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A live report from the 2005 US National Conference and General Conference. Tuesday MorningJune 21 - Page 1 (8:30 - 10 am) And we're off. Bishop Paul Hirschy called the meeting to order promptly at 8:30, and then turned it over to a group of singers and musicians from Huntington University to lead us in worship. They have bongos. Cool. "My Life is in You Lord." "Fairest Lord Jesus." Good stuff with a contemporary feel. These five guys are or have been part of Preeminence, a Huntington University group. The conference actually began last night with a service at the Merillat Centre. Preeminence was there, too. We heard tributes to four denominational officials who passed away since our last meeting in 2001:
Then came a recognition of Bishop Paul Hirschy, the current and outgoing bishop. Steve Dennie (that would be me) shared memories of his 26 years working with Paul Hirschy--as manager of the printshop from 1978-1981, then director of Church Services for 20 years, and finally as bishop for the past four years. Gary Dilley then gave some remarks and presented a gift on behalf of the church to this wonderful servant of the church. After some more music, Bishop Hirschy gave a message on the theme of "transformation." A fine, challenging sermon, followed by a reception. And now here we are, the next day, ready to launch into business. Right now, Rev. Billy Simbo of Mid-Atlantic Conference is giving a 20-minute devotional, after having raised the question of whether his 20-minute time limit is US time or African time. Billy Simbo is a dynamite speaker. In Sierra Leone, before coming to the States, he was president of Sierra Leone Bible College, a role in which he trained many of his fellow United Brethren ministers in Sierra Leone, as well as ministers for other denominations. I remember hearing him speak a number of years ago at my church, and going to the altar afterwards. I don't remember what my need was, or what he spoke about, but I do remember that God used Billy to reach down and touch me about something. At breakfast, at least two delegations, Michindoh and Central, were gathered at tables having a pre-conference meeting. No idea what they were discussing, what initiatives or changes or proposals they want to bring. Billy is saying that we need to "seize the moment" to bring about the type of "transformation" that Bishop Hirschy talked about the night before. "Do the things that need to be done," he reads from Scripture. 9 a.m. We're in the upstairs of the Habecker Dining Commons, an interesting name now that its namesake, Eugene Habecker, was recently named president of Taylor University, just down the road an hour or so. Normally we set up sideways, but in a very radical move, we turned things lengthwise for this meeting. There are two podiums at the front. Billy Simbo is speaking at one. The other is next to the table where Bishop Hirschy is sitting with Global Ministries Director Gary Dilley. Next to Billy's podium is a table at which are sitting G. Blair Dowden, Director of Education, and Todd Fetters, the secretary of the conference. This is Todd's first run at being secretary. His dad, Paul Fetters, and brother Luke are delegates from Central Conference. Todd is pastor of Devonshire UB church in Harrisburg, Pa., a church founded by Ray Seilhamer in the 1960s and where Yours Truly attended as a kid for three-and-a-half years. The room is arranged with eight rows of tables, an aisle running down the middle of them with three microphones spaced down the aisle. I'm sitting in the back right corner, toying with the idea of bringing binoculars tomorrow. The back two rows on each side are advisory members--former bishops and other officials, conference superintendents who weren't elected as delegates (like Randy Carpenter of Sandusky, sitting beside me), and several of us from the UB Headquarters. Billy is talking about crossing the Jordan and claiming the land, and possessing it. Cross over, claim it, and possess it. He may have officially crossed into African time. But that's okay. 9:10 Billy just finished. Now Bishop Hirschy has officially called the meeting to order. He's introducing the four pages, all of them UB ministers--Mark Ralph (Michigan), Stan McCammon (Indiana), Todd Rupp (on staff at Emmanuel UB in Fort Wayne, Ind., but from Michigan), and Jim Bolich (Pennsylvania). Now he's introducing some others--Todd Fetters as secretary, Craig Burkholder (sitting in front of me) as Parliamentarian, the two directors, Dr. Dowden and Gary Dilley, who will help him lead the meetings. Daryl Elliott of Mid-Atlantic Conference and Lee Rhodes of Michigan Conference have been appointed as the daily Committee to Edit the Minutes. He also recognized the former bishops in attendance. Right now there are three: Ray Seilhamer, Raymond Waldfogel, and Clarence Kopp. Three other former general officials are present: Stan Peters (Publications), Emmett Cox (Missions), and Carlson Becker (Stewardship). Isn't this exciting so far? Patience. There are always pleasantries to get out of the way. Michigan Conference has two alternates bumped up to voting-delegate status. Phil Whipple, pastor of the Colwood UB church in Caro, is taking the place of Kevin Cherry. And Dan Paternoster, a member of the Executive Leadership Team, is taking the place of Ken Savage, who has been undergoing cancer treatments. Arizona Conference has a change, too. Michael Tucker was unable to come as the clergy delegate, and the only eligible ordained minister was Ed Mast, a pastor back in the 1980s. Ed is here. Southeast Conference is without delegates. Neither Rev. Chuck McKeown nor layman Murray Lamb were able to make it. That means we have 63 voting delegates, not 65. John Lang, the appointed district leader of the Rock River Church Extension District (Illinois area) is not here, either. Tragically, he passed away in his sleep last Wednesday. He was just 41 years old. 9:20 The Conference Rules and Procedures (report 51) have been approved. It outlines procedures for running the conference. Bishop Hirschy says we're now going into the reports from officials and directors, all of whom have been asked to keep their report to 10 minutes. That includes me. Delegates have had