“Proclaim the power of God.” — Psalm 68:34a
1) Annual Conference moderator will make history.
1a) La moderadora de la Conferencia Anual hará historia
2) 2007 Conference will ‘Proclaim the Power of God.’
2a) La Conferencia Anual de 2007 “Proclamará el Poder de Dios”
3) Review of agencies, medical plan, becoming intercultural top business agenda.
4) Committee completes Medical Plan study.
PRE-CONFERENCE EVENTS
5) Ministers’ Association to discuss ‘Excellence in Ministry.’
6) Song and Story Fest focuses on eco-justice.
7) More pre-Conference offerings.
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1) Annual Conference moderator will make history.
Belita D. Mitchell will make history when Annual Conference convenes in Cleveland, Ohio, on June 30-July 4. She is the first African-American woman, and the first female African-American ordained minister, to moderate the annual meeting of the Church of the Brethren. Mitchell serves as pastor of First Church of the Brethren in Harrisburg, Pa.
The Conference moderator serves in the highest elected position in the Church of the Brethren, which is a volunteer position. In Cleveland, Mitchell will lead a delegate body of hundreds of representatives of congregations from across the US and Puerto Rico, and a Standing Committee of representatives of the denomination’s 23 districts.
“Looks like we’re going to have an excellent Conference!” she said in an telephone interview as she prepared to start out on a “trek” to meet with district briefings for the 2007 Conference. In light of the full business schedule, she is encouraging delegates “to study all of the business items, so that you understand the business, and to pray, so that you come with an open mind and an open spirit, so that you come to the work of business as worship.”
Mitchell said she hopes the Conference will come prepared by prayer. The preparation of prayer “helps us to embody more openly and visibly what it means to be the body of Christ,” she said. “If we were to come ‘prayed up,’ then we’ll be more open to see what God has for us to do.”
Several unfinished business items are coming back to the Conference this year, and Mitchell has suggested to her own congregation to send the same delegate as last year, to make for a better informed delegate body. She also urges delegates to be in conversation with their congregations about the business, and while at the Conference to find ways to be in communication with other members of their congregation who also will be in attendance.
Belita Mitchell and her spouse of 35 years, Don Mitchell, live in Mechanicsburg, Pa. Don Mitchell is a retired business owner and serves as director of Church Development for Atlantic Northeast District. The Mitchells are the parents of four children and four grandchildren. They have three surviving children, Sanya Ward-Wallace of Fontana, Calif., Kym Mitchell-Moore of Seattle, Wash., and Don-Valliant Mitchell of Mechanicsburg. Grandchildren are Noelle, Shannon, Marcus, and Serenity.
Mitchell was born Belita D. Brewington in Colp, Ill. She received her elementary education in Detroit, Mich., and completed high school and college in southern Illinois. She received a bachelor of arts degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.
She is a second career ministerial leader, following a 30-year career in professional sales with a Fortune 100 company. Her first pastorate was at Imperial Heights Church of the Brethren in Los Angeles. Her ministry training was completed through the Training in Ministry program of the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership, and included coursework at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Calif. While in California, she was active in Pacific Southwest District, and served on the Board of Directors of Brethren Hillcrest Homes in La Verne.
Her denominational service has included a term on the Committee on Interchurch Relations, and participation in the Cross Cultural Ministries Steering Committee. She was one of the Church of the Brethren representatives to the Anabaptist Consultation on Alternative Service in 2005.
Mitchell’s request continues to be for prayer, as she leads the Church of the Brethren this year. “I’m asking everyone to pray for me, that I’ll be able to keep it together,” she said.
1a.) LA MODERADORA DE LA CONFERENCIA ANUAL HARÁ HISTORIA
Belita D. Mitchell hará historia cuando la Conferencia Anual se reúna en Cleveland, Ohio, del 30 de junio al 4 de julio. Ella es la primera mujer africana-americana, y la primera ministra ordenada que es mujer africana-americana que dirija la reunión anual de la Iglesia de los Hermanos. Mitchell es pastora de la Primera Iglesia de los Hermanos en Harrisburg, PA.
El moderador de la Conferencia tiene la posición elegida más alta en la Iglesia de los Hermanos, la cual es una posición voluntaria. En Cleveland, Mitchell dirigirá un grupo de cientos de delegados representantes de congregaciones de todo el país y Puerto Rico y un comité de representantes de los 23 distritos de la iglesia.
“¡Parece que vamos a tener una excelente Conferencia!” dijo ella en una entrevista telefónica cuando se preparaba para reunirse con los distritos en preparación para la Conferencia de 2007. Por el itinerario tan lleno, ella sugiere que los delegados “estudien todos los asuntos de negocios para que los entiendan, y que oren para que tengan una mente abierta y un espíritu abierto para poder resolver los asuntos como si fueran un culto de adoración.”
Mitchell dijo que espera que todos los que asistan a la Conferencia se preparen con oración. Dijo también que la preparación con oración “nos ayuda a personificar más abierta y visiblemente lo que quiere decir ser el cuerpo de Cristo.” “Si todos viniéramos ‘llenos de oración’ estaríamos más abiertos a ver lo que Dios quiere que hagamos.”
