· Web viewWe do not need more rules and creeds – we need recommitment to our covenantal relationship with each other and with God. I see the Evangelical Congregational Church

OFFICERS’ REPORTS AND RESOLUTIONS

Episcopal AddressDelaware Region Conference MinisterGreat Lakes Region Conference MinisterSusquehanna Region Conference MinisterNational Conference HistorianNational Conference Secretary/Conference Executive CommitteeNational Conference TreasurerMemorial SecretaryResolutionsStatistician

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Officers’ Reports and Resolutions

EPISCOPAL ADDRESSMembers and friends of the 2014 National Conference of the Evangelical Congregational

Church, I greet you in the matchless name of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. We gather together not to do our work, nor the work of our beloved denomination, but to do the work of Jesus who gave his life and conquered sin and death that we may have life. He has commissioned us to “make disciples.” “Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:21 NLTse)

DISCIPLE-MAKINGDuring our 2014 National Conference we are focusing on our theme: CONNECT. As Paul

reminded the Thessalonians of his ministry among them he wrote “We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too” (1 Thessalonians 2:8 NLTse). In NC2012 we looked at “PASSION”; our need to love God completely. During NC2013 our focus was “ENGAGE”; the need to engage our culture with the Gospel. This year we continue to respond to God’s call to love him, evangelize by living out the Good News, and disciple others as we CONNECT in life-to-life discipleship. We have, as a denomination, described a disciple as “one who is seeking to pattern his/her life on the Savior’s.” It is a lifelong pursuit of following Jesus. The challenge is that we are required to CONNECT; to form significant and lasting relationships, and that is counter-cultural. We live in the digital age; everything needs to be fast. I have been to the jungle of Liberia and the hills of North East India, and in my own family room every child wants to see their picture on the back of the camera right away. We need smart phones so we can have instant communication by text, email, Twitter, Facebook, or even an actual phone call. Don’t get out of the car; just throw my meal out the window as I drive by. Our culture looks for a shortcut for everything. But neither evangelism nor discipleship happen that way; they take time, it means living in relationship, day in and day out, connecting with those around us as people, as friends. Evangelism is a dialogue, not a monologue. One of the best ways to reach someone is to listen. Don’t compromise the message, but try to establish a dialogue. We need to be the church that connects with people relationally. Evangelism and discipleship go together; they cannot and are not to be separated. Alan Hirsh explains it this way “Discipleship is all about being drawn into the purposes of God. The Great Commission to ‘make disciples’ includes both making Christians and maturing Christians.” The journey of discipleship does not begin when a person accepts Jesus as their Savior and Lord; it starts long before that as the Holy Spirit begins to draw them to himself. We have pledged as the Evangelical Congregational Church to establish disciple-making as the ultimate objective for all our ministries. To do that we must make the time to CONNECT.

When we stop and think about it, connecting with people was a huge part of Jesus’ earthly ministry. His three years of ministry were spent in significant relationship with the people living around him; developing disciples. Before he ascended into heaven, and coincidently tomorrow is Ascension Day, Jesus gave us a commission to “make disciples.” Too many people define discipleship as Bible study; you just need to learn the facts, the stories, the lessons; that’s what God wants. Do we really believe in our hearts that God sent his One and only Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross as the atoning sacrifice for sin, to rise from the dead conquering sin and death, ascend back to heaven to the place of highest honor and with the name that is above every other name; did God do all of that so church members could quote scripture or win games of Bible Trivia? Jesus calls his followers to learn the Bible, for certain, and the Bible, God’s living Word tells us to “make disciples …Teach these new disciples to obey…” Jesus wants followers who will allow His Holy Spirit to transform them and conform every aspect of my life to him and his will. When God said we are to be

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OFFICERS’ REPORTS and RESOLUTIONS


holy as he is holy, he wasn’t talking about Sunday mornings; he meant my entire life. He desires disciples who make disciples. I am pleased to say that we have many individuals, pastors and laity, and many congregations who are doing just that. During these few days of Conference we will celebrate some of the good things God is doing in and through the Evangelical Congregational Church. Discipleship isn’t a school or program, but a life of passion and purpose. It is personal investment into someone else’s life. It is choosing to be seen, sincere, open and vulnerable; as a follower of Jesus living in sincere relationship with the people around you. I call on each one of us to recommit ourselves and our congregations to that mission of God. Who will join me?

Here’s a question for you (I’m sure it will be on Facebook or Twitter momentarily if you miss it): Did Jesus come to establish an institution called church or did he come to empower people to be church? Thom Schultz, author of the blog “Holy Soup” points out that the church is in danger of experiencing a Kodak Moment. He writes, “Kodak dominated the photographic scene for over 100 years. It commanded an 89 percent market share of photographic film sales in the United States. Yet Kodak became a colossal story of failure and missed opportunities. A gigantic casualty in the wake of digital photography–a technology that Kodak invented. That’s right. Kodak engineer Steve Sasson invented the first digital camera in 1975. He later said, ‘But it was filmless photography, so management’s reaction was, ‘That’s cute, but don’t tell anyone about it.’ And the company entered into decades of agonizing decline, unable to perceive and respond to the advancing digital revolution. In 2012 this American icon filed for bankruptcy.” How could something like this happen? There are probably lots of reasons but let me highlight three. 1) They could not see the changing culture. They had no vision for a day when people would walk around with all their photos digitally stored on a smart-phone or tablet. 2) They were afraid of what they would lose. If they moved into digital photography it might mean loss to their film business. Most importantly, 3) they misunderstood their mission. They thought they were in the film business when they were actually in the image business. According to Jesus, we are in the discipleship business; moving people closer to Jesus day by day. We cannot forget that.

I can tell through my own personal experience that in my years growing up in the church and now 37 years of ministry, I have been exposed to lots of evangelism and discipleship programs. The problem is I can’t really remember any of them. (I don’t think that’s because I’m getting older) because even now standing here today I can see the faces of the people who invested their lives in me. I can tell the names of individuals who poured faith into my life though authentic relationship.

SHARED MINISTRYDuring the past year we have been challenged to look at denominational leadership from a

new perspective through shared ministry positions. At the close of last year’s National Conference the lay delegate from Bethel E.C. Church, Dixon, IL approached me to confirm that the financial position of the Global Ministries Commission’s administrative budget was now back to where they had been more than two years ago: completely dependent on the voluntary contributions of individuals and local congregations, and not receiving enough donations to adequately meet their needs. When I responded that was indeed the case he asked if the Global Ministries Commission and I might be open to a shared ministry position. Bethel E.C. Church was in need of a Lead Pastor and the GMC administrative office was in need of financial stability; could these two concerns be addressed together? Numerous conversations, phone calls, texts, emails, and meetings were shared over the next few months to seek the Lord’s will and to clarify, as much as possible, what a shared ministry would look like in real life. One of the questions that arose in our deliberations was “What will the leaders of our international churches think of a shared ministry position?” The reality is that all of our international leaders currently serve in shared ministry positions. When I asked Rev. Nobuo Abe for his guidance he shared two important insights. He first noted that he was pleased that the church USA was learning from our international brothers and sisters; that the leadership of just about every Christian denomination in Japan, even the very large groups, was a shared ministry position. Secondly, my brother showed great insight and concern when he noted that denominational leaders are first called and gifted as pastors. He wondered if it really made sense to divorce these men and their wives and families from a local church. When Randy and I visited Ukraine for Ken Sears’ ordination I had the opportunity to talk with Brother Pavel Metlenko, the "Senior Presbyter" for the Baptist churches of the Zaporozhye province, a full time position. He described denominational leadership as “you are everywhere and you are nowhere.” After working out the details with Bethel EC Church and the Global Ministries Commission, including ministry descriptions, time schedules, appropriate evaluation and accountability safeguards, as well as salary and benefits

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Bethel E.C. Church, the Global Ministries Commission and The National Ministry Team each adopted the shared ministry recommendation unanimously. While I readily admit that personally I greatly miss Randy’s presence and friendship at Church Center, I know Randy and Carla are very happy to be able to sink deep roots into a local congregation again while at the same time ministering internationally. Not claiming the gift of prophecy, but seeing this shift becoming a reality I approached the National Executive Committee (NEC) seeking their counsel on how to proceed if other denominational leaders were approached by local churches about shared ministry. I agreed with the Executive Committee that we would not, at this time, seek out shared ministry positions but would be open to discuss them if we were approached by a local congregation. This spring I was contacted by the leadership of Trinity E.C. Church, Fishing Creek, PA about their interest in a shared ministry position with Gordy Lewis, Susquehanna Region Conference Minister. Again, after much discussion with all those involved, including receiving the approval of the NEC and the Stationing Committee, Rev. Lewis will be stationed to this shared ministry effective July 1, 2014.

CONFERENCE LEADERSHIPThis year our National Conference will experience a transition in the position of Great Lakes

Conference Minister. Rev. Gary Brown has served as the Conference Superintendent of the former Western Annual Conference from 2000 to 2004 when he assumed the position of Great Lakes Region Conference Minister. Gary’s term will end on June 30, 2014 and he was not eligible for re-election. I am thankful for the willing and gracious service Gary and Ann Brown have had in the Great Lakes Region, the Evangelical Congregational Church, and the Kingdom of God. They have, together, traveled many, many miles in the service of the King. The Lord has used Gary’s strong pastoral heart to touch the hearts of many, pastors and lay alike. Not every day has gone well, there are always trials and struggles in leadership; Gary has faithfully and steadily met them and, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, faithfully provided wise counsel to many. The Supervisory Committee has looked to his many years of experience in denominational leadership to provide us with denominational memory; he is our “Mister History.” Thank you, Gary, for your friendship and faithful service to Christ and his church. Before you think Gary and Ann are moving to matching rocking chairs on some front porch; this is simply the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new one in their life. Effective July 1, 2014 Ann will join Gary as he becomes the pastor of New Zion Evangelical Congregational Church, Emlenton, PA.

As you know, the National Ministry Team voted to hold a special meeting in January 2014 to elect Gary’s successor rather than holding the election at National Conference 2013. This was at the recommendation of the Supervisory Committee. I am pleased to report that the special meeting (one meeting, two locations) was a success. The pastors and volunteers at both locations, Bethel E.C. Church, Dixon, IL and Lakeside E.C. Church, Transfer, PA worked with me to prepare for the meeting. Rev. Charles “Chuck” Campbell was elected Great Lakes Region Conference Minister. After some time for Chuck to catch his breath, I had the privilege of installing him as Conference Minister this past April. The next big transition for Chuck is when he gets married to Nettie on June 7. Chuck’s term as Great Lakes Conference Minister will begin July 1. I look forward to serving with Chuck as he becomes an important member of our leadership team and pray the Lord’s blessing on his marriage with Nettie.

Rev. Gordy Lewis’s first term as Susquehanna Conference Minister will come to an end in June 30, 2015. Following this National Conference I will form a Nominating Committee to begin the process which will result in an election during a special meeting of the Susquehanna Region in January 2015. While my term as Bishop does not end until June 30, 2016 the timeline for nominations and election is different from that of the Conference Ministers. An Episcopal Nominating Committee will be formed this fall so an Episcopal election can be held at National Conference 2015.

FUTURES INITIATIVEI will not take a lot of time in this address to discuss the recommendations of the Futures

Initiative Team. I do want to clearly state that I strongly recommend that this National Conference adopt both the statement entitled “The Church” and the Covenant when they are presented later in our business sessions. I need to make two observations based on my experience with Futures Initiative. During one of our meetings the Futures Initiative Core Group expressed the clear opinion that we must address ministry funds; we must lower the percentage rate churches are required to remit to the denomination. I have long felt that is true. The problem came when we actually tried to accomplish that. It became obvious that given the current level of local church involvement in paying

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ministry funds and the budget required funding our work that simply cannot and will not happen without significant change. We are in a precarious position: churches are choosing to pay partial or no ministry funds. This results in forcing the larger churches to take on a greater share of denominational finances. We are caught between two groups who find it more and more difficult to fund what is required or defend the amount of ministry funds required. The second observation I need to make, is that over the past few years I have learned that we all struggle with making hard decisions. That simply isn’t something we want to do. The problem is, as we were reminded last year by Dr. Chris Backert “If we refuse to make difficult decisions today, we will be faced with even more difficult decisions in the days to come.”

Brothers and sisters, make no mistake about this: we will all be faced with extremely difficult choices as we continue to plot the future course of the Evangelical Congregational Church. I pray and believe the Lord of the church will show us his way into a bright future but it may not be an easy journey.