most of the written reports since mid-May. Bishop Hischy is giving some verbal additions to his own report. The bishop is always first. He conveys thanks from the Florida churches for the relief funds and physical help they received following last year's hurricanes. He says Chuck McKeown, if he were here, would want to thank everyone personally. With that, he stops and invites people to ask questions. There are none. His report is done within five minutes. That's gotta be a record. (View his report) Now Gary Dilley is up, giving the Global Ministries report. He gives a brief update on the meeting held Monday afternoon with all of the international delegates. He explained some of the changes, in funding and philosphy, that Global Ministries has pursued during the past four years. They had all heard this before, but not all at the same time. It was a very positive meeting, and there was a good sense of being "partners" as fellow national conferences. Gary also mentioned that during the past month, we've had five new endorsed missionaries. "God is working in the midst of our churches and calling people forward." He expressed his desire that churches catch a vision for what God wants them, as a local church, to do in reaching the world. While people say, "We have a mission field right here in our own community," Gary said that's just evangelism. It's not missions. He said only 1 in 10 baby boomers, according to stats, really have a passion for ministry beyond their local church--beyond their own Jerusalem. They aren't looking into Samaria, let alone to the "uttermost parts of the earth." And since most churches are now led by baby boomers (or younger), that is a problem. (View his report) 9:35 Dr. Dowden takes the podium to give a verbal report on Huntington Coll....oops, Huntington University. The change took affect, officially, on June 1 (I believe), and now they're trying to root out all published references to "college." They're looking at a goal of having everything--signs, etc.--completely changed by September 1. He ties into the "transformation" theme, telling how much change has occured at HU, and not only in name. He says "university" better describes what they have become in recent years. "This is the last US National Conference at Huntington College, and the first at Huntington University." He mentioned the new Digital Media Arts program. Two guys who previously worked at Veggie Tales are now on staff, and will draw people to the program. Programs were also added in Social Work, in Sports Ministry, Worship Leadership, and a Masters in Education. Enrollment--well, a mixed bag. They topped 1000, but then dropped below. He says the current freshman registration looks like a record--good news. But UB enrollment is down. For a 10-year period, they've averaged 50 new UB students every year, and that helps maintain the "United Brethren" flavor. But for this fall, it looks like the number will be 25-27, and over half of them are from two nearby churches. "I'm concerned about that," he said. He encouraged the delegates to provide the names of prospective students from their churches and to get the word out. "Although we are changing a lot, we are staying the same in mission." The University, he said, is remaining a Christ-centered institution, a liberal arts institution--"We're strongly committed to that"--and a United Brethren school. "We're proud of that affiliation.... Our mission as an institution is to provide a Christ-centered liberal arts education so that our students can impact their world for Christ." Something like that--it's a close paraphrase. (View his report) 9:45 My turn as Communications Director. I went up to the podium, said a few words, asked for questions--none--and reclaimed my seat within a minute, 90 seconds max. Yes! (View his report) Donna Hollopeter just finished giving some remarks. She is the associate director of Global Ministries and also works with women's ministries. As a personal note, let me say this: Donna is a tremendous servant of the church. She works hard, long hours, and has a wonderful spirit. Most people don't see some of this. But she's great. (View her report) Marci Hammel is the new Finance Director, and it's her turn. She hasn't been looking forward to this. Marci took over in February, taking the place of her sister, Jane Jordan, who held the position for an interim six months. She got done real quick, and is heading back to her seat with utmost eagerness. Phew, that's over! Bishop Hirschy calls for a motion to accept all of the reports. It's done. 9:50 After 40 minutes of business, we're done with all of the officials' reports. Usually just the Education or Global Ministries report can take that long. Go, Bishop Hirschy! We're on the auditor's report. There were a couple questions from the floor, both of which were lost on me because I'm lousy with numbers. They freak me out. But I'm sure they were good questions. While the bishop continues with finance-related matters, let me say hello to all of you who are eavesdropped on this report. I'm glad you're checking in to see what's happening, and that you care about this important meeting of our church. Hi, Susie. Do your employers know that you are not actually working, but are keeping tabs on this report? Do they, Janet? 10:01 Bishop Hirschy points us to Report 48, the work of the US National Board during the past four years. There were three meetings--in April 2002, April 2004, and February 2005. He asks for questions regarding the work of the national board. He then asks for a motion to approve the work of the national board, with a few exceptions regarding material that will be dealt with later. Motion passes. Bishop Hirschy next invites people to ask questions concerning the work of the various leadership teams. Several of the chairpersons are present--Denny Miller (Healthy Church), Dan Kopp (Church Multiplication), Luke Fetters (Global Ministries), Tom Brodbeck (Commission on Ministry). Anthony Blair asks about the status of the Church Planting Endowment Fund. Bishop Hirschy says it has about $200,000. Bishop Hirschy says a thank-you to the chairs and members of the leadership teams. And now we're at the order of the day--the morning break. 10:05. Break time. I need more coffee. |