{"id":796,"date":"2007-10-30T00:00:12","date_gmt":"2007-10-30T00:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/new.brethren.org\/news\/?p=796"},"modified":"2018-08-23T03:44:48","modified_gmt":"2018-08-23T03:44:48","slug":"newsline-extra-report-from-the-fall-general-board-meeting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2007\/newsline-extra-report-from-the-fall-general-board-meeting\/","title":{"rendered":"Newsline Extra for October 30, 2007"},"content":{"rendered":"

October 30, 2007<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord…”<\/em> (Micah 4:2b).<\/p>\n

General Board discusses revision of ministerial ethics paper, adopts resolutions on medical insurance and modern-day slavery<\/strong><\/p>\n

(La Junta Directiva compromete para el Centro de Servicio de los Hermanos, trata con un documento acerca de eticas en el ministerio y recibe resoluciones para la aseguranza medica y la esclavitud<\/a>)<\/strong><\/p>\n

The fall meetings of the Church of the Brethren General Board were held Oct. 19-22 in Elgin, Ill., on the theme, “Come Walk with Us.” Worship services and devotions addressed a scripture theme from Micah 4:1-5. Chair Tim Harvey opened the meeting in worship with an invitation to join the procession of people streaming to “the mountain of the Lord” in Micah 4.<\/p>\n

The board made a major decision to strongly affirm ministries at the Brethren Service Center (see the Newsline Special Report of Oct. 20). In other leading items, the board provisionally accepted a revision of the denomination\u2019s “Ethics in Ministry Relations” paper, adopted a “Resolution on Modern-Day Slavery” and a “Resolution on Ministers\u2019 Medical Insurance Crisis,” received a “Resolution Urging Forebearance” from the Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC), adopted a 2008 budget, and discussed strategic planning for mission.<\/p>\n

Ethics in Ministry Relations:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The revised “Ethics in Ministry Relations” document was provisionally accepted with the understanding that the board will receive it again in March for final approval and send it to the 2008 Annual Conference. The document is a revision of a 1996 paper, and outlines biblical foundations for ministerial leadership, a theology of ministerial ethics, an ethical code of conduct for ministers, and a process for dealing with ethical misconduct.<\/p>\n

Mary Jo Flory-Steury, the board\u2019s executive director of Ministry, and Nancy Knepper, coordinator of district ministry, presented the revised document. Revisions center on greater clarity and consistency in the code of ethics and process for dealing with complaints of misconduct, and require training for committees that are responsible for dealing with complaints of misconduct. Discussion touched on a wide variety of issues and several amendments were made to the document, which is expected to receive further revision at an upcoming meeting of the Council of District Executives before it returns to the General Board.<\/p>\n

Resolution on Ministers\u2019 Medical Insurance Crisis:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The board affirmed and sent to the 2008 Annual Conference a “Resolution on Ministers\u2019 Medical Insurance Crisis” jointly sponsored by the Council of District Executives, the Pastoral Compensation and Benefits Advisory Committee, and the officers of the Ministers\u2019 Association. Flory-Steury presented the resolution, saying it is the result of conversations between these groups since the decision of the 2007 Annual Conference to phase out the Brethren Medical Plan\u2019s medical insurance component for active ministers.<\/p>\n

“A few of our congregations are interpreting the action that congregations are no longer expected to provide medical insurance coverage for their pastors,” she said.<\/p>\n

The resolution “reaffirms the value of congregations providing health insurance coverage for pastors and families,” acknowledges feelings of “abandonment, betrayal, and distrust” by pastors, directs the establishment of standards for pastors\u2019 medical insurance benefits, encourages expansion of two funds to assist pastors in crisis–the General Board\u2019s Ministry Assistance Fund and the Brethren Benefit Trust\u2019s Church Workers Assistance Plan, and sets the issue in the context of the national health care crisis and sets direction for advocacy work by the Brethren Witness\/Washington Office.<\/p>\n

As a temporary measure, the General Board\u2019s Executive Committee raised the limit for grants from the Ministry Assistance Fund to $5,000 from $2,000, as funds are available.<\/p>\n

