06 Jan Recognizing 250 Years of UB History

The United Brethren denomination started 250 years ago in Lancaster, Pa. Throughout 2017, we’ll be telling “On This Day” stories from throughout our history. These will appear on the UB Facebook page and here on UBCentral. The first story appeared on January 3: Bishop Clyde W. Meadows was born on that day in 1901. The second will appear on January 7. Altogether, nearly 200 stories are planned.

To make sure you don’t miss any, you can do two things:

• “Like” the UB Facebook page.
• Sign up to receive the UB Daily News, which sends you an email each day, around 11 am, compiling all stories published on UBCentral during the previous 24 hours. Sign up here.

20 Oct 2017 Pastoral Compensation Guidelines

The Executive Leadership Team, during its October 17-18 meeting, approved the Pastoral Compensation guidelines for 2017. Many United Brethren churches use this formula to set salaries and budgets for the coming year.

The 2017 minimum fulltime salary (called Standard Base Salary) for senior pastors was set at $38,756, which is a 1% increase over 2016. This is a minimum. Churches are encouraged to go beyond the minimum. This year, the guidelines also provide figures for 1.5% and 2% increases.

The Standard Base Salary is only the starting point. Other factors—such as experience, education, church attendance, and 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.

20 Oct Overtime Pay and Your Church

Questions have been coming to the National Office about overtime pay for church employees. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), though designed for businesses, also applies to churches and other ministries.

The Fall 2016 edition of The Deacon’s Bench, a newsletter from Brotherhood Mutual, does a thorough job of explaining how the FLSA applies to churches, especially regarding overtime pay. You can download that issue here.

The newsletter covers these areas:

• Criteria for determining if the FLSA applies to your ministry.
• Clergy members are not specifically exempted from the FLSA.
• The three tests which determine whether or not an employee is exempt from the FLSA.
• What the FLSA requires regarding overtime pay.
• Penalties for violating the FLSA.
• How to reduce your liability.

The newsletter explains a “ministerial exception” which “is intended to apply to pastors, ministers, or other employees who are ordained or who function in a similar religious capacity.” Five criteria are given for classifying someone as a minister.

• Hired largely on the basis of religious criteria.
• Authorized to perform church ceremonies.
• Recognized by your ministry as a clergy member.
• Engages in religious activities as part of the job.
• Is required to follow a process such as licensing, ordination, etc.

The newsletter also discusses church record-keeping, and how the FLSA applies to educators.

We encourage you to download the newsletter

09 Jun Task Force on Human Sexuality

The Task Force on Human Sexuality has been hard at work studying a variety of issues related to gender identity and sexual orientation. This group was authorized in July 2015 by the US National Conference, and was appointed in October 2015 by the Executive Leadership Team.

Their purpose was to take a comprehensive, biblical look at the many aspects of gender identity and sexual orientation. The 2015 US National Conference dealt with issues involving same-sex marriage, but it was clear that many other issues loomed on the horizon. Rather than deal with issues in a piecemeal way as they arose—perhaps a new issue at every National Conference—it made sense to take a more comprehensive approach which would serve the United Brethren Church well into the future. We wanted to avoid acting impulsively or out of a sense of fear in reaction to the issue of the moment.

Scope of the Task Force
The Task Force was asked to study such areas as these:

• A comprehensive and biblical view toward the many forms of sexual orientation and gender identity—over 50 such categories now, by some counts.
• Issues involving the recognition of marriages by churches and by the state.
• A fresh look at our current Discipline statements on family-related issues.
• Legal protections for pastors and churches regarding such areas as same-sex marriages, the use and renting of church facilities, and employment.
• Biblical attitudes and approaches UB members and churches should take.
• Any recommended statements to include in the Discipline as early as 2017.
• Any recommended revisions to the Pastoral Ministry Handbook.
• Ramifications for Huntington University.