Varios asuntos pendientes están regresando a la Conferencia este año, por lo que Mitchell sugiere que su propia congregación envíe el mismo delegado del año pasado para que esté más informado. Ella también urge a los delegados a que conversen con las congregaciones acerca de estos asuntos, y que busquen maneras de estar en comunicación con otros miembros de su congregación durante la Conferencia.
Belita Mitchell y su esposo de 35 años, Don Mitchell, viven en Mechanicsburg, PA. Don Mitchell está jubilado de su negocio y sirve como Director de Desarrollo de Iglesias del Distrito Atlántico Noreste. Los Mitchell tienen cuatro hijos y cuatro nietos. Los tres hijos vivos son Sanya Ward-Wallace de Fontana, Calif., Kym Mitchell-Moore de Seattle, Wash. y Don-Valliant Mitchell de Mechanicsburg. Los nietos son Noelle, Shannon, Marcus y Serenity.
El nombre de nacimiento de Mitchell es Belita D. Brewington y nació en Colp, Ill. Hizo su primaria en Detroit, Mich. y secundaria y Universidad en el Sur de Illinois. Recibió una licenciatura en artes de Southern Illinois University en Carbondale.
Ella es una líder cuya carrera ministerial es su segunda carrera, después de 30 años como vendedora profesional con una compañía Fortune 100. Su primer pastorado fue en la Iglesia de los Hermanos Imperial Heights en Los Ángeles. Cumplió su entrenamiento para el ministerio por el programa “Training in Ministry” de la Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership y estudió también en el Seminario Teológico Fuller en Pasadena, Calif. Cuando vivía en California, fue muy activa en el Distrito del Pacifico Suroeste, y sirvió en la Junta de Directores de las Casas de los Hermanos Hillcrest en La Verne.
Su servicio en la iglesia incluye un período en el Comité de Relaciones Entre Iglesias, y también participó en el Comité de Estudio Intercultural. Ella fue una de las representantes de los Hermanos en la Consulta Anabaptista de Servicio Alternativo en 2005.
Mitchell continúa pidiendo oración durante su liderato en la Iglesia de los Hermanos este año. Dijo “Estoy pidiendo a todos que oren por mí, para que pueda hacer buen trabajo”.
2) 2007 Conference will ‘Proclaim the Power of God.’
The 2007 Annual Conference–the 221st recorded annual meeting of the Church of the Brethren–will take place in Cleveland, Ohio, from June 30-July 4. This year’s theme, “Proclaim the Power of God,” is taken from Psalm 68:34-35. Online registration is now open at www.brethren.org/ac through May 21. After that time, Conference-goers must register onsite, with an additional fee.
The schedule includes daily worship services, business sessions, insight sessions, meal events, concerts, a blood drive, a 5K run/walk fitness challenge, mutual help groups, a quilt auction, activities for children and youth, and more.
Leadership will be provided by moderator Belita D. Mitchell, pastor of First Church of the Brethren in Harrisburg, Pa.; moderator-elect Jim Beckwith, pastor of Annville (Pa.) Church of the Brethren; and secretary Fred W. Swartz of Bridgewater, Va. Lerry Fogle serves as executive director of the Conference. The Program and Arrangements Committee for the Conference includes Kristi Kellerman, Scott L. Duffey, and Joanna Willoughby, along with the Conference officers and treasurer Judy E. Keyser.
Main events will be held at the Cleveland Convention Center, with worship and business in the center’s Public Auditorium and exhibits and booths in the center’s Exhibit Hall B. Meal events and insight sessions will take place at the Cleveland Convention Center and two hotels: the Crowne Plaza Cleveland-City Centre and the Cleveland Downtown Marriott at Key Center.
Speakers for worship will be Jeff Carter, pastor of Manassas (Va.) Church of the Brethren, on Saturday evening; moderator Mitchell, on Sunday morning; Duane Grady, of the General Board’s Congregational Life Team, on Monday evening; Tim Harvey, pastor of Central Church of the Brethren in Roanoke, Va., on Tuesday evening; and Ataloa Woodin, pastor of Community Brethren Church in Fresno, Calif., on Wednesday morning. Tuesday evening worship will include a service of anointing, assisted by 50 pastors and 50 deacons from across the denomination. Wednesday morning will include installation of the 2008 moderator and moderator-elect.
Other major presenters include:
- Joan Brown Campbell, former general secretary of the National Council of Churches and currently director of the Chautauqua Institution Department of Religion, on “Christians and Citizens: The Church in the World Today” at the Messenger Dinner on Sunday, July 1.
- Deforia Lane, director of the Ireland Cancer Center and director of music therapy at University Hospitals of Cleveland, on “Music Therapy: Medicine for the Body, Healing for the Soul” at the Association of Brethren Caregivers Recognition Dinner on Saturday, June 30.