Resolution on Modern-Day Slavery:<\/strong><\/p>\n

A resolution against modern-day slavery was adopted and presented to the 2008 Annual Conference, after the board heard a presentation on “Slavery in the 21st Century” by Brethren Witness\/Washington Office director Phil Jones and Gather \u2019Round editor Anna Speicher.<\/p>\n

In its resolution, the board noted that slavery is illegal in every nation but that many forms of slavery continue, such as child labor, sexual slavery, and debt bondage. The resolution references Luke 4:18-19 as a gospel mandate and reaffirms the historic opposition of Brethren to slavery.<\/p>\n

The church “has spoken out strongly and repeatedly in opposition to slavery and the slave trade, passing antislavery resolutions in 1797, 1812, 1813, 1837, 1845, 1853, 1854, and 1857,” the resolution says. It confesses “our complicity in the global network of slavery through consumption of goods and services…produced by slave labor,” makes a commitment to education and action, and invites Brethren organizations and members to join in the work along with ecumenical and interfaith partners.<\/p>\n

Resolution Urging Forebearance:<\/strong><\/p>\n

A “Resolution Urging Forebearance” from the board of ABC was presented by ABC executive director Kathy Reid. ABC is asking for support for the resolution from the General Board and On Earth Peace. Reid said the ABC board is sharing the paper as “a great concern” and hopes to “take a strong statement to the body of Annual Conference.” She described the resolution as pointing to the importance of forebearance in the church, and calling for recognition of the time it takes for the church to work through difficult issues.<\/p>\n

The resolution, however, was met with a mixed reaction from members of the General Board–some welcomed it and others expressed strong opposition. One said he feared it would be used to teach unbiblical doctrines, and as an excuse to violate Annual Conference polity. Another said he does not feel heard as a conservative Christian.<\/p>\n

“There is no agenda,” Reid responded, expressing a willingness from ABC to work on refinement of the wording. She defended the resolution as a call for civility and love as brothers and sisters in Christ. “It is a genuine attempt…to address the really ugly kinds of behavior that we all have seen, sometimes in our agencies, or on the floor of Annual Conference,” she said. The resolution “is our attempt to say, we have got to stop hurting each other,” she said.<\/p>\n

The General Board voted to receive the resolution for the purpose of collaboration among the three agencies, stating that, “Our intent in this collaboration is that all three boards can reach consensus on a refinement of the resolution.”<\/p>\n

Mission Strategic Planning:<\/strong><\/p>\n

A session on mission was led by Global Mission Partnerships executive director Merv Keeney. In table groups, board members, staff, and guests brainstormed ideas in response to a series of questions, for example, about what effective strategies the church has used to foster engagement in international ministry, and what practices connected with international mission are becoming visible across the church. The session was the first step of a process to create a strategic plan for mission work by the Church of the Brethren.<\/p>\n

In other business, the board adopted a 2008 budget of $9,928,630 income, $10,050,500 expense, with a net expense of $121,870; supported Church of the Brethren involvement in a peace conference being planned by the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) and authorized a $50,000 grant for the event; nominated Benjamin Stover Barlow, an attorney and member of Montezuma Church of the Brethren in Dayton, Va., for an at-large position on the board; and received several reports including information about possible leasing of property in Lybrook, N.M., to a nonprofit group from Western Plains District.<\/p>\n

The board also received an offering of more than $14,000 for its Core Ministries Fund. The meetings were followed by a professional growth event on the topic of decision-making by consensus, led by On Earth Peace.<\/p>\n

A photo journal of the fall meetings of the General Board is available at www.brethren.org, click on “Photo Journal.”<\/em><\/p>\n

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<\/a>
\nLa Junta Directiva compromete para el Centro de Servicio de los Hermanos, trata con un documento acerca de eticas en el ministerio y recibe resoluciones para la aseguranza medica y la esclavitud<\/strong><\/p>\n

La reuni\u00f3n de oto\u00f1o de la Junta Directiva de los Hermanos tuvo lugar del 19 al 22 de octubre en Elgin, IL., con el tema \u201cVen, Camina con Nosotros.\u201d Tim Harvey, presidente de la Junta, comenz\u00f3 la reuni\u00f3n con un servicio de adoraci\u00f3n y una invitaci\u00f3n a unirse a la procesi\u00f3n de gente fluyendo a la \u201cMonta\u00f1a del Se\u00f1or\u201d en Miqueas 4.<\/p>\n

