Zion Mennonite Church
Hubbard, Oregon
The first Delegate Session was opened at 9:35 by Moderator Marion Schrock, who read portions of Psalm 90 as the Opening Devotions. Moderator Schrock welcomed the delegates and guests.
Recognition of the Hispanic Concilio
Moderator Schrock invited Victor Vargas and Samuel Moran to join him at the front. He recognized the work of the Hispanic churches within the PNMC as they have formed the Hispanic Concilio. During the past year, the Concilio has formalized their structure. Samuel Moran, the Concilio President, explained some of the work of the Concilio with Victor Vargas as translator. Samuel Rendon was also recognized as Vice President.
Roll Call of Congregations
Secretary Charlotte Hardt called the roll of member congregations asking delegates from each congregation to stand. Members of Mountain View Mennonite Church, Kalispell, Montana were recognized as visitors.
Conference Pastor Larry Hauder recognized Earl King and Wendell Yoder who passed away during last yearÕs conference as among Òthe clouds of witnessesÓ with us today.
Pastor Hauder used 1st Corinthians 12:12 as a foundation for a discussion of the ÒsystemsÓ of our conference. He used overheads to show the demographics of PNMC and what he perceived as our strengths/opportunities and our weaknesses/threats.
Moderator Schrock asked for response from the delegate group to Pastor HauderÕs comments. The next half hour was spent in dialogue amongst the delegates.
The morningÕs session was closed by Pastor HauderÕs reiteration of the opportunities for enhancing our mission.
Delegate Afternoon Session Two Ð June 15, 2001
Moderator Schrock opened the afternoon session at 1:20.
Conference Resolution Adopting Policy and Procedure, Authorizing Announcement, Directing Delivery to Ministers, and Authorizing Adoption of Revised Versions in the Future. Version 9.12.00.
Pastor Hauder reviewed the history of the resolution and its review by Mennonite lawyers. A motion was made by Floyd Lapp to adopt the resolution, seconded by Audrey Lowen.
A query was made about a Spanish translation. Secretary Hardt said that she had been advised by the Mennonite Church offices not to have this document translated by an amateur (non- bi-lingual attorney), but that they were working on an official Spanish translation. Moderator Schrock said that we would continue to track this and would supply Hispanic copies as they become available.
The motion was passed unanimously by a show of hands vote.
Moderator Schrock advised both delegates and pastors that it was critically important that a copy of this resolution be kept on file in every church office.
Treasurer Stan Wyse reviewed the current Budget Overview, Budget Detail, Member Church Contributions and preliminary Balance Sheet in the Delegate Book. Following some clarification of details, he moved on to the proposed 2001-2002 budget. This budget reflects a 9.5% decrease in expenses and revenues. This reflects a major decrease of 49% in Evangelism and Missions, partly the end of Church Plant obligations and the other reflecting the phased decrease in support to CIEMNM. The income decrease of 96% also reflects the end of the General ConferenceÕs obligation to PNMC for church plants. The budget shows a $38,000 deficit, $10,000 of which is expense budgeted for fund-raising (expenses for a volunteer fund raiser).
Moderator Schrock asked for feedback on the figures and proposed budget. He said that he feared that there may be a disconnect between the decisions made by delegates and their home congregations. As part of the increased communications requested by the delegates last year, he had requested the naming of a Conference Support Contact Person in each congregation. So far, he has gotten names from six of the 39 congregations.
Moderator Schrock commented that the tradition of member church askings over many years has been both illogical and irrational. The Board is attempting to move to an equitable agreed upon formula based upon attendance and congregational budgets. This budget is based upon 3.4% increase in contributions.
The Board is basing the first step towards equity on giving expectation being 6% of church budgets and uses a range of 2-6% increases. Those churches who are currently giving more than 6% of their budget would be asked for the lesser increase. We would be using the church budgets for a calendar year.
Comments:
* There needs to be some way to account for churches with mortgages versus those who own their facilities free and clear.
* Could there be a way to make it Òmore of a pledgeÓ than an ÒaskingÓ which is actually an ÒexpectationÓ from the conference.
*There are conferences (Indiana-Michigan) where staff does go out and confer with church clusters as part of the conference budget development.
