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The June 29 to July 4, 1999 Annual Conference was held in the Milwaukee Arena of the Midwest Express Center, located on Kilbourn Avenue. Extensive activity has recently surrounded this convention center with renovation and new construction, as the city is erecting a new exhibition hall that will cover four city blocks at a projected cost of $172 million. Business this year included the approval of a "Ministerial Leadership Paper" that calls for historic changes in polity regarding the licensed and ordained ministry, defines consistent guidelines for advancement within the ministry, and outlines clear expectations and requirements for ministerial training. "Standing Committee Tenure" query to extend the length of service from three to five years was disapproved. "Litigation" query from the Haxtun COB (Colorado) asked for "clarification regarding litigation and appropriate Christian response." Brethren have historically endeavored to settle personal disputes by avoiding legal entanglements (1 Corinthians 6:6-7), but our modern litigious society presents complications for Brethren when they are sued by parties outside of the faith walk. The delegate body elected a study committee to present a draft position paper to the 2001 Annual Conference that would include such guidance. "Non-Violence" resolution drafted by General Board was approved that would encourage congregations, districts, and individuals to recommit themselves to stressing our heritage of peace in the wake of school killings. Unfinished business included a 1996 query on "Congregational Structure" requested delegates "to evaluate and study our current congregational structures, and propose other congregational structure options that also maintain the integrity and biblical precedences of our Brethren heritage." A request to extend the study committee for another year was granted. "Unfunded Mandates" recommendation from Standing Committee offered a new process for consideration that was accepted. "Caring for the Poor" study committee also given another year for a recommendation.

Additional Notes:

• Phil Carlos Archbold of Brooklyn First COB was elected as Moderator-elect who will serve as Moderator at Baltimore in 2001.
• Final registration was 3,528.
• CHARLESTON, West Virginia announced as venue for the 2004 Annual Conference.
  
  

Sermons:

• Tuesday Evening, June 29 :
• Lowell Flory, “Who, me?”, 1999 Annual Conference Moderator, Professor at McPherson College
• Wednesday Evening, June 30 :
• Nancy Faus, “The Timeliness of an Ancient Message”, Retired professor of Bethany, Theological Seminary,Richmond, Indiana
• Thursday Evening, July 1 :
• Patrick Mellerson, “The Great Servant”, Pastor of Butler Chapel, Orangeburg, South Carolina
• Friday Evening, July 2 :
• Linetta Alley, “Living in Community”, Student at Bridgewater College
• Cindy Laprade, “Staying Reconciled”, Student at Franklin County High School, Virginia
• Saturday Evening, July 3 :
• Kurt Snyder, “What's That Smell?”, Pastor of Roann Church of the Brethren, Roann, Indiana
• Sunday Morning, July 4 :
• Paul Mundey, “Soaring Servants”, Pastor of Frederick Church of the Brethren, Frederick Maryland