- Brethren meet for 223rd Annual Conference in San Diego, set in motion denomination-wide conversation on sexuality.
- Annual Conference chooses Robert E. Alley as moderator-elect.
- Standing Committee creates new denominational Vision Committee.
- Mission and Ministry Board sets budget parameter for 2010.
- Board receives report on situation of Haitians in the Dominican Republic.
- National Council of Churches leader proclaims importance of working for peace.
- Annual Conference bits and pieces.
- Brethren bits: job openings, more.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
NEWS
Brethren meet for 223rd Annual Conference, begin denomination-wide conversation on sexuality.
A total of 2,077 people met for the 2009 Annual Conference in San Diego, Calif., on June 26-30, including 670 delegates from congregations and districts, and 1,407 nondelegates. The Conference was led by moderator David Shumate and was held at the Town and Country Resort and Convention Center.
Decisions made by the delegate body set in motion at least two years of intentional denomination-wide conversation on two documents related to human sexuality. In addition, the Conference approved a revision of the church's paper providing a process for conversation about strongly controversial issues, acted on a query regarding secret oath-bound societies, and received a number of reports. The body also elected new church leadership (see story below).
Denomination-wide conversation on sexuality
Annual Conference acted on two business items related to issues of human sexuality, after spending most of the afternoons of June 27 and 28 discussing the items "A Statement of Confession and Commitment" and "Query: Language on Same-Sex Covenantal Relationships."
The action has set in motion at least two years of intentional denomination-wide conversation on the two documents. The delegates voted to accept both as "special response" items to be dealt with using the newly revised process for strongly controversial issues. In doing so, the Conference turned down a recommendation from the Standing Committee of district delegates to postpone the query until a later time.
Standing Committee also has named a Special Response Resource Committee that is called for in the process for strongly controversial issues. The committee will develop resources on the issues, in order to aid the church in the conversation process.
Named to the committee are Karen Long Garrett, a recent Bethany Seminary graduate and manager editor for Brethren Life and Thought; James Myer, a minister at White Oak Church of the Brethren in Manheim, Pa., and a leader in the Brethren Revival Fellowship; Marie Rhoades, a staff member of On Earth Peace; John E. Wenger, a Church of the Brethren member and psychologist from Anderson, Ind.; and Carol Wise, executive director of the Brethren and Mennonite Council for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Interests.
"A Statement of Confession and Commitment" came from last year's Standing Committee, addressing the issue of homosexuality as one that "continues to bring tension and division within our Body," confessing that, "we are not of one mind on this matter," and declaring that the church's 1983 paper Human Sexuality from a Christian Perspective "remains our official position." The statement acknowledges tension between different parts of the 1983 paper, confesses "meanness and fighting" over the issue, and calls the church to stop unchristian behavior.
"Query: Language on Same-Sex Covenantal Relationships" from Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren in Fort Wayne, Ind., and Northern Indiana District asks "whether it is the will of the church that this language on same-sex covenantal relationships will continue to guide our journey together" referring to a sentence in the 1983 paper that same-sex covenantal relationships are "not acceptable."
Standing Committee representatives Larry Dentler and Janice Kulp Long presented the committee's recommendations. Long also is on the pastoral team at Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren, which sent the query.
"We are a diverse group, just as the delegates of our congregations are diverse," said Dentler, who reported that last year after Standing Committee adopted its statement he felt "amazed that we could be unanimous...because there were persons of all theological perspectives." After further discussion this year, he realized that "some of us were seeing things in different ways." Some on Standing Committee see the statement as saying that the 1983 paper is one "we need to stick to," he explained, while others see the 1983 paper as simply "what we have," and that the 1983 paper really opens up more opportunity for discussion.
"Others' perspectives help me understand myself and our (church) body better," said Long. "Our denomination can only find a way through present brokenness as we seek God's light together." She also clarified that the Beacon Heights Church intends with the query simply to ask, "What words regarding covenantal relationships could God lead us to today?"
Debate on the two items was lengthy and marked by lines at the microphones, with many people wanting to speak. A group of young adults read a statement calling for support and inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. Other expressions ranged from affirmation for an intentional denomination-wide conversation, to commitment to biblical authority and the Bible's teachings on homosexuality, to weariness with the amount of time and energy already spent on the issue. Some expressed a desire to immediately reopen the 1983 statement. Several speakers said that it will be impossible for the whole church to come to agreement.
"There comes a time when you have to agree to lay things to rest," said Myer, who was a member of the committee that brought the 1983 paper. He spoke from the floor in support of the recommendation for denominational conversation, but "with some reluctance" he said, because the church already has worked on these issues for some 30 years. His support came out of observing the Standing Committee process in creating its statement, he said, "that it was possible in this day and time to come up with something that received unanimous approval."
Revision of paper to deal with strongly controversial issues
By an overwhelming vote, the Conference affirmed the motion of Standing Committee to adopt the revision of the paper, "A Structural Framework for Dealing with Strongly Controversial Issues." The document represents an update of a paper of the same name passed in 1988, but never utilized. The revision passed with one amendment to shorten to one minute the time speakers would have during floor discussion of topics using this process, instead of 1 1/2 minutes, to give more people a chance to speak and be heard.
The 1988 paper called for a committee to provide resources on an issue and facilitate denomination-wide conversation, but did not specify doing anything with the information gathered. This revision outlines a fuller process of conversation that may take two to three years, giving Standing Committee the responsibility of holding hearings across the denomination, and bringing the issue back to Annual Conference.
Moderator David Shumate commented that having a good process for controversial issues would provide a "surge protector" effect for the church, and added that the church needs special time to work with issues that "try us as a body."
