Photo by Regina Roberts Ministers and their families came to stand before the delegate body in a show of solidarity after the Conference decided to phase out the Brethren Medical Plan health insurance component for the active ministers.

Photo by Glenn Riegel Linda Frey Barkdoll of the Pastoral Compensation and Benefits Advisory Committee receives the concerns of the ministers about health insurance.

Photo by Glenn Riegel A. Lee Kinsey, pastor of Mill Creek Church of the Brethren in Port Republic, Va., pleads for help from the PCBAC as the ministers gather in front of the body.

Beckwith, Shumate, and Swartz consecrated to lead 2008 Annual Conference
The consecration service that closed business this morning laid hands on Jim Beckwith, pastor of Annville (Pa.) Church of the Brethren, as the moderator of the 2008 Annual Conference marking the 300th anniversary of the Brethren movement. Also consecrated for service were moderator-elect David Shumate, district executive minister of Virlina District, and Fred Swartz, reconsecrated for a second term of service as Conference secretary.

Passing the gavel to the new moderator, 2007 moderator Belita Mitchell talked about the gavel as a symbol of leadership for the denomination. “Thanks be to God that we have been able to work together decently and in order so that I have not had to strike the gavel!” she said as she passed it to 2008 moderator Jim Beckwith.

“You have been called for an awesome time and an awesome responsibility,” she told him.

Pastoral Compensation and Benefits Advisory Committee urges support for pastors
"We would urge delegates and everyone present to support pastors and their families,” said Linda Frey Barkdoll as she presented the report from the Pastoral Compensation and Benefits Advisory Committee (PCBAC). “Keep all our pastors in your prayers.... It is critical that health insurance is offered.” She called on the Conference to acknowledge the feelings of pain and fear for pastors following the decision to phase out the Brethren Medical Plan health insurance coverage.

She announced that the PCBAC has already decided to review the benefits and salary guidelines for pastors, given the action of this Conference, and the committee may bring any needed changes back to the Annual Conference in 2008.

She reminded congregations that although the Brethren Medical Plan is being phased out, the other guidelines for pastors benefits and salaries remain in effect, including the guideline for congregations and pastors to share the cost of health insurance premiums. “The cost of medical insurance for congregations may be increased” by the action of this Conference, she said.

The committee received a plea for help from the pastors, voiced by A. Lee Kinsey, pastor of Mill Creek Church of the Brethren in Port Republic, Va. As he spoke from the floor, a large group of ministers who are in the Brethren Medical Plan gathered in front of the hall to stand facing the Conference. Many held hands with each other, and some were in tears.

“Today we come before PCBAC seeking your help,” Kinsey said. “We come feeling betrayed by a delegate body that has stripped us of our health insurance.... We understand that the decision of Annual Conference is final, and we must go forth in faith,” he said.

Speaking for the committee, Barkdoll responded with a firm, “Yes, we will.”

The Conference adopted the recommendation of PCBAC for the annual adjustment to the cash salary table for pastors of a 2.7 percent increase for the year 2008.

Overview of other business
The Conference received several reports this morning, including that of Program and Arrangements Committee, the group that plans and carries out Conference activities. The committee announced new dates for the 2009 Annual Conference in San Diego, Calif.: June 27-July 1, 2009. Executive director Lerry Fogle also reviewed the Conference’s current financial difficulties and deficit budgets, and fielded questions and comments (for a fuller report see the Standing Committee report on the Friday “Business” page).

A combined report from the Church of the Brethren delegates to the National Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches higlighted the work of Church World Service, which is this year celebrating its 60th anniversary. The 2007 Annual Conference process observer Karen Walters also gave reflections on the process and main concerns she observed during business proceedings.

The session closed with presentations to the moderator, and a consecration service for the new Conference officers (see story above). The Association for the Arts in the Church of the Brethren presented two quilted hangings to moderator Belita Mitchell, for display on the pulpit and lectern in the sanctuary at her church. “You have truly blessed us with the very best of what you’ve been given,” said a representative of the association.

Members of First Church of the Brethren in Harrisburg, Pa., presented the moderator and their pastor with a wall hanging quilted by the women’s fellowship, and a clock presented by the men’s breakfast group. The quilt features historic patterns used by the Underground Railroad to help escaping slaves to freedom, and African style patterns of cloth. “This is truly a historical moment,” the moderator commented, as she noted that she was wearing a dress and headdress from her trip to Nigeria.

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

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