Task Force Members
These are the persons appointed by the Executive Leadership Team to the Task Force on Human Sexuality:

• Dr. Luke Fetters (right) is the chairperson. Luke is professor of ministry and missions at Huntington University, an ordained United Brethren minister, and a former UB missionary, pastor, and church planter.
• Dr. Anthony Blair, president of Evangelical Seminary in Myerstown, Pa. Anthony is an ordained United Brethren minister, and former UB pastor, church planter, and superintendent.
• Matt McKeown, associate pastor of First UB church in Holly Hill, Fla., with a degree in Christian counseling.
• Joni Michaud, an attorney practicing in the areas of criminal law, family law, and immigration law. A graduate of Huntington University and Notre Dame Law School, Joni is a member of Pleasant Valley UB church in Lake Odessa, Mich., and was a delegate to the 2015 US National Conference.
• Beth Pictor, a counselor from Emmanuel UB church in Fort Wayne, Ind. Beth graduated from Huntington University in 2015 with a Masters in Counseling.
• Andy Sikora, pastor of Renew Communities, a UB church in Berea, Ohio, which he started in 2011. Andy graduated from Huntington University in 2001, was ordained in 2014, and is a current member of the Executive Leadership Team.
• Mark Vincenti, youth pastor of College Park UB church in Huntington, Ind. Mark graduated from Huntington University in 1999, and served 11 years as youth pastor of King Street Church (Chambersburg, Pa.) before coming to College Park. He was ordained in 2015.
• Trevor Maggart, a 2015 graduate of Huntington University, is currently associate pastor of The Pointe in Fort Wayne, Ind.

The Schedule

1. The Task Force held its first face-to-face meeting March 3, 2016. At that meeting, they defined the task before them, defined their roles, and assigned working groups.
2. A second meeting was held May 24, during which working groups presented their reports.
3. A third meeting was held June 9, 2016.
4. A fourth meeting is scheduled for September 22, 2016.
5. The Task Force will present proposals to the October 17-18, 2016, meeting of the Executive Leadership Team, and then meet in November to discuss feedback from the ELT.
6. The current plan is to meet in early 2017, if needed, to finalize their work before it is presented in regional gatherings prior to the 2017 US National Conference.

30 Mar Dr. Mike Dittman Joins the UB National Office Team

Mike Dittman leading a training session for UB cluster leaders.

Todd Fetters, Interim Bishop

I love the United Brethren in Christ family. Always have. Always will. Since my arrival at the National Office in 2013, I’ve imagined and prayed that the wind of the Holy Spirit would carry us into a new season of fruitfulness where our churches become stronger and we are successful at starting new ones.

Dr. Mike Dittman

With this vision in mind, I’m excited to announce that Dr. Mike Dittman will join the UB National office team as Director of National Ministries, effective April 1, 2016.

Mike brings ministry experience and qualifications that will help us build strong churches and start new ones that are transforming lives, connecting God’s people to one another, and on mission together in our communities. He has been part of planting and developing churches in traditional and non-traditional ways for over 30 years. For 17 years, Mike helped to build the graduate school at Philadelphia Biblical University where he focused on pastoral ministry, discipleship counseling, organizational leadership, and Christian education. He and his wife, Pam, have four children. Since 1992, the Dittmans have been providing encouragement, training, and coaching to Christian leaders through their ministry, Haven for the Heart.

As you can see, Mike brings a wealth of experience to the role of National Ministries director. But beyond that, he brings a heart for God that I desire for all of our churches and the pastors who serve them.

I’ve known Mike since 2007. He was an integral part of my own personal, spiritual, and ministry renewal at Devonshire Church in Harrisburg, Pa. His wise guidance set me on a path to rekindle my love for Jesus, restore my relationships with folks in my congregation, and regain a vision for ministry that was a blessing during my last five years as pastor of Devonshire. I’m happy to say that I remain on that same path today in my role as interim bishop.

Mike brings a broader evangelical perspective to the United Brethren church from his many years of ministry experience. But he also knows us well, having spent the past three years working as my primary equipper for our cluster leaders. Together, Mike and I want to see our churches experience greater fruitfulness. Pastors and their leadership teams are key. To that end, we have focused on the heart of a leader and cultivating a life of prayer. It is on this foundation that Mike and I direct our attention to building discipling communities.

