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Registrations for XLR8, the US National Conference, are pushing toward 700. Here are the current figures (which we also update fairly regularly on the conference homepage):
The Global Ministries Leadership Team concludes its two-day spring meeting today. A lot of interesting stuff in the works, including the approval of several new missionaries. You’ll be hearing about some of this soon.
The US National Conference Nominating Committee has concluded its work, and has submitted the following:
Phil Whipple is a graduate of Liberty University and of the Huntington University Graduate School. He took his first pastorate in 1984, but didn’t come into the United Brethren fold until 1990, when he became an associate at Richfield Road UB church in Flint, Mich.
The next year, he began seven years as pastor of Pleasant Valley UB church (Lake Odessa, Mich.). Then, in 1998, he was assigned to Colwood. Under Phil’s leadership, the attendance has grown from 200 to over 500, and they have baptized 130 people.
Phil and his wife, Sandy, have been married for almost 30 years, and have two sons, both of whom serve as Worship Arts pastors–Josh at Mongul UB church in Shippensburg, Pa., and Mike at Colwood.
You can read online Phil’s vision statement, which includes six roles he sees for the bishop and four areas for immediate attention.
The US National Conference Nominating Committee has nominated Philip Whipple for the office of bishop. The next bishop will serve 2009-2013.
Phil is senior pastor of Colwood UB church in Caro, Mich. He is a graduate of Liberty University and of the Huntington University Graduate School. He took his first pastorate in 1984, but didn’t come into the United Brethren fold until 1990, when he became an associate at Richfield Road UB church in Flint, Mich.
The next year, he began seven years as pastor of Pleasant Valley UB church (Lake Odessa, Mich.). Then, in 1998, he was assigned to Colwood. Under Phil’s leadership, the attendance has grown from 200 to over 500, and they have baptized 130 people.
Phil and his wife, Sandy, have been married for almost 30 years, and have two sons, both of whom serve as Worship Arts pastors–Josh at Mongul UB church in Shippensburg, Pa., and Mike at Colwood.You can read online Phil’s vision statement, which includes six roles he sees for the bishop and four areas for immediate attention.
Phil’s name will be the only name on the ballot, though nominations can also be made from the floor of the US National Conference. Rev. J. Michael Caley, chairman of the Nominating Committee, explains the process they used.
J. Michael Caley, Senior Pastor, Banner of Christ UB (Byron Center, Mich.)
The Nominating Committee was appointed last fall to fill two ballots for the June 2009 US National Conference:
I was named chairman. We held our initial meeting January 15-16 in Canton, Ohio. Prior to these meetings, we received input from Bishop Ron Ramsey and Pat Jones, Director of Healthy Church Ministries. In addition, we gathered information from various regions and clusters. Realizing that this was a God-sized task, we sought divine direction asking for clear consensus.
During the past four years, Bishop Ramsey’s leadership in growing healthy Great Commission churches has been positive. We clearly heard throughout the denomination the need for continuity. Understandably, a new bishop will bring his own leadership vision and administrative style to the task of growing healthy Great Commission churches.
The Nominating Committee received lists of all ordained United Brethren ministers eligible to serve as bishop, whether currently assigned, unassigned, or retired. From that list we developed a slate of individuals who possess the leadership qualities sought in a bishop.
We contacted seven individuals up through March 15, giving them the opportunity to pray and reflect upon their decision. Of the individuals we contacted, one felt a clear call of God’s leadership for the office of bishop at this time.
We planned, and preferred, to offer a ballot with a least two names (additional nominations can be made from the National Conference floor). However, we also prayed that, as a Nominating Committee, we would have consensus concerning the ballot. In presenting the name of Rev. Phillip Whipple as a nominee for bishop of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, USA, our prayer for consensus has been answered.
We’re almost past the 500 mark, with 495 people registered for the US National Conference June 4-7. The numbers also show:
The number of registrations for the US National Conference continues rising, and seems to be above the number at this time in 2007 (when we ultimately ended up with over 900 people registered). Here are the latest figures.
We keep the numbers updated on the US National Conference website. Everything regarding the National Conference will be posted there.
The deadline for the various reports was a little over a week ago, and sadly, we’ve got a number of delinquent churches. Here are the numbers as of yesterday (March 24):
The deadline for all annual reports, covenants, and lay delegate notifications was March 15. As of today, here is what Bishop Ron Ramsey has received:
The number of registrations for the US National Conference increased about 20 over the weekend. Here are the latest figures:
Every Monday and Thursday, we tally up the registrations and reports that have come in, and let you know. We post XLR8 registrations and report totals here, and post the XLR8 numbers on the US National Conference website.
As of yesterday, the end of the day, the XLR8 registrations looked like this:
The deadline for all reports is March 15, just a few days away. Here are the new totals:
All of these numbers were sent to the denominational email list yesterday afternoon. If you’re not on that list, you can join.
Before going home last night, we updated the numbers on the homepage of the US National Conference site. They now show:
We also have updates on the reports coming into the office. The deadline for all of these is March 15. As of March 9, Bishop Ron Ramsey had received:
