Page 14 - 2020 Conference Booklet

1 SOUTHERN DISTRICT of PENNSYLVANIA CHURCH of the BRETHREN

2 2019 District Conference Minutes

3 September 20-21, 2019
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4 The 126 District Conference of the Southern District of Pennsylvania Church of the Brethren
5 was called into session by Moderator Harold Yeager on Friday, September 20, at the
6 Chambersburg Church of the Brethren in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.

7 The conference theme chosen by Moderator Yeager is “Looking Unto Jesus” based on Hebrews
8 12:2.

9 Assisting in conference leadership: Harold Yeager, Moderator; John Hess, Moderator-Elect,
10 John Rotz, Time Keeper; Leah J. Hileman, Conference Clerk.
11 FRIDAY MORNING SESSION

12 I. WELCOME, HOUSEKEEPING, OPENING REMARKS
13 A. Jerry Moore of Chambersburg Church welcomed attendees on behalf of the host
14 church.
15 B. Delegates must register both days upon arrival.
16 C. Introduction of conference officers.
17 D. Carter Brindle, a student and member of Chambersburg Church, designed the
18 conference theme art.
19 E. Devotional thought from the moderator: The Holy Spirit moving through the
20 “Eder Eight” extended far beyond themselves. The New Testament is our creed,
21 we pursue holy living as a daily practice, we are committed to peace and service.
22 What they started still lives in us. Though turmoil has affected the church over the
23 years, and storm clouds hang over us now, we hear the words of Jesus, “I have
24 come to seek and save those that are lost.” Our theme verse, Hebrews 12:2, calls
25 us to lay aside entanglements and sin to persevere in our race. It calls us to keep
26 the main thing “the Main Thing,” and fix our focus unwaveringly onto Jesus as
27 we continue our pursuit of faith and faithfulness.
28 II. CONSECRATION OF THE DELEGATES (p. 9)
29 III. APPROVAL OF 2018 MINUTES (pp. 16-19)
30 IV. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AS AMENDED (pp. 6-7)
31 A. Adding a visit from Moderator Paul Mundey at the noon hour.
32 B. Query being inserted at 3:55pm in place of District Board and Standing
33 Committee Verbal Reports.
34 C. Agenda approved as amended.
35 V. DISTRICT EXECUTIVE REPORT
36 A. District Executive Minister Bill Waugh
37 B. Newly licensed ministers Ali Toms (Chambersburg) and Seth Grebbien (Lake
38 View).
39 C. Lack of qualified pastoral candidates circulating profiles have led to a new way of
40 raising up local leadership, taking the form of “permanent pulpit supply” by
41 discerners in the process of discerning their own calls to ministry.
42 D. Three congregations have left the Church of the Brethren: Pleasant View, Pleasant
43 Hill, and Upton. Admonished ministers and leaders to maintain good ethics,
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