Spring Lake Retreat and Camp Center in Rocky, Okla., reported new developments as well, this year adding coolers to all the cabins. The Burger family reunion and the Waka congregation built a handicapped accessible restroom near the dining hall.

The conference also received reports from several agencies of the extended church. The next Southern Plains District Conference will be held Aug. 11-13, 2005, at Big Creek Church of the Brethren in Cushing, Okla.

Source: Newsline 09/03/2004
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