NEWSLINE - July 4, 1996 

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%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% NEWSLINE 07-04-96

  CINCINNATI -- This is the Church of the Brethren Newsline for July 4, 
where 3,160 Brethren are registered as Annual Conference attendees. 

  Annual Conference affirmed Standing Committee's recommendation to accept 
the concerns of the query "How Faith Should be Expressed in Political 
Processes." The recommendations encourage congregations, districts, and 
individuals to pray and study using available helps such as resources 
from the General Board and the Washington Office, as well as previous 
Annual Conference Statements." Although some voices spoke against the 
recommendation, who asked for a more thorough answer and possibly a study 
committee to be appointed, delegates chose to encourage Brethren to use 
available resources to formulate their own opinions.

  Annual Conference accepted the query "New Testament as Our Rule of Faith 
and Practice" and Standing Committee will meet on Friday or Saturday to 
discuss the procession of the query.

  The Human Genetic Engineering and Fetal Tissue Committee presented a 
progress report to Annual Conference. The committee will return with a 
final paper in 1997.

  Delegates today approved Standing Committee’s recommendation that a 
task group be established to address issues raised in the "World Mission
Philosophy and Global Church Mission Structure" query. That query was
initiated by Virlina District, which asked Annual Conference to better
articulate "district responsibilities and support for new congregations
outside the continental US." It also asked Annual Conference to better 
define what it means to have an "appropriate system of calling, training,
recognition, and discipline of set-apart ministries in nations beyond
district boundaries," and to include global Brethren in the future
administration and development of the church.

  The task group will address the issues of the query during the next year 
and will give its report at the 1997 Annual Conference. The group will 
consist of one representative from the following organizations-Virlina, 
Atlantic Southeast, and Atlantic Northeast districts; the General Board; 
and Standing Committee.

  Standing Committee’s recommendation to accept the concerns of the query 
on Congregational Structure was approved by Annual Conference delegates.
However, delegates also voted to defer until 1998 any actions related to 
the query because of the pending General Board redesign. The query, which
originated from the Church Development Commission of Atlantic Northeast
District, recommended that Annual Conference appoint a committee to 
evaluate and study the denomination’s current congregational structures 
and to propose other options that still maintain the integrity and 
biblical precedences of Church of the Brethren heritage. In addition to 
available resources to explore alternative structures, and given the cost 
of forming a study committee, Standing Committee felt that any further 
action should come as a new item of business after the denominational 
redesign has been implemented.

  The motion by Standing Committee to accept proposed changes to the 
Church of the Brethren pastor’s insurance program was passed by Annual 
Conference. The recommendation from the Pastoral Compensation and 
Benefits Advisory Committee for an increase in the insurance benefit 
levels, from $40,000 to $50,000 for life and accidental death and 
dismemberment for active participants who are age 65 or under, carried 
with neither discussion nor amendments from the Conference floor. In other 
action related to the Pastoral Compensation committee, Annual Conference 
Delegates accepted the committee’s report that included concerns for 
looking next to issues of long-term care, how pastoral compensation is 
determined, and the need to emphasize and support the personal growth and 
development of pastors.

  After active discussion to clarify Standing Committee’s recommendation 
on the query pertaining to denominational polity regarding property and 
stewardship issues, Annual Conference delegates proposed and passed a 
substitute motion. Whereas Standing Committee recommended that districts 
take responsibility for entering into legal agreements in making loans to 
congregations, Annual Conference mandated that: "a committee be appointed 
to review and recommend revision on polity to allow districts and the 
General Board to assume ownership of real property in cases of default 
and report their recommendations to the 1997 Annual Conference."

  A motion to include a business item focusing on the Brethren/Mennonite
Council for Gay and Lesbian Concerns’ Thursday luncheon was made when the
Annual Conference business agenda was brought to the floor for approval at
the start of the week’s business sessions. Although there was some
discussion, the motion lost and the agenda was adopted as presented by the
Annual Conference officers. In its pre-Conference meetings, Standing
Committee affirmed the Annual Conference Program and Arrangements 
Committee’s decision to approve a BMC luncheon.

  Conference delegates ended Wednesday's business session discussing the 
Ethics in Ministry Relations Statement. Discussion on the statement will 
conclude during Thursday morning's session.

  Outdoor Ministries Association presented awards for outstanding service 
to four people affiliated with Brethren camps during its luncheon on 
Wednesday. John and Margaret Jones, managers of Camp Myrtlewood 
(Oregon/Washington District), were presented an award for their work as 
camp staff. Three volunteers also were recognized: Donn Kesler, Camp Mack 
(Northern and South/Central Indiana); and Hazel Hoover and Virginia 
DuBois, Camp Peaceful Pines (Pacific Southwest District). OMA annually 
presents awards to camp staff and volunteers for their work.

  The Church of the Brethren Committee on Interchurch Relations presented
Ecumenical Awards to E. Paul Weaver, Everett, Pa.; and Richard D. 
Speicher, North Lima, Ohio, during the committee’s ecumenical luncheon 
today. In addition to varied ecumenical involvement that began as a youth 
with participation in numerous Christian youth conferences and 
conventions, Weaver and his wife, Zalma, served the Church of the Brethren
in Nigeria. Weaver also hazs attended three Assemblies of the World 
Council of Churches, including one in Canberra, Australia, where he urged 
WCC participants from the US to sign petitions calling upon our government 
to end the Persian Gulf War.

  Speicher, who engaged in Civilian Public Service as a young adult, has 
made a career of ecumenical involvement. He served as chaplain of the 
Youngstown State University where he developed a campus ministries program 
and helped organize a free health-care clinic. Later, as executive 
director of the Mahoning Valley Association of Churches, Speicher worked 
to institute a food bank and hospice and helped form a service to repair 
homes for elderly and low-income people. 

  At the luncheon, guest speaker Lamar Gibble recounted his ecumenical
involvement as General Board staff serving as director of Peace and
International Affairs Consultant and Europe and Asia representative. Both
Gibble and General Secretary Don Miller, who are retiring, were recognized 
by CIR for their ecumenical service on behalf of the denomination.

  Peter Kaltenbaugh, Jr., will speak on "Who is welcome at the table?" 
during Thursday evening's service. Kaltenbaugh is pastor of Hartville 
(Ohio) Church of the Brethren. Mary Jane and Tim Button-Harrison, team 
pastors of Ankeny (Iowa) Church of the Brethren, will lead worship.

  Wednesday was the first of three days for the Annual Blood Drive.
Ninety-eight pints were contributed.

  The General Board Search Committee for a new general secretary is 
broadening its search for qualified candidates and extending the 
application deadline until August 15. The committee invites Brethren to 
be active agents of the Holy Spirit in calling out the gifts of one 
another by submitting names of potential candidates and their addresses 
to the Search Committee, said Don Fitzkee, committee chair. People called 
to consider the position should indicate their interest in writing to 
Fitzkee, 117 Heisey Ave., P.O. Box 140, Rheems, PA 17570. An 
application/information packet will be forwarded. Search Committee members 
are Donald Fitzkee, chair; Stafford Frederick; Kathy Hess; Lori Knepp; and 
Beth Middleton. 

This is the Church of the Brethren Newsline for July 4 in Cincinnati.