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21 Oct

October 21, 2014 |
Todd Fetters opening the Tuesday morning session.

Todd Fetters opening the Tuesday morning session.

Bishop Phil and Sandy Whipple.

Bishop Phil and Sandy Whipple.

During the Tuesday morning session.

During the Tuesday morning session.

L-r: Marc Stephenson (Chambersburg, Pa.), Jim Bolich (Shippensburg, Pa.), and Milt Herrold (Greencastle, Pa.).

L-r: Marc Stephenson (Chambersburg, Pa.), Jim Bolich (Shippensburg, Pa.), and Milt Herrold (Greencastle, Pa.).

The third Pastors Summit is in progress in Daytona Beach, Fla. This one is for pastors and wives from churches with an attendance of 150-300. Next week, pastors and wives from churches of 300+ attendance will meet at the same hotel in Daytona Beach. It’s designed to be a time of learning and challenge, but also a time of relaxation–a get-away–for pastors.

There are a total of 44 persons. Twenty of them are pastors, and 17 are pastors wives. Seven people from the national office are also attending–Bishop Phil and Sandie Whipple, Jeff Bleijerveld, Todd and Lisa Fetters, and Steve and Pam Dennie.

The group began meeting with supper on October 20. After the meal, Matt McKeown, associate pastor of the United Brethren church in nearby Holly Hill, led the group in worship. Then Todd Fetters, director of National Ministries, led in helping people get acquainted with each pastor and pastoral couple.

On Tuesday morning, Bishop Phil Whipple spoke during the opening session. After a break time, Lisa Fetters convened all of the pastors wives for a separate time together, while the pastors participated in a discussion time.

Everyone had all afternoon and evening free. It was a great first day.

A number of photos have been posted on the United Brethren Facebook page.

17 Oct

October 17, 2014 |

Rev. Dave Stephens passed away Thursday night, October 16, 2014. He was an ordained United Brethren minister, former UB pastor, and for 25 years, director of Camp Cotubic in Bellefontaine, Ohio.

Dave’s son, Scott, wrote the following on Facebook:

With his family at his side, dad passed away on October 16th at 8:00 pm. He’d battled cancer for a year and fought the good fight right up to the end. Dad was such a great man and had a way of making everyone he came in contact with feel like they were family. He was truly a man with the heart of Christ….

God blessed him with a great stage in Camp Cotubic to simply love on people, and that’s what he did every day. He loved the camp so much and gave his heart and soul to it every day for 25 years. God gave Dad a vision 25 years ago, and he worked hard to see that vision come to pass. A couple years ago, Dad sat down and tried to figure out the number of kids that have come through the camp. He quit counting once the number of kids reached a number that would fill Ohio Stadium.

Dad has left us with a great example we all should follow in how to treat others. He always left people better than he’d find them. As I sit here I can’t help but imagine what Dad is seeing right now. He understood this earth isn’t home and looked forward to seeing his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and he also looked forward to seeing his earthly father who passed away in 1984.

We, the Stephens family want to thank everyone who has shown us so much love. It has truly been overwhelming to see the number of people Dad has touched come and love on us over the last year of his battle with cancer. We love you all so much and couldn’t have made it through this without you. Know we’re doing fine and are celebrating as we know where Dad is and who he’s with now! No more pain, no more tears, and no more cancer.

Funeral details will be posted when available. Tentatively, the viewing will be held Monday, October 20, with the funeral on Tuesday in Bellefontaine, Ohio.

16 Oct

October 16, 2014 |

The Executive Leadership Team, during its October 13-14 meeting, approved the Pastoral Compensation guidelines for 2015. Many UB churches use this formula to set salaries and budgets for the coming year.

The minimum fulltime salary (called Standard Base Salary) for senior pastors was set at $37,981 for 2015. This is an increase of 1% over the 2014 figure.

The Standard Base Salary is only the starting point. Other factors–such as experience, education, church attendance, staff size–add to the base salary.

Benefits such as parsonage, utilities, SECA, insurance, and pension round out the total compensation package.

To be a fulltime pastor, the compensation package must meet all of these criteria in full. If a church cannot meet these guidelines, a pastor may pursue supplemental employment to achieve the compensation level.

16 Oct

October 16, 2014 |

Pastors are highly encouraged to register for the Prepare/Enrich Certification Training being held at the UB national office on Thursday, October 23. This class will provide excellent insights and tools for premarital and marital counseling.

Pastors and counselors regularly engage in pre-marital and marriage counseling. A special class is being held October 23, 2014, to help persons become more effective in this area. You can still sign up.

Date: Thursday, October 23, 2014
Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Location: UB Headquarters, Huntington, Ind.
Cost: $150 (usually $225)

Helping couples strengthen their relationships is no easy task. With this training, you can make a significant impact in the life of a premarital or married couple by using this relationship assessment tool. It helps a couple identify their relationship strengths and how to resolve current issues and prevent future problems. With this workshop, you’ll get thorough training in how to:

  • Administer the online assessment.
  • Interpret couple’s reports.
  • Provide useful feedback to couples.
  • Guide couple’s exercises.
  • Teach proven relationship skills.
  • Work more effectively with couples.