Membership in secret oath-bound societies
The Conference respectfully returned the "Query: Secret Oath-Bound Societies" and reaffirmed the statement on membership in secret societies passed by the 1954 Annual Conference--with an amendment asking the Conference officers to appoint a three-member group to develop resources to educate and inform the church on this topic.
The officers named a three-person Resource Team to develop resources to educate and inform the church on the topic of secret oath-bound societies. Named to the team are former general secretary Judy Mills Reimer; Bethany Theological Seminary professor of New Testament studies Dan Ulrich; and Harold Martin, a leader in the Brethren Revival Fellowship.
Other business
Revised corporate by-laws for the Church of the Brethren were submitted for information, with the expectation that they will be brought for action at next year's Annual Conference. A revision of the by-laws is being submitted following the major reorganization of the Church of the Brethren, Inc., last year as the former Association of Brethren Caregivers and Annual Conference Council were combined with the then General Board under one corporate umbrella. The by-laws passed in 2008, which are now in force, included a lot of items from the church's polity manual and are very lengthy. The corporate attorney advised that a way be found to simplify them, reported general secretary Stan Noffsinger. Noffsinger invited additional comments and suggestions on the by-laws proposal to be sent to the Church of the Brethren's Leadership Team.
A report on child protection activity was given by Kim Ebersole, director of Family Life and Older Adult Ministries. The report affirmed the continuing relevance of the 1986 report of the Conditions of Childhood Task Force, and added three new recommendations for the denomination. The report was called for by a 2007 query, following which a survey process was conducted with congregations, districts, church programs, and agencies such as church camps, and the Caring Ministries staff also conducted a number of other activities to educate the church and to call for more attention to the protection of children across the denomination.
Three recommendations were given, that every Church of the Brethren congregation, district, agency, ministry area, program, and camp adopt and implement a child protection/child abuse prevention policy appropriate for its ministry setting; the Church of the Brethren maintain resources to assist congregations, districts, agencies, ministry areas, programs, and camps in developing child protection/child abuse prevention policies; and the church continue to help strengthen families and ensure that parents and caregivers have the knowledge, skill, support, and resources to care for their children.
The delegates approved a zero percent cost of living increase for the annual adjustment in the recommended ministerial cash salary table, at the recommendation of the Pastoral Compensation and Benefits Advisory Committee. The committee explained that usually the cost of living increase is based on the percentage of increase in the Consumer Price Index, however with the economic situation the Index fell this year rather than increased and the group did not want to recommend a decrease in the salaries of pastors.
Other reports received by the Conference included agency reports from the Church of the
Brethren, Bethany Theological Seminary, Brethren Benefit Trust, and On Earth Peace; Living Peace Church sharing from the microphones; a report from the Program and Arrangements Committee; and others.
The closing Conference business session also included appreciation for retiring Annual Conference executive director Lerry Fogle, and the consecration of Shawn Flory Replogle as moderator and Robert E. Alley as moderator-elect for 2010.
(Frances Townsend, pastor of Onekama (Mich.) Church of the Brethren, contributed to the reporting from the Annual Conference business sessions.)
Source: 7/1/2009 Newsline
A total of 2,077 people met for the 2009 Annual Conference in San Diego, Calif., on June 26-30, including 670 delegates from congregations and districts, and 1,407 nondelegates. The Conference was led by moderator David Shumate and was held at the Town and Country Resort and Convention Center.
Decisions made by the delegate body set in motion at least two years of intentional denomination-wide conversation on two documents related to human sexuality. In addition, the Conference approved a revision of the church's paper providing a process for conversation about strongly controversial issues, acted on a query regarding secret oath-bound societies, and received a number of reports. The body also elected new church leadership (see story below).
Denomination-wide conversation on sexuality
Annual Conference acted on two business items related to issues of human sexuality, after spending most of the afternoons of June 27 and 28 discussing the items "A Statement of Confession and Commitment" and "Query: Language on Same-Sex Covenantal Relationships."
The action has set in motion at least two years of intentional denomination-wide conversation on the two documents. The delegates voted to accept both as "special response" items to be dealt with using the newly revised process for strongly controversial issues. In doing so, the Conference turned down a recommendation from the Standing Committee of district delegates to postpone the query until a later time.
Standing Committee also has named a Special Response Resource Committee that is called for in the process for strongly controversial issues. The committee will develop resources on the issues, in order to aid the church in the conversation process.
Named to the committee are Karen Long Garrett, a recent Bethany Seminary graduate and manager editor for Brethren Life and Thought; James Myer, a minister at White Oak Church of the Brethren in Manheim, Pa., and a leader in the Brethren Revival Fellowship; Marie Rhoades, a staff member of On Earth Peace; John E. Wenger, a Church of the Brethren member and psychologist from Anderson, Ind.; and Carol Wise, executive director of the Brethren and Mennonite Council for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Interests.
"A Statement of Confession and Commitment" came from last year's Standing Committee, addressing the issue of homosexuality as one that "continues to bring tension and division within our Body," confessing that, "we are not of one mind on this matter," and declaring that the church's 1983 paper Human Sexuality from a Christian Perspective "remains our official position." The statement acknowledges tension between different parts of the 1983 paper, confesses "meanness and fighting" over the issue, and calls the church to stop unchristian behavior.
"Query: Language on Same-Sex Covenantal Relationships" from Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren in Fort Wayne, Ind., and Northern Indiana District asks "whether it is the will of the church that this language on same-sex covenantal relationships will continue to guide our journey together" referring to a sentence in the 1983 paper that same-sex covenantal relationships are "not acceptable."
Standing Committee representatives Larry Dentler and Janice Kulp Long presented the committee's recommendations. Long also is on the pastoral team at Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren, which sent the query.
"We are a diverse group, just as the delegates of our congregations are diverse," said Dentler, who reported that last year after Standing Committee adopted its statement he felt "amazed that we could be unanimous...because there were persons of all theological perspectives." After further discussion this year, he realized that "some of us were seeing things in different ways." Some on Standing Committee see the statement as saying that the 1983 paper is one "we need to stick to," he explained, while others see the 1983 paper as simply "what we have," and that the 1983 paper really opens up more opportunity for discussion.
"Others' perspectives help me understand myself and our (church) body better," said Long. "Our denomination can only find a way through present brokenness as we seek God's light together." She also clarified that the Beacon Heights Church intends with the query simply to ask, "What words regarding covenantal relationships could God lead us to today?"
Debate on the two items was lengthy and marked by lines at the microphones, with many people wanting to speak. A group of young adults read a statement calling for support and inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. Other expressions ranged from affirmation for an intentional denomination-wide conversation, to commitment to biblical authority and the Bible's teachings on homosexuality, to weariness with the amount of time and energy already spent on the issue. Some expressed a desire to immediately reopen the 1983 statement. Several speakers said that it will be impossible for the whole church to come to agreement.
"There comes a time when you have to agree to lay things to rest," said Myer, who was a member of the committee that brought the 1983 paper. He spoke from the floor in support of the recommendation for denominational conversation, but "with some reluctance" he said, because the church already has worked on these issues for some 30 years. His support came out of observing the Standing Committee process in creating its statement, he said, "that it was possible in this day and time to come up with something that received unanimous approval."
Revision of paper to deal with strongly controversial issues
By an overwhelming vote, the Conference affirmed the motion of Standing Committee to adopt the revision of the paper, "A Structural Framework for Dealing with Strongly Controversial Issues." The document represents an update of a paper of the same name passed in 1988, but never utilized. The revision passed with one amendment to shorten to one minute the time speakers would have during floor discussion of topics using this process, instead of 1 1/2 minutes, to give more people a chance to speak and be heard.
The 1988 paper called for a committee to provide resources on an issue and facilitate denomination-wide conversation, but did not specify doing anything with the information gathered. This revision outlines a fuller process of conversation that may take two to three years, giving Standing Committee the responsibility of holding hearings across the denomination, and bringing the issue back to Annual Conference.
Moderator David Shumate commented that having a good process for controversial issues would provide a "surge protector" effect for the church, and added that the church needs special time to work with issues that "try us as a body."
Membership in secret oath-bound societies
The Conference respectfully returned the "Query: Secret Oath-Bound Societies" and reaffirmed the statement on membership in secret societies passed by the 1954 Annual Conference--with an amendment asking the Conference officers to appoint a three-member group to develop resources to educate and inform the church on this topic.
The officers named a three-person Resource Team to develop resources to educate and inform the church on the topic of secret oath-bound societies. Named to the team are former general secretary Judy Mills Reimer; Bethany Theological Seminary professor of New Testament studies Dan Ulrich; and Harold Martin, a leader in the Brethren Revival Fellowship.
Other business
Revised corporate by-laws for the Church of the Brethren were submitted for information, with the expectation that they will be brought for action at next year's Annual Conference. A revision of the by-laws is being submitted following the major reorganization of the Church of the Brethren, Inc., last year as the former Association of Brethren Caregivers and Annual Conference Council were combined with the then General Board under one corporate umbrella. The by-laws passed in 2008, which are now in force, included a lot of items from the church's polity manual and are very lengthy. The corporate attorney advised that a way be found to simplify them, reported general secretary Stan Noffsinger. Noffsinger invited additional comments and suggestions on the by-laws proposal to be sent to the Church of the Brethren's Leadership Team.
A report on child protection activity was given by Kim Ebersole, director of Family Life and Older Adult Ministries. The report affirmed the continuing relevance of the 1986 report of the Conditions of Childhood Task Force, and added three new recommendations for the denomination. The report was called for by a 2007 query, following which a survey process was conducted with congregations, districts, church programs, and agencies such as church camps, and the Caring Ministries staff also conducted a number of other activities to educate the church and to call for more attention to the protection of children across the denomination.
Three recommendations were given, that every Church of the Brethren congregation, district, agency, ministry area, program, and camp adopt and implement a child protection/child abuse prevention policy appropriate for its ministry setting; the Church of the Brethren maintain resources to assist congregations, districts, agencies, ministry areas, programs, and camps in developing child protection/child abuse prevention policies; and the church continue to help strengthen families and ensure that parents and caregivers have the knowledge, skill, support, and resources to care for their children.
The delegates approved a zero percent cost of living increase for the annual adjustment in the recommended ministerial cash salary table, at the recommendation of the Pastoral Compensation and Benefits Advisory Committee. The committee explained that usually the cost of living increase is based on the percentage of increase in the Consumer Price Index, however with the economic situation the Index fell this year rather than increased and the group did not want to recommend a decrease in the salaries of pastors.
Other reports received by the Conference included agency reports from the Church of the
Brethren, Bethany Theological Seminary, Brethren Benefit Trust, and On Earth Peace; Living Peace Church sharing from the microphones; a report from the Program and Arrangements Committee; and others.
The closing Conference business session also included appreciation for retiring Annual Conference executive director Lerry Fogle, and the consecration of Shawn Flory Replogle as moderator and Robert E. Alley as moderator-elect for 2010.
(Frances Townsend, pastor of Onekama (Mich.) Church of the Brethren, contributed to the reporting from the Annual Conference business sessions.)
Source: 7/1/2009 Newsline
Annual Conference chooses Robert E. Alley as moderator-elect.
The 2009 Annual Conference has called Robert Earl Alley of Harrisonburg, Va., as moderator-elect for 2010 and moderator for 2011. Alley is pastor of Bridgewater (Va.) Church of the Brethren. He will serve next year assisting the 2010 Annual Conference moderator Shawn Flory Replogle, pastor of McPherson (Kan.) Church of the Brethren.
Other election results:
The 2009 Annual Conference has called Robert Earl Alley of Harrisonburg, Va., as moderator-elect for 2010 and moderator for 2011. Alley is pastor of Bridgewater (Va.) Church of the Brethren. He will serve next year assisting the 2010 Annual Conference moderator Shawn Flory Replogle, pastor of McPherson (Kan.) Church of the Brethren.
Other election results:
- Program and Arrangements Committee:
Victoria Jean (Sayers) Smith of Elizabethtown, Pa. - Pastoral Compensation and Benefits Advisory Committee:
Tim Button-Harrison of Ames, Iowa - Committee on Interchurch Relations:
Jim Hardenbrook of Edinburg, Va. - Bethany Theological Seminary Trustee representing the colleges:
David Witkovsky of Huntingdon, Pa. - Brethren Benefit Trust Board:
Carol Hess of Lancaster, Pa. - On Earth Peace Board: David R. Miller of Dayton, Va.
- Bethany Theological Seminary Board of Trustees:
Jerry Davis of La Verne, Calif., and John D. Miller of York, Pa. Also confirmed as a representative of the alumni association was Rhonda Pittman Gingrich of Minneapolis, Minn. - Brethren Benefit Trust Board:
Carol Ann Greenwood of Walkersville, Md., and Donna Forbes Steiner of Landisville, Pa. - On Earth Peace Board:
James S. Replogle of Bridgewater, Va., and Robbie Miller of Bridgewater, Va.
Standing Committee creates new denominational Vision Committee.
The Standing Committee of district delegates approved the formation of a new committee for the denomination, which will have the task of discerning a long-range vision for the Church of the Brethren for each upcoming decade.
The committee was recommended by the Church of the Brethren's Leadership Team, which includes the Annual Conference officers and the general secretary, and the Inter-Agency Forum.
In its decision, Standing Committee directed that the Vision Committee be implemented quickly enough to create a vision for the coming decade 2011-2020. It also amended the paper outlining a charter for the new committee to include the charge to be "immersed in prayer, seeking God's purpose for our denomination."
The Vision Committee will be appointed in the fifth year of the previous decade, to create a vision for the next decade, and to report to Annual Conference in the eighth year of the previous decade. The eight-member committee will include a member from the Church of the Brethren staff or Mission and Ministry Board, a representative of each Annual Conference agency (Bethany Theological Seminary, Brethren Benefit Trust, and On Earth Peace), and four members appointed by Standing Committee from the membership of the denomination.
Moderator Shumate commented about the new committee, "I see it as a matter of leadership...for the time and place that we're in."
Source: 7/1/2009 Newsline
The Standing Committee of district delegates approved the formation of a new committee for the denomination, which will have the task of discerning a long-range vision for the Church of the Brethren for each upcoming decade.
The committee was recommended by the Church of the Brethren's Leadership Team, which includes the Annual Conference officers and the general secretary, and the Inter-Agency Forum.
In its decision, Standing Committee directed that the Vision Committee be implemented quickly enough to create a vision for the coming decade 2011-2020. It also amended the paper outlining a charter for the new committee to include the charge to be "immersed in prayer, seeking God's purpose for our denomination."
The Vision Committee will be appointed in the fifth year of the previous decade, to create a vision for the next decade, and to report to Annual Conference in the eighth year of the previous decade. The eight-member committee will include a member from the Church of the Brethren staff or Mission and Ministry Board, a representative of each Annual Conference agency (Bethany Theological Seminary, Brethren Benefit Trust, and On Earth Peace), and four members appointed by Standing Committee from the membership of the denomination.
Moderator Shumate commented about the new committee, "I see it as a matter of leadership...for the time and place that we're in."
Source: 7/1/2009 Newsline
Mission and Ministry Board sets budget parameter for 2010.
The Mission and Ministry Board of the Church of the Brethren addressed a full agenda at a pre-Conference meeting June 26, led by chair Eddie Edmonds. The group set a budget parameter for Core Ministries for 2010, received a report on a survey studying the feasibility of a capital campaign, established a committee to write a resolution on the issue of torture, received a report on the situation of Haitians in the Dominican Republic, named a new chair and chair-elect and a new executive committee, among other business.
The board also celebrated a Brethren delegation that went to Angola recently (story to come).
Budget Parameter for Core Ministries in 2010
The board adopted a balanced budget with a parameter of $4,962,000 for the church's Core Ministries in 2010, with the understanding that if staff cannot meet the parameter a deficit budget may be presented to the board at its October meeting. The decision requires another reduction of $381,000 in expenses, over the present year's budget. The board will make a final decision on the 2010 budget in October.
Treasurer Judy Keyser reported on financial challenges facing the denominational ministries, as well as some points of improvement. Giving from congregations currently is ahead of budget for 2009 (which was revised downward at the March meeting of the board), investment income has improved since the first of the year, and "we are financially viable at this point," Keyser said.
However, "we are still living in a volatile economy," she warned, sharing concerns about maintaining adequate net assets to support operations, the anticipation of large deficits this year in the budgets of several self-funded ministries including Annual Conference and the New Windsor Conference Center, and how to sustain the church's Core Ministries when that fund has had a loss of over $1 million in two years.
Discussion of the budget centered on a phrase in Keyser's report, indicating that the recommendation for 2010 would mean "the loss of some major ministries." General secretary Stan Noffsinger explained that a plan is not yet in place for the required reduction in expenses for next year, but he anticipates a number of measures including reviewing staff positions that come open before filling them, reviewing the cost of the church's properties and programs, and no increase in employee salaries or benefits in 2010. "We will provide as much information before the October meeting as we have available," he assured the board.