La Junta hizo la gran decisi\u00f3n de afirmar fuertemente el ministerio del Centro de Servicio de los Hermanos, acept\u00f3 provisionalmente una revisi\u00f3n del documento \u201c\u00c9ticas para relaciones ministeriales\u201d, adopt\u00f3 la \u201cResoluci\u00f3n para la esclavitud moderna\u201d, y la \u201c Resoluci\u00f3n para la crisis de seguro m\u00e9dico para ministros\u201d, recibi\u00f3 de la Asociaci\u00f3n de Hermanos Proveedores de Cuidado (ABC) una \u201cResoluci\u00f3n pidiendo tolerancia\u201d, adopt\u00f3 el presupuesto para 2008 y discuti\u00f3 estrategias de planeamiento para la misi\u00f3n.<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\nCentro de Servicio de los Hermanos:<\/strong><\/p>\n

La Junta Directiva \u201cafirm\u00f3 fuertemente\u201d el ministerio del Centro de Servicios de los Hermanos en New Windsor, Md., y se comprometi\u00f3 a continuar desarroll\u00e1ndolo y mejor\u00e1ndolo. En un informe del Comit\u00e9 Encargado de Explorar Opciones para el Centro, la Junta aprob\u00f3 tambi\u00e9n una declaraci\u00f3n para la misi\u00f3n nueva y encarg\u00f3 al personal que tomaran acci\u00f3n en varios asuntos, y aprob\u00f3 una revisi\u00f3n de rendimiento de cinco a\u00f1os para el Centro.<\/p>\n

La recomendaci\u00f3n central aprobada el d\u00eda de hoy dice, \u201cLa Junta Directiva afirma fuertemente los ministerios del Centro de Servicios de los Hermanos— los Ministerios de Desastre de los Hermanos, los contratos de arrendamiento con otras agencias, los recursos materiales, y el Centro de Conferencias de New Windsor y planea apoyar su desarrollo continuo.\u201d<\/p>\n

La nueva declaraci\u00f3n para la misi\u00f3n que fue adoptada dice: \u201cEl Centro de Servicio de los Hermanos es una comunidad que fomenta el ministerio a las necesidades humanas en todo el mundo y cultiva un cometido al servicio, la paz y la justicia en nombre de Cristo.\u201d<\/p>\n

Estas recomendaciones fueron el resultado de un estudio profundo de un a\u00f1o de los programas de la Junta Directiva en el Centro de Servicios de los Hermanos y la alianza con otras agencias que rentan oficinas y bodegas ah\u00ed. Las recomendaciones hechas al personal incluyen animar y nutrir las relaciones con un Un Mejor Regalo\/SERRV; responder a las necesidades de los j\u00f3venes, adultos j\u00f3venes y otros para que haya acceso a hospedaje en el Centro para personas de bajos recursos; desarrollar nuevos programas en el Centro de Conferencias para apoyar la misi\u00f3n del Centro; desarrollar un centro de bienvenida; exhibiciones interpretativas y un plan maestro de toda la propiedad del Centro; el nombramiento de un comit\u00e9 con fines espec\u00edficos; y la b\u00fasqueda de nuevas organizaciones aliadas.<\/p>\n

Estas decisiones fueron el resultado de una reuni\u00f3n del a\u00f1o pasado donde la Junta decidi\u00f3 no adoptar la recomendaci\u00f3n del Comit\u00e9 que Estudi\u00f3 el Mejor Uso de la Propiedad en New Windsor, donde se propon\u00eda que este se vendiera o rentara. En su lugar, la Junta pidi\u00f3 se nombre un nuevo comit\u00e9 para explorar opciones de ministerio en el Centro de Servicio de los Hermanos.<\/p>\n

El Comit\u00e9 Explorando Opciones para el Centro de Servicios de los Hermanos fue dirigido por Dale Minnich, de Moundridge, Kan., quien es miembro de la Junta Directiva, David R. Miller de Dayton, Va; Fran Nyce de Westminster, Md.; Dale Roth de State College, Pa.; Jim Stokes-Buckles de Nueva York, NY.; Kim Stuckey Hissong de Westminster; y Jack Tevis de Westminster.<\/p>\n

