National Conference Committees
National Conference Committees
Audit Committee
Conference Relations Committee
Episcopacy Committee
Faith & Doctrine Committee
Finance Committee
Futures Initiative Committee
Loan & Investment Committee
Nominating Committee
Pastoral Compensation Committee
Property Committee
Stationing Committee
Supervisory Committee
Susquehanna Region Conference Minister Evaluation
AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee met on Thursday, May 30 with David Jordan, Pastor Bob Shuey and Debra Patterson in attendance in order to review the audits of the National Conference financial records as well as the audit reports of all affiliated agencies and institutions.
The reports received and reviewed are as follows:
National Conference of the Evangelical Congregational Church
Financial statements for year ended December 31, 2012
Audited by Hamilton & Musser PC, report dated May 14, 2013
Evangelical Theological Seminary
Financial statements for years ended June 30, 2011 and 2012
Audited by Hamilton & Musser, P.C., report dated October 4, 2012
New Dawn Christian Community Services, Inc.
(Sole member of StoneRidge Retirement Living and StoneRidge Family Medicine, Inc.)
Financial statements and supplementary information for years ended December 31, 2012, and 2011
Audited by Parente Beard LLC, report dated May 6, 2013
The Evangelical Congregational Church Benefits Corporation
Financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2011
Audited by Hamilton & Musser PC, report dated September 24, 2012
Historical Society
Financial reports for year ended December 31, 2012, which were prepared by Church Center staff. Kevin Henry advised that, because of minimal activity, an audit would not be performed.
Twin Pines
Copy of a letter dated November 6, 2012, written by Weseloh Carney & Company LLC to the Twin Pines Treasurer detailing procedures performed with respect to the accounting records of Twin Pines for the year ended December 31, 2011. There were no findings with regard to these procedures. Since it was not an audit, no opinion was expressed.
Rock River Bible Camp
Profit & Loss Statement for January through December, 2012, prepared by the camp treasurer, and a copy of a letter dated February 19, 2013, written by Robert W. Hale of Hale Financial Services to the Rock River Bible Camp Board of Directors, stating that he reviewed the Financial Statements of the Rock River Bible Camp (a non-profit corporation) for the period of January 1, 2012 – December 31, 2012, and they appear to clearly and accurately reflect the financial activities of the Rock River Bible Camp.
Camp ECCO
No information available – We were informed by a representative of the camp that their financial information was in the hands of an accountant but that the work was not yet complete and a report was not available at this time.
Debra Patterson
CONFERENCE RELATIONS COMMITTEE
1. The following individuals will answer the disciplinary questions: Donna L. Fillman, Paul D. Johnson, James A. Ritter, Russell E. Warner, and John (Richard) Weidman. The following individuals have already answered the disciplinary questions before the regional Conference Relations Committee: Donna D. Baldt and John R. Martinez.
2. We recognize John R. Martinez, James A. Ritter, and Russell E. Warner as Approved Candidates.*
3. We recommend that Matthew A. Hill be ordained as an Itinerant Elder.
4. We recommend that Lewis S. Bennett be transferred from Itinerant Ordained Deacon to Itinerant Ordained Elder.
5. We recommend that Kenneth M. Sears be transferred from Itinerant Ordained Deacon in Related Fields – Missionary to Itinerant Ordained Elder in Related Fields – Missionary.
6. We recommend that Brian C. Betsworth be transferred from Probationer to a Traveling Licentiate.
7. We recommend that Christopher D. Bronico, Andrew D. Carr, and John (Ted) Rathman be transferred from Licentiate – Subject to Annual Renewal to Traveling Licentiate.
8. We recommend that John (Richard) Weidman be received as a Traveling Local Preacher.
9. We recommend that James E. Danielson and Joshua M. Reinders be transferred from Traveling Licentiate to Licentiate – Subject to Annual Renewal.
10. We recommend that Paul D. Johnson be received as Local Preacher in Training – Subject to Annual Renewal.
11. We recommend that John H. Ewing, Jr. be transferred from Traveling Local Preacher to Local Preacher in Training – Subject to Annual Renewal.
12. We recommend that Patricia M. Strain be ordained in the Alternatives to Pastoral Ministry classification of Missionary Care.
13. We recommend that Donna D. Baldt be ordained into the Alternatives to Pastoral Ministry classification in the area of Women’s Ministry.
14. We recommend that Donna L. Fillman be received into the Alternatives to Pastoral Ministry – Subject to Annual Renewal classification in the area of Health Ministries.
15. We recommend that Leroy E. Walbert, Jr. be received into the Alternatives to Pastoral Ministry – Subject to Annual Renewal classification in the area of Nursing Home Ministry.