DENOMINATIONAL LIFEIn 2012, during my first Episcopal Address, I said that we were quickly moving into a post-

denominational world. I hear more and more people wondering why they need to pay ministry funds. I responded through a series of articles in the EC LEADER highlighting the important “together ministries” we are able to do because of ministry funds: commissions and committees, Church Center operations, affiliate support and heritage care. Beyond that we’ve heard people ask even more generally “What’s the purpose of a denomination?” or “What’s the advantage of being part of a denomination?” Let me share a glimpse of what I think. With apologies to old school teachers, I think it comes down to three Rs: relationships, resources, and results.

Relationships – We all recognize there are individuals who make the argument that they don’t need to attend church; they can worship at home as well as they can with a bunch of people in a building. I believe we all recognize the extreme weakness of that position. Certainly the author of Hebrews did. We are not created to go through life alone. I need interaction with fellow believers in order to grow and mature; to be discipled. So too, a local gathering of believers can benefit from being a part of something larger than their own local fellowship. Another parallel I see in the relationship between an individual to a local church and a local church to the denomination is the “have it your way” mentality. Burger King has long trumpeted that consumers should and can “have it your way.” What does it say about us that when we shop for a local church, we look for one that makes me comfortable? What does it say when the primary reason for a relationship is my personal happiness? I may not want to hear that I need to be in a relationship that holds me accountable, but it doesn’t make it any less true. Paul and Peter tested what they believed they were called to do by bringing it to the larger body in the Council of Jerusalem. Denominational relationships give both the local church and the pastor someone beyond themselves to talk with. I think it makes for healthier people and a healthier church. Much of the spiritual health that I experienced is a result of pastoral relationships I have nurtured over 30+ years of ministry. Healthy things multiply; they multiply disciples, groups, ministries, churches. Even in a non-denominational age we see the growth of “fellowships” and “networks.” We don’t like the word “denomination” but we recognize the relationships are vital to our spiritual health. Additionally, the inter-connectedness of a denomination provides for opportunities to interact and serve with people who may be very different from my homogeneous local church. We do not all look alike, we do not agree on everything, we have different gifts and graces, we may even speak different languages and yet we are the family of God and there is no stronger relationship. I pray that pastors, lay leaders, and whole congregations will move beyond simply supporting relationships to actually expanding relationships. As we already say in the Discipline “With the understanding that the local church cannot carry out the Great Commission alone, we surrender self-sufficiency and autonomy to join together in love. Embracing our common Discipline and our common purpose – to know Christ and make Him known – E.C. Churches will pray together, fellowship together, develop leaders together, evangelize together, plant churches together, perform acts of mercy together, pursue justice together, and celebrate God together.”

Resources – Today, with the help of technology, there are lots of places to go for resources. In fact, many of our local Christian book stores struggle because every pastor, youth leader, Sunday School teacher and Vacation Bible School director can search and select materials on line and have them delivered to the front door. The strength of a denomination’s resources is found in an entirely different aspect of church life: people. I do not want church leadership to be discovered by accident. Leadership development, training, and deployment are critical and most local congregations are not

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equipped to do that by themselves. I am proud to say that as a member of the Evangelical Congregational Church I am a part of a group that values leadership to the point that we support a Pastoral Assessment Center, that we join together to provide scholarship money to help men and women prepare for leadership in our churches and communities, that we support a seminary that is developing innovative programs to train the next generation of pastors and leaders. I am thankful for a Stationing Committee that honestly works with local leaders to identify and place pastors who will fit and flourish. We all have stationing horror stories, but the reality is that the majority of them are from the “good old days.” As pastors and congregations we need to let go of the “good old days”; these are much better days. I would not, as a member of a local church want to be completely dependent on my own resources for identifying, credentialing, and having the full responsibility for dealing with the accountability of the pastor. On the other hand, as a local pastor it was good to know there was someone available to be there when I needed them. We work together to protect, preserve, and share resources; and that includes the most precious resources for our pastors and people.

I am thankful that we have camps (ECCO, Rock River and Twin Pines) that are impacting people of all ages with the Gospel of Jesus. I praise God that StoneRidge Retirement Living desires to employ evangelical pastors as chaplains who lead people to Christ even late in life showing us it’s never too late to come to Jesus. I praise the Lord that a group of churches in the United States can, in partnership with brothers and sisters, launch a mission emphasis that now sees close to 500 churches many of whom are now sending out their own missionaries. I want to be part of a denomination that enables a local congregation to send a short-term team from Pennsylvania to Japan to partner with EC Churches there in leading an English Camp where 12 children and one adult came to faith in Jesus. (And that’s just one example!) Our rich history of ministry is a resource. We are who we are because of those who struggled and sacrificed to give us this opportunity to serve the Lord in the church today. Even now we build a legacy for those who will come after us.

We do not bring our resources together to keep something from the past going. I’m asking us to use our resources, to invest our time, our talents, and our treasure to be part of something bigger than you and me, something bigger than our local churches; I’m calling on us to do something crazy – to allow God’s Holy Spirit to use us so that we truly may be a movement of God.

Results – Ed Stetzer has pointed out that “Mission is generally messy, and it creates friction.” What helps smooth the way and lessen the friction is a clear understanding of the desired results – the mission. This is not about us. This is about God and what he’s doing; his mission. Left to ourselves we tend to wander, to take our eyes off the goal. We all know people who are easily distracted by something shiny; maybe you’re secure enough to admit you are one. Local congregations can be that way, too. Being part of a denomination helps to keep each of us focused. The relationships we have with other pastors, congregational leaders, and even denominational leaders helps to keep us moving in the right direction, focused on the right things, and lessen the distractions, even good distractions. We all, individuals and churches, need accountability. Without a Global Ministries Commission reminding us of our need to reach out, that the world still needs the Good News, that there are still many unreached people groups, how many of us and our churches would slip into an “it’s all about our needs” mentality. The Great Commission starts at home, but Jesus said “make disciples of all nations.” That’s still true today and sometimes we all need to be reminded of that. I have tried in my preaching this past conference year to remind us all that our strategy of trying to get the people “in here” to get the people “out there” to come “in here” hasn’t worked. Jesus calls for the church is to be “out there;” to be the church “out there.”

We are “Evangelical.” We are people of the Good News. Paul wrote very simply in Acts 20:24, “My life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus – the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.” We aren’t evangelical because it’s the name on our letterhead or church sign; we’re evangelical because we are people of the Good News, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As Bishop Graham Cray of the Church of England exclaimed, “If you’re going to bring Good News, you darn well better be good news!” And what about our being “congregational”? I need to say, and I realize I’m probably stepping on toes here and maybe even fighting against history, but I have to say this: can we please get off the “congregational means that the congregation is in charge” bandwagon? “Congregational” isn’t about power; it’s about ministry. We’re “Congregational,” because that’s where the action is. We intentionally empower congregations to use their unique gifts and graces in their local setting. We endorse developing a local structure that fits the local context. Our neighborhoods, communities, culture, and the world are changed as normal followers of Jesus Christ live out transformed lives. We can work together within

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the denomination to give permission for local pastors, leaders and congregations can work together as a team within the larger context of their affinity, or area or region to be creative as they follow God’s leading and direction for ministry. That’s already a reality in the experience of Journey53, Restore Community, LifeTree Café, Grace Community, Willow Street with Grace, Millersville and others; and we need more.

We do not need more rules and creeds – we need recommitment to our covenantal relationship with each other and with God.

I see the Evangelical Congregational Church being a denomination that empowers churches and groups of churches to pursue the missio Dei – the mission of God – based on the needs in your community. We will provide the encouragement, the resources, and connections to help you do that.

I’m seeing more congregations, E.C. churches, like a Christian & Missionary Alliance church I visited in New Jersey. Rather than building large facilities or even planting a new church they have chosen to send out teams of 20-30 people into neighboring churches, even non-C&MA, in order to bless and encourage those congregations and help restore them to health and vitality.

I foresee large E.C. churches who are able to come alongside smaller congregations to resource and support healthy ministry in them.

I see large congregations blessing their communities in ways that only large ministries can. I see churches planting new churches. I anticipate groups of pastors meeting together regularly for prayer, fellowship and mutual

support. Pastoral and lay leaders praying and working together. Churches within a local area working together to support and give opportunities to pastoral

candidates and seminary students to receive practical experience while positively impacting the work of those churches.

The church and seminary working closely together to raise up the kind of leaders needed to minister in the 21st Century.

The Conference and regions providing ministry resources which impact the lives of men, women, youth and kids beyond the reach of an individual congregation.

I see a time when it is exciting to be E.C. again.

There is a vision for the future of the Evangelical Congregational Church – it is God’s vision, his will for us. We need to re-imagine the E.C. Church based on God’s will. A great place to start is by changing one word, actually one letter, in a question all of us have asked: instead of “What should the E.C. Church look like?” join me in asking “What could the E.C. Church look like?” To answer that question is to take a step in faith. Think of it this way. Gary, please hold this roll of pennies for me. Hold it tightly in your hand. Don’t open your hand. I’d like to give you this ten-dollar bill instead. How do you accept the $10 using only that hand? You have to open your hand and let go of the pennies. I believe there is a future for the Evangelical Congregational Church; but we must be willing to let go, to open our hands in order to receive the good things, the new things, the Lord wants to give us.

I am thankful for the heritage of the Evangelical Congregational Church. We are proudly Albright’s people. We were doing small groups (we called them classes) before any mega-church pastor was born. We strive to live out John Wesley’s favorite Bible verse, “What is important is faith expressing itself in love.” (Galatians 5:8 NLTse) We understand the importance of accountability and disciple-making that goes all the way back to the early church when Paul said “You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others” (2 Timothy 2:2 NLTse).

We respect the past; we honor the lives and ministries of generations of pastors and lay leaders, Bishops, District Superintendents, and Conference Ministers who have labored so faithfully for the Lord and his Kingdom; individuals who came together as a team to accomplish great things with God. I am thankful for those who are part of the current team I have the privilege to serve with: my wife, Gloria, as she graciously deals with the demands on her husband’s time and attention. Our Conference Ministers (Gary Brown, Gordy Lewis, and Gary Kuehner), Director of Global Ministries, Randy Sizemore, Pat Strain, in the GMC office, Kevin Henry, our Controller, and his business office staff, Shirley Long, Peggy Derr and Dave King; and my Administrative Assistant, Jodi Earhart, along with Office Manager, Brenda Long, and Pat Wolfe who are always helpful and encouraging. As a denomination we acknowledge our individual and corporate strengths and weaknesses, when we

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gained and when we have lost; recognizing our present reality, we embrace the future with the firm conviction that God is not done with this fellowship of churches yet.

Did you know the title song on the contemporary Christian group Casting Crowns’ latest album sounds strangely like our denominational Purpose Statement, “to know Christ and make him known”? Listen to the words of the chorus “Just to know you and to make you known, we lift your name on high. Shine like the sun made darkness run and hide. We know we were made for so much more than ordinary lives. It’s time for us to do more than just survive, we were made to shine. Joy unspeakable, faith unsinkable, love unstoppable, anything is possible. We were made to thrive” (Thrive by Casting Crowns).

We must open our hands, and our hearts, and our heads to what he is doing. It’s his work, his church, his mission. He is Lord and we must follow where he leads. Will you please join me in this adventure of faith? Will you join with me as, together, we open our hands to receive what God wants to bless us with and move forward in faith?

Rev. Bruce D. Hill

DELAWARE REGION CONFERENCE MINISTER REV. DR. GARY L. KUEHNER

Greetings in the precious name of Jesus! As I approach the end of my third year of service as a Conference Minister, I want to thank the conference, pastors, and churches for providing both the necessary prayer and financial support to enable me to fulfill what I believe is my God-given calling for this season of my life. I am convinced that I am exactly where God wants me to be and I am grateful to all of you for making this possible.

In the spring of 2014 I was officially evaluated. The concluding statement of the evaluation team was, “Keep doing what you’re doing.” The following is a summary of what I do and what I will keep doing.

My aspiration as a Conference Minister is to inspire, encourage, resource, and challenge pastors to be all that they can be for God. I do this by interacting with pastors face-to-face in one-on-one and small group settings and by communicating with pastors via phone calls, emails, and texts. I do this through scheduled meetings and on the spur of the moment when needs arise. I am pleased to say that I have been able to develop and maintain relationships of mutual trust and respect with an overwhelming majority of the pastors in the region.

I am also building relationships with lay leaders and other people in our local churches through visits to regional churches on Sunday mornings, District Ministry Team meetings, Official Board/Ministry Council meetings and PRC meetings. I have preached in a number of our regional churches and have several preaching engagements scheduled. If you would like to have me come and preach at your church, simply contact me to set a date. I am also available for a limited number of seminars, retreats, camp meetings, etc.