Relaciones \u00e9ticas en el ministerio:<\/strong><\/p>\n

El documento revisado \u201cRelaciones \u00e9ticas en el ministerio\u201d fue aceptado provisionalmente con el entendimiento de que ser\u00e1 presentado nuevamente en marzo para su \u00faltima aprobaci\u00f3n antes de ser enviado a la Conferencia Anual de 2008. Esta es una revisi\u00f3n del documento de 1996 y delinea fundamentos b\u00edblicos para el liderato ministerial, \u00e9ticas teol\u00f3gicas ministeriales, un c\u00f3digo de \u00e9tica y conducta para ministros y el proceso a seguir en caso de mala conducta. Esta revisi\u00f3n est\u00e1 enfocada en m\u00e1s clarificaci\u00f3n y consistencia en el c\u00f3digo de \u00e9tica y el proceso a seguir en caso de quejas de mala conducta, y requiere entrenamiento para los comit\u00e9s responsables de tratar los casos de mala conducta.<\/p>\n

Resoluci\u00f3n para la crisis de seguro m\u00e9dico para ministros:<\/strong><\/p>\n

La junta afirm\u00f3 y envi\u00f3 a la Conferencia Anual de 2008 una \u201cResoluci\u00f3n para la crisis de seguro m\u00e9dico para ministros,\u201d la cual fue patrocinada por el Concilio de Ejecutivos de Distrito, el Comit\u00e9 de Consejer\u00eda de Salarios y Beneficios, y los oficiales de la Asociaci\u00f3n de Ministros. Flory-Steury present\u00f3 la resoluci\u00f3n, la cual es el resultado de conversaciones entre estos grupos desde que la Conferencia Anual de 2007 decidi\u00f3 retirar paulatinamente el seguro m\u00e9dico para ministros activos.<\/p>\n

Esta resoluci\u00f3n \u201creafirma que es de mucho valor que las congregaciones provean seguro m\u00e9dico para los ministros y sus familias,\u201d pide que se establezcan est\u00e1ndares para el seguro m\u00e9dico de los ministros, anima la expansi\u00f3n de dos fondos para ayudar a ministros en crisis\u2014el Fondo de Asistencia del Ministerio de la Junta Directiva, y el Grupo Fideicomiso de Beneficios de los Hermanos para Ayudar a Empleados de la Iglesia, y liga este problema con la crisis nacional del cuidado de la salud. El Comit\u00e9 Ejecutivo de la Junta Directiva aument\u00f3 el l\u00edmite de becas del Ministerio de Asistencia de $2,000 a $5,000, seg\u00fan los fondos disponibles.<\/p>\n

Resoluci\u00f3n para la esclavitud moderna:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Una resoluci\u00f3n en contra de la esclavitud moderna fue adoptada y presentada a la Conferencia Anual de 2008. Esta resoluci\u00f3n nota que la esclavitud es ilegal en todas las naciones pero que continua de muchas formas, como obligando a los ni\u00f1os a trabajar, esclavitud sexual, y esclavitud por deudas. La resoluci\u00f3n hace referencia a Lucas 4:18-19 como un mandato de las escrituras y reafirma la oposici\u00f3n hist\u00f3rica de los Hermanos a la esclavitud. La resoluci\u00f3n dice que la iglesia \u201cha hablado fuerte y repetidamente en contra de la esclavitud y el tratado de esclavos, pasando resoluciones en 1797, 1812, 1813, 1837, 1845, 1853, 1854 y 1857.” Tambi\u00e9n compromete a la educaci\u00f3n y acci\u00f3n, e invita a la iglesia a trabajar junto con otros aliados ecum\u00e9nicos.<\/p>\n

Resoluci\u00f3n urgiendo tolerancia:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Una resoluci\u00f3n de la Junta de ABC \u201cUrgiendo Tolerancia\u201d fue presentada por Kathy Reid, directora ejecutiva de ABC. ABC est\u00e1 pidiendo el apoyo de la Junta Directiva y de En La Tierra Paz. Reid dijo que la resoluci\u00f3n est\u00e1 enfocada en pedir a la iglesia que tenga tolerancia y pide que se reconozca el tiempo que toma para resolver problemas dif\u00edciles.<\/p>\n