*When a congregation is doing a special construction project (capital improvement/ new Sunday rooms. Etc.), is that ÒextraÓ reflected in the budget reported Ð therefore having the expectation of 6% to PNMC?
*It could/should be part of each congregation to have a PNMC Advocate in each congregation that would help with these questions and also to check on the congregationÕs financial health.
Copies of the PNMC Brochure created in both English and Spanish by Board Member Janet Buschart were circulated to the delegates.
Moderator Schrock reviewed the ÒBuilding Our Future TogetherÓ document in the Delegate Book. There has been a sub-committee consisting of Larry Hauder, Duncan Smith, Stan Wyse, Janet Buschart, and Larry Hildebrant working on change within the conference. The Futures document is a synthesis of some of their ideas. The document is presented to the delegates for discussion about what activities PNMC should be doing outside of the core funding in the budget. The Moderator emphasized that none of the activities outlined would be undertaken until the funding for them was actually in-hand. He asked that the document be taken back to congregations so that there could be feedback to the Board.
Comments:
* Is not the education of the pastor a responsibility of the congregation? Is there a sense that this could be done more economically through the conference? The congregations that can, should be covering that cost.
A motion was made and seconded and passed to affirm the ballot of nominees as presented by the Nominations Committee Chair Jeanne Zook:
Western Mennonite High School Board Ð Victor A Vargas and Marilyn Van Pelt
Finance Committee Ð Calvin Ott
Nominating Committee Ð Merlin A Aeschliman
Congregational Nurture Committee Ð Frank Woelk, Jon Yoder (completion of a one year term)
Evangelism and Missions Committee Ð Myron Schenk, Peggy Wirth, Juan Jenkins
Pastoral Leadership Committee Ð George Leppert
Peace and Justice Committee Ð Rob Hanson
West Coast MCC Representative Marty Freeburn
Conference Historian Ð Ray Kauffman
Communications Discussion:
Moderator Schrock asked if there had been improvement in communications within the conference? This had been a major issue in the discussions at Moses Lake last year.
Comments:
* The new format of the Evangel with columns by the Conference Pastors and Moderator is appreciated.
*Moderator Schrock stated that West Coast MCC is about two weeks away from announcing the name of a person who has been hired to work with immigrations issues in the Oregon area.
*The prayer calendar will cease following this monthÕs issue. A volunteer is needed to carry on this communication.
The afternoon session was adjourned at 3:30 to listen to a ÒFirst-fruits GivingÓ Presentation by Mark Vincent.
Moderator Marion Schrock opened Session Three by calling Margaret Shetler, retiring PNMC Historian to the front for a gift in recognition of her years of service. She was given a standing ovation by the delegate body.
Moderator Schrock welcomed and recognized representatives from national boards and schools:
Christopher Scott Ð Mennonite Publishing
John Doerkson Ð AMBS
Mark Regier Ð Mennonite Mutual Aid
Bob and Barb Bauxman Ð West Coast MCC
Fred Goering Ð Bethel College
Marlene Kroeker Ð Mennonite Board of Missions
Marilyn Miller Ð Mission on Home Ministries
Ron Flaming Ð Commission on Mission
Ron, Marlene and Marilyn gave a short presentation acknowledging the support that the congregations of PNMC have given to their three agencies over many years. They updated the delegates on the transformation of their three agencies into one new entity under Mennonite Church USA.
Cecil Miller, Chair of the PLC and Larry Hauder, Conference Pastor, gave the Pastoral Leadership Report.
Ministerial licenses were extended for Karla Morton, Scott Henderson, Sesay Desalign and Dorotea Rivera. Licenses were granted to Kevin Schumacker, Charlene Epp and Matt Friesen.
Larry recognized the team work between himself, Duncan Smith and Victor Vargas and discussed the job descriptions changes that will be effective July 1. Both he and Duncan will carry conference pastor and mission portfolios in their respective geographical regions.
Moderator Schrock exhorted the delegates to look at the last time they had encouraged a teenager in their congregation to consider voluntary service or pastoral education.
Larry asked the four PNMC pastors who had come out of the Kalispell, Montana congregation to stand: Duane Oesch, Harold Hochstetler, Brent Kauffman and Gary Hooley. He said that this congregation is a model for encouraging youth to enter the pastorate.