From a denominational standpoint I continue my involvement in all the Commissions, the Supervisory Committee, the Cabinet, the National Ministry Team, the Finance Committee, the Benefits Corporation, and most recently the Futures Initiative Team. My work on the Evangelism and Discipleship Commission has resulted in the formation of an Evangelism Committee which meets monthly to pray for a renewed passion for evangelism in the EC Church and discuss how this renewed passion can be realized. I continue leading a “turnaround church” affinity group, focusing on church health and revitalization. By the time we meet for National Conference, I will have completed church health assessment training through Natural Church Development. If you are interested in assessing the health of your church, please contact me or Gordy Lewis.

All of the Districts in the Delaware Region are meeting in one way or another. I continue to work toward the goal of having all district pastors meeting monthly to share their lives and pray together and having all District Ministry Teams meeting quarterly to support one another, build relationships, and engage in prayer. I want to commend the North East District for initiating a time

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of prayer for the host pastor at their monthly meetings. Each month the district meets in a different church and the meeting is concluded by laying hands on the host pastor and praying for him in the church sanctuary. I want to encourage all district pastors to practice this kind of prayer.

In the past I have made it a practice to end my report with a challenge and a word of encouragement. This year will be no different. I want to encourage and challenge our pastors to: 1) preach the gospel of Christ with gentleness and respect; 2) teach the Word of God with passion and boldness; and 3) love people with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. If you do these basic things well, you will be blessed and you will be a blessing to everyone God puts in your path.

Rev. Gary Kuehner

GREAT LAKES REGION CONFERENCE MINISTERREV. GARY BROWN

“…forgetting what lies behind and straining toward what lies ahead…” (Philippians 3:13b).

After decades as a pastor in five EC churches I was elected by the Western Conference as the Conference Superintendent for a four-year term to begin in 2000. I served my last year as pastor at Winnebago, Illinois in “shared ministry” as a part-time state superintendent for Illinois before taking office in July, 2000. On June 30, 2014 I will complete my allotted three terms and return to my first love, preaching the Bible to a local congregation every week. When the vision 20/20 process resulted in the merger of Western and Eastern Annual Conferences, my office morphed into what is now called Conference Minister. This office is a hybrid, not exactly superintendent, nor regional elder; the Conference Ministers and Bishop have become a leadership team for the whole denomination.

As I read over my eleven reports to National Conference 2003 to 2013, I was struck by how much change we have caused, or survived. With the election of Rev. Charles “Chuck” Campbell as my successor we move into a new era. I thank National Conference for retaining this pastoral office of administration on the field now called the Great Lakes Region.

My reports have taken various forms over the years but I seek to report my work based on the goals which grew out of my personal purpose and mission statements. I stated these as I began this work.

A PERSONAL PURPOSE STATEMENTI exist to form a bridge over which people can come together to God through Christ.

A PERSONAL MISSION STATEMENTTo relate to and to network people and their leaders so they connect to God forever through

Christ.Over these past years I have worked with five goals in mind. The first goal is healthy

churches. Raising the health level of local churches has meant various things at different times. I always try to teach healthy responses to anxiety and conflict. Our workshop on the Pastoral Relations Committee completed this spring across the church is an attempt to provide a necessary “immune system” in every congregation to handle the stresses we all face.

Another goal of my work was to raise up leaders. I expend much effort with future leaders. Every year I serve at Rock River Bible Camp in children and youth ministry. I have been active in the You Lead leadership development which has impacted dozens of high school youth over the years. I accompanied these young leaders on three mission trips to help expose them to leadership in a different culture. And I have worked at our Pastoral Assessment Center each year as new pastoral couples emerge to have their callings discovered and affirmed.

The goal of church planting in the GLR was expressed in my work with the restart at New Direction in Tallmadge, Ohio and the now-chartered church plant Maranatha in Highland Park, IL. I sit on the Church Planting Commission which gives oversight to this work. Ann and I accompanied Tim and Pam Ream at their Church Planters Boot Camp.

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Mobilizing pastors is another goal which has consumed much of my time. Healthy pastoral relationships with their congregations are my business. I have sought to deploy pastors in congregations where they can “fit” and everyone can “flourish.” Under this umbrella comes supervision, stationing, assessing, challenging, credentialing and generally walking alongside those men who lead us at the local level as shepherds. This corps of leaders are my heroes.

And my final goal has been to work at fostering fellowship in the EC network and beyond. We have tried to build relationships between pastors, regions, and churches. We host events to bring groups together socially.

I have appreciated working with other leaders, first in the Western Conference, then at the national level. They are my brothers and partners in the gospel. Thank you, Mike Sigman, Kevin Leibensperger, Fred Moury and Bruce Hill for giving us guidance and leading our team. Thank you, Gerry Baum, Fred Moury, Bruce Wagner, Gordy Lewis and Gary Kuehner for serving with me in the ministry of supervision.

During the year 2013-2014 I again preached in the churches, or visited each congregation. I led Local Conference in each church. I served as dean at Intermediate Camp at Rock River Bible Camp. I facilitated stationing at St. James, Dixon, IL, Canyon Falls, KY, Winnebago, IL. I served as assessor at Pastoral Assessment Center, and attended numerous meetings, by teleconference or in person in the areas of church health, church planting, finances, camps, supervision, credentialing and stationing.

Rev. Ken Schmoyer, pastor at Winnebago, IL, retired (“superannuated”) leaving that post to an interim who will become pastor, Dennis Buss. Rev. Don Howell also “superannuated” but will be staying as pastor at Clarks Mills, PA. Rev. Dirk Pogue, who continued to serve on staff at Christ Church in Highland Park, IL after their disaffiliation and merger, completed his years of service there in December. Rev. Thellon “Bill” Bryant stepped down as pastor at Canyon Falls, KY in September. Robert Dunbar has assumed the pastorate at St. James in Dixon, IL.

I wish to commend innovations at three churches in the region: The Community at New Direction in Tallmadge, Ohio came alongside a ministry in their town to help provide medical care to the needy and uninsured in their town. Delightful hosted the local fire department to thank them for their service to the community. Dixon, Bethel church stepped up to offer a creative partnership with the denomination by sharing their full time pastor (welcome Randy Sizemore to the Great Lakes Region) who continues as our Executive Director of Global Ministries Commission. A work team from Bethel church has offered their second year of service to the Canyon Falls, KY church. Akron, Ohio First EC Church celebrate ninety years of ministry May 25 of this year.

WEDDINGS David and Caren Carr celebrated two weddings of their children in one month in 2013. They

travelled to Africa to celebrate the September 15 wedding of their daughter Cassandra to Samuel Mawanda. The wedding of their son, Andrew Carr, pastor at Wedgewood EC Church, Youngstown, Ohio to Amber Fussellman of the Cottage Grove church in Akron, Ohio took place September 29 on Sunday morning! This had impact on EC churches from Illinois to Pennsylvania!

Tim and Pam Ream travelled to Colorado for the nuptials of daughter Rebekah to Eric DeFelice on June 15.

The Great Lakes Region celebrates in anticipation of the June 7 wedding of newly elected Conference Minister Chuck Campbell, with Annette Wells at Wedgewood Park EC church, her home congregation.

FAREWELLSIt is bittersweet to mark the deaths of many of the pastors and lay leaders of the Great Lakes

Region. Rev. Gerald Davison, of Warren, Ohio, June 23 Rev. Eddie Nelson, of Arizona, July 15 (aged 96) Rev. Maury “Preach” Friedlund, August 19 Rev. Keith Mong, living in Franklin, PA at his passing August 27 Ordained Deaconness Donna Baldt of Akron, Ohio, December 1 Rev. Harry Carmichael, Akron, Ohio, August 11 Mrs. Martha Moffatt, mother of Caren Carr, August 10. Bonnie Purnell, mother of Cheryl Mong, June 8.

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Reba Leader, missionary and lay delegate, Canyon Falls, KY, April 7.

We are not yet planning to retire and look forward to assuming a pastorate as I complete this work. My work on a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Northeastern Seminary is on track for 2015. Thank you so much for the privilege of serving in this position. You have truly made it a joy and not a burden!

Rev. Gary M. Brown

SUSQUEHANNA REGION CONFERENCE MINISTERREV. DR. GORDON R. LEWIS

Blessings and greetings in the wonderful name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. With the theme of this National Conference 2014 being that of “Connect”, I am reminded of the prayerful words of our Lord found in John 17:11b, “Holy Father, protect them by the power of Your Name, the Name You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one.” Add to that the words of our Lord from John 17:18, “As You sent Me into the world, I have sent them into the world.” There we have it . . . connect! Connect with the Father, connect with one another, and connect with those of the world. As far as I can tell, that includes everyone.

It is my belief that we do well in connecting with the Father. We do fairly well in connecting with one another. The area that we are least effective is that of connecting with those of our world. With that in mind, I have a few suggestions . . . or should I say challenges for pastors, delegates, and churches. We need to regain our first love with regard to telling others about the wonders of the love of Jesus Christ and the need for all to repent and be born-again. What does that entail? Well, from my perspective it is the following:

First things first . . . establish strong prayer connections within the church and proclaim the Word of God in all of its glory! Every congregation needs to have an individual who can be the prayer coordinator. This individual will initiate prayer for the advancement of God’s kingdom both within the local church, district, and the denomination, by making full use of the resources available through the Prayer Mobilization Team and Church Center.

Pastors need to reconnect with their members and non-members through visitation. I realize that this is something that some feel is no longer necessary, and yet those churches that are growing are those where the pastor takes the lead in knowing his congregation and community on an individual basis.

Each church needs to develop a “visitation team” to assist the pastor in the above process. No pastor can be a Lone Ranger. People continue to express the opinion that the people of the local church need to care for one another, as well as those outside the church building. Statistics still confirm the fact that most of those attending church do so, not because of the pastor visiting alone, but those within the congregation connecting with them relationally.

Each pastor and congregation needs to examine ways for “fresh expressions” of ministry to those who perhaps have been disenfranchised from the church, or who have never been part of a local church family. There are a countless number of ways that this can be done. Each pastor and concerned church member would do well to attend a “Fresh Expressions” seminar to visualize how to become more effective in reaching pre-Christians. This does not depend on the size of a congregation, but on the size of passion. Believe it or not, it is possible for several churches or a district to work together in this area.

Take advantage of the resources that are available in assisting ministry. Through Church Health, Evangelism and Discipleship, Church Planting, Global Ministries, Finance, Evangelical Seminary,

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StoneRidge Communities, our denominational Camping Ministries, Youth Network, Church Leadership, and many more . . . there are countless ways in which we can support you and the local church.

A few other items:

Rev. Curtis Heisler died as this report was being written. Rev. Heisler faithfully served the Lord at our Fishing Creek Trinity congregation since 1973. Let us also continue to pray for those families who within our family, have had someone who has passed on from life to eternal life. As of this writing, in the Susquehanna Region, Alexander Marks (son of Rev. Kirk Marks), Faye Jones (wife of Rev. Russel Jones), Alice New Parker (mother of Rev. Brian Parker) and Mary Jane Drupp (wife of Rev. George Drupp) have gone to their eternal home.

Retirement of Harry Dow. Rev. Dow has served the Lord faithfully with ministry among the Free Methodist before joining the E.C. family in 2002, where he pastored the congregation of our Lititz Trinity Church. Harry is commended for his service to the Lord and the Evangelical Congregational Church.

My desire is to concentrate on strengthening the districts within the Susquehanna Region. I admit this is one of my failures to this point, but hopefully will correct this in the coming year. Pastors and delegates will receive a questionnaire in the near future asking for input on the positives and negatives as to why or why not the districts are productive.

My speaking engagements for the coming year are going to be carefully regulated. Should you desire my involvement, I request that you contact me shortly.

I remind you of the resources through Natural Church Development. Currently Williams Valley Faith, Brownstown Ebenezer, Kinderhook, and Lenhartsville Salem, are involved in the NCD process. Should your church be interested, please let me know. Do not wait until you are in hospice to ask for revitalization. Each church should look to how they may become more effective by strengthening their minimal factor of health.

Continue to pray that I will serve the Lord and the denomination effectively. A number have asked what my prayer request is. Simply, it’s that the Lord will supply me with wisdom and understanding in doing His will among the pastors and their families, as well as our congregations.

Rev. Dr. Gordon R. Lewis

CONFERENCE HISTORIAN

Congregational Historians as of 3/27/14

Afolkey, Grace – Peiper, Barb Lenhartsville, Salem – Zimmerman, JenniferAkron, Cottage Grove – Renner, Matthew Lititz, Trinity – Reedy, RonAnnville, Zion – Hanley Maryann Mohnton, Zion – Phillippi, RebeccaBair, Faith – Stine, Chris Palmerton, Living Hope Lighthouse –

Sheckler, BethBangor, First United – Repsher, Mary Ann Palmyra, First – Walmer, DanielBethlehem, Arabic Living - Morrell, Lois Plymouth Meeting – Smith, LouiseCanton, First – Wilds, Dene Reedsville, Bethesda – Corby, AliceCanyon Falls – Guthery, Grace Reichs – Keller, RichardColumbia, Grace – Vondran, Lynn Rexmont – Sechrist, GeraldineCrossroads, Bethany – Neely, Violet Royersford, Trinity – Guest, PhyllisDixon, St. James – Pitzer, Frances Sch. Haven, Grace – Reed, J. DanielEast Weissport, People’s – Ogden, Rev. Ken Steelstown, St. John’s – Blauch, RobertFogelsville, Hope Community – Daneker, Sr. Rev. Robert

Trevorton, Emmanuel – Ross, Glen

Lancaster, Faith – Royer, Lawrence Williams Valley, Faith – Samuel, Rev. H.

