October 20-23, 2001, Meeting Report
Church of the Brethren General BoardOctober 20-23, 2001, Meeting Report |
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Images of stones filled this fall's General Board meetings as they centered on the theme "Living stones . . . built into a spiritual house," from I Peter 2.
Just as the unyielding firmness of stones can be smoothed and changed by the flow of water, Christians as "living stones" can be changed by the presence of God flowing through them. Board members, staff, and a host of visitors experienced this changing presence as they spent four days working through an agenda that examined the organization's present and future.
"If we don't align ourselves with the cornerstone, our building will not be sound," Brethren Press publisher Wendy McFadden said in leading Sunday morning's worship, emphasizing the need to build on the foundation of Christ and to do that building as a community. "When we are not so full of ourselves, there is room for God."
The meetings began the work of constructing a comprehensive plan for the General Board, a process expected to continue for 18 months. Led by chair Don Parker, board members also spent time considering issues of peace and justice, evangelism, relations with groups in India, and finances.
Highlights of the meetings included the following:
Mennonite consultant Dennis Koehn, who assisted in the merger of Mennonite Church USA, took the first steps of leading board members and staff in a process of comprehensive planning. "In an organization this size, planning is very important," Koehn said. These initial sessions looked at questions of a vision statement, mission statement, and core values for the General Board. The consensus reached was that all three needed to be developed anew with "fresh energy," a task that will be continued at the March meetings.
Staff reported on the many ways the General Board has taken action in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks along the East Coast. Numerous offices have been part of the effort, providing both direct care and a denominational voice. Board members responded by passing "A resolution on the events and aftermath of September 11, 2001" written by David Radcliff and Greg Davidson Laszakovits. It offers both calls for action and points for reflection, and is accompanied by scripture passages shared at the meetings during a time of meditiation on the issues. The full statement is posted at www.brethren.org/genbd/GBResolutions/9-11-2001.htm. The Saturday evening banquet also featured a time for sharing stories related to Sept. 11.
Global Mission Partnerships director Merv Keeney led a panel discussion that focused on relations between the Church of North India (CNI), Brethren groups that have separated from CNI, and the US Church of the Brethren. Keeney joined panel members Christy Waltersdorff, Ernie Thakor, and Bob Gross in exploring some of the complex issues involved as the separated groups seek recognition by the US church. Board members agreed to continue looking at the issues and the General Board's broader mission philosophy at meetings in March 2002.
An evening session looked squarely at the issue of the General Board's role in evangelism, in the context of the larger church. General secretary Judy Mills Reimer shared that a "two-track" approach of a staff committee and a Congregational Life Ministries-initiated focus group is looking at ways to answer the query approved by this past summer's Annual Conference. It will eventually yield one report that will be included in the 2002 Annual Conference booklet. Staff noted what the General Board is doing currently related to evangelism, and many in attendance shared passionate viewpoints and stories.
The board approved a total budget of $9.3 million for 2002, including both the General Ministries Fund and net of the four self-funding programs. Budget reductions from the previous year were required for the first time since the mid-1990s redesign, but the overall budget still increases slightly due to special one-time funds and "bequest tithe" monies. Noting a continued deficit in giving to the General Board this year, a challenge was issued for those present to set an example in meeting this need. More than $24,000 in new gifts and commitments was collected. That total represents about one-fourth of the current General Ministries Fund budget shortfall.
The board also heard concerns over rapidly increasing medical insurance expenses; Jeff Garber of Brethren Benefit Trust reported that rates in the current plan will rise less than feared next year, but still increase 23 percent. Board members also received a summary of the General Board's visits to pastors over the past year and a half — with strong affirmation to continue doing such visits; heard reports from many other General Board ministry areas; and joined in a celebratory kickoff for next summer's National Youth Conference.
A building-wide reception on Monday honored Elgin-based General Board staff members who had reached milestones in their tenure with the organization. Those recognized were: 20 years — Wendy McFadden and Merv Keeney; 15 years — Lester Boleyn and Judy Keyser; 10 years — Kim Bickler; 5 years — Guillermo Encarnación and Russ Matteson. The board later celebrated the service of four staff members retiring this year: Lydia Walker, as Disaster Child Care trainer/coordinator; David Huffaker, as financial resource counselor; Allen Hansell, as director of ministry; and Elsie Holderread, as manager of human resources.
The large group of guests at the meetings included a vanload of students from Bethany Theological Seminary and faculty member Tara Hornbacker, six district visitors, Cross-Cultural Ministry team representative Belita Mitchell, American Baptist Churches USA observer Lester Aeilts, and representatives from partner agencies. All had opportunity to give reports and reflections, bringing information, insights, humor, and challenge.
Devotional times were again interlaced through the meetings along with three main worship services, all focusing on aspects of the "living stones" theme. Saturday morning's service, led by board member Warren Eshbach, included participants building a small altar of stones as a symbol of God's ongoing covenant. Worship centers in the General Offices' chapel and in the main meeting room, as well as in displays elsewhere in the building, further enhanced and interpreted the theme. Several of the stones used came from the former Brethren Publishing House.
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