- Eugene F. Roop, retiring president of Bethany Theological Seminary, at the Bethany Luncheon on Tuesday, July 3. Bethany also invites Conference-goers to a reception honoring Roop’s service as president of the seminary, on Monday, July 2, at 4:45-7 p.m.
- Stephen Breck Reid, Bethany’s academic dean, on “Black Theology and the Hebrew Prophets” at the Brethren Life and Thought Luncheon on Monday, July 2.
- President Ted Long of Elizabethtown (Pa.) College on “Advancing Brethren Heritage Through Higher Education,” at the Elizabethtown Alumni Luncheon on Sunday, July 1.
- Chris Raschka, illustrator of children’s books including “The Hello, Goodbye Window” which earned him the Caldecott Award in 2006, at the Brethren Press Breakfast on Monday, July 2.
- Paul Numrich, Church of the Brethren minister and associate professor and chair of the Program in World Religions and Inter-Religious Dialogue at the Theological Consortium of Greater Columbus, Ohio, on “Living Among People of Other Faiths” at the Ecumenical Luncheon on Tuesday, July 3.
- Art Gish, Church of the Brethren member and organic farmer who has worked with Christian Peacemaker Teams in the Middle East, on “The Call for Christian Peacemaking in These Times” at the On Earth Peace Breakfast on Tuesday, July 3.
- Balbir Mathur, co-founder of Trees for Life, on “The Song of Service,” at the Brethren Volunteer Service Luncheon on Monday, July 2.
- Irv and Nancy Heishman, Church of the Brethren mission coordinators in the Dominican Republic, on “Blessing, Bartering, and Being: Stories of Faith and Life Among the Dominican Brethren” at the International Welcome Dinner on Saturday, June 30.
This year the line up for the “Early Evening with the Arts” (formerly Early Evening Concerts) includes a musical by the Junior Arts Camp at Inspiration Hills Camp and Retreat Center in Burbank, Ohio, on Saturday; the East Chippewa Vocal Band, a men’s southern gospel group from East Chippewa Church of the Brethren in Orrville, Ohio, on Sunday; the new African-American music ministry “Friends Ministry of Good News” on Monday; and a concert led by pastor Thomas Dowdy of Imperial Heights Church of the Brethren in Los Angeles, on Tuesday.
A “Worship Music Celebration” will be held in the Public Auditorium following the evening worship services on Sunday and Monday. The celebrations will feature a wide variety of music including Gospel, Spanish, contemporary Christian, African, African-American, Haitian, and more, hosted by Los Angeles pastors Gilbert Romero of Bella Vista Church of the Brethren on Sunday, and Thomas Dowdy of Imperial Heights Church of the Brethren on Monday.
Several Conference events offer continuing education units for ministers:
- A series on “Evangelism and Church Renewal” sponsored by the Congregational Life Ministries of the General Board includes seven insight sessions and the Congregational Life/Global Ministries Dinner with speaker Craig Sider of the Brethren in Christ Church, on “Growing the Church-The Anabaptist Way.” The events offer .1 credit each, cost is $10 for the series.
- A series from the Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) offers .1 credit, at no charge, for each of 11 insight sessions on a range of health and welfare issues.
- On Earth Peace is offering five insight sessions for .1 credit each, on topics such as “Non-Anxious Pastoring in Difficult Times” and “Biblical Basics of Peacemaking.”
- An insight session with Jim Eikenberry and Amir Assadi-Rad of San Joaquin Delta College in California, will address the topic, “Can We Talk? A Muslim and an Evangelical Christian Come Together” on Tuesday evening, July 3; the session offers .1 credit.
This year blood donors may pre-register for the blood drive at Annual Conference, through online programs of the American Red Cross. The blood drive is co-sponsored by the Emergency Response/Service Ministries of the General Board. To make an appointment to give blood at the Cleveland Convention Center on July 1-3, log on to http://www.givelife.org/ and enter sponsor code “brethren,” then click on the time and site desired to reach a login screen. New registrants will create a profile, following the directions given. E-mail reminders will be sent to registrants. Appointment times may be changed online. Walk-ins will still be able to donate at Conference.
Activities for children will include field trips to Cleveland Metro Parks Zoo and Rainforest, the Great Lakes Science Center and Omnimax Theater, and the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Plans for youth include a Cleveland Indians Game, a visit to the Geauga Lake Amusement and Water Park, and a service project. Young adults will hold a field trip to the Cleveland Botanical Gardens along with a game night, ice cream social, and discussion and fellowship evenings.
For more about business items, see the story below. More information about schedule, fees, meal tickets, parking, transportation, aids for those with disabilities, housing, and registration may be found at www.brethren.org/ac.
2a) LA CONFERENCIA ANUAL DE 2007 “PROCLAMARÁ EL PODER DE DIOS”
La Conferencia Anual de 2007 — la 221ava en los archivos de la Iglesia de los Hermanos — tomará lugar en Cleveland, Ohio, del 30 de junio al 4 de julio. El tema de este año es “Proclamando el Poder de Dios,” y está tomado del Salmo 68:34-35. Registración en el Internet está ya disponible en www.brethren.org/ac hasta el 21 de mayo. Después de esta fecha, los interesados en asistir deberán registrarse en el sitio de la Conferencia con un cargo adicional.