The instructor is Dr. Steve Lee, a former professor of psychology at Huntington University who went on to become an instructor at Focus on the Family Institute and a Certified Relational Wisdom Instructor.

Says Bob Bruce, pastor of Spiritual Care at Emmanuel UB church (Fort Wayne, Ind.): “I have personally found this training to be valuable for working with premarital and married couples. It gives great insight into a couple’s relationship and their attitudes towards various aspects of marriage. It provides a solid platform to work with couples.”

10 Oct

October 10, 2014 |
Members of the Board of Directors of Laurel Mission. In the front, l-r, are Debbie, Nathan, and Lindsey Boggs.

Members of the Board of Directors of Laurel Mission. In the front, l-r, are Debbie, Nathan, and Lindsey Boggs.


Ben Gladhill (right), Pastor of Christian Education, Lake View Church (Camden, Mich.).

On October 3-4, the Board of Directors for Laurel Mission met at Laurel Mission in Big Laurel, Kent. The board consists of 11 members from Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina.

Nathan Boggs, with his wife Lindsey, has been the Director of Laurel Mission since 2011, following his father Titus in directorship. Nathan also serves as the youth pastor of Rock House Youth Ministries and pastor of Little Laurel Bible Church. Debbie Boggs, wife of the late Titus Boggs, serves as the associate director of Laurel Mission.

Laurel Mission exists for this purpose: to minister primarily to the residents of Harlan, Leslie, and Letcher Counties of Kentucky by effectively communicating the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed, to the end that all shall know Him as Savior and Lord, adore and praise Him through worship, grow in spiritual maturity, and experience the more abundant life through expressions of Christian social concern.

Laurel Mission also provides opportunities for mission outreach and ministry to people as they undergird the mission with prayer, finances, labor, and share in spiritual retreats.

For more information about the ministry or how to support Laurel Mission, check them out online at LaurelMission.com.

08 Oct

October 8, 2014 |

Roxton Spear (right), senior pastor, Mongul UB church (Shippensburg, Pa.)

On Saturday, October 4, Mongul Church began a new worship experienced called Journey.

Many months ago, our staff and leadership team began exploring what our next steps should be as we attempt to reach effectively into our community.

“Have you thought about a Saturday evening service?” was a question we heard on more than one occasion. After praying and considering what would be necessary to do this, we concluded that offering our community a Saturday evening worship experience would be the next phase of Mongul Church’s life.

After a few months of planning, October 4 arrived, along with 76 individuals (14 children and 62 adults). God is good! There was a buzz of excitement, as people gathered. In attendance were people of all ages, from infant to 80+.

We give God praise for His leadership and blessing.

07 Oct

October 7, 2014 |
Mark Ralph, senior pastor of Mount Zion UB, preparing to perform a baptism.

Mark Ralph, senior pastor of Mount Zion UB, preparing to perform a baptism.

Pastor Mark Ralph leading in three baby dedications.

Pastor Mark Ralph leading in three baby dedications.

Gayle Thorn, Mt. Zion UB (Wayne, Ohio)

Sunday, September 21, was a special day at Mt. Zion UB church in Wayne, Ohio. First, we celebrated the dedication of three little ones to the Lord Jesus Christ. Then, following our time of worship and the message by Pastor Mark Ralph, we rejoiced as four individuals proclaimed their faith in Jesus by being baptized.

07 Oct

October 7, 2014 |
Marcus Flood (left) and Brad Kittle (right), senior pastor of Praise Point, baptizing a youth.

Marcus Flood (left) and Brad Kittle (right), senior pastor of Praise Point, baptizing a youth.

Marcus Flood, Associate of Youth and Family Life, Praise Point Church (Willshire, Ohio)

Praise Point church held several special ceremonies during the October 5 worship service. The service included accepting new members, dedicating infants, and baptizing believers. Nine persons were baptized. Seven of them are in the Four Twelve Youth Ministry. It was a great service, and we are excited with all the things God is doing at Praise Point.

24 Sep

September 24, 2014 |
L-r: Ron Crawford, Christopher Little, and Matthew Bryant.

L-r: Ron Crawford, Christopher Little, and Matthew Bryant.

Three persons attended the latest UB history course earlier this week, September 22-23. The course was held at Mount Pleasant UB church in Chambersburg, Pa., and was taught by Daryl Elliott (right), senior pastor of Fountain UB church in Keyser, W. Va.

The three attendees were:

  • Ron Crawford, Discipleship Director at Blue Rock UB church (Waynesboro, Pa.).
  • Christopher Little, from Mount Pleasant UB church (Chambersburg, Pa.).
  • Matthew Bryant, Coordinator of College Age Ministries at King Street UB church (Chambersburg, Pa.).