Duncan Smith gave the Missions Minister report. He recognized David Morrow as the retiring chair of the Missions and Evangelism Committee and Gary Hooley as a retiring member of the Committee. He also expressed his thanks for the teamwork between himself, Larry Hauder and Victor Vargas. He commented that he had outlined the changes in job descriptions in his last column in The Evangel and encouraged people to refer to it.
Duncan recognized the retirement of David Chen of the Trinity Taiwanese Mennonite Church plant in Federal Way. He has retired after 46 years of ministry.
Moderator asked Betti Erb, editor of The Evangel, to come forward, expressing his thanks for her work. Betti encouraged people to contact her with ideas for features and stories.
Harold Nussbaum, Chair of the Peace and Justice Committee, presented the CommitteeÕs Peace Mug Award to Steve Kimes of PortlandÕs Anawim ministry to the homeless. He also recognized Ed Good as a retiring member of the Peace and Justice Committee.
This resolution was presented by the PNMC Peace and Justice Committee and recommended by the PNMC Board of Directors for consideration by the conference delegates as directed by PNMC policy.
A motion was made by John Snyder and seconded by Brent Kaufmann to accept the resolution. Terry Rediger commented that congregations could also become endorsers.
The resolution was adopted by a unanimous hand vote.
Marion adjourned the morning session at noon for lunch.
Delegate Session Four Ð Saturday afternoon, June 16, 2001
Moderator Schrock opened the afternoon session at 1:20.
2001-2002 Budget Discussion
Comments:
*George Leppert expressed sorrow that dollars for church plants were not included in this budget.
*Brent Kauffman expressed excitement about moving towards this method of funding. He queried whether the budget numbers from congregations were included in this budgetÕs asking? Stan relayed the gist of yesterdayÕs discussions.
*Floyd Lapp reiterated that if we are going to use church budget numbers, there needs to be some guidelines about what numbers are included (capital budgets, etc.).
*David MorrowÕs church Board supports the move of the Conference towards a more equitable methodology. He wonders whether a clear policy re askings of the Conference should be brought to the delegates next year?
*Secretary Charlotte Hardtclarified that the Hispanic Concilio member churches were not individually included in the budget under Member Church Contributions, but are shown under Other Income as a pledge from the Concilio (C.I.H.A.N.).
* Jake Elias commented that to those whom much is given, much is expected. Thinking in that mode, church building dollars are income and a percentage should be given to Conference.
*Mim asked why income from investments was not included as part of the operations? Stan responded that it was historical. Marion said the Board would look at that as policy.
*Terry Rediger commented that his church gives a percentage of its offerings, but does not include a percentage of special funds such as college scholarship funds.
*Jerry Hollinger asked if the three million dollar figure for total church income was operating funds? Stan replied that to the best of his knowledge, it reflected operating dollars.
Gene Kenagy moved, seconded by Terry Rediger to adopt the budget as outlined on Page 41 of the Delegate Book.
Brent Kauffman asked whether the $10,000 for fund-raising expenses indicated that there was a plan for someone in place to do fund-raising? Marion responded that those dollars were allocated for expenses of fund-raising or grant-writing, but that no particular person had been selected. He asked the assembly for names or ideas of names of persons who might be interested.
The motion was passed by a unanimous hand vote.
Moderator Schrock recognized the death of Henry Becker, a retired pastor of the denomination by a moment of silence.
Jose CompozÕ (Jerusalem Iglesia) brother and his wife were assassinated in Tijuana this week. Pastor Vargas led the delegates in prayer for the family.
Moderator Schrock circulated copies of the ÒVision for Excellence Future PlanÓ of Western Mennonite School. Schrock has been asked to sit on the guidance committee for Western Mennonite.
Moderator Schrock asked all old and new members of the Board and Standing Committees to come forward. Pastor Hauder gave a prayer of dedication and blessing for their continuing service.
Schrock asked for each congregation to select a member to participate in a re-commissioning service at tomorrow morningÕs worship service.
The session was adjourned at 2:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Charlotte L. Hardt
PNMC Secretary