Sin embargo, la resoluci\u00f3n cre\u00f3 reacciones mixtas de parte de los miembros de la Junta Directiva \u2014algunos la apoyaron pero otros estuvieron fuertemente opuestos. Uno de ellos dijo que teme que ser\u00eda usada para ense\u00f1ar doctrinas no b\u00edblicas y como una excusa para violar la estructura de gobierno de la Conferencia Anual.<\/p>\n

\u201dNo hay ninguna agenda,\u201d respondi\u00f3 Reid y dijo que ABC est\u00e1 dispuesta a refinar la resoluci\u00f3n. La Junta Directiva decidi\u00f3 recibir la resoluci\u00f3n con el prop\u00f3sito de colaborar con las tres agencias, y dijo que \u201csu intento es que las tres Juntas puedan llegar a un acuerdo conjunto en la refinaci\u00f3n del documento.\u201d<\/p>\n

Planeamiento estrat\u00e9gico para la misi\u00f3n:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Merv Keeney, Director Ejecutivo de la Divisi\u00f3n de Socios en Misi\u00f3n Global, dirigi\u00f3 una sesi\u00f3n para el planeamiento estrat\u00e9gico de la misi\u00f3n. Los miembros de la Junta, los empleados y los invitados se juntaron en grupos y ofrecieron ideas para resolver una serie de preguntas acerca de la efectividad de las estrategias y practicas para la misi\u00f3n. Esta sesi\u00f3n fue el primer paso de un proceso para crear un plan estrat\u00e9gico para la misi\u00f3n de la Iglesia de los Hermanos.<\/p>\n

Entre otros asuntos, la Junta adopt\u00f3 el presupuesto estimado de entradas de $9,928,630 para 2008, y gastos estimados de $10,050,500, faltando $121,870 para completar los gastos presupuestados; apoy\u00f3 envolverse en el planeamiento de una conferencia anual por la paz de la Sociedad Religiosa de Amigos de Filadelfia, y autoriz\u00f3 una beca de $50,000 para este evento; recibi\u00f3 varios informes incluyendo informaci\u00f3n acerca de la posibilidad de rentar propiedad en Lybrook, N.M., a un grupo no lucrativo del distrito Planos del Oeste. Tambi\u00e9n, la Junta recibi\u00f3 una ofrenda de m\u00e1s de $14,000 para el Fondo Central para Ministros.<\/p>\n

Spanish translation by Maria-Elena Rangle; editing by Jill Gauthier<\/em><\/p>\n

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For Newsline subscription information go to http:\/\/listserver.emountain.net\/mailman\/listinfo\/newsline. For more Church of the Brethren news go to www.brethren.org, click on “News” to find a news feature, links to Brethren in the news, photo albums, conference reporting, webcasts, and Newsline archive. Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren General Board, cobnews@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 260. Newsline appears every other Wednesday, with other special issues sent as needed. The next regularly scheduled issue is set for Nov. 7. Newsline stories may be reprinted if Newsline is cited as the source. For more Brethren news and features, subscribe to “Messenger” magazine, call 800-323-8039 ext. 247.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

October 30, 2007 “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord…” (Micah 4:2b). General Board discusses revision of ministerial ethics paper, adopts resolutions on medical insurance and modern-day slavery (La Junta Directiva compromete para el Centro de Servicio de los Hermanos, trata con un documento acerca de eticas en el ministerio y<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":[],"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[47,89,84,3,110,179,129],"wf_post_folders":[],"class_list":["post-796","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-association-of-brethren-caregivers","tag-brethren-annual-conference","tag-brethren-witness-washington-office","tag-church-of-the-brethren","tag-church-of-the-brethren-general-board","tag-montezuma-church-of-the-brethren","tag-newsline"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/796","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=796"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/796\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":855,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/796\/revisions\/855"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=796"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=796"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=796"},{"taxonomy":"wf_post_folders","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wf_post_folders?post=796"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}