I’m thrilled about Mike’s partnership, and he’s excited to serve the United Brethren in Christ. He and I continue to be amazed at how the intersecting of our lives bears evidence of the continual, firm hand of the Lord. We covet your prayers, as we team together to ask and imagine what Jesus wants to do in strengthening UB churches and starting new ones.

05 Feb 2015 UB Year in Review

The 2015 UB Year in Review is on its way to United Brethren churches. This eight-page publication begins with an article by Bishop Todd Fetters on the work of the Holy Spirit. That is followed by numerous tidbits from 2015–from churches, our mission work, National Conference, Huntington University, and other aspects of our worldwide ministry. Very informative.

We send a small quantity to each church, based on their attendance size. If you need more, email Cathy Reich at the National Office, or call her at 1-888-622-3019.

10 Dec UB National Office Holiday Schedule

To observe the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, the UB National Office will close on Thursday, December 24 and reopen on Monday, January 4.

08 Sep A Farewell from the Staff for Phil and Sandy Whipple

Phil and Sandy Whipple with the drawing by Barbara Bosworth.

Staff and spouses.

Staff and spouses praying Numbers 6:24-26 over Phil and Sandy Whipple.

On Thursday evening, September 3, the staff of the National Office held a farewell get-together for Bishop Phil and Sandy Whipple. Bishop Whipple led the US National Conference, including overseeing the National Office, for six years, 2009-2015.

Staff and spouses met the Whipples at the home of Jeff and Charlene Bleijerveld in Fort Wayne, Ind. All of the current staff, and all but one spouse, attended.

The evening began with a catered meal of brisket, pulled pork, and beans. Melissa Hull provided cheesecake and cupcakes for dessert, while her husband, David, mixed homemade ice cream.

After the meal, everyone gathered in the family room as some gifts were presented to the Whipples. A primary gift was a copy of a pencil drawing which will be placed in the National Office. On the walls of the main hallway are pencil drawings of every bishop going back to Martin Boehm and William Otterbein, the first two United Brethren bishops when the church officially organized in 1800. There were 23 bishops prior to the division of the church in 1889, and 31 bishops since then, making Bishop Whipple the 54th bishop to serve our denomination.

The drawing was done by Barbara Bosworth, whose husband, Darrel, is pastor of Kilpatrick UB church in Woodland, Mich. Barbara is a very talented artist who specializes in pencil drawings. She has her own studio in Lake Odessa, Mich. The portrait features the new United Brethren logo with the “All for Christ” tagline, which was adopted under Bishop Whipple’s watch.

The drawing also includes very appropriate words from Acts 20:2, “He traveled throughout the region, speaking many words of encouragement to the people.” Bishop Whipple made a point of visiting every UB church during his first two years, and was constantly traveling on behalf of the Church. Much of his work was done personally with pastors and spouses, and with congregations.

After the presentation of gifts, everyone gathered around Phil and Sandy, laid hands on them, and together prayed Numbers 6:24-26 (NLT) as a benediction for them:

May the Lord bless you and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace. Amen.

Later in the evening, Bishop Whipple was given opportunity to make some remarks of appreciation to the staff and spouses. Gary Gates, director of Ministerial Licensing, then led in prayer for Phil and Sandy and whatever their future holds, after which the staff broke into a spontaneous verse of “Great is Thy Faithfulness.”

It was an evening filled with much fun and laughter. But it was also an emotional time, as the staff bid a very fond farewell to this couple who gave so much of themselves to the Church during the past six years. Nearly 40 photos can be viewed on the UB Facebook page.

21 Aug Appointees to the Executive Leadership Team

L-r: Dennis Sites, Sherwood Cook, and Janis Creason (East region); Greg Voight, Todd Rhoades, and Andy Sikora (Central region).

L-r: Randy Carpenter, Bob Tobey, and Mark Wilson (North region); Gary Dilley, Kevin Smith, and Tomi Cardin (West region).

