Photo by Glenn Riegel Manuel and Lisa Gonzalez stand in support of the Intercultural Study Committee report.

Photo by Glenn Riegel A delegate jots down notes of business.

Photo by Glenn Riegel James Myer of White Oak Church of the Brethren makes a motion from the floor.

Photo by Ken Wenger Jim Hardenbrook of Namp, Idaho, speaks to the query on Reverse Membership Trend.

Photo by Ken Wenger Mike Hostetter, chair of the Committee on Interchurch Relations, answers questions about Christian Churches Together.

Photo by Regina Roberts The moderator (right) greets new Bethany Seminary president Ruthann Knechel Johansen.

Photo by Regina Roberts The new lead team of mission workers for Sudan is consecrated, along with family members.

Doing Church Business recommendations accepted as resource and study information
The delegate body today voted to receive the intent of the report of the Doing Church Business Study Committee, “as a resource and study information as the answer to the query and that the recommendations be viewed as possible options for future Annual Conferences as future Annual Conference officers deem appropriate.”

This action was treated as a substitute motion for the original motion to adopt the paper and its recommendations. The paper’s recommendations had potential to make significant changes in the format of Annual Conference and the way delegates address business.

Today’s action followed yesterday’s opening of this item of business where it was left off at last year’s Annual Conference, when an amendment was on the floor to delete a section on “Length of Conference,” and then the paper was referred to the Program Feasibility Committee for a study of the financial implications of the recommendations.

The Doing Church Business Study Committee included chair Dave Shetler, Joe Detrick, Matt Guynn, Verdena Lee, and Dale Posthumus.

Intercultural Study Committee report is adopted
Titled “Separate No More,” the report of the Intercultural Study Committee seeks to engage the denomination in intentional steps toward becoming a truly intercultural church. It says, “This is a plea for transformation... Through Christ’s love, we become the all-inclusive family of God envisioned in Revelation 7:9.” That vision is of "a great multitude...from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb....”

A two-thirds vote was needed to pass the paper, as several elements will affect policy and polity of the denomination. Important changes are prescribed for all levels of the church. On the denominational level, they include making intercultural inclusion a part of vision statements, the hiring process, continuing education for staff, and collection of statistics for the Yearbook on cultural indicators.

Districts will need to implement similar policies and procedures including continuing education in intercultural issues for ordained and licensed ministers, and for district board members. Recommendations on intercultural awareness, vision, and mission were also made for congregations and individuals.

Discussion from the floor was overwhelmingly positive, with testimonies of how intercultural experiences have been enriching congregations and individuals. Manuel Gonzales said, “We don’t know who our neighbor is going to be; we need to start practicing now.”

Connie Marlin, of West Marva District, proposed an amendment regarding continuing education for ordained and licensed ministers, to change “require” to “suggest.” This amendment failed. Speakers who supported the amendment noted that although they are in favor of the spirit of the paper, they feel burdened by the requirements. Others said that ministers are already required to have continuing education in other areas. Pastor Tim Monn commented, “If the church had required such CEU’s earlier, I probably would have grown in many ways. I would challenge us to see this as an essential cost.”

When the paper itself came to a vote, it passed by a much wider margin than the two thirds needed for passage.

The Intercultural Study Committee included chair Asha Solanky, Darla Kay Bowman Deardorff, Thomas M. Dowdy, Nadine L. Monn, Neemita Pandya, Gilbert Romero, and Glenn Hatfield, who served ex-officio from the American Baptist Churches USA.

'Query: Reverse Membership Trend’ is answered with recommendations for action
A lengthy recommendation from Standing Committee was adopted in response to “Query: Reverse Membership Trend” submitted by Idaho and Western Montana District, originating in Nampa (Idaho) Church of the Brethren. The query notes the decline in membership and new baptisms across the denomination over many years and asks how and when the trend will be halted and reversed.

Standing Committee decided to provide a full answer to the query rather than recommending referral to a study committee. The Standing Committee response was overwhelmingly approved, after discussion. The answer makes reference first to the Great Commission of Matthew 28, and then points to the 1981 Study Committee report, “Diminishing Membership in the Church of the Brethren.”

It is recommended that we should first “confess and repent of our complacency in living out and sharing our faith with others.” Also, that congregations study the 1981 report, and that an opportunity to share success stories be given by districts and Annual Conference. All agencies reportable to Annual Conference are to develop strategies and tools to assist in this effort.

Discussion at the microphones consisted mostly of sharing hopeful stories and exhorting churches to be faithful to their mission.

