March 9-12, 2002, General Board Meeting Report

"My friends, we have worked hard," said General Board vice chair Christy Waltersdorff, speaking at the closing worship of the board's spring meetings. "Our meetings have finished; our work is only beginning."

And indeed, the General Board did tackle a full agenda of global and domestic issues as it gathered March 9-12 in Elgin, Ill. The board again sought to work from a spiritual discernment model, meeting with the theme "Servants of Jesus Christ," based on Romans 1:1. A display of feetwashing basins from many of the denomination's districts formed a backdrop in the board's meeting room.

The board devoted a significant amount of time to exploring relations with church groups in India. After much debate and discussion, the board eventually adopted an amended version of a recommendation brought by a board-appointed study committee.

The committee, appointed in October 1999, had been asked to look at possible recognition of Brethren groups in India that united with the Church of North India (CNI) in 1970, then later withdrew citing theological differences. The "separated" Brethren have periodically sought recognition from the US church, which began mission efforts there in the early 20th century.

Many viewpoints were expressed during the meetings, including those of some former missionaries to India who felt acknowledgment of the "separated" group would not honor the 1970 covenant of union. Rather than extending formal recognition, the final recommendation emphasizes relationship. It calls for beginning "an intentional process of building a relationship with the India Brethren" while also seeking a strengthened partnership with CNI.

"The US church desires a relationship with two churches in India: the Church of North India and the India Brethren," the document reads.

It suggests several steps toward building those relationships, including training events and seminars, exchange visits, and sending visitors to each other's annual meetings. It also offers the help of the US church in mediating ongoing differences between the two India groups if requested, while stressing that those problems must be solved within India. The paper will now go to delegates at this summer's Annual Conference for affirmation.

Other highlights of the meetings, led by chair Don Parker, included the following:

Planning

Mennnonite consultant Dennis Koehn continued to lead a process of comprehensive planning, scheduled to continue through March 2003. Board members accepted in principle a set of core values/guiding principles, a mission statement, and a vision statement, with plans to formally adopt them at the next meeting, in June. Koehn praised the "diligence and sensitivity" that went into the work. Board members and staff will next look at "critical success factors" that must be done well for the organization to move forward.

Evangelism

The board adopted a response to the 2001 Annual Conference query on evangelism and church planting. A "two-track" approach of a General Board staff committee and a focus group of congregational leaders fed into the development of the paper, which emphasizes a personal responsibility for evangelism by each Christian. It asks the General Board Leadership Team to make evangelism a "renewed emphasis" throughout the organization, "calling out others to assist as needed." It also recommends continuing to gather focus groups to guide the board's efforts in this area. The paper will be included in the board's report to Annual Conference.

Vieques

The board received a resolution from the Puerto Rico Brethren via the Atlantic Southeast District related to Vieques, a small island off the coast of Puerto Rico that has been used as a US Navy bombing test site for more than 60 years. The resolution supports a 2001 referendum in which nearly 70 percent of voters called for the US Navy to withdraw and calls for petitions to the US government. Board members passed a motion expressing "solidarity with the people of Vieques and the Puerto Rico Brethren" and calling for "advocacy on their behalf" by General Board staff.

Finances

General Board Finance and Funding staff led board members through a review of 2001 figures and a look at challenges for the future, including the continued decline in congregational giving to the General Ministries Fund and the tendency to give toward designated projects. A review of the board's special-purpose funds showed the Emergency Disaster Fund making 28 grants for a total of $505,400 in 2001, and the Global Food Crisis Fund sending $471,929 to 11 locations. The new Emerging Global Mission Fund is providing all support for current mission work in Brazil.

Reports

The meeting included the usual series of reports from General Board ministry areas, partner agencies, and other programs. Highlights included an update from a General Board "Caring for the Poor" committee now training to "develop strategies to identify and dismantle racism in the Church of the Brethren" and a visit from Guerra Freitas of SHAREcircle, an agency sending aid to Angola with the help of Emergency Response/Service Ministries . A larger report provided details and updates on renewed advocacy efforts for Iraq through the General Board's Brethren Witness office. An evening celebration dinner included stories from the December 2001 Iraq delegation and a simple meal typical of rations received by the average Iraqi family.

Worship

In addition to prayer and reflection that accompanied business, and the devotions opening each session, the meetings included four major times of worship. Annual Conference moderator Paul Grout spoke Saturday morning, emphasizing that the church is not about "meeting your needs" but about being blessed by serving others. The Saturday evening dinner was designed as a traditional love feast, including singing and feetwashing to underscore the servant theme. On Sunday morning, Annual Conference moderator-elect Harriet Finney urged the church to embrace change and give up control, "so the Holy Spirit can work more and more." And Christy Waltersdorff led the closing worship, including a period of silence as a time of confession and listening to God. Board members also met prior to business Saturday for a time of "spiritual preparation for God's leading."

Executive Committee

Meeting on March 8 prior to the full meetings of the General Board, the Executive Committee affirmed Ken Kreider as representative to the Brethren Historical Committee beginning July 1 and affirmed incumbent Lamar Gibble as a nominee for the Brethren Benefit Trust board, representing "national agencies."

The General Board next meets June 29 in Louisville, Ky.

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