Report on Survey for Capital Campaign
Stewardship and Donor Development director Ken Neher presented the results of a survey by fundraising consulting firm RSI, on the feasibility of a new capital campaign to support denominational ministries. The survey found both "unprecedented" high levels of support for denominational ministry, he reported, as well as lack of confidence from potential donors in the capacity of the church to raise a large amount of money, and skepticism from some over the purpose of the campaign.
RSI recommended a number of next steps, Neher said, including to postpone implementation of the proposed campaign, engage in board development, revise the "case statement" for support to give more details, and when ready to adopt a multifaceted campaign and to retain fundraising counsel to start the campaign.
The board adopted an Executive Committee recommendation to receive the report and request staff to give clarification of the need and rationale for the campaign.
Study Committee on Torture
The board formed a committee to write a resolution on the issue of torture, working with the general secretary. Noffsinger reported encouragement from ecumenical colleagues to address the issue, saying that the Church of the Brethren currently does not have a statement on torture. The four-person committee will include board members Andy Hamilton, John Katonah, and Tammy Kiser, and a staff member to be named by the general secretary.
New Executive Committee Is Named
The board selected a new Executive Committee: Dale Minnich, who will serve as chair through 2011; Ben Barlow, who will serve as chair-elect through 2011, and then as chair through 2013; and at-large members Vernne Greiner and Andy Hamilton. The Executive Committee also includes ex officio members general secretary Stan Noffsinger and 2010 Annual Conference moderator Shawn Flory Replogle.
Other Business
The board named Jonathan Shively, executive director of Congregational Life Ministries, to the denomination's new Vision Committee.
Special recognition was given to outgoing members of the board, including outgoing chair Eddie Edmonds and Ken Wenger, who is completing service on the Executive Committee with this meeting. Also recognized was Kathy Reid, who has resigned as associate general secretary and executive director of Caring Ministries. A special citation was shared for the staff members whose positions were ended following the economic downturn and the reductions in the Church of the Brethren's 2009 budget.
Board member Ben Barlow reported on a youth/young adult meeting of EYN in Nigeria, which he attended with a small delegation of young adults from the Church of the Brethren in the US. It was the 17th such conference for EYN, he reported, and included 2,200 youth/young adults. The theme was, "Launch Out into the Deep," from a passage in Luke. He experienced "a powerful spirit" in EYN, he said, also listing a number of challenges facing the Nigerian Brethren including a difference between urban and rural churches, differences between the older and younger generations in leadership, and the question of the ordination of women--at a time when some women already are engaged in church ministry.
The Executive Committee announced that it is starting a process for a performance review for general secretary Stan Noffsinger, whose present contract ends in June 2011. The performance review will culminate at the October meeting of the board.
Source: 7/1/2009 Newsline
The Mission and Ministry Board of the Church of the Brethren addressed a full agenda at a pre-Conference meeting June 26, led by chair Eddie Edmonds. The group set a budget parameter for Core Ministries for 2010, received a report on a survey studying the feasibility of a capital campaign, established a committee to write a resolution on the issue of torture, received a report on the situation of Haitians in the Dominican Republic, named a new chair and chair-elect and a new executive committee, among other business.
The board also celebrated a Brethren delegation that went to Angola recently (story to come).
Budget Parameter for Core Ministries in 2010
The board adopted a balanced budget with a parameter of $4,962,000 for the church's Core Ministries in 2010, with the understanding that if staff cannot meet the parameter a deficit budget may be presented to the board at its October meeting. The decision requires another reduction of $381,000 in expenses, over the present year's budget. The board will make a final decision on the 2010 budget in October.
Treasurer Judy Keyser reported on financial challenges facing the denominational ministries, as well as some points of improvement. Giving from congregations currently is ahead of budget for 2009 (which was revised downward at the March meeting of the board), investment income has improved since the first of the year, and "we are financially viable at this point," Keyser said.
However, "we are still living in a volatile economy," she warned, sharing concerns about maintaining adequate net assets to support operations, the anticipation of large deficits this year in the budgets of several self-funded ministries including Annual Conference and the New Windsor Conference Center, and how to sustain the church's Core Ministries when that fund has had a loss of over $1 million in two years.
Discussion of the budget centered on a phrase in Keyser's report, indicating that the recommendation for 2010 would mean "the loss of some major ministries." General secretary Stan Noffsinger explained that a plan is not yet in place for the required reduction in expenses for next year, but he anticipates a number of measures including reviewing staff positions that come open before filling them, reviewing the cost of the church's properties and programs, and no increase in employee salaries or benefits in 2010. "We will provide as much information before the October meeting as we have available," he assured the board.
Report on Survey for Capital Campaign
Stewardship and Donor Development director Ken Neher presented the results of a survey by fundraising consulting firm RSI, on the feasibility of a new capital campaign to support denominational ministries. The survey found both "unprecedented" high levels of support for denominational ministry, he reported, as well as lack of confidence from potential donors in the capacity of the church to raise a large amount of money, and skepticism from some over the purpose of the campaign.
RSI recommended a number of next steps, Neher said, including to postpone implementation of the proposed campaign, engage in board development, revise the "case statement" for support to give more details, and when ready to adopt a multifaceted campaign and to retain fundraising counsel to start the campaign.
The board adopted an Executive Committee recommendation to receive the report and request staff to give clarification of the need and rationale for the campaign.
Study Committee on Torture
The board formed a committee to write a resolution on the issue of torture, working with the general secretary. Noffsinger reported encouragement from ecumenical colleagues to address the issue, saying that the Church of the Brethren currently does not have a statement on torture. The four-person committee will include board members Andy Hamilton, John Katonah, and Tammy Kiser, and a staff member to be named by the general secretary.