El itinerario incluye cultos diarios, sesiones de negocios, sesiones abiertas, acontecimientos de comida, conciertos, donación de sangre, un reto de carreras/caminata de 5 kilómetros, grupos de apoyo, una subasta de colchas de retazos, actividades para niños y jóvenes y más.
Los líderes serán la moderadora, Belita D. Mitchell, pastora de la Primera Iglesia de los Hermanos en Harrisburg, PA; el moderador electo Jim Beckwith, pastor de la Iglesia de los Hermanos en Annville (PA.); y el secretario Fred W. Swartz de Bridgewater, VA. El hermano Lerry Fogle es el director ejecutivo de la Conferencia. El comité de Programa y Arreglos para la Conferencia incluye a Kristi Kellerman, Scott L. Duffey y Joanna Willoughby, además de los oficiales de la Conferencia y la tesorera Judy E. Keyser.
Los principales eventos, los cultos y sesiones de negocios, serán en el Auditorio Público del Centro de Congresos de Cleveland, y los expositores y casetas estarán en la sala de exhibición B. Las comidas y sesiones abiertas serán en el Centro de Congresos Cleveland y en dos hoteles: el Crowne Plaza Cleveland-City Centre, y el Cleveland Downtown Marriott en Key Center.
Los oradores de los cultos serán Jeff Carter, pastor de la Iglesia de los Hermanos en Manassas (Va), el sábado por la noche; la moderadora Mitchell, el domingo por la mañana; Duane Grady del equipo de Vida Congregacional de la Junta Nacional, el lunes por la noche; Tim Harvey, pastor de la Iglesia de los Hermanos Central en Roanoke, Va., el martes por la noche; y Ataloa Woodin, pastor de la Iglesia de los Hermanos Comunidad en Fresno, Calif., el miércoles por la mañana. El culto del martes por la noche incluirá un servicio de ungición en el cual participarán 50 pastores y 50 diáconos de toda la iglesia. El culto del miércoles por la mañana incluirá la instalación del moderador para el 2008 y del moderador electo.
Este año los “Atardecer con las Artes” (anteriormente Conciertos al Atardecer) incluirán una presentación musical por el Junior Arts Camp del Campo Inspiration Hills en Burbank, Ohio, el sábado; la Banda de Vocalistas East Chippewa, un grupo evangelio de hombres de la Iglesia de los Hermanos East Chippewa en Orrville, Ohio, el domingo; el nuevo ministerio africano-americano “Ministerio de Amigos de las Buenas Nuevas” el lunes; y un concierto dirigido por el pastor Thomas Dowdy de la Iglesia de los Hermanos Imperial Heights en Los Ángeles, el martes.
Un “Culto Musical de Celebración” se llevará a cabo en el Auditorio Público después de los cultos del domingo y lunes por la noche. Estas celebraciones incluirán una gran variedad de música, incluyendo gospel (espirituales), música en español, la cristiana contemporánea, africana, africo-americana, haitiana, y más. Los anfitriones serán unos pastores de Los Ángeles, Gilberto Romero de la Iglesia de los Hermanos Bella Vista el domingo, y Thomas Dowdy de la Iglesia de los Hermanos Imperial Heights el lunes.
Las actividades para niños incluirán excursiones a los zoológicos y parques de Cleveland, el Centro de Ciencia Great Lakes y el teatro Omnimax, y una excursión por tren al Valle de Cuyahoga. Los jóvenes irán a un partido de béisbol de los Cleveland Indians, visitarán el Parque de Atracciones Geauga Lake, y tendrán un proyecto de servicio. Los adultos jóvenes harán un viaje a los Jardines Botánicos de Cleveland y tendrán una noche de juegos, además de helados y discusión.
Durante la Conferencia de 2007 se tratarán asuntos pendientes y nuevos, los cuales incluirán desde el futuro del Plan Médico de los Hermanos, hasta un informe final del Comité de Estudio Intercultural y recomendaciones para reorganizar algunas agencias de la iglesia. La agenda de negocios incluye también informes de agencias y comités relacionados con la Conferencia y una elección de líderes de la iglesia.
El Comité de Estudio Intercultural dice que su informe “es un llamado para la transformación.” Después de un estudio de tres años, el comité reporta que “Dios nos está llamando hoy, a ser transformados en un solo cuerpo de Cristo, para que NO ESTEMOS MÁS SEPARADOS.” Numerosas recomendaciones han sido dirigidas a la iglesia, la Conferencia y sus agencias, los distritos, congregaciones e individuos de los Hermanos.
La sección de recomendaciones empieza con dos recomendaciones específicas para “juntar a toda la iglesia conforme a la visión en Apocalipsis 7:9,” y para “formular un mecanismo que reporte el progreso de los ministerios interculturales durante la Conferencia Anual hasta el año 2010.”