16. We recommend that Donald E. Romberger be received as a Certified Lay Preacher.
17. We recommend that Jeffrey S. Berger be transferred from Itinerant Ordained Elder to Itinerant Ordained Elder in Related Fields – Regional Manager, Operation Christmas Child.
18. We recommend that Robert A. Stoner be transferred from Ordained Elder to Elder – Located.
19. We recommend that Gene L. Stevenson be transferred from Active Minister in Related Fields not in the Itinerancy to Traveling Licentiate.
20. We recommend that Edward Watts be transferred from Deacon – Located to Alternatives to Pastoral Ministry – Ordained classification in the area of Congregational Ministry.
21. We recommend that Bruce A. Ray be transferred to the Supernumerary classification.
22. We recommend that Daniel A. Rohrbaugh and Robert J. Stahl be transferred to the Superannuated classification.
23. We have granted annual renewals for the following credentialed individuals:*
a. Alternatives to Pastoral Ministry – Carolyn A. Boussum, Lisa A. Custer, John F. Haub, Jacqueline B. Iatesta, Kenneth Kolakowski, and Marisel Mieses.
b. Licentiates – Subject To Annual Renewal – Eugene K. Baker, Phillip D. Bartelt, George T. Custer, Richard H. Graham, Jr., and Wayne T. Houck
c. Local Preachers – Daniel D. DeSchoolmeester, Gerald W. Klopp, L. Donald Knier, John Miranda, and Robert A. Valentine.
d. Approved Candidates – Jonathan J. Brown.
e. Lay Preacher Certification – Robert P. Fritz, Kerry T. Watson, and Ronald S. West.
24. We recommend that Barry L. Bradley, Brent M. Martin, and Dale R. Reber be removed from our ministerial rolls at their request.
25. We recommend the current section 800 in the Conference Journal be replaced with the revised section 800 “Ministerial Credentialing and Classification” and that the new section “908 – Privileges of Assignment” be added as distributed in the report packet.The current rule 908 will be renumbered as 909.
* Informational— no action needed.
801 Ministerial Credentialing and the Conference Relations Committees
801.1. Regional Conference Relations Committees
801.1.1. There shall be a Conference Relations Committee system that is composed of regional Conference Relation Committees to carry out the credentialing and disciplining tasks among individuals holding any of the following classifications or statuses in the districts of the National Conference of the Evangelical Congregational Church.
801.1.2. The regional Conference Relations Committees shall be elected by and from among the Itinerant Ordained Elders of their respective regions of the National Conference.
801.1.3. Each regional Conference Relations Committee shall be composed of five (5) elected Itinerant Ordained Elders, the Conference Minister, and any advisory members added as needed. The Bishop shall be an ex-officio member of each regional Conference Relations Committee. Each regional Conference Relations Committee member shall be elected for a five (5) year term with a limit of three (3) consecutive terms.
801.1.4. In the event of members elected to fill unexpired partial terms, those partial terms three years and greater will be counted as full terms.
801.2. Regional Conference Relations Committee Leadership Team
801.2.1. Each regional Conference Relations Committee shall elect a chairman, vice chairman, and secretary at its first meeting following the close of each year’s National Conference sessions. These members in addition to the Conference Minister shall compose the regional Conference Relations Committee Leadership Team.
801.3. National Conference Relations Committee
801.3.1. Each of the regional Conference Relations Committee Leadership Teams, along with the Bishop shall together form the National Conference Relations Committee.
801.3.2. The National Conference Relations Committee shall meet together at least annually to evaluate current practices, review consistency, and formulate procedures for the operation of the regional Conference Relations Committees.
801.3.3. The National Conference Relations Committee may meet additionally if requested by the chairman or the bishop.
801.4. Ministerial Classifications and Statuses
801.4.1. Ministerial classifications are determined by the level of an applicant’s call and qualification to serve within the Evangelical Congregational Church.
801.4.1.1. National Classifications
801.4.1.1.1. The national classification consists of licensed candidates and pastors, as well as ordained elders.
801.4.1.1.2. Those desiring eventual ordination shall begin candidacy through the national classification as a Licensed Candidate.
801.4.1.2. Local Classifications
801.4.1.2.1. The local classification consists of local candidates, pastors, and elders.
801.4.1.2.2. Those desiring eventual qualification as an elder (without ordination) shall begin candidacy through the local classification as a Local Candidate.
801.4.1.3. Specialized Classifications
801.4.1.3.2. The specialized classification consists of Certified Lay Preachers, as well as licensed and ordained Deacon/esses.