New Executive Committee Is Named
The board selected a new Executive Committee: Dale Minnich, who will serve as chair through 2011; Ben Barlow, who will serve as chair-elect through 2011, and then as chair through 2013; and at-large members Vernne Greiner and Andy Hamilton. The Executive Committee also includes ex officio members general secretary Stan Noffsinger and 2010 Annual Conference moderator Shawn Flory Replogle.
Other Business
The board named Jonathan Shively, executive director of Congregational Life Ministries, to the denomination's new Vision Committee.
Special recognition was given to outgoing members of the board, including outgoing chair Eddie Edmonds and Ken Wenger, who is completing service on the Executive Committee with this meeting. Also recognized was Kathy Reid, who has resigned as associate general secretary and executive director of Caring Ministries. A special citation was shared for the staff members whose positions were ended following the economic downturn and the reductions in the Church of the Brethren's 2009 budget.
Board member Ben Barlow reported on a youth/young adult meeting of EYN in Nigeria, which he attended with a small delegation of young adults from the Church of the Brethren in the US. It was the 17th such conference for EYN, he reported, and included 2,200 youth/young adults. The theme was, "Launch Out into the Deep," from a passage in Luke. He experienced "a powerful spirit" in EYN, he said, also listing a number of challenges facing the Nigerian Brethren including a difference between urban and rural churches, differences between the older and younger generations in leadership, and the question of the ordination of women--at a time when some women already are engaged in church ministry.
The Executive Committee announced that it is starting a process for a performance review for general secretary Stan Noffsinger, whose present contract ends in June 2011. The performance review will culminate at the October meeting of the board.
Source: 7/1/2009 Newsline
Board receives report on situation of Haitians in the Dominican Republic.
As one of two reports centering on the Dominican Republic, Doris Abdullah, the Church of the Brethren's representative to the UN, reported to the Mission and Ministry Board on the issue of civil rights and blocks to citizenship for people of Haitian descent living in or born in the DR.
Her report followed on that of DR mission co-coordinators Irvin and Nancy Heishman, who reported that Iglesia de los Hermanos (the Dominican Church of the Brethren) has begun a process of advocacy with the DR government on behalf of Haitian members and others in the Haitian community in the country.
The board of the church in the DR has decided to send an attorney to a government hearing on proposed changes to the laws of the country, to encourage changes and improvements in how Haitians are treated. About half of the Brethren in the Dominican church are of Haitian descent, and will potentially be affected, Irvin Heishman reported.
Abdullah reported on findings from a UN special rapporteur and other experts, which set the situation in the context of UN statements against racism and prejudice based on ethnicity. The situation of Haitians in the DR, which Abdullah likened to modern-day slavery, guarantees cheap labor to the country she said. Many people of Haitian descent in the DR live in very dire conditions. They are denied citizenship and civil rights, may be subject to deportation or other mistreatment, and many lack access to education and other services that are enjoyed by Dominicans.
Hundreds of thousands of people of Haitian descent--many of whom are children who were born in the DR, and may be second or third generation descendants of their families' original immigrant into the country--live in shanty towns originally built for sugar cane cutters, and work in "shocking" conditions, Abdullah said. Some 250,000 of these "stateless people" are children, and have limited access to schools or education, according to the UN study of the issue.
The United Nations has sent a document giving 25 recommendations to the DR government concerning those of Haitian descent living in the country, including recommendations on migration laws, treatment of children, concern for birth certificates for those born in the DR, access to education, and other concerns, Abdullah reported.
"What is our (the church's) role in combating racism in the DR?" she asked. Quoting from Isaiah 43:18, "Watch for the new thing I am going to do," she encouraged the church to pray for those who are carrying out the injustice, as well as for those who are mistreated.
Nancy Heishman also asked for prayer for the Dominican Church of the Brethren, which she said had sent the Heishmans to the United States with an assurance of their prayer and support for the US church.
In other notes from the Heishmans' report, the church in the DR currently has approximately 40 students in a theological education program, more than half of whom are of Haitian descent. The program has sponsored the translation into the Spanish and Haitian Creole languages of a text by Galen Hackman first written for EYN in Nigeria, "Introduction to the Church of the Brethren." Theological students in the DR have the assignment to teach from the book in their congregations this summer, she reported. The Heishmans report that the book is available to Spanish and Creole speaking Brethren in Haiti, Puerto Rico, and the United States as well.
Source: 7/1/2009 Newsline
As one of two reports centering on the Dominican Republic, Doris Abdullah, the Church of the Brethren's representative to the UN, reported to the Mission and Ministry Board on the issue of civil rights and blocks to citizenship for people of Haitian descent living in or born in the DR.
Her report followed on that of DR mission co-coordinators Irvin and Nancy Heishman, who reported that Iglesia de los Hermanos (the Dominican Church of the Brethren) has begun a process of advocacy with the DR government on behalf of Haitian members and others in the Haitian community in the country.
The board of the church in the DR has decided to send an attorney to a government hearing on proposed changes to the laws of the country, to encourage changes and improvements in how Haitians are treated. About half of the Brethren in the Dominican church are of Haitian descent, and will potentially be affected, Irvin Heishman reported.
Abdullah reported on findings from a UN special rapporteur and other experts, which set the situation in the context of UN statements against racism and prejudice based on ethnicity. The situation of Haitians in the DR, which Abdullah likened to modern-day slavery, guarantees cheap labor to the country she said. Many people of Haitian descent in the DR live in very dire conditions. They are denied citizenship and civil rights, may be subject to deportation or other mistreatment, and many lack access to education and other services that are enjoyed by Dominicans.
