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The June 30-July 5, 1998 Annual Conference was held in the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida, the largest contiguous such facility in the world. Spanning over a half-mile in length, this three story building comprises six large convention halls, numerous separate meeting halls, reception rooms, plus Gigantic Hallways that converge into spacious atriums. This was the first Annual Conference to receive daily updates to the official web site of the Church of the Brethren General Board. Attendees participated in two major celebrations were observed this year: "75th Anniversary of Nigerian Church of the Brethren" and "50th Anniversary of Brethren Volunteer Service." Major items of business were: "New Testament as our Rule of Faith and Practice," "Fetal Tissue Use," "Congregational Structure," "Review of the Process of Calling Denominational Leadership," "Caring for the Poor," "Crisis in Transition Fund Guidelines Revision," "Association of Brethren Caregivers Request for Reportability to Annual Conference," On Earth Peace Assembly Request for Reportability to Annual Conference," Proposed Changes to Brethren Trust Articles of Incorporation," "Brethren Benefit Trust Retired Church Workers Fund Proposal to Expand," Unfunded Annual Conference Mandates," "Polity for Free Ministry."

Additional Notes:

• Emily Mumma of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania was elected as Moderator-elect who will serve as Moderator at Kansas City in 2000.
• Final registration was 3,509.
• BOISE, Idaho announced as venue for the 2003 Annual Conference.

Sermons:

• Tuesday Evening, June 30 :
• William Willimon, “Faithfulness: Keeping On Seeing”, Professor of Christian Ministry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
• Wednesday Evening, July 1 :
• Elaine Sollenberger, “Living The Connection”, 1998 Annual Conference Moderator, Everett, Pennsylvania
• Thursday Evening Evening, July 2 :
• Fred Swartz, “Making The Real Sacrifice”, Pastor of Manassas COB, Manassas, Virginia
• Friday Evening, July 3 :
• William S. Coffin, “To Set At Liberty Those Who Are Oppressed”, Retired Pastor of Riverside Church, New York City
• Saturday Evening, July 4 :
• Donna Forbes Steiner, “Faithful People With A Heart For Worship”, Associate District Executive, Atlantic-Northeast District
• Sunday Morning, July 5 :
• Robert Alley, “Going With A Promise”, Pastor, Bridgewater COB, Bridgewater, Virginia