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RobertLancaster, Trinity – Urban, John Willow Street, Grace Community – Myers,

DoloresLawn – Stoffel, Rev. William Winnebago, Evangelical Fellowship – Rowley,

JohnLebanon, First – Klopp, Sherri York, St. Paul – Boose, BeverlyLehighton, Bethany – Kokinda, Sandi

Rev. Gary Brown

NATIONAL CONFERENCE SECRETARY/CONFERENCE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The National Conference Secretary’s Report to this May 2014 session of National Conference includes the minutes of the two National Ministry Team meetings (omitting the documents listed as attached to the minutes) that took place this conference year and a summary of the National Executive Committee’s work in this past conference year.

The full minutes of all National Executive Committee and National Ministry Team meetings, including all of the supporting documents, are kept in the official National Conference Secretary files, currently housed at Reamstown St. Paul’s.

SUMMARY OF NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE WORK In accordance with responsibilities assigned to it by the Discipline and the National Conference

Rules, the Executive Committee of the National Conference continues to meet to monitor situations between Conference and National Ministry Team sessions and take action on emergency situations. The National Executive Committee is made up of the Bishop, the Vice-Chair of Conference (senior Conference Minister), the National Conference Secretary, and the National Conference Treasurer.

Over the last conference year, the National Executive Committee has been dealing with the following situations:

Property Issues The property of the former Amity Road EC Church in Ohio is in the hands of the National Conference

and is in the process of being sold. The property of the former Salem EC Church in Mahanoy City, PA, an extinct EC congregation, is in

the process of coming into National Conference ownership for eventual sale. The parsonage currently being used by the Great Lakes Region Conference Minister on Jarvis Road in

Green, Ohio will be sold after Gary Brown’s term ends. The NEC is overseeing several issues connected to this property in cooperation with the Controller’s office.

The NEC has overseen denominational support to the property transition resulting from the merger of our Millersville Grace church with Grace Community in Willow Street.

Personnel Matters The NEC reviewed plans for restructuring the Director of Global Ministries position into a shared

ministry position. The NEC recommended that NMT alter the Conference Minister election timeline to allow for a

shorter transition period. At its February 7th meeting, the NEC approved the recommendation of the Great Lakes Region

Conference Relations Committee for the immediate transfer of Rev. Donald Howells to superannuated status.

At its February 7th meeting, the NEC elected Rev. Richard Nahodil to fill the unexpired term of Rev. Douglas Evans as Delaware Region Stationing Elder until National Conference.

SUMMARY OF NATIONAL MINISTRY TEAM ACTIONS

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The National Ministry Team met for its regular fall meeting on October 24 th, 2013 (minutes attached). In summary, at that session the NMT approved a series of reports from various Conference committees and commissions, and adopted the budgets of the GMC and Church Planting Commission. It also approved the NEC recommendation to alter the Conference Minister election timeline to allow for a shorter transition period.

The National Ministry met for its regular spring meeting March 13 th, 2014 (minutes attached). In summary, at that session the NMT received a report from the Bishop regarding National Conference finances and adopted 2014 National Conference budget revisions as recommended by the Finance Committee. The NMT also adopted the Episcopacy Committee’s report on the Bishop’s evaluation. The NMT reviewed the application from our Japan Mission Conference to become a National Conference and unanimously recommended that action to National Conference. The NMT approved a report of the Futures Initiative Team and recommended a document entitled “The Church” for National Conference approval.

Minutes of the National Ministry Team MeetingOctober 24, 2013

Zinn Common of Evangelical Theological Seminary Center

Thursday, October 24, 2013 9:00 AM

Opening The National Ministry Team met in regular session on the above date. Bishop Bruce D. Hill opened the meeting by welcoming the delegates

Word & Prayer Rev. James Price, pastor of Zion EC Church, Mohnton presented the devotional message on Luke 11:37-53 on repentance and challenged us to search our hearts. Following a time of prayer requests Rev. Price led in prayer.

Announcement Bishop Hill announced that since the Conference Secretary, Rev. Kirk Marks was on a ministry leave following the death of his son, Jodi Earhart will be serving as Recording Secretary.

Attendance Each member of the NMT present introduced him or herself to the group and the secretary recorded the attendance (attached).

Minutes Bishop Hill presented the minutes from the March 14, 2013 NMT meeting (attached). On motion, the minutes were approved.

Bishop’s Report Bishop Bruce D. Hill vacated the chair, Rev. Gary Brown, National Conference vice-chairman, assumed the chair of the meeting. Bishop Hill presented his report, a written copy had been distributed in the report packet (attached). There was a time of questions and answers. On motion, the report was approved. Bishop Hill reassumed the chair for the meeting.

On motion, the NMT approves the Director of Global Ministries to enter into a shared ministries position. Randy will begin this shared ministry on January 1, 2014.

The National Ministry Team decided not to act on the resolution regarding Grace EC Church, Millersville at this time.

The National Ministry Team stood at recess for ten minutes.

NEC Bishop Hill presented the report of the National Executive Committee (attached).

On motion, the NMT adopts the recommendation that the time-line for the Susquehanna Region CM election be condensed to provide for a six month

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transition period. On motion, that all future CM elections be conducted according to a six-month transition guideline be referred to the Amendments Committee.

On motion, the report and the actions described in the report were adopted.

NC Treasurer Mrs. Debra Patterson, National Conference Treasurer, presented her report (attached). On motion, the treasurer’s report was adopted.

Housing Allowances

Mrs. Debra Patterson, National Conference Treasurer, presented the following housing allowance recommendations for National Conference church planters and related employees for 2014:

Rick Christman - $15,000 Pat Strain - $13,500 Gary Brown - $6,500 Bruce Hill - $18,000 Gordy Lewis - $20,000 Gary Kuehner - $15,600 Christ Bronico - $5,400 Dana Logan - $8,000

On motion, the recommendations were adopted.

Conference Services

Bishop Hill presented the National Conference Services Committee report including the proposed budget for 2014 (attached). The committee is not asking for an increase in the conference registration fee. On motion, the report was adopted.

On motion, the National Ministry Team stood at recess for lunch.

Thursday, October 24, 2013 12:45 PM

ETS Rev. Dr. Anthony Blair, President of the Evangelical Theological Seminary, presented a verbal report. Dr. Blair updated us on enrollment being down in the M.Div. program. He said the seminary needs to expand what they offer and where they offer it. He updated the NMT on the probable opening of a campus in Lancaster, PA. On motion, the report was adopted. Rev. Dr. Robert Mavis led in a time of prayer for ETS.

Episcopacy Committee

Rev. Marlin Lafferty, chairman of the Episcopacy Committee, presented this committee’s report (attached). On motion, the report was adopted.

Benefits Corporation

Mr. Kevin Henry, National Conference Controller, presented the report (attached) and answered some specific questions. On motion, the report was adopted. It was shared that we were thankful to Mr. David King, Benefits Administrator and Mr. Kevin Henry, Controller in helping us negotiate a health insurance plan with only a five (5) percent increase.

Amendments Committee

Mr. Trent Stehr, Chairman, reviewed the report (attached) including the time-line to be followed. On motion, the report was received.

L & I Committee Mr. Kevin Henry, National Conference Controller, presented this report (attached). On motion, the report was received.

Church Health Commission

Dr. Gary Kuehner presented the Church Health Commission’s report (attached). He gave some additional details on matters in the report. On motion, to receive the report was adopted.

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Church Planting Commission

Rev. Les Cool, Church Planting Associate, presented the Church Planting report and 2014 Budget (attached) and gave some verbal highlights. On motion, the Church Planting Commission’s report was adopted. On motion, the CPC 2014 budget was adopted.

GMC Rev. Randy Sizemore, Director of Global Ministries presented his report highlighting by the end of 2014 we will have deployed GMC teams to Liberia, Mexico, Japan, India and Nepal. Rev. Sizemore said by May 2014, Japan will be ready to be declared a National Conference. This will be our third National Conference. By 2016, Mexico will be our fourth National Conference. To date we have 29 missionary workers (units). On motion, the report was received. On motion, the GMC 2014 Financial Plan was adopted.

Evangelism &DiscipleshipCommission

Bishop Hill presented the report of the Evangelism and Discipleship Commission (attached) and gave some highlights. On motion, the report was received.

LeadershipCommission

Bishop Hill presented the report of the Leadership Commission (attached). He highlighted some changes in the Local Preachers Course of Study (now included in the Seminary’s Institute for Church Leadership) and the distribution of funding in student aid. The Lay Preacher will be required to take 8 core courses and 12 core courses for the Local Preacher certification. A question was asked about our military chaplains and same sex marriages. Bishop Hill reminded the NMT of the Resolution we passed at National Conference 2013. It was suggested since final approval of disciplinary amendments is still some time off, we should look at making this Resolution a Standing Rule of National Conference. Bishop Hill will work on that. Rev. Robert Brown, denominational endorser, led us in a time of prayer for our chaplains, seminary and United Methodist brothers and sisters who are struggling with this issue. On motion, the report was adopted.

Property Committee

Mr. Kevin Henry, Chairman, gave verbal updates on the Amity Road/Galloway, Mahanoy City, and Millersville properties. The Property Committee will oversee the Grace EC Millersville property. On motion, the report was received.

Lawsuit Updates Bishop Hill gave verbal updates of lawsuits or potential suits for information.

FIT Rev. Les Cool, co-chair of the Future’s Initiative, presented this report (attached) and gave some verbal highlights. There are 4 new members added to the team since National Conference. Les and Bishop Hill answered a number of questions arising from the report. On motion, the report was received. On motion in light of the recently received critique of the Ecclesiology Statement and a desire to refer to Jesus as “Jesus Christ” throughout the document, the NTM referred the Statement back to the Ecclesiology Work Group to review it. On motion, the report was received.

GLR-CMNominating

Rev. Bruce D. Hill, Bishop, gave a verbal report of the progress of the committee. There are two pastors who applied for the position. The committee will now begin the interview process. The beginning of December the names of those on the ballot will be announced. A special meeting of the Region will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2014 at 10:00 AM (Eastern Time) for the purpose of electing a new Conference Minister. The main meeting will take place in Lakeside EC Church, Transfer, PA and will be video-cast live to Bethel EC Church, Dixon, IL for the National Conference members living in that area. A set of tellers will be at both locations. On motion the report was received.

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Evaluation Committees

The Bishop announced that two Evaluation Committees need to be formed: one to evaluate the Bishop and one for the Delaware Region Conference Minister. According to the Rules of Conference the Bishop shall form the CM committee and the NMT shall oversee the Bishop’s evaluation. On motion, the NMT will have the Episcopacy Committee serve as the Bishop’s evaluation committee.

District News A number of district representatives gave reports on various district level ministries and activities that are planned for the upcoming months.

Bishop Hill closed the National Ministry Team in a word of prayer.

Upcoming Meetings

Upcoming National Ministry Team meeting is scheduled for March 13, 2014.

On motion, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,Mrs. Jodi Earhart, Secretary Pro-Tem

Minutes of the National Ministry Team MeetingSpring 2014

Zinn Common of Evangelical Theological Seminary Center

Thursday, March 13, 2014 9:00 AM

Opening The National Ministry Team met in regular session on the above date. Bishop Bruce D. Hill opened the meeting by welcoming the delegates

Word & Prayer Rev. Gary Brown, the National Conference Vice-Chairman and the Conference Minister for the Great Lakes Region, offered the opening devotional message from Numbers 13 and Hebrews 10.

Attendance Each present member of the NMT introduced him or herself to the group and the secretary recorded the attendance (attached).

Minutes Rev. Kirk Marks, National Conference Secretary, presented the minutes from the October 24, 2013 NMT meeting (attached) and expressed appreciation to Jodi Earhart who served as Secretary Pro-Tem and prepared those minutes. On motion, these minutes stood approved.

Bishop’s Report Bishop Bruce D. Hill vacated the chair, Rev. Gary Brown, National Conference Vice-Chairman, assumed the chair of the meeting. Bishop Hill presented his report and a written copy was distributed (attached). On motion, the report was approved. Bishop Hill reassumed the chair for the meeting.