En las paginas siguientes, entre otras cosas, el comité pide que se incluya en la declaración de visión de la Conferencia Anual y sus agencias, el concepto de inclusión intercultural intencional cuando se consideren candidatos para nuevas posiciones, quienes deberán ser competentes interculturalmente y capaces de llenar las necesidades de la iglesia, y que los empleados y voluntarios de todas las agencias y programas reciban anualmente orientación y educación intercultural, y que formalmente se incluyan mentores para los adultos jóvenes de todas procedencias étnicas para que puedan ocupar posiciones de liderato. El comité recomienda que creen un puesto nuevo de tiempo completo dentro del Equipo de Vida Congregacional de la Junta Nacional para ayudar a fomentar actividad multicultural en la iglesia.
Entre otras recomendaciones, el comité recomienda a los distritos que todos los pastores reciban cursos enfocados en actividades interculturales, y que se requieran cursos específicos interculturales para que puedan ser re-ordenados o renueven su licencia como ministros, así como un programa formal de mentoría para nuevos pastores minoritarios.
El comité recomienda a las congregaciones los siguientes “puntos principales” de liderato para que se conviertan en la familia intercultural de Dios: intencionalidad, adaptabilidad, y cultos integrados. El comité hace un llamado a las congregaciones para que extiendan la mano a sus vecinos de diferentes razas, y que se informen de las condiciones en que viven las minorías étnicas y raciales.
El comité recomienda a los individuos que entre otras cosas, intencionalmente formen amistades auténticas con vecinos de diferentes razas, que se informen acerca del racismo y discriminación, y que estén en solidaridad con victimas de crimines de odio.
El informe incluye pasos para checar la implementación. Las páginas al final incluyen un borrador de la posición propuesta por el Equipo de Vida Congregacional, signos de desarrollo intercultural en las iglesias, los principios que usan las iglesias que están creciendo multiculturalmente, estudios individuales de la Primera Iglesia de los Hermanos en Harrisburg, PA., y la iglesia Convenio de Paz en Durham, N.C. El informe se cierra con una lista de recursos.
Otros asuntos incluyen:
Resolución del Plan Médico de los Hermanos: El Plan Médico es un programa del Grupo Fideicomiso de Beneficios de los Hermanos (BBT) que ofrece aseguranza médica para pastores y empleados de la iglesia, distritos, agencias de la Conferencia Anual e instituciones afiliadas. BBT ha anunciado que el plan se encontraba en un “espiral de muerte” causado por poca membresía, rumores de riesgos, y aumento de costo. Después de un estudio de dos años, el Comité de Estudio recomienda que BBT descontinúe aseguranza médica para ministros y pensionados, pero que vea si hay viabilidad para seguir cubriendo a los empleados de las agencias, y que también continúe la desabilidad a largo plazo, asi como aseguranza de vida, de vista y dental. Si estas recomendaciones son aprobadas, BBT deberá “tratar de encontrar otra aseguranza para aquellas personas que están cubiertas y no podrían pagar otra aseguranza médica.”
Revisión del Comité de Evaluación: El Comité de Revisión y Evaluación del programa de la iglesia toma lugar cada década. Entre los 10 puntos detallados de la recomendación, el comité recomienda unir a La Junta Nacional y la Asociación Hermanos Proveedores de Cuidado, y que la nueva entidad sea llamada “La Iglesia de los Hermanos, USA,” y anima a la agencia En la Tierra Paz que también se les una. También recomienda que la nueva Junta Nacional reemplace tanto a la Junta Nacional como al Concilio de la Conferencia Anual, convirtiéndolos en uno solo. El informe incluye entre otras recomendaciones, el mejorar la orientación para líderes de la iglesia, y promover los valores principales y de patrimonio de la Iglesia de los Hermanos.
Atendiendo los Asuntos de la Iglesia: El Comité de Estudios de Viabilidad del Programa de la Conferencia Anual reportará, como el grupo a que se refería la Conferencia de 2006. Los delegados se dirigirán al informe de Atendiendo los Asuntos de la Iglesia en referencia al estudio de viabilidad, resumiendo la discusión al punto donde se refieran los asuntos. Este informe tiene el potencial de hacer cambios significantes en el formato de la Conferencia y en la manera que los delegados tratan los asuntos.
Consulta: Prevención de Abuso de Niños: El Distrito de Michigan, originándose en la Iglesia de los Hermanos Skyridge en Kalamazoo, pide a la Conferencia que examine como las recomendaciones de la iglesia son implementadas por las congregaciones, las agencias, las organizaciones, y que haga recomendaciones para la implementación del programa de la iglesia a todos los niveles.
Consulta: Itinerario de la Conferencia Anual: El Distrito del Suroeste del Pacífico, originándose en la Iglesia de los Hermanos Papago Buttes en Scottsdale, Ariz., pregunta “¿cuál es la mejor manera que la iglesia programe las Conferencias Anuales, tomando en cuenta la frecuencia, duración, base tecnológica, y otras opciones?”