On July 16, the US National Conference elected eight persons to the Executive Leadership Team–one minister and one layperson from each of the four regions. That left four additional members to be appointed by the ELT.

Bishop Todd Fetters nominated four persons for appointment to the Executive Leadership Team, and all four have been approved by the ELT via online voting. They will serve two-year terms. They are:

• East Region: Janis Creason, a county treasurer from Devonshire Church (Harrisburg, Pa.).
• Central Region: Andy Sikora, founding pastor and senior pastor of Renew Communities (Berea, Ohio).
• North Region: Mark Wilson, senior pastor of Fowlerville UB church (Fowerville, Mich.).
• West Region: Tomi Cardin, executive director of Redemption House Ministries, from Anchor UB church (Fort Wayne, Ind.).

You can view on the UB website the entire Executive Leadership Team for 2015-2017.

19 Aug Step-by-Step Through the 2015 Business Meeting

Todd Fetters leading the National Conference business session on July 16, 2015.

Steve Dennie, Director of Communications

The business meeting of the 2015 US National Conference was held on Thursday, July 16, at ResLife Church in Grandville, Mich. The official minutes have now been submitted by Roxton Spear, the conference recording secretary.

Using the minutes, we updated the United Brethren Discipline. You can read the 2015-2017 Discipline online and download a PDF version to print out. The complete Discipline can also be read in the UB App.

Here is a blow-by-blow report of the business meeting, with a focus on how delegates dealt with the 13 proposals that came before them. All of the reports they considered can be viewed online.

Report 2: Rules & Procedures

Todd Fetters, chairman, called the meeting to order at 9:12 am.

After the roll call, the delegates approved the Rules & Procedures report, which explained how the meeting would be conducted. This report was published in mid-June. Two amendments were made–to recognize Todd Fetters as chairman (in place of Bishop Phil Whipple) and Paul Hirschy as vice chairman (in place of Lester Smith, who was still struggling with illness). Other officers:

• Recording secretary: Roxton Spear, senior pastor of Mongul UB church (Shippensburg, Pa.).
• Parliamentarian: Craig Burkholder, senior pastor of Hudson UB church (Hudson, Ind.).

Report 11: ELT Minutes

Todd Fetters turned the chair over to Paul Hirschy to process the ELT minutes (Report 11) from the past two years. There was a motion to adopt the ELT minutes.

After some discussion, a motion was made to enter into executive session to discuss circumstances related to the resignation of Bishop Phil Whipple. Executive session would be limited to clergy delegates, lay delegates, and advisory members. Everyone else was asked to leave the room.

Gary Dilley, a member of the executive committee of the Executive Leadership Team, read a letter of explanation from the ELT. Questions were answered, and there was discussion. Nothing was recorded in the minutes.

Executive session ended at 10:26, and a break was called. Business resumed at 10:42 with a motion to close the executive session.

The delegates voted to approve the ELT minutes, with the exception of the appointment of Todd Fetters as Interim Bishop.

Paul Hirschy presiding over the conference.

Interim Bishop

There was much discussion basically around the question, “What happens now?”

Eventually Steve Fish, teaching pastor at Emmanuel Community Church (Fort Wayne, Ind.), made this motion: “I move the United Brethren National Conference affirm the ELT’s decision to appoint Todd Fetters as the Interim Bishop, and that this body determine that time-frame to begin on August 7, 2015, until the meeting of the next United Brethren National Conference in 2017.”

There was more discussion, including two attempted amendments, both of which failed:

• To change the effective date from August 7 to July 16, which would make the appointment start immediately.
• To drop the word “interim” from the title.

The original motion passed. Bishop Emeritus Ron Ramsey then came forward to lay hands on Todd Fetters and pray for him. Todd Fetters then shared some remarks with the conference.

Bishop Hirschy returned the chair to Todd Fetters. Hirschy was given a standing ovation for leading the conference through the ELT minutes, the executive session, and the discussion surrounding the appointment of Todd Fetters as Interim Bishop. (more…)