On motion, the NMT approves the Director of Global Ministries to enter into a shared ministries position. Randy will begin this shared ministry on January 1, 2014.

The National Ministry Team decided not to act on the resolution regarding Grace EC Church, Millersville at this time.

NEC The Secretary presented the report of the National Executive Committee (attached). A spelling error in the report was noted and corrected. On motion, the report as corrected was approved.

NC Treasurer Mrs. Debra Patterson, National Conference Treasurer, presented her report

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(attached). She also called attention to the EC Leader, in which reminders of items due to Conference are printed. She reported that the Bishop has also been describing the value and use of Ministry Funds in articles in that publication. On motion, the treasurer’s report was adopted.

On motion, the NMT approved a recommendation from the Conference Treasurer to approve the request of Rev. Chuck Campbell, incoming Great Lakes Conference Minister, to designate $20,000 of his salary as housing allowance.

On motion, the NMT approved revisions to the 2014 National Conference budget as recommended by the Finance Committee (attached).

Episcopacy Committee

Rev. Marlin Lafferty, chairman of the Episcopacy Committee, presented this committee’s report entitled “The Evaluation of the Bishop” (attached). Bishop Hill explained that it is the responsibility of the NMT to oversee the evaluation of the Bishop in the third year of the bishop’s term. At the last NMT meeting the team assigned this responsibility to the Episcopacy Committee. Rev. Lafferty briefly described the process and gave highlights of the report document. On motion, the report was adopted.

L & I Committee Mr. Kevin Henry, National Conference Controller, presented the report of the Loan and Investment Committee (attached). On motion, the report was approved.

Church Health Commission

Rev. Gary Kuehner, chair of the Church Health Commission, presented this report (attached). On motion, the report was adopted.

GMC Rev. Randy Sizemore, Director of Global Ministries, presented his report (attached). He gave some highlights of his new schedule in the new shared ministry arrangement. On motion, the report was adopted. Rev. Sizemore presented a document outlining a proposal that Japan be granted National Conference status.

On motion, the NMT recommended that, based on Japan’s application and recommendation of the Global Ministries Commission, the National Conference (USA) declare our current Mission Conference in Japan to be a National Conference: The Evangelical Congregational Church of Japan.

On motion, the National Ministry Team stood at recess for lunch.

Thursday, March 13, 2014 1:00 PM

ETS The session reconvened and Dr. Tony Blair, President of the Evangelical Theological Seminary, brought greetings and gave an update on the work of the seminary.

Church PlantingCommission

Rev. Leslie Cool, Church Planting Associate, presented the report of the Church Planting Commission (attached). He gave some verbal updates on church planting. On motion, the report was adopted.

LeadershipCommission

Bishop Hill presented the report of the Leadership Commission (attached). On motion the report was adopted.

BenefitsCorporation

Mr. Kevin Henry, National Conference Controller, presented a verbal report. He also announced that there will be three “benefit conferences” coming up to further resource our pastors and retirees. On motion, the report was adopted.

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National Conference

Preview

Bishop Hill gave a description of his plans for National Conference this year. The theme of this year’s conference will be Connect based on 1 Thessalonians 2:8. In place of an outside speaker, stories about good things taking place in our churches will be presented.

FIT Bishop Hill and Rev. Leslie Cool, co-chairs of the Futures Initiative Team, presented a report for the Futures Initiative Team (attached) which includes a revised ecclesiology statement entitled “The Church”. On motion, the report was adopted.

On motion, the document “The Church” was approved and recommended to National Conference for final approval.

Supervisory Rev. Gary Kuehner, secretary of the Supervisory Committee, presented a written document that outlines a rule change the Supervisory Committee is recommending to National Conference. This recommendation will change the makeup of the voting membership of the National Ministry Team.

District News Several members shared news from their churches and districts.

Upcoming Meetings

Upcoming National Ministry Team meetings are scheduled for October 23, 2014, March 12, 2015, and October 22, 2015.

On motion, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,Rev. Kirk R. Marks,National Conference Secretary

NATIONAL CONFERENCE TREASURER

On December 31, 2013 the National Conference (NC) recorded an unaudited net decrease in net assets of $27,000 and a decrease of cash of $12,000. Ministry funds ended the year $103,000 under budget and $73,000 under YTD actual December 2012. On the positive side expenses are also under budget by $16,000 and $51,000 under YTD December 2012., excluding the pension FASB adjustment. Overall, the NC had a down year financially with continued negative pressure on the future financial health of the denomination.

It is expected with the loss of Millersville EC, Martindale EC, and Allentown Seibert EC during 2013 that ministry funds will continue to decline into 2014. The $12,000 decrease in cash would have been greater if not for the appropriations paid back from Cedarville EC, Martindale EC and Allentown Seibert EC totaling $23,000 and a $20,000 transfer in from the L&I Fund. Excluding these items, cash would have decreased $55,000 for the year. While it can be said that the excess in the L&I Fund should be used to fund NC operations, it is also true that spending by the NC is being suppressed which is limiting cash decreases.

National Conference administration and staff are consciously aware of spending and are being proactive with cost control. Salary increases for denominational leadership and the Church Center staff have been under the recommendations of the Pastoral Compensation Committee for the past two years, repairs and improvements to the Church Center building are being deferred, three full time NC staff members are receiving health insurance from their spouses and restructuring of the business office has eliminated a part time position. Moving into 2014 the NC is expected to experience $6,000 to $8,000 in further cost reductions with a change in telephone service providers and reduced rates on a photocopier lease. Further cost reductions are going to have diminishing

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returns to the financial health of the denomination. A structural realignment of costs is necessary to stabilize the financial health of the National Conference.

I understand local churches are under similar financial pressures and are also suppressing salaries and benefits and deferring building maintenance to minimize their costs. The NC is actively pursuing strategies to realign resources to effectively position the denomination for ministry in the 21st century as well as ease the financial burden on the local church.

Debra Patterson

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

To the National Conference ofThe Evangelical Congregational ChurchMyerstown, Pennsylvania

Report on the Financial StatementsWe have audited the accompanying financial statements of The National Conference of the Evangelical Congregational Church (a nonprofit organization), which comprise the statement of financial position as of December 31, 2013, and the related statements of activities and cash flows for the year then ended, and the related notes to the financial statements.

Management’s Responsibility for the Financial StatementsManagement is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; this includes the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditor’s ResponsibilityOur responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United State of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

OpinionIn our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The National Conference of the Evangelical Congregational Church as of December 31, 2013, and the changes in its net assets and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Sec. 5 -Pg. 19


Other MatterOur audit was conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the financial statements as a whole. The combining schedules on page 17-19 are presented for purposes of additional analysis and are not a required part of the financial statements. Such information is the responsibility of management and was derived from and relates directly to the underlying accounting and other records used to prepare the financial statements. The information has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the financial statements and certain additional procedures, including comparing and reconciling such information directly to the underlying accounting and other records used to prepare the financial statements generally accepted in the United States of America. In our opinion the information is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the financial statements as a whole.

May 21, 2014 Hamilton & Musser, P.C.Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania Certified Public Accountants

Statement of Financial PositionDecember 31, 2013

AssetsCash and Cash Equivalents $ 453,008Investments (Note 2)

Unrestricted 6,052,399 Temporarily Restricted 820,015

Accounts Receivable 20,524Notes Receivable (Note 3) 193,446Loans Receivable (Note 4) 3,108,469Student Aid Loans Receivable (Note 5) 63,242Accrued Interest Receivable (Note 4) 52,044Inventory 11,566

Prepaid Expenses 39,793 Property held for Resale 520,000

Fixed Assets, Net (Note 6) 393,215

Total Assets $11,727,721

LiabilitiesAccounts Payable $

37,225Accrued Expenses 24,265District Liabilities 2,368Certificates of Indebtedness (Note 7) 5,801,400Annuities Payable (Note 12) 48,982Liability for Pension Benefits (Note 9) 529,91

8

Total Liabilities 6,444,15 8

Net AssetsUnrestricted 4,463,548Temporarily Restricted (Note 8) 820,01

Sec. 5 -Pg. 20


5

Total Net Assets 5,283,56 3

Total Liabilities and Net Assets $11,727,721

Statement of ActivitiesFor the Year Ended December 31, 2013

Unrestricted TemporarilyRestricted

Total

RevenueMinistry Funds $ 1,134,532 $ --- $ 1,134,532Registrations 45,362 --- 45,362Ministry Aids 25,540 --- 25,540Board of Pensions

Hospitalization 204,607 --- 204,607Pension 83,342 --- 83,342

Interest Income on Loans Receivable (Note 4)

139,061 --- 139,061

Investment Income (Note 2) 195.342 --- 195,342Special Offerings 241,258 --- 241,258Other/Miscellaneous 231,531 --- 231,531Support --- 1,332,549 1,332,549Other Offerings and Funds --- 23,589 23,589Release from Restrictions 1,379,850 (1,379,850) ---

Total Revenue 3,680,425 (23,712) 3,656,713

ExpensesProgram Services 2,458,094 --- 2,458,094Supporting Services

Management and General 1,172,706 --- 1,172,706

Total Expenses 3,630,800 --- 3,630,800

Change in Net Assets 49,625 (23,712) 2549134

Net Assets, Beginning of Year 4,263,818 905,920 5,169,738Net Asset Reclassification (Note 16) 62,193 (62,193)FAS 158 Adjustment – Pension Plan (Note 9) 87,912 --- 87,912

Net Assets, End of Year $ 4,463,548 $ 820,015 $ 5,283,563

Statement of Cash FlowsFor the Year Ended December 31, 2012

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:Change in Net Assets $ 25,913Adjustment to Reconcile Change in Net Assets to Net Cash and Cash Equivalents Provided by Operating Activities:

Sec. 5 -Pg. 21


Depreciation 43,370Loan Receivable Forgiveness 74,060Unrealized Loss on Investments 175,452Realized Gain on Sale of Investments (55,714)FAS 158 Adjustment 87,912(Increase) Decrease in:

Accounts Receivable (11,322)Accrued Interest Receivable 16,625Prepaid Expenses (2,244)

Increase (Decrease) in:Accounts Payable 21,197Accrued Expenses (42,960)District Liabilities 397Charitable Gift Annuities (5,146)Liability for Pension Benefits (87,912)

Net Cash and Cash Equivalents Provided by Operating Activities

239,628

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:Purchases of Investments (3,064,647)Proceeds from Sale of Investments 2,751,374Purchase of Fixed Assets (1,895)Payments on Notes Receivable 4,525Payments on Loans Receivable 726,896New Loans Receivable (276,458)New Student Aid Loans Receivable (25,486)

Net Cash and Cash Equivalents Provided by Investing Activities

114,309

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:Return of Capital on Certificates of Indebtedness (388,000)

Net Cash and Cash Equivalent Used by Financing Activities

(388,000)

Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents (34,063)

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of the Year 487,071

Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year 453,008

Supplement Cash Flow Disclosures:Cash Paid for Interest 156,805Cash Paid for Income Taxes ---

Notes to Financial StatementsFor the Year Ended December 31, 2013

NOTE 1 NATURE OF ACTIVITIES AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Activities:The Evangelical Congregational Church was incorporated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on May 5, 1933 as a non-profit organization. On May 27, 2003, the General Conference, Eastern

Sec. 5 -Pg. 22


Conference, Western Conference and the Division of Missions all merged and became the National Conference of the Evangelical Congregational Church (the National Conference). The National Conference is supported by contributions from our churches and individuals. It is made up of various Commissions that provide resources and support to our various ministries. Numerous ministries of the Evangelical Congregational Church are affiliated but separately incorporated, and are operated independently. These affiliates include the Evangelical Theological Seminary, Twin Pines Camp, the Evangelical Congregational Church Historical Society, New Dawn Christian Community Services (NDCCS), and the Evangelical Congregational Church Benefits Corporation. Voting members of the National Conference of the Evangelical Congregational Church elect Trustees who comprise at least fifty percent of each of the respective Boards. In addition, Camp ECCO and the Rock River Bible Camp, two affiliated camping ministries, are also separately incorporated but elect their own Trustees at the local church level. These financial statements do not include any financial information related to any of these affiliates.

Basis of Accounting:The financial statements of the National Conference have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting and, accordingly, reflect all significant receivables, payables and other liabilities.

Basis of Presentation:Financial statement presentation follows the Not-for-Profit Entities topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) which requires the National Conference to report information regarding its financial position and activities according to three classes of net assets: unrestricted net assets, temporarily restricted net assets, and permanently restricted net assets. The National Conference had no permanently restricted net assets.

Revenue Recognition:Contributions received are recorded as increases in unrestricted, temporarily restricted, or permanently restricted net assets, depending on the existence and/or nature of any donor restrictions.