Consulta: La tendencia hasta poca membresía: El Distrito de Idaho y Oeste de Montana, originándose en la Iglesia de los Hermanos Napa (Idaho), “confiesa su complicidad pecadora por la baja de membresía de nuestra iglesia, y pregunta cuándo y cómo la Iglesia de los Hermanos puede parar y revertir esta tendencia hacia extinción?”
Actualizando el sistema de la Conferencia Anual: El Consejo de la Conferencia Anual recomienda un cambio en el sistema de rotación de la Conferencia para que tome lugar en lugares donde hay más concentración en populación de Hermanos. La recomendación es que se tenga la Conferencia en el Este y Medio Oeste cuatro veces en un período de 12 años, con los otros años en el Sureste una vez, el Noroeste una vez, los estados planos una vez, y el Sur Oeste una vez.
Recomendación acerca de las Iglesias Cristianas Unidas: Tanto el Comité de Relaciones Entre Iglesias como la Junta Nacional recomiendan que la Iglesia de los Hermanos participe de lleno con las Iglesias Cristianas Unidas en EU (CCT), la cual es una nueva organización que incluye una gran representación de iglesias y organizaciones cristianas.
Hay más información acerca de la Conferencia Anual en www.brethren.org/ac.
3) Becoming intercultural, medical plan, review of agencies top the business agenda.
Business for the 2007 Conference ranges from the future of the Brethren Medical Plan, to a final report from the Intercultural Study Committee, to recommendations to reorganize some church agencies, among nine items of unfinished and new business (full documents are at www.brethren.org/ac). The business agenda also includes reports from Conference-related agencies and committees, and an election of church leaders.
Unfinished business
Intercultural Study Committee report:
The Intercultural Study Committee states that its report “is a call for transformation.” After three years of study, the committee reports that “God is calling us today, to be transformed into a whole body of Christ, so that we are SEPARATE NO MORE.” Numerous recommendations are directed to the denomination as a whole, the Conference and its agencies, the districts, congregations, and Brethren individuals.
The recommendations section begins with two specific recommendations, to “bring us (the denomination) into conformity with the vision of Revelation 7:9,” and to “formulate a mechanism to report intercultural ministry progress at Annual Conference through 2010.”
In the several pages that follow, the committee calls for including the concept of intentional intercultural inclusion in the purpose and vision statement of Annual Conference and its reportable agencies, establishing a discernment process during hiring for the denominational agencies that considers candidates’ intercultural competence and denominational needs, requiring annual intercultural orientation and education for staff and program volunteers of denominational agencies, and developing programs to include and formally mentor young adults of every ethnic and racial background into leadership positions, among others. The committee recommends a fulltime, funded specialist position in the Congregational Life Teams of the General Board to assist in facilitating intercultural activity in the denomination.
To districts, the committee recommends that all pastors have ongoing continuing education focused on intercultural activity, and that intercultural content continuing education units be required for re-ordination and re-licensing of ministers, as well as a formal mentoring program for new minority pastors, among other recommendations.
To congregations, the committee recommends the following “salient principles” of leadership, in order to become an intercultural family of God: intentionality, adaptability, and integrated worship. The committee calls on churches to reach out to neighbors from different backgrounds, and to become informed of conditions of life for ethnic and racial minorities.
To individuals, the committee recommends being intentional about forming authentic relationships with diverse neighbors, becoming better informed about racism and discrimination, and standing in solidarity with victims of hate crimes, among others.
The report includes steps to account for implementation. Appendices give a draft of the proposed new Congregational Life Teams position, signs of intercultural church development, principles of growing multicultural churches, and case studies from First Church of the Brethren in Harrisburg, Pa., and Peace Covenant Church in Durham, N.C. A resource list closes the report.
Brethren Medical Plan Resolution:
The Brethren Medical Plan Study Committee appointed in 2005 is making its report to the 2007 Conference. The Brethren Medical Plan is a program of Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT) offering a health insurance plan for pastors and church employees, district employees, employees of Annual Conference agencies and affiliated agencies and institutions, and their families. A resolution from BBT to the 2005 Conference called for this study. BBT had announced that the plan was in a “death spiral” caused by decreased membership, the erosion of a good spread of risk, increased health care costs, and increased premiums.
After two years of study the committee recommends that BBT phase out the medical insurance component of the Brethren Medical Plan for ministers and retirees, while continuing to explore viability of the plan for agency employees, and continuing to offer its longterm disability, life, vision, and dental insurance plans.
If the recommendations are adopted, BBT will be directed “to attempt to find alternative medical coverage for those current participants who would not otherwise be able to obtain or afford medical insurance.”
Review and Evaluation Committee:
A regularly scheduled review of the program work of the denomination is carried out every decade by a Review and Evaluation Committee, with a new committee elected in the fifth year of each decade. This year the Conference will receive the report of the Review and Evaluation Committee elected in 2005.
In previous decades, the review was limited to the work of the General Board. With the reorganization of the board in 1997 and the expansion of agencies reportable to Conference, this review evaluates total denominational organization, structure, and program, including the Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) and On Earth Peace along with the General Board.
