The 217th Annual Conference (July 5-9, 2003) of the Church of the Brethren was held on the 175 acre main campus of Boise State University in their 13,000 seat, 17,472 square foot sports complex called The Pavilion (later renamed Taco Bell Arena). The university has an enrollment over 19,000 students pursuing 190 fields of interest with degrees of undergraduate, graduate, technical programs within the scope of seven colleges. Their football stadium, home to the Broncos, is the only such stadium with a Blue Field playing surface. Earl Boen and a few other Boise State alumni have become famous motion picture stars.
Idaho produces more potatoes than any other state in the nation. Approximately 400,000 acres are planted every year and accounts for about 34% of the nation's consumption. More than thirty varieties are grown in regions from high elevations to the low flat lands. What makes this area of the country so unique is that Idaho enjoys the warmest mean temperatures in the Northwest. Every year farmers can expect about 90-100 growing days within a 180 frost-free day window. Potato Souvenirs are to be found in most Boise Gift Shops.
Nicknamed the City of Trees, Boise has a population slightly over 403,000 and rests at an elevation of 2,842 feet. Straddling the Boise River, it has become a haven for water sports and recreational pursuits such as Rafting. There are many city parks and Court Fountains that offer relief from the hot dry climate. This shift to a campus environment is in keeping with increasing requests to lower the cost of Annual Conference by utilizing the facilities of universities or second-tier cities.
Ice-Blocking is a fun sport in the Boise foothills. Visitors to this area usually ask: “What's Ice-Blocking?” It's sort of like sled-riding, except without snow or a sled. You sit on a block of ice and glide down a hill of grass. You won't have trouble finding a hill of grass. Just look towards the foothills and it will be the only Green Hill visible. Potato magnate J.R. Simplot lived in the mansion on that green hill, but donated the entire hill to the State of Idaho to be used as the governor's mansion. Children in the area soon discovered that they were welcomed to play on its slopes and that's when Ice-Blocking was invented (in this area anyway). Local residents were about the friendliest of any recent Annual Conference venue. Many Brethren were surprised to discover being waved at from across the street. Boise shows its religion on its arm-sleeve. Rescue Missions and charity minded associations were noticeable everywhere. Transportation around the city often had a Western Flair.
SPECIAL NOTES:
There is a new Annual Conference Executive Director this year. Lerry Fogle of Frederick, Maryland, assumes the helm from Duane Steiner who resigned at AC 2002. Traditional buffet meals were served in the Student Union cafeteria, and the western bar-b-que style under outside tenting. Groups had no difficulty locating a place for their Annual Dining get-together. Judging by the photographs in the COB-NET photo album, the Message Boards contained more notes than any other Annual Conference, before or after. In Jesus' Name was the theme and logo of the Conference but Prayer was the emphasis. Youth from each District made drawings of what prayer meant to them and was displayed on Prayer Walls. Each one expressed their deepest Heart Feelings of what they such prayer would accomplish. Tuesday evening provides worshippers with another opportunity to enjoy the Children's Choir.
2003 Conference Officers were Moderator Harriet Finney, Co-District Executive of Indiana South-Central District; Moderator-elect Christopher Bowman, pastor of Memorial COB, Martinsburg, Pennsylvania; and new Secretary Fred Swartz beginning his first term, as Cathy Huffman finished her service at AC 2002.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Duties and Relationship of Moderators was referred by delegates to the newly installed Annual Conference Council (formed at AC 2001, Baltimore) for redrafting, and to also include suggestions made by this Conference.
Denominational Name study committee of AC 2002 requested an additional year to listen and encourage dialog among the denomination. Extention was granted and a full report will be presented at AC 2004 in Charleston, West Virginia.
India Church Relationships recommendation calls for the Church of the Brethren to maintain its existing relationship with Churches of Northern India (CNI), and also establish new ties with the Brethren churches that have withdrawn from that coalition.
NEW BUSINESS:
Congregational Disagreements with Annual Conference Decisions from Indiana South-Central District was given to a new five person study committee that will seek to advise congregations and districts with guidelines concerning disagreements, and report their findings at AC 2004. One delegate noted that this situation is nothing new to the Church of the Brethren. He cited that women were permitted to enter the ministry in 1922 and yet many congregations will not accept women in the pastorate. Additionally, he observed that the COB was a founding member of both the World Council of Churches and the National Council of Churches, yet many Brethren still object to participation in each body.
Clarification of Confusion from Michigan District was also given to the new Annual Conference Council to provide greater interpretation and answers to questions of last years delegate action that rejected the licensing and ordination of homosexual persons.
The Person and Redemptive Work of Jesus Christ was returned per Standing Committee recommendation to the sponsoring Eaton COB congregation and Ohio Southern District as delegates feared a creedal statement may be the result. Discussion centered on referring the scriptures themselves instead of a position paper or statement.
Living Peace Church resolution from On Earth Peace and the General Board was adopted that calls for continued efforts toward peace through prayer and studying the scriptures. One delegate questioned the Conference to explain why abortion, the war in the womb, was not included as a part of this peace effort.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Report of Pastoral Compensation and Benefits Advisory Committee was accepted that recommended a cost of living adjustment of 2.1%.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
Total registered attendance was 2,844 comprised of 843 Delegates and 2,001 Non-Delegates.
Jim Hardenbrook, pastor of Nampa COB in Nampa, Idaho, elected as Moderator-Elect who will serve as Moderator at Peoria in 2005.
Brethren Benefit Trust celebrated the 60th Anniversary of its Pension Plan.
Stan Noffsinger was consecrated as general secretary for outgoing Judy Mills Reimer.
Howard Royer was recognized for 50 years of service with the General Board. He will be retiring in August.
American Red-Cross was on hand for the annual Blood Drive.
Quilt Auction of the Association for the Arts Church of the Brethren raised $25,550 for world hunger relief, plus a $2,000 donation.
Program & Arrangements Committee announced that RICHMOND, Virginia, will be the location for AC 2008 and the 300th Anniversary of the Brethren.
WORSHIP SERMONS:
SATURDAY EVENING, JULY 5 :
Moderator Harriet Finney, In Perfect Harmony”, Co-District Executive: Indiana South-Central District
SUNDAY MORNING, JULY 6 :
Stephen Breck Reid, The Big Empty is Awake, Professor at Bethany Theological Seminary
MONDAY EVENING EVENING, July 7 :
Dan Ulrich, A Well-Connected Church, Professor at Bethany Theological Seminary
TUESDAY EVENING, JULY 8 :
Bonnie Kline Smeltzer, Rise to New Life, Pastor of University Baptist & Brethren, State College, Pennsylvania
WEDNESDAY MORNING, JULY 9 :
Rev. Larry Dentler, Opening the Door to New Life, Pastor of Bermudian COB, East Berlin, Pennsylvania
“They determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain other of them,
should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders (about this question).”
Acts 15:2