Query on child abuse prevention is referred to Association of Brethren Caregivers
A “Query: Child Abuse Prevention” from Michigan District and Skyridge Church of the Brethren in Kalamazoo, Mich., was referred to the Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC). The query petitioned Annual Conference to examine how recommendations previously adopted by the church are being utilized and implemented at all levels in the denomination. The concern was that policies and handbooks have been produced but are often not being followed, and many congregations still have no policies in place.

Discussion on the floor generally affirmed the need for increased attention to the issue. One delegate from Pennsylvania tied it to the previous item of business concerning membership decline. He said that churches should focus on children, that “a church without children is a dead church; they just don’t realize it yet.”

Standing Committee recommended acceptance of the query with thanks, referring its concerns to ABC. The recommendation was overwhelmingly approved.

Query on the Annual Conference schedule is passed to Conference leadership
The “Query: Annual Conference Schedule” from Pacific Southwest District, originates with Papago Buttes Church of the Brethren in Scottsdale, Ariz. Considering the financial burden of Annual Conference and the rise of new communication technology, this query asked what is the best way to schedule Annual Conferences. Standing Committee recommended that the concerns of the query be accepted and passed on to the Annual Conference officers, staff, and committees that are already working on this issue. Delegates voted to approve the recommendation.

Church of the Brethren becomes full participant in Christian Churches Together
The Annual Conference approve a recommendation that the Church of the Brethren become a full participant in Christian Churches Together, a new ecumenical forum with a much wider range of Christian bodies participating than any previously existing ecumenical organization. Its aim is to enable churches to grow closer together in Christ, and to strengthen the Christian witness in the world on issues where consensus may be reached. Participation in Christian Churches Together does not replace the church's membership in the National Council of Churches; the Church of the Brethren continues membership in the NCC. The Committee on Interchurch Relations brought the recommendation, with the support of the General Board. Delegates asked some questions for information and clarity, and quickly approved the resolution.

Update to Annual Conference Polity is approved
Several options have been considered by Program and Arrangements Committee to address the financial difficulties due to low attendance at Annual Conference. This update to Annual Conference polity recommended a change in polity for rotation of Conference locations, in what the committee determined to be the most feasible option. The change tries for increased attendance by holding Annual Conference more often in the east, nearer the center of Brethren population. Those who spoke to the recommendation regretted the impact on Brethren in distant areas such as the west coast, but voted overwhelmingly to approve the recommendation.

Overview of other business
Annual Conference elected three members of an implementation committee to work at the merger of the Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) with the General Board and the Annual Conference Council: Gary Crim, John Neff, and David Sollenberger. The committee also will include the executives of the agencies: Stan Noffsinger, general secretary of the General Board; Kathy Reid, executive director of ABC; Bob Gross, executive director of On Earth Peace; and Lerry Fogle, executive director of the Annual Conference.

Bethany Theological Seminary reported key events in the past year, foremost the search for a new president. Retiring president Eugene Roop received a standing ovation from the Conference, followed by the introduction of new president Ruthann Knechel Johansen. The Conference affirmed the appointments of Martha (Marty) Farahat of Lombard, Ill., and Connie Rutt of Drumore, Pa., to the board of trustees of the seminary.

The General Board report highlighted three of its many ministry areas, as chair of the board Jeff Neuman-Lee repeated a statement from the board’s vision and mission statement, to “reconcile all peoples to each other and all people to God.” Staff of the new mission initiative in Sudan, the Youth and Young Adult Ministries, and Brethren Disaster Ministries spoke about their work. The report concluded with a consecration of two couples who will serve as the lead team of mission workers in Sudan: Jim and Pam Hardenbrook and Matt and Kristy Messick. Appointments of new General Board members representing districts were affirmed: Frances Townsend (Michigan), Dan Petry (Northern Indiana), and John Moyers (West Marva).

Reports were received from the “Together” denominational conversation process about being the church, the 300th Anniversary Committee, and the Committee on Interchurch Relations.

Several ecumenical guests were introduced. Ken Hunn, executive of the Brethren Church, and John Thomas, general minister and president of the United Church of Christ (UCC)--which has its headquarters in Cleveland--brought greetings to the Conference. “Your peace witness is cherished by all of us,” Thomas said. He also mentioned that the UCC was “born” in the meeting room that is being used for the Conference’s business and worship sessions, the Public Auditorium at the Cleveland Convention Center. In that room 50 years ago, the UCC was created from a merger of two denominations in the reformed tradition.

To deal with a backlog of business from previous days, the Conference officers called a special evening business session that began at 9 p.m., in addition to morning and afternoon sessions. A weary delegate body finally concluded the day’s business at about 10:45 p.m.

--Business reports are written by Frances Townsend and Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford

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