Among 10 detailed points of recommendation, the committee recommends the merger of the General Board and ABC into an entity called “The Church of the Brethren, USA,” and encourages On Earth Peace to consider joining (the other two agencies–Bethany Theological Seminary and Brethren Benefit Trust–would continue in their present capacities). In addition, the recommendation is for the new board to replace the roles and functions of both the current General Board and the Annual Conference Council, uniting them into a single body.
“The duplication of resources expended for separate boards, separate finance and fundraising needs of each of these agencies has meant the draining of both financial and people resources within the denomination,” the report says. “The hope is that a simpler structure can…minimize the footprint that the agencies within the church impose on the local church’s mission and ministry.”
The report includes other recommendations such as enhancing orientation for and care for church leaders, and promoting the core values and heritage of the Church of the Brethren, among others.
Doing Church Business:
The Annual Conference Program Feasibility Study Committee will report, as the group to which the Doing Church Business report was referred by the 2006 Conference. Delegates will address the Doing Church Business report in light of the feasibility study, resuming discussion at the point at which the business item was referred–when an amendment to delete a section on “Length of Conference” was on the floor. The Doing Church Business report has the potential to make significant changes in the format of the Conference and the way delegates address business. (For more about how the 2006 Conference dealt with this item, go to www.brethren.org/genbd/newsline/2006/AC2006/TuesdayBusiness.html.)
New business
Query: Child Abuse Prevention: Referring to church statements that include recommendations for the prevention of child abuse, the query from Michigan District, originating at Skyridge Church of the Brethren in Kalamazoo, asks Conference to examine how the recommendations are used and implemented by congregations, agencies, and organizations, and to bring a recommendation for implementation at all levels of denominational programming.
Query: Annual Conference Schedule: The query from Pacific Southwest District, originating with Papago Buttes Church of the Brethren in Scottsdale, Ariz., asks, “What is the best way for the denomination to schedule Annual Conferences, taking into consideration frequency, length, technology-based, and other options?”
Query: Reverse Membership Trend: The query from Idaho and Western Montana District, originating in Nampa (Idaho) Church of the Brethren, “confesses our sinful complicity with the declining membership of our denomination and asks when and how the Church of the Brethren can halt and reverse this trend toward extinction?”
Update to Annual Conference Polity: The Annual Conference Council recommends a change in polity for rotation of Conference locations, in order to hold the event more often in population concentrations of Brethren. The recommendation is to hold Conference in the East and Midwest four times respectively over a 12-year period, with other years of the cycle seeing Conference held in the Southeast once, the Northwest once, the Plains states once, and the Southwest once. Currently locations are rotated over the course of six years, to the East, the Midwest east of the Mississippi, the Midwest west of the Mississippi, the Southeast, the Midwest east of the Mississippi, and the far West, alternating every six years between the Northwest and Southwest.
Recommendation Regarding Christian Churches Together: The Committee on Interchurch Relations and the General Board jointly recommend that the Church of the Brethren fully participate in Christian Churches Together in the USA (CCT), a new ecumenical organization that includes a broad representation of Christian denominations and Christian organizations including the National Council of Churches and the National Association of Evangelicals.
4) Committee completes Medical Plan study.
The following article appeared in the “Benefit News” newsletter from Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT), giving more information about the study of the Brethren Medical Plan:
After nearly two years of study, the Annual Conference Brethren Medical Plan Study Committee has issued three recommendations for the 2007 Annual Conference delegates to consider.
Citing a 78 percent drop in participation in the Brethren Medical Plan since 1993, when there were more than 3,119 primary members, to just 684 as of January 2007, the committee concluded that “the Brethren Medical Plan’s medical coverage component is neither feasible nor viable in its current state.” The committee recommends that the medical insurance component for ministers and retirees be phased out.
“The only way to ensure the Medical Plans’ longterm existence,” the study said, “would be to expand its risk pool and to increase its reserves.” In order to expand the risk pool, more participants would have to join the plan who could help spread the risk to a more acceptable level. This goal appears to be unattainable, the study concluded, based on the history of participation in the plan and the recent efforts expended in trying to increase denomination-wide participation. Since 2005 alone, total participation in the Medical Plan has decreased by 16 percent, further shrinking the risk pool. The report stated that “attracting more participants just like the high-risk group already in the plan would not solve the problem.”
Reserves are of equal concern, the study said. While the Brethren Medical Plan is currently functioning, it does not have a reserve balance sufficient to incur several years of negative loss claims similar to what it experienced in the catastrophic years of 2003-04.
The study reported that participants in the Brethren Medical Plan like the plan, feel it is competitive with other plans, and have seen a significant improvement in customer service and the availability of network providers since Blue Cross/Blue Shield became the service provider. Many participants continue in the plan out of a sense of mutuality and need, the study said.
In contrast to its recommendation regarding ministers and retirees, the committee does recommend that BBT continue to explore the viability of the plan for the church-related agencies. In addition, it recommends that BBT be directed to attempt to find alternative medical coverage for those current participants who would not otherwise be able to obtain or afford medical insurance. The committee also recommends that the stand-alone plans of longterm disability, life, vision, and dental insurance continue.