All donor-restricted contributions are reported as increases in temporarily or permanently restricted net asset depending on the nature of the restriction. When a restriction expires (that is, when a stipulated time restriction ends or purpose restriction is accomplished), temporarily restricted net assets are reclassified to unrestricted net assets and reported in the Statement of Activities as net assets released from restrictions. The National Conference had no permanently restricted net assets.

Programs:In order to ensure observance of the limitations and restrictions placed on the use of the resources available to the National Conference, the accounts are grouped into and maintained in programs.

The programs maintained by the National Conference are as follows:

Commission on Evangelism/Discipleship - provides evangelistic and outreach resources to our pastors and congregations.

Commission on Church Health - provides ministry support and diagnostic tools that enable our churches to renew their health as congregations.

Commission on Leadership - provides for the training of our pastors and the assessing of men desiring to pastor one of our congregations.

Commission on Church Planting - provides supervision, training, and encouragement to our current church plants and encouragement to our existing congregations to become involved.Global Ministries Commission - provides for the supervision, training, and support of our missionaries.

Sec. 5 -Pg. 23


Camps - provides camping opportunities in a Christian environment for all ages.

Fixed Assets:It is the policy of the National Conference to record purchased fixed assets at cost and donated assets at their fair value at the date of donation. Depreciation is provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.

New acquisitions of fixed assets having a low acquisition cost, or which are not expected to last for more than a year, are expended in the year of acquisition. Repairs and maintenance charges are capitalized and depreciated when they materially extend the useful life of the related asset.

Taxation:The National Conference is exempt from Federal Income Tax as provided by Code Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donors are entitled to deductions for Federal Income Tax purposes for contributions made to the National Conference in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, no income tax is incurred unless the National Conference earns income considered to be unrelated business income. The National Conference conducted no activities that were subject to income taxes.

Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require management to evaluate tax positions taken by the National Conference. Management evaluated the tax positions taken and concluded that the National Conference had taken no uncertain tax positions that require recognition or disclosure in the financial statements. No provision or benefit for income taxes has been included in these financial statements. With few exceptions, the National Conference is no longer subject to income tax examinations by the U.S. federal, state or local tax authorities for years before December 31, 2010.

Investments:Investments are valued at their fair market values on a recurring basis in the Statement of Financial

Position.

Fair Value Reporting requires an establishment of a hierarchy that ranks the quality and reliability of inputs, or assumptions, used in the determination of fair value and requires financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value to be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilitiesLevel 2 – Directly or indirectly observable inputs other than Level 1 quoted pricesLevel 3 – Unobservable inputs not corroborated by market data

For investments that have quoted market prices in active markets, the National Conference uses the quoted market prices as fair values and includes those investments in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. When quoted market prices in active markets are not available, various pricing services are used to determine fair value of investments that are included in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Level 3 represents financial assets whose fair value is determined based upon inputs that are unobservable and include the National Conference’s own determinations of the assumptions that a market participant would use in pricing the asset.

Investment income, including realized and unrealized gains restricted by donors, is reported as an increase in unrestricted net assets if the restrictions are met (either a stipulated time period or a purpose restriction is accomplished) in the reporting period in which the income and gains are recognized.

Investments are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, market and credit. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investments and the level of uncertainty related to changes in the value of investments, it is at least reasonably possible changes in risks in the near term would materially affect investment assets reported in the Statements of Financial Position and Activities.

Sec. 5 -Pg. 24


Inventory:Inventories consist of materials held for resale. These items are valued at the lower of cost or market on a first-in, first-out basis.

Contributed Services:The National Conference receives a substantial amount of donated services in carrying out the various ministries of the National Conference. No amounts have been reflected in the financial statements for those services since they do not meet the criteria for recognition.

Use of Estimates:The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates.

Accounts Receivable:Accounts receivable are stated at the amount management expects to collect from balances outstanding at year-end. Based on management’s assessment of outstanding balances, it has concluded that losses on balances outstanding at year-end will be immaterial.

Notes Receivable:Notes receivable are stated at the amount management expects to collect from balances outstanding at year-end. Based on management’s assessment of outstanding balances, it has concluded that losses on balances outstanding at year-end will be immaterial.

Property Held for ResaleProperty held for resale consists of parsonage properties held for resale. The properties are valued at fair value at the date of contribution or transfer.

Cash and Cash EquivalentsFor purposes of the Statement of Cash Flows, cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with an initial maturity date of three months or less.

NOTE 2 INVESTMENTS

Investments are summarized as follows at December 31, 2013

Cost Market Value

Equities $ 11,695 $ 7,906Corporate Bonds 430,000 476,650Corporate Mortgage Backed Securities 318,469 288,126Mutual Funds 1,937,497 1,863,712Preferreds/Fixed Rate Cap Secs 732,007 709,605Unit Investment Funds 3,678,470 3,526,415

$ 7,108,138 $ 6,872,41

Fair Value Measurements are summarized as follows at December 31, 2012:

Quoted Prices inActive Markets

forIdentical Assets

(Level 1)

Significant Observable

Inputs(Level 2)

Total

Sec. 5 -Pg. 25


Equities $ 7,906 $ --- $ 7,906Corporate Bonds --- 476,650 476,650Corporate Mortgage Backed Securities

--- 288,126 288,126

Mutual Funds 1,863,712 --- 1,863,712Preferreds/Fixed Rate Cap Secs --- 709,605 709,605Unit Investment Trusts --- 3,526,415 3,526,415

Total $ 1,871,618 $ 5,000,796 $ 6,872,414

Investment income for the year ended December 31, 2013 is summarized as follows:

Interest and Dividends $ 315,080Realized Gain on Sale of Investments 55,714Unrealized Loss on Investments (175,452)

Total Investment Income $ 195,342

NOTES 3 NOTES RECEIVABLE

Notes receivable are summarized as follows at December 31, 2013:

Remaining Term Interest Rate Amount

Iglesia Buenas Nuevas Undefined None $ 19,500Clarion E.C. Church Undefined None 147,600Edwin & Marisel Mieses 6 years 5.0% 16,059Bethesda Temple 5 years 4.25% 10,287

Total Notes Receivable $193,446

NOTE 4 LOANS RECEIVABLE

Loans receivable are summarized as follows at December 31, 2013:

4.00% Loans Receivable $ 234,377Investment Pool Loans Receivable

2,874,092

Total Loans Receivable $ 3,108,469

The 4.00% loans receivable are loans due from member churches. These loans are interest only loans, at a rate of 4.00% (as of July 1, 2013), for the first five years of repayment. After the first five years, 20% of the original principal is due each anniversary date for the next five years until the loan is repaid in full.

The Investment Pool loans receivable are loans due from member churches. The interest rate charged on the loans is set by the Loan and Investment Committee. The current interest rate charged on the loans is 3.75% (as of July 1, 2013), but can be changed by action of the Loan and Investment Committee. Loans that originated prior to October 1, 2004 do not have a principal repayment schedule and principal payments are at the discretion of the borrower. Loans that originated after October 1, 2004 have a set principal repayment schedule.

Sec. 5 -Pg. 26


During 2009, the National Conference eliminated the option to make interest-only payments. All of the loans now have a set principal repayment schedule with the exception of two that are still operating under the original interest-only agreement.

The majority of the loans are secured by mortgages or liens. Accrued interest on these loans receivable was $52,044 at December 31, 2013.

Interest income from the notes receivable at December 31, 2013 was $139,061.

NOTE 5 STUDENT AID LOANS RECEIVABLE

Approved candidates and licensed and ordained ministers who are pursuing their ministerial training in either college or seminary are eligible for student aid loans. Student aid is granted to seminary students attending the Evangelical Theological Seminary unless granted permission to attend some other theological institution by the Conference Relations Committee. Aid will be considered upon receipt of the application and the signed statement for the release of grades and current credit hour totals from the institution last attended. Loans for theological training are granted for a maximum of ninety-six semester hours. A cumulative grade level of 2.5 must be maintained. A student may not fall below a 2.5 grade level for two successive semesters or they lose the opportunity for more aid.

The amount of the student aid is determined by the total student aid offering received which together with the Evangelical Theological Seminary scholarship interest forms the student aid fund.

The loans will be repaid by the student to the National Conference as follows:

The National Conference will credit the seminary student as repayment one year of full-time service in the Evangelical Congregational Church for every sixteen credit hours, or fraction thereof, of aid given. Student payments and credits shall be applied first to the earliest sums received as aid.

The full balance of said sum shall be repaid in monthly installments within ten years of completing the course of study if any of the following events occur: (1) whenever the student disaffiliates from the Evangelical Congregational Church; (2) whenever the student ceases to be in full-time service and returns his ministerial credentials though he may remain as a member of the Evangelical Congregational Church; (3) whenever the student ceases to be in full-time service, retains his credentials but does not return to full-time service within two years.

Interest at the rate of 6.00% per annum from the date of receipt by the student shall begin to run on the unpaid balance upon the occurrence of the earliest of any of the events set forth in the above statement.

The balance of student aid loans receivable as of December 31, 2013 was $63,242.

NOTE 6 FIXED ASSETSFixed assets are summarized as follows at December 31, 2013:

Land $ 32,491Buildings and Improvements 695,845Furniture and Equipment 211,645Automobiles 108,494

1,048,475Less: Accumulated Depreciation (655,260)

Fixed Assets, Net $ 393,215

Sec. 5 -Pg. 27


The estimated useful lives for purpose of computing depreciation are as follows:Buildings and Improvements 15-39 yearsFurniture and Equipment 5-10 yearsAutomobiles 3-5 years

Depreciation expense for the year ended December 31, 2013 was $43,370.

NOTE 7 CERTICIATES OF INDEBTEDNESSThe National Conference holds certificates of indebtedness from individuals and churches of the Evangelical Congregational Church. On July 1, 2013, the interest rate paid changed to 1.75% and is paid semiannually on their investments. There is no repayment schedule for these certificates, and the investors can redeem their certificates at any time and will receive payment from the National Conference within ninety days. The balance of these certificates at December 31, 2013 was $5,801,400.

Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2013 was $156,805.

NOTE 8 TEMPORARILY RESTRICTED NET ASSETSTemporarily restricted net assets at December 31, 2012 are available for the following purposes:

Commission on Church Planting 161,621Missionaries and Missions Projects 658,394

Total Temporarily Restricted Net Assets $ 820,015

NOTE 9 PENSION PLANThe National Conference Defined Benefit Plan was frozen in 1999, not allowing any additional participants to be added to the plan since that date. At December 31, 2013 the plan had 40 remaining participants.

The annual measurement date is December 31 for the pension benefits. The following tables provide further information about the National Conference’s pension plan:Obligations and Funded Status for 2013:

Benefit Obligation at December 31, 2013 $ 529,918

Fair Value of Plan Assets at December 31, 2013 ---Employer Contributions 81,172Actual Return on Assets ---Benefit Payments (81,172)

Fair Value of Plan Assets at December 31, 2013 ---

Net Unfunded Status of the Plan at December 31, 2013 $ 529,918

The net periodic benefit cost recognized in the change in net assets for the year ended December 31, 2013 is $23,245.

The 2013 pension-related changes other than net periodic pension cost, reported as an increase in unrestricted net assets on the Statement of Activities, are $87,912.

Assumptions:Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to DetermineBenefit Obligations at December 31, 2013

Sec. 5 -Pg. 28


Discount Rate 4.95%Rate of Compensation Increase 0.00%

Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Net Periodic Benefit Cost for Years Ended December 31, 2012

Discount Rate 4.95%Expected Return on Plan Assets N/ARate of Compensation Increase 0.00%

The National Conference’s expected rate on plan assets is determined by the plan assets’ historical long-term investment performance, current asset allocation, and estimates of future long-term returns by asset class.

Estimated Future Benefit Payments:

The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid:2014 75,9922015 71,0442016 66,0082017 60,9462018 55,905Years 2019-2023 207,684

Total $ 537,579

NOTE 10 CONCENTRATED CREDIT RISKFinancial instruments that potentially subject the National Conference to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents held with financial institutions. Accounts at financial institutions are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to $250,000 per institution. An account at a financial institution exceeded the insurance obtained through the FDIC. The amount in excess was $105,298 at December 31, 2013.

NOTE 11 LEASE COMMITMENTIn September 2010, the National Conference entered into a 48-month lease for a copier with monthly payments of $708. Minimum future lease payments under the agreement are as follows:

2014 6,372

Total Minimum Future Lease Payments $ 6,372

Lease expense related to this lease for the year ended December 31, 2013 was $9,680.

In October 2010, the National Conference entered into a 66-month lease for a postage meter with quarterly payments of $1,455. Minimum future lease payments under the agreement are as follows:

2014 5,8202015 5,8202016 1,455


Lease expense related to this lease for the year ended December 31, 2013 was $6,631

In October 2011, the National Conference entered into a 60-month lease for a copier with a monthly payment of $513. Minimum future lease payments under the agreement are as follows:

Sec. 5 -Pg. 29


2014 6,1502015 6,1502016 4,613


Lease expense related to this lease for the year ended December 31, 2013 was $6,150.