Hundreds of thousands of people of Haitian descent--many of whom are children who were born in the DR, and may be second or third generation descendants of their families' original immigrant into the country--live in shanty towns originally built for sugar cane cutters, and work in "shocking" conditions, Abdullah said. Some 250,000 of these "stateless people" are children, and have limited access to schools or education, according to the UN study of the issue.
The United Nations has sent a document giving 25 recommendations to the DR government concerning those of Haitian descent living in the country, including recommendations on migration laws, treatment of children, concern for birth certificates for those born in the DR, access to education, and other concerns, Abdullah reported.
"What is our (the church's) role in combating racism in the DR?" she asked. Quoting from Isaiah 43:18, "Watch for the new thing I am going to do," she encouraged the church to pray for those who are carrying out the injustice, as well as for those who are mistreated.
Nancy Heishman also asked for prayer for the Dominican Church of the Brethren, which she said had sent the Heishmans to the United States with an assurance of their prayer and support for the US church.
In other notes from the Heishmans' report, the church in the DR currently has approximately 40 students in a theological education program, more than half of whom are of Haitian descent. The program has sponsored the translation into the Spanish and Haitian Creole languages of a text by Galen Hackman first written for EYN in Nigeria, "Introduction to the Church of the Brethren." Theological students in the DR have the assignment to teach from the book in their congregations this summer, she reported. The Heishmans report that the book is available to Spanish and Creole speaking Brethren in Haiti, Puerto Rico, and the United States as well.
Source: 7/1/2009 Newsline
National Council of Churches leader proclaims importance of working for peace.
Michael Kinnamon, general secretary of the National Council of Churches of Christ (NCC), was the featured speaker at the annual Ecumenical Luncheon hosted by the Church of the Brethren's Committee of Interchurch Relations (CIR).
The CIR also hosted church leaders from Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Christian Methodist Episcopal, Armenian Church of North America, and Presbyterian groups in the San Diego area.
"The ecumenical movement is essentially a movement for peace," Kinnamon asserted in his address. He referenced the country of Sri Lanka, which has been suffering from civil war for over two decades. Six percent of the Sri Lankan population is Christian, comprising many different faith traditions. When asked why the Christian communities in Sri Lanka did not reach out to both sides of the civil war to aid in reconciliation, as they had inroads with both sides involved, a Christian leader told Kinnamon that they weren't able even to work across the divides among Christians in the country.
"Division costs lives," said Kinnamon. He quoted Mennonite scholar John Howard Yoder in saying, "Where the church is divided, the gospel is not true in that place."
"The church has been entrusted with the mission of reconciliation," said Kinnamon, "and peace is too large an issue to deal with in denominational isolation." He shared that the ecumenical movement from its very beginning was a movement for peace, shaped by efforts for churches to come together during World War II and the Cold War.
"In the last 60 years, Christians have made great strides together," stressed Kinnamon, claiming that there are three major peace statements made in the past 60 years by ecumenical bodies such as the NCC and World Council of Churches: war is contrary to the will of God; there are some forms of violence in which Christians may not participate; and that peace is inseparable from justice. In this light, he proclaimed the importance of working proactively for peace.
Kinnamon said that while "radical peacemaking is usually established by the historic peace churches," he asserted that perhaps we should "give away our title of Historic Peace Church in order to bring others into the realm and responsibility of peacemaking." He referenced Ephesians, saying, "Unity is a gift of God.... If we would be what we are, one body of Christ, it would be our greatest witness to peace."
-- Melissa Troyer is a member of Middlebury (Ind.) Church of the Brethren and serves on the Committee on Interchurch Relations.
Source: 7/1/2009 Newsline
Michael Kinnamon, general secretary of the National Council of Churches of Christ (NCC), was the featured speaker at the annual Ecumenical Luncheon hosted by the Church of the Brethren's Committee of Interchurch Relations (CIR).
The CIR also hosted church leaders from Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Christian Methodist Episcopal, Armenian Church of North America, and Presbyterian groups in the San Diego area.
"The ecumenical movement is essentially a movement for peace," Kinnamon asserted in his address. He referenced the country of Sri Lanka, which has been suffering from civil war for over two decades. Six percent of the Sri Lankan population is Christian, comprising many different faith traditions. When asked why the Christian communities in Sri Lanka did not reach out to both sides of the civil war to aid in reconciliation, as they had inroads with both sides involved, a Christian leader told Kinnamon that they weren't able even to work across the divides among Christians in the country.
"Division costs lives," said Kinnamon. He quoted Mennonite scholar John Howard Yoder in saying, "Where the church is divided, the gospel is not true in that place."
"The church has been entrusted with the mission of reconciliation," said Kinnamon, "and peace is too large an issue to deal with in denominational isolation." He shared that the ecumenical movement from its very beginning was a movement for peace, shaped by efforts for churches to come together during World War II and the Cold War.
"In the last 60 years, Christians have made great strides together," stressed Kinnamon, claiming that there are three major peace statements made in the past 60 years by ecumenical bodies such as the NCC and World Council of Churches: war is contrary to the will of God; there are some forms of violence in which Christians may not participate; and that peace is inseparable from justice. In this light, he proclaimed the importance of working proactively for peace.
Kinnamon said that while "radical peacemaking is usually established by the historic peace churches," he asserted that perhaps we should "give away our title of Historic Peace Church in order to bring others into the realm and responsibility of peacemaking." He referenced Ephesians, saying, "Unity is a gift of God.... If we would be what we are, one body of Christ, it would be our greatest witness to peace."
-- Melissa Troyer is a member of Middlebury (Ind.) Church of the Brethren and serves on the Committee on Interchurch Relations.
Source: 7/1/2009 Newsline
Annual Conference bits and pieces.