BBT is diligently working to be prepared for whatever action the 2007 Annual Conference takes regarding the study committee’s three recommendations, whether delegates approve, modify, reject, or delay action on the recommendations, in whole or in part. If changes are made to the plan, adequate time is expected to be provided for members to change their medical coverage. All eligible employees are to participate in the Brethren Medical Plan through the conclusion of the study, as directed by Annual Conference 2005. BBT is committed to providing as much information as possible regarding the Brethren Medical Plan. For more information visit http://www.brethrenbenefittrust.com/Insurance%20Page/insurindex.html or call the Insurance Department at 800-746-1505.
Three events are planned to discuss the Brethren Medical Plan at Annual Conference 2007: A hearing by the Brethren Medical Plan Study Committee is scheduled for Saturday, June 30, at 9 p.m. to provide a clearer understanding of the report; as a business item, the study committee’s report is tentatively scheduled to be considered by delegates on Monday, July 2, at 10:50 a.m.; as a follow up, a BBT insight session is scheduled that evening at 9 p.m. to discuss BBT’s next steps.
We request that all be prayerful and discerning in determining what God would have for the Church of the Brethren regarding this issue.
–Jay Wittmeyer is the manager of publications for Brethren Benefit Trust.
5) Ministers’ Association to discuss ‘Excellence in Ministry.’
The Pre-Conference continuing education event sponsored by the Church of the Brethren Ministers’ Association takes place in Cleveland on June 29-30. The keynote presenter is L. Gregory Jones, dean of Duke Divinity School, co-convenor of the “Pulpit and Pew” Excellence in Ministry Colloquim, and co-author with Kevin R. Armstrong of “Resurrecting Excellence: Shaping Faithful Christian Ministry.” The theme is “Excellence in Ministry” (Philippians 2:5).
Opening worship begins at 2 p.m. on June 29. Sessions led by Jones will be offered in the afternoon and evening of June 29 and the morning of June 30. A business meeting is planned for 4:30 p.m. on June 29. A “Picnic in the Park” for pre-registered participants and families takes place at 5-7 p.m, June 29, for an extra fee.
Those pre-registered by June 1 will pay $60, $90 for couples, $20 for seminary or EFMS and TRIM students. Per session registration costs $35 for an individual or couple. Pre-registered participants receive a copy of “Resurrecting Excellence,” available for pick up at the event. Participants receive .8 continuing education units. Child care for infants through grade 8 is offered for $5 per child per session, maximum $25 per family. Cost for the meal is $10 for adults and youth ages 13 and up, $5 for children.
Find the registration form in the Annual Conference Information Packet at www.brethren.org/ac or contact Tim Sollenberger Morphew, Bethany Church of the Brethren, P.O. Box 52, New Paris, IN 46553-0052.
6) Song and Story Fest focuses on eco-justice.
This summer’s Song and Story Fest, an annual intergenerational camp for all ages co-sponsored by On Earth Peace, will be held at Inspiration Hills Camp and Retreat Center in Burbank, Ohio. The theme for the June 24-30 event is “The Arc of the Universe: Bending Toward Eco-Justice?”
The fest is scheduled as a pre-Annual Conference event, concluding the morning of the day on which Annual Conference starts in Cleveland.
Ken Kline Smeltzer coordinates the fest, which is in its 11th year. The event features Brethren musicians and storytellers. This year’s leadership includes a number of Brethren speakers, story tellers, and musicians, along with the groups Shen Fine and Mutual Kumquat. Also on the schedule are intergenerational gatherings, worship, family time, recreation, story swaps, music-making, campfires, concerts, a folk dance, and workshops for adults, children, and youth.
Registration includes meals, and is based on age: adults pay $220; teenagers pay $180; children ages 6-12 pay $150; children five and under are welcome at no charge; maximum fee per family is $660. Daily fees are $40 per person, $100 per family, including meals. Registrations post-marked after June 1 will be charges an additional 10 percent as a late fee.
Register at www.brethren.org/oepa/programs/special/song-story-fest/index.html. Contact Barb Sayler at On Earth Peace for information about financial help, 502-222-5886 or bsayler_oepa@brethren.org.
7) More pre-Conference offerings.
- On Earth Peace is sponsoring a workshop on “Exploring Consensus Decision-Making,” on Saturday, June 30, from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Presenters are Annie Clark, coordinator of the Ministry of Reconciliation for On Earth Peace, and Carol Mason, coordinator of Congregational Life Teams, Area 3, for the General Board. There is no charge. A continuing education credit of .3 is available. Pre-registration is recommended; send name, contact information, and number of participants to aclark_oepa@brethren.org by June 15.
- The Church of the Brethren Credit Union is holding an Open House and Members’ Meeting on June 30, at 2 p.m. All are welcome to come and learn about credit union services. Door prizes will be given, refreshments will be served, and $1 will be donated to Heifer International for every attendee. Contact Dennis Kingery at 888-832-1383 or dkingery_bbt@brethren.org.