NOTE 12 CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITIESIndividuals can purchase charitable gift annuities from the National Conference. Each annuity purchased allows the annuitant to receive periodic payments (quarterly or semi-annually) for the reminder of their life from the National Conference. These annuities are recorded at the present value of the projected annuity payments as a liability on the Statement of Financial Position. The present value is calculated using a discount rate of 1.6% and applicable mortality tables. The net change in the present value $662 is recorded each year as revenue on the Statement of Activities. The present value of these annuities at December 31, 2013 is $48,982.

NOTE 13 LOAN LOSS RESERVEAs of December 31, 2013, there were no loan loss reserves recorded for any outstanding loans. The Loan and Investment Committee meets on a quarterly basis and reviews the loan status of each debtor church. If questions arise from a committee member on the health of a particular church, those questions are directed to the Conference Minister who oversees the churches in their region and would have knowledge of any issues or problems within the church.

According to the Creed, Ritual and Discipline of the Evangelical Congregational Church, all property of closed churches is automatically transferred to the National Conference, at which time the National Conference may initiate a church restart, church plant, rent the property to another denomination or sell the property. If a church restart or church plant is initiated, the new church will assume the debt of the former church. If the church property is rented, the rental income is given to the Loan and Investment Fund as debt payment, of if the church property is sold, the Loan and Investment Fund is repaid from the proceeds. Current policy is that all loans $50,000 or greater are secured by a lien on the property on file with the local county recorder of deeds office. The maximum loan of any church may assume from the Loan and Investment Committee is $500,000.

If it appears that the church may close, the board compares the loan balance against a possible market value of the property and determines any possible exposure. A bad debt reserve would be recorded for the amount of the debt that is greater than the market value of the property. There must be a majority vote of approval by the board members to pass a resolution to write-off a loan.

Loans are considered delinquent if no payments are received 90 days after the due date.

There are no loans on non-accrual status at December 31, 2013. However, three loans totaling $118,626 were delinquent greater than 90 days at December 31, 2013. Management does not believe that these delinquencies will cause any loan losses.

NOTE 14 AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONThe National Conference receives all of the benefit payments during the year. The National Conference then pays money out to the Evangelical Congregational Church Benefits Corporation. The National Conference paid $465,424 to the Benefits Corporation during the year ended December 31, 2013. There was no amount owed to the Benefits Corporation as of December 31, 2013.

The National Conference contracted with NDCCS for IT services. The National Conference paid $5,000 to NDCCS during the year ended December 31, 2013. There was no amount owed to NDCCS as of December 31, 2013.

The Evangelical Theological Seminary contracted with the National Conference for the National Conference to provide administrative services to the Seminary. The Seminary paid $72,356 for these services during the year ended December 31, 2013. There was no amount owed to the National Conference as of December 31, 2013.

NOTE 15 LOAN AND INVESTMENT COMMITTEESec. 5 -Pg. 30


The National Conference through its Loan and Investment Committee borrows money from individuals and organizations having an interest in the National Conference to be used by the National Conference to loan to churches for building of new structures and rehabilitation of existing structures. The National Conference issues Certificates of Indebtedness to the lenders. These Certificates are subject to registration with the Pennsylvania Securities Commission. No new Certificates have been issued since March of 2007.

NOTE 16 NET ASSET RECLASSIFICATIONDuring 2013, management determined that $62,193 which was previously reported as temporarily restricted net assets should have been reported as unrestricted net assets. These changes are reflected on the Statement of Activities as an adjustment to the beginning balances of temporarily restricted and unrestricted net assets.

NOTE 15 SUBSEQUENT EVENTSSubsequent events have been evaluated through May 21, 2014, which is the date the financial statements were available to be issued.

Combining Schedule of Financial Position by FundDecember 31, 2013

General Fund

Global Ministrie

s

Investment Fund

Church Planting

Com.

ECCRV

Salaries

ECC Endowment Fund

Eliminations

Total

AssetsCash & Cash Equivalents

124,661 228,948 76,073 21,963 (1,330)

2,693 --- 453,008

Investments 109,009 631,018 5,384,737 199,277 --- 548,373 --- 6,872,414

Account Receivable

20,383 141 --- --- --- --- --- 20,524

Notes Receivable

18,387 27,459 --- 147,600 --- --- --- 193,446

Loans Receivable

--- --- 3,108,469 --- --- --- --- 3,108,469

Student Aid Loans Receivable

63,242 --- --- --- --- --- --- 63,242

Accrued Interest Receivable

--- --- 52,044 --- --- --- --- 52,044

Interfund Certificates of Indebtedness

174,000 124,500 --- 121,000 --- --- (419,500) ---

Inventory 11,566 --- --- --- --- --- --- 11,566Prepaid Expenses

36,119 3,674 --- --- --- --- --- 39,793

Property Held for Resale

320,000 --- --- 200,000 --- --- --- 520,000

Fixed Assets, Net

392,211 1,004 --- -- -

--- --- --- 393,215

Total Assets 1,269,578

1,016,74 4

8,621,32 3

689,84 0

(1,330) 551,066 (419,500) 11,727,7 21

Liabilities

Accounts Payable

21,697 15,528 --- --- --- --- --- 37,225

Sec. 5 -Pg. 31


Accrued Expenses

9,593 4,411 --- 7,424 2,837 --- --- 24,265

District Liabilities

2,368 --- --- --- --- --- --- 2,368

Certificates of Indebtedness

--- --- 6,220,900 --- --- --- (419,500) 5,801,400

Annuities Payable

12,383 36,599 --- --- --- --- --- 48,982

Liabilities for Pension Benefits

529,918 --- --- --- - --

--- --- 529,918

Total Liabilities 575,959 56,538 6,220,900 7,424 2,837 --- (419,500) 6,444,158

Net Assets

Unrestricted 693,619 301,812 2,400,423 520,795 (4,167) 551,066 --- 4,463,548

Temporarily Restricted

--- 658,394 -- -

161.621 --- --- --- 820,015

Total Net Assets

693,619 960,206 2,400,423 682,416 (4,167) 551,066 --- 5,283,563

Total Liabilities & Net Assets

1,269,578

1,016,744

8,621,323 689,840 (1,330) 551,066 (419,500) 11,727,721

Combining Schedule of Financial Position by FundDecember 31, 2013

General Fund

Global Ministrie

s

Investment Fund

Church Planting

Com.

ECCRV

Salaries

ECC Endowment Fund

Eliminations

Total

Revenue

Ministry Funds 1,134,532

--- --- --- --- --- --- 1,134,532

Registrations 45,362 --- --- --- --- --- --- 45,362Ministry Aids 25,540 --- --- --- --- --- --- 25,540Board of Pensions Hospitalization

204,607 --- --- --- --- --- --- 204,607

Pension 83,342 --- --- --- --- --- --- 83,342Interest Income on Loans Receivable

--- --- 139,061 --- --- --- --- 139,061

Investment Income

24,785 6,325 221,701 --- --- (28,030) (9,439) 195,342

Special Offerings 226 241,032 --- --- --- --- --- 241,258Other/Misc. 100,328 --- --- 72,557 83,859 --- (24,943) 231,531Support --- 1,213,83

6--- 118,713 --- --- --- 1,332,54

9Other Offerings and Funds

23,589 ---

--- --- --- --- --- 23,589

Total Revenue 1,642,311

1,461,193

340,762 191,270 83,589 (28,030) (34,382) 3,656,713

Expenses

Sec. 5 -Pg. 32


Interest Expense --- --- 166,244 --- --- --- (9,439) 156,805Missionaries & Other Missions Projects

--- 1,188,936

--- 212,726 --- --- --- 1,401,662

Other --- --- --- --- 86,209 19,629 (20,000) 85,838National Conference

114,000 --- --- --- --- --- --- 114,000

Commission on Evangelism & Discipleship

14,362 --- --- --- --- --- --- 14,362

Commission on Church Health

14,960 --- --- --- --- --- --- 14,960

Commission on Church Services

440,735 --- --- --- --- --- (4,943) 435,792

Ministry/Resource

444,841 --- --- --- --- --- --- 444,841

Agencies & Institutions

597,391 --- --- --- --- --- --- 597,391

Mission Administration

--- 281,090 --- --- --- --- --- 281,090

Regional Committees – Susquehanna

--- 5,821 --- --- --- --- --- 5,821

Regional Committees – Great Lakes

--- 220 --- --- --- --- --- 220

Total Expenses 1,704,307

1,476,067

166,244 212,726 86,209 19,629 (34,382) 3,630,800

Change in Net Assets

(61,996)

(14,874) 174,518 (21,456)

(2,620) (47,629) --- 25,913

Net Assets, Beginning of Year

667,703 975,080 2,225,905 703,872 (1,547) 598,725 --- 5,169,738

FAS 158 Adj – Pension Plan

87,912 --- --- --- - --

--- --- 87,912

Net Assets, End of Year

693,619 960,206 2,400,423 682,416 (4,167) 551,066 --- 5,283,563

MEMORIAL SECRETARYA.MINISTERS

REV. HARRY I. CARMICHAEL died August 11, 2013. He was the spiritual son of First EC Church, Akron, OH, licensed in 1951 by the Western Conference. From 1955 to 1971 he served at Akron Turkeyfoot, followed by four years at Akron Cottage Grove. He was an Army chaplain, a post office employee as well as a church planter in the Akron, Ohio area. He retired in 1985.

He is survived by his wife, Esther, and children Rebecca, Barbara and Hary III.There was a visitation from 4:00-8:00 PM on August 15, 2013 at the Schermesser Funeral

Home in Akron. The service was held at First EC Church, Akron, OH on Friday, August 16, 2013.

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REV. GERALD DAVISON died on June 23, 2013. He was a spiritual son of Youngstown, Ohio (now known as Wedgewood Park EC Church). Licensed in 1959 by the former Western Conference, he served the following appointments: Hubbard, OH; Emlenton, PA; Findlay, OH; Dixon/Bethel and St. James; Rock Falls, IL; back to Findley, OH; Mansfield, OH and Delightful Church in Southington, OH. He retired in 2004 and served as supply at Leavittsburg, OH for five years.

On June 27, 2013 there was a visitation at the Carl Hall Funeral Home in Warren, OH and the funeral was held there on June 27 with pastors Mark Hiehle (his son-in-law) and Rev. Michael Garrison officiating.

REV. MAURICE FRIEDLUND, aka “Morry or Preach” died on August 2013, aged 84 years. He was the spiritual son of Norwood Heights Church in Chicago, IL. He served the following appointments: Rock Falls, IL; Emlenton, PA; Akron Cottage Grove, OH; Knox and Fern, PA; Knox alone; Dixon Bethel, IL; then back to Clarion, founding Clarion church and helped to start the Riverhill Church plant at Shippenville, PA. He retired in 1998. Many will remember his ability in song leading at the General Conference of the East and West and his love for the old hymns and songs – especially “The Comforter has Come.”

He is survived by his wife, Ruth, and four children: Susan, Jim, Bob and John (pastor at Boyertown). He was preceeded in death by a daughter, Karen, and a son, David.

The funeral service was held on August 21st at Grace EC Church, Knox.

REV. CURTIS D. HEISLER died on March 29, 2014 aged 92 years. After having been a part of another denomination, he came to the EC Church in 1954 and served part-time for 32 years at Fishing Creek Church.

He is survived by his wife, Lena (Gary) Heisler, one brother and four sisters.Private funeral services were held on April 2, 2014 and he was buried at Ft. Indiantown Gap.

REV. LANCE MILLS died on August 24, 2013, aged 72, at Olathe, Kansas. He was a spiritual son of Reedsville Bethesda Church, licensed in 1971 by the former Eastern Conference. He served the following appointments: Drehersville (part-time), Pine Grove and Rock, Jarrettown, Temple, Pitman (both churches St. Paul’s and Zion), Millersville and Rock as a single charge. He retired in 2006.

He is survived by his wife, Carol and their daughters, Janey, Rita and Becky, their spouses and grandchildren, a sister and brother.

The service was held on August 29, 2013 at Zion EC Church, Pitman, with his son-in-law officiating. He was buried at Zion EC Cemetery, Pitman.

REV. KEITH EUGENE MONG died on August 27, 2013 aged 70. He was a spiritual son of Grace EC Church, Knox, PA and was licensed by the former Western Conference in 1964. He and his wife, Cheryl, served the following appointments: as a seminary student he served Myerstown, and then went to Steelton, Hubbard, OH, Johnstown, Cedarville, IL, Seneca, and Winnebago, IL. Following the merger of conferences in 2003, Keith came east again and served at Columbia, followed by 5 years, until his retirement, Martindale. Keith will be remembered, by those who knew him well, as a man of compassion, devotion, and integrity who ministered faithfully.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Cheryl (Purnell) Mong (2011). He was survived by his three daughters, Valerie (a missionary in Honduras), Sharon, and Robin and by 11 grandchildren, a sister-in-law, Cindy and a brother-in-law.