- Attendance at the 2009 Annual Conference included a total of 2,077 people registered: 670 delegates from congregations and districts, and 1,407 nondelegates.
- The Conference Quilt Auction sponsored by the Association for the Arts in the Church of the Brethren (AACB) raised $6,275 for hunger relief.
- The Blood Drive sponsored by the Brethren Disaster Ministries succeeded in surpassing its daily goal of 50 units. The drive was conducted by the American Red Cross and took place on two days over the weekend, with 121 units collected (out of 141 people who presented).
- The annual BBT 5K Fitness Challenge was held on Sunday morning, June 28. The route took the 120 runners and walkers in a circuit around the Town and Country resort property. Results of the event: top male runner Jerry Crouse (18:34), top female runner Kelsi Beam (21:33), top male walker Don Shankster (30:10), top female walker Karen Crim (39.45).
- Annual Conference executive director Lerry Fogle, who is retiring following this Conference, was recognized at a reception on Sunday afternoon, June 28. He began his work with the 2003 Conference held in Boise, Idaho. Retirement plans include family time, golf, and travel--and a 2010 trip to the Oberammergau Passion Play in Germany, which is presented every 10 years.
- The Caring Ministries of the Church of the Brethren presented Caregiving Awards at a dinner on Saturday, June 27. The awards honor people and congregations for extraordinary service to others. This year's recipients included two couples, Dale and Beverly Minnich and Larry and Alice Petry. Paul Hoyt, Charles (Chuck) Cable, and Vernne Greiner also were honored.
- Goshen (Ind.) City Church of the Brethren received the annual "Open Roof Award" to a Brethren congregation or organization for improved accessibility and participation by persons with disabilities.
- Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren in Fort Wayne, Ind., was honored by the Committee on Interchurch Relations for the congregation's relationship with Afghan families in Fort Wayne area, and its support of Afghan exchange students.
- Kay Guyer was the winner of the Annual Conference Theme Video Contest, with her winning creation titled, "Brethren We Have Met to Jump" (go to http://www.brethren.org/site/R?i=KIew7rUTnhYR-WuwZ5ceLQ. to view the video online). Guyer is a recent high school graduate who will attend Manchester College in the fall, and a member of the National Youth Cabinet. Some of her "Brethren jumping" photos also are featured in the Annual Conference photo album "Lighter Side of Conference". The contest was sponsored by Congregational Life Ministries program.
- The Womaen's Caucus offered free rainbow scarves to Annual Conference participants who wanted to express welcome to those of diverse sexual orientations. Many different volunteers knitted and crocheted the scarves from colorful yarn, along with hats, bracelets, bow ties, and other creations. Supporters were asked to wear the scarves throughout the Annual Conference.
- A two-page print Wrap-Up of the 2009 Annual Conference is available to download from www.brethren.org (link to come). The Wrap-Up video in DVD format, produced by David Sollenberger and sold through Brethren Press, is available for $29.95. The video offers a 25-minute look at the events of the Conference, plus bonus material. The Conference sermons in DVD format also are available, for $24.95. Order the DVDs from Brethren Press at 800-441-3712, a shipping and handling charge will be added.
Brethren bits: job openings.
- The Gather 'Round curriculum, a project of Brethren Press and Mennonite Publishing Network, is accepting applications for a managing editor. This fulltime position carries responsibility to copy edit and proofread, manage the curriculum production process, and secure and maintain contracts and permissions. Qualifications include excellent editorial and computer technology skills, ability to organize projects and manage details, ability to operate well in a collaborative environment, grounding in Church of the Brethren or Mennonite beliefs and practices, with marketing experience a plus. Active membership in a Brethren or Mennonite congregation is preferred. A bachelor's degree is required; a graduate degree in a related field is preferred. Location is open, with a preference for the General Offices location in Elgin, Ill. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. The start date is Aug. 17, or earlier. The full position description and application are available at www.gatherround.org/contactus.html To apply, send a cover letter, resume, and completed application to Anna Speicher, Project Director and Senior Editor, Gather 'Round Curriculum, at gatherround@brethren.org or 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120.
- Western Plains District seeks a half time administrative assistant to partner with a newly called District Executive, Sonja S. Griffith who begins Jan. 1, 2010. The administrative assistant position begins Nov. 30. The District leads an individual and congregational transformation movement and serves 36 congregations in Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, and New Mexico. The District Office is located on the campus of McPherson (Kan.) College. Apply for this position by sending a letter of interest and resume via e-mail to: Dale E. Minnich, Search Committee Chair at dale@minnichnet.org. Applicants are requested to contact 3 or 4 persons to provide an e-mail letter of reference. Application Deadline: August 15, 2009 or until the position is filled.
- The Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., seeks a baler to operate baling equipment to prepare quilts and other supplies for shipping, record weights, operate electric walker, assist with unloading/loading truck, lift/move bales, safety conscious. Apply in person at Brethren Service Center, Blue Ridge Bldg, Human Resources, 500 Main St, New Windsor, MD, or e-mail Karin Krog kkrog@brethren.org for application packet.
Credits
Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren, cobnews@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 260. The Annual Conference volunteer News Team contributed to this report, including writers Karen Garrett, Frank Ramirez, Frances Townsend, Melissa Troyer, Rich Troyer; and photographers Kay Guyer, Justin Hollenberg, Keith Hollenberg, Glenn Riegel, Ken Wenger.
Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren, cobnews@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 260. The Annual Conference volunteer News Team contributed to this report, including writers Karen Garrett, Frank Ramirez, Frances Townsend, Melissa Troyer, Rich Troyer; and photographers Kay Guyer, Justin Hollenberg, Keith Hollenberg, Glenn Riegel, Ken Wenger.
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