801.4.1.3.1. Those desiring to serve the church in a specialized, non-pastoral role shall begin candidacy through the specialized classification as a Certified Lay Preacher or a Licensed Deacon/ess.
801.4.1.4. Provisional Classifications
801.4.1.4.1. The provisional classification consists of approved candidates, pastors, and elders.
801.4.1.4.2. Those desiring to serve the church in a provisional role can enter the provisional classification as an Approved Candidate, Approved Pastor, or Approved Elder based on their current qualifications in experience and education.
801.4.2. Ministerial statuses designate one’s level of advancement within a given classification based on the qualifications of experience, education, and assignment.
801.4.2.1. Candidates, Pastors, and Elders
801.4.2.1.1. Generally, candidates are those who are available for ministry; they have sensed a calling from God toward pastoral ministry, but they have not yet had opportunity to serve as a pastor.
801.4.2.1.2. Generally, pastors are those who are active in ministry; they are currently serving a local congregation, but have not yet fulfilled the experiential and educational requirements within their classification.
801.4.2.1.3. Generally, elders are those who are accomplished in ministry; they have served or are currently serving a local congregation, and have fulfilled the experiential or educational requirements within their classification.
801.4.2.2. Lay Preachers and Deacon/esses
801.4.2.2.1. Lay preachers are those who are called and gifted to preach the Word of God, but do not serve in a pastoral role.
801.4.2.2.2. Deacon/esses are those who are called and qualified to provide specialized ministries such as (but not limited to) discipleship, evangelism, Christian education, youth ministry, prison ministry, visitation ministry, counseling, nursing home, or any kind of chaplaincy.
801.5. Ministerial Applications
801.5.1. All applications shall be presented to the appropriate regional Conference Relations Committee.
801.5.2. An applicant shall apply within the region in which his or her church membership is held.
801.5.3. An applicant from outside the Evangelical Congregational Church shall apply within the region in which he is being or may be considered for assignment.
801.5.4. Consultation with the regional Conference Minister is necessary to determine the appropriate classification and status for application.
801.6. Authorization of Regional Conference Relations Committees
801.6.1. Regional Conference Relations Committees shall report and be authorized to recommend for approval at National Conference, or grant immediately in the case of an Approved Candidate see (801.6.1.1) 1) candidates, pastors, and elders within provisional, local, and national classifications, 2) lay preachers and deacon/esses within specialized classifications, and 3) elders and deacon/esses for ordination, and 4) elders for itinerancy under the region’s jurisdiction.
801.6.1.1. Approved candidates can immediately apply for and receive denominational student aid.
801.6.2. Regional Conference Relations Committees shall report and be authorized to recommend for approval at National Conference retirement for local pastors and elders, and superannuated or supernumerary status for ordained elders under the region’s jurisdiction.
801.6.3. Regional Conference Relations Committees shall be authorized to transfer between candidate and pastor statuses within a given classification without reporting to the National Conference. Conference Relations Committees shall report and be authorized to recommend transfer for all other statuses under the region’s jurisdiction.
801.6.4. Regional Conference Relations Committees are authorized to grant provisional classifications upon pastors and elders between the sessions of National Conference for the purpose of providing availability for stationing needs under the region’s jurisdiction.
801.6.5. Regional Conference Relations Committees are authorized to provide spiritual care for candidates, pastors, elders, lay preachers, or deacon/esses needing accountability, guidance or support under the region’s jurisdiction (see 808.1).
801.6.6. Regional Conference Relations Committees are authorized to discipline any candidate, pastor, elder, lay preacher, or deacon/ess in order to provide spiritual restoration under the region’s jurisdiction (see 808.2).
801.6.7. Regional Conference Relations Committees are authorized to suspend or revoke any credential of a candidate, pastor, elder, lay preacher, or deacon/ess under the region’s jurisdiction (see 808.3 and 808.4). All matters of suspension or revocation of credentials would be reported to the National Conference.
801.6.8. Regional Conference Relations Committees are authorized to remove from the rolls any candidate, lay preacher, or licensed deacon/ess who does not complete and submit the form for annual renewal of credentials in a given year under the region’s jurisdiction. All such removals would be reported to the National Conference.
801.6.9. Regional Conference Relations Committees are authorized to remove from the rolls any pastor or elder who has withdrawn irregularly from assignment under the region’s jurisdiction before the conclusion of the conference year, unless an agreement has been negotiated with the Stationing Committee concerning an early release. All such removals would be reported to the National Conference.
801.6.10. Regional Conference Relations Committees are authorized to take disciplinary action when any credentialed person fails to notify them of changes in ministry employment outside of the Evangelical Congregational Church.