A memorial service of Celebration was held on October 5, 2013 at Bethany Crossroads EC Church at Emlenton, PA. Officiating were Rev. Fred Moury and Rev. Phil Walck.

REV. LARRY SEIGER died on September 25, 2013. He was the spiritual son of Zion EC Church, Allentown and was licensed by the East PA conference in 1963. He served the following appointments: Williams Township, Hamburg, Mahanoy City, Columbia, Hazleton, East Petersburg, Jim Thorpe, Creswell (interim), Shamokin and Harrisburg Grace. He retired in 2004 and supplied at Kinderhook from 2005-2009. He was the son of Rev. Paul Seiger and the father of Rev. Timothy Seiger, presently serving at Lewisberry.

He is survived by his wife Betty, sons Tim and Tom, foster daughter Kelly and many grandchildren. Also surviving Larry are his brothers, Ronald and Charles, and a sister Marilyn.

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The service was held September 30, 2013 at Faith EC Church, Lancaster. The officients were Rev. Harry Dow and Rev. Richard Cummings. The burial was Mellingers Mennonite Cemetery in Lancaster.

B. MINISTER’S WIVES/WIDOWS

MARY JANE (GOSS) DRUPP died in April 2014 aged 69 years. She was the wife of Rev. George Drupp. When her husband entered ministry in 1992, she followed him as they together served the following churches: Birdsboro, Reading First and Frackville. Following his retirement in 2010, they continued doing part-time work at Frackville until 2013.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by various family members.The service was held at First EC Church, Lebanon on April 5, 2014.

ANNE MCLAREN HALL died on August 6, 2013. She was the wife of the Rev. Bruce N. Hall who died in 2002. Together they served the following appointments in the East PA Conference: Hazleton, Reading Greenmont, Bethlehem Olivet, Pitman, Bair/Weigelstown, Mohns Hill, Allentown Bethany and Weissport.

The memorial service was held on August 13, 2013 at Egypt Community Church, Whitehall, PA. Interment was private in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Frackville.

FAY JONES died on February 8, 2014 at the StoneRidge Community, Myerstown, PA. She was the wife of Rev. Russel Jones. They came to the EC Church in 1992 and served as assistants at Muir and Williamstown after which they retired in 2007.

The Celebration of Life service was held on February 15, 2014 at Ebenezer EC Church, Williamstown.

C. MISSIONARIES

During this year we have learned of the deaths of two veteran missionaries, both of whom have been loved and known by several generations of EC people.

CAROLYN EMMA SALTENBERGER died on December 8, 2013 aged 88 years. She was a spiritual daughter of Kemble Park EC Church in Philadelphia, where her parents, Bill and Emma Saltenberger were active members. Her mother, Emma, served as a delegate to the former East PA Conference. She was a graduate of Germantown High School and during her late teen years she felt the call to missions. Under the direction of Rev. T.E. Paul, was sent to Belgium in order to learn the French language as she had already been called to join the ministry of Dr. Carl Becker in what was then known as the Belgian Congo where she served for more than 40 years. Anyone who knew Carolyn appreciated everything she was and did not only to minister to Jesus, but to love and care for all whom she encountered. She was much loved and a friend to many. She was always glad to come home and visit friends and to share her message. Like her mother, she “told it like it was.”

FERN ARLENE SWEIGERT died on May 5, 2014 aged 88 years. At the young age of 19 she came to Glenn Eden, KY to begin her teaching career. At the age of 22, she was placed there as a missionary at Canyon Falls EC Church. A few years later, her life-long friend and co-educator came to join her. Fern taught school for more than 50 years. Fern held many positions in the Canyon Falls Church over many years including: President of the Church Board, President of Sunday School, President of the Missionary Society and Willing Workers Class, Director of VBS and youth programs, Christmas and Easter plays, Sunday School and Bible study teacher and she preached sermons when the church was between pastors. Fern loved serving God and encouraged everyone to do the same. Miss Sweigert never had any natural children, but she had many spiritual children.

Fern is survived by one sister, Marion Essinger, and a brother-in-law, Mark of Ephrata. She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Eva.

The funeral service was held at the Good Funeral Home in Reamstown on May 13, 2014. An additional service was held on May 8 at Canyon Falls EC Church. She was returned to PA for burial.

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D. HONORABLE MENTION

Gerald Adam died on December 16, 2013. He and his wife Harriet were active members of St. Matthew’s EC Church, Emmaus for many years. He was the father of Missy (Adam) Wagner, a missionary, with her husband in Africa.

Ron Bachman died on May 20, 2014 in California. He was the son of Rev. Ronald Bachman who is serving in Columbia, PA.

Donna Baldt died December 1, 2013. She was ordained in 2013 as a Deaconness at First EC Church, Akron, OH. She was a very special lady and impacted many lives.

Ardella Brandt died unexpectedly on May 11, 2014. She was the mother of Miriam Moury, wife of Rev. Fred Moury and the grandmother of missionary Rev. Daniel Moury.

“Mom” C. died in May 2014. She was the mother of Beverly Kramer, wife of Rev. Dale Kramer of Union Salem EC Church, Lebanon County, PA.

Lillian Clark died on September 15, 2013. She was the mother of Rev. Gerald Baum, former Conference Minister of the Delaware Region.

Dr. David Dorsey, distinguished Professor of Old Testament at Evangelical Seminary died January 2, 2014. He was highly respected and appreciated.

Charlotte Farr died in July 2013. She was the mother of EC missionary James Farr and the grandmother of EC Wycliffe Missionary Jamie Farr.

Rev. Harry Faust died on January 2, 2014 aged 60 in Albany, NY. He pastored the following EC Churches: Clayton, Weissport, East Weissport, Palmerton, and the former Allentown Boulevard.

He is survived by his wife Kyungui, of Selkirk, NY, daughter Ruth in Edison, NJ and son, Joshua in Toyko, Japan and granddaughter Isabella Murray.

The service was held on February 1, 2014 at Christ EC Church, Allentown. Burial was in Bethany EC Church Cemetery, Clayton. Dr. John Ragsdale and the Rev. Richard Reigle officiated.

Leo Jerome Gould Sr. died on September 24, 2014 age 78 years. A good many of us will remember him from Twin Pines Camp where he served as Property Manager from 1969-1987 where his skills as a well educated engineer were appreciated for those years. His wife, Dawn and his two children shared his ministry through those years. He was also a part of the establishment of the EC Church in Bartonsville.

Ruth B. Keller died on April 26, 2014. She was the mother of our highly esteemed Kirby N. Keller, a past Professor and Administrator at the Evangelical Seminary. She will be long remembered and appreciated by many who once were hungry students at the seminary. She cooked and cared for them for many years and therefore has been a part of many of our lives.

Alexander Evan Marks died unexpectedly on October 9, 2013 at the age of 17. He was the beloved son of Rev. Kirk and Debby Marks at St. Paul’s EC Church, Reamstown and brother of Emily and Maggie. Alexander was a very talented musician who formed various groups and played with them.

Alice (New) Parker died unexpectedly on March 2, 2014. She was the wife of the Rev. John Parker, a UM minister, and the beloved mother of Rev. Brian Parker, an EC church planter in the Harrisburg area. Alice’s career in life was that of a very excellent nurse who worked with Rev. Greg Dimick on the Medical ICU at Lankenau Hospital. She was a good friend.

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Forrest “Bush” Paul died on September 11, 2013. He was the husband of our esteemed and beloved long time Lay Delegate from Williamstown, Gail Paul.

Sharon K. (Martin) Rissler died on April 14, 2014 aged 47 years. She was the beloved daughter of our much respected and highly esteemed Lay Delegate from Grace EC Church, Akron, Mary Martin. Many of us who were involved at Twin Pines and summer camping were thankful for Sharon’s loving heart, her giving, caring spirit, and her absolute surrender to Jesus all of her life. We have no way of knowing how many Jr. and Sr. High girls by Sharon’s commitment to be His servant. We are thankful and blessed by Sharon who is now safe in the arms of Jesus.

The day is done and the darknessFalls from the wings of night

As a feather is wafted downwardFrom an eagle in its flight.

I see the lights of the villageGleam through the rain and the mist

And a feeling of sadness comes o’er meThat my soul cannot resist.

A feeling of sadness and longingBut that is not akin to painAnd resembles sorrow only

As the mist resembles the rain

Come read to me some versesSome simple and heartfelt lay

That shall soothe this restless feelingAnd banish the thoughts of day

Read from the Treasured VolumeThe verses of thy choice

And lend to the rhyme of the AuthorThe beauty of thy voice.

And the night shall be filled with musicAnd the cares that infest the day

Shall fold their tents like the NomadsAnd silently steal away.

Paraphrase from Longfellow’s “The Day is Done”

Gregory F. Dimick

RESOLUTIONS

FOR DELAWARE REGION:The New Life Evangelical Congregational Church, Reading, Pennsylvania, has notified Bishop Hill that it convened a congregational meeting on March 31, 2014 to consider disaffiliation from the Evangelical Congregational Church. A vote was taken and was unanimous to approve the motion to dissolve its affiliation with the Evangelical Congregational Church in accordance with paragraph 324.3 of the Discipline.

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THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the disaffiliation of New Life Evangelical Congregational Church, Reading, Pennsylvania from the National Conference of the Evangelical Congregational Church is hereby approved, to be effective upon the repayment of any claims of the National Conference being adequately satisfied.

FOR SUSQUEHANNA REGION:The Grace Evangelical Congregational Church, Millersville, Pennsylvania, has notified Bishop Hill that it convened a congregational meeting on September 22, 2013 to consider the closure of Grace Evangelical Congregational Church. A vote was taken and those entitled to cast a ballot voted by greater than two-thirds majority to approve a motion to close and be declared extinct effective upon the adoption of a resolution by the National Conference of the E. C. Church no later than May 30, 2014 in accordance with paragraph 324.4 of the Discipline.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the closure of Grace Evangelical Congregational Church, Millersville, Pennsylvania is hereby approved by the National Conference of the Evangelical Congregational Church and the congregation is hereby adjudged extent, to be effective upon the repayment of any claims of the National Conference being adequately satisfied

STATISTICIAN

God is never in a hurry, and He is never late. Time is never in a hurry, and it is never late. Time is seconds, minutes, hours, days, months and years. God created time and He created us, so you see that time has a connective place in each of our lives and daily chores. You may ask what those statements have to do with a statistical report.The answer may not be what you expect, however it is very germane to the stability of our denomination. One of the major requirements for having a strong church is the longevity and maturity of the pastor which in turn leads to the maturity of the church as a whole. Some pastors may imply that there is a shorter course to take. I think that depends on what the pastor and the church want to be known as or for. When God makes an oak tree, it takes at least 100 years for full maturity but when He grows a squash it only takes a few months. There are no shortcuts to the ministry or growth of a pastor or church.Our denomination requires particular information from each church during the course of each year that allows various committees and commissions to peruse and determine the use of the information. In the process you will find a connection between the church and the denomination and a connection between the committees, commissions and all of the churches. The connect aspect is extremely important for the life of the denomination.The temptation to omit or submit late information to the denomination is especially strong unless we see the value of the request and the necessity of the submission date. “Being confident of this very thing that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). When a church begins working for the Lord it is a good work and that work is to be performed until the return of Jesus Christ. Good work for a church means to be not only obedient to God but to the denomination to which it belongs.Each year there are various dates set as deadlines for registrations, reservations, reports, etc. and each year there are churches and/or individuals that either ignore the dates or respond late, sometimes causing undo frustration for the guilty party. The frustration is a result of a lack of connection. This year, as in past years, a date of January 25 was set for the return of the annual report for the church. As of that date only 36 of our churches responded. A plea for those late reports with a new date of February 12 was sent and many responses appeared, but a full 25% of the churches did not yet respond. The Bishop made a final plea with yet another date and some of the churches did respond, however there are still 16 (12.8%) of the churches outstanding.

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Working hard and striving to be a vibrant growing church is admirable and each church belonging to the Evangelical Congregational denomination should work in conjunction with the processes that are in place. The fact is that our denomination is God’s church and He will build it unless there are dissidents that are ready to destroy what has been built. Churches must connect with the denomination in order to build a worthy and stable God fearing, yet God loving community.

Rev. Ken Wiest

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Documents

· Web viewWe do not need more rules and creeds – we need recommitment to our covenantal relationship with each other and with God. I see